485BPOS 1 d423855_485-b.txt As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2003 File Nos. 333-51938 811-10221 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Pre-Effective Amendment No. Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 X and/or REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 Amendment No. 5 X AllianceBernstein Trust (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105 (Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code) Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code:(800) 221-5672 EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR. Alliance Capital Management L.P. 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10105 (Name and address of agent for service) Copies of Communications to: J.B. Kittredge, Esq. Ropes & Gray One International Place Boston, MA 02110-2624 It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box) _________immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) X on November 3, 2003 pursuant to paragraph (b) --------- _________60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) _________on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) _________75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) _________on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485. If appropriate, check the following box: _________This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 relates solely to the registration of Class R shares of the AllianceBernstein Value Fund, AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund and AllianceBernstein International Value Fund of the Registrant. No information contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement relating to the AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund or to the Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class shares of the AllianceBernstein Value Fund, AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund and AllianceBernstein International Value Fund is amended or superseded hereby. ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN TRUST AllianceBernstein Value Fund Class R Shares Prospectus November 3, 2003 The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Investment Products Offered > Are Not FDIC Insured > May Lose Value > Are Not Bank Guaranteed TABLE OF CONTENTS RISK/RETURN SUMMARY FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND GLOSSARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND Investment Objective and Principal Policies and Risks Description of Additional Investment Practices Additional Risk Considerations MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES How The Fund Values Its Shares How To Buy Shares General How To Exchange Shares How To Sell Shares DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS GENERAL INFORMATION FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual funds. ------------------------------------------------------------------ RISK/RETURN SUMMARY ------------------------------------------------------------------ The following is a summary of certain key information about AllianceBernstein Trust - AllianceBernstein Value Fund. This Summary describes the Fund's objective, principal investment strategies, principal risks and fees. This Summary includes a short discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. A more detailed description of the Fund, including the risks associated with investing in the Fund, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. The Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures and forwards. The use of these techniques involves special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. Other important things for you to note: o You may lose money by investing in the Fund. o An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Objective: The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies with relatively large market capitalizations that Alliance believes are undervalued. The Fund's investment policies emphasize investment in companies that are determined by Alliance to be undervalued, using the fundamental value approach of Alliance's Bernstein unit ("Bernstein"). In selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, Bernstein uses its fundamental research to identify companies whose long-term earnings power and dividend paying capability are not reflected in the current market price of their securities. The Fund may also invest 15% of its total assets in securities issued by non-U.S. companies. Principal Risks: Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk, which is the risk of losses from adverse changes in the stock market. Depending on the Fund's investments at a particular time, the Fund may also have industry/sector risk. To the extent the Fund invests in securities issued by non-U.S. companies, it may have non-U.S. investment risk and currency risk. The Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. The use of these techniques involves special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. Performance Table and Bar Chart This information is for the Fund's Class A shares, which, although not offered in this Prospectus, have returns that are substantially similar to the Fund's Class R shares because the classes invest in the same portfolio of securities. The returns of the Class A shares and Class R shares will differ because the Class A shares have a lower expense ratio than the Class R shares. In addition, the returns will differ because the Class A shares have an initial sales charge while the Class R shares are not subject to any sales charges. For Class A shares the table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an investment in the Fund by showing: o how the Fund's average annual returns, before and after taxes, for one year and since inception compared to those of a broad based securities market index; and o changes in the Fund's performance from year to year since inception. The Fund's past performance before and after taxes, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Average Annual Total Returns* (For the periods ended December 31, 2002) 1 Year Since Inception** Class A*** Return Before -16.97% -7.65% Taxes Return After Taxes on -17.19% -7.89% Distributions Return After Taxes on Distributions -10.42% -6.19% and Sale of Fund Shares Russell 1000 (reflects no Value Index deduction for fees, -15.52% -9.04% expenses, or taxes) ----------- * Average annual total returns reflect imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge. ** Inception date is 3/29/01 for Class A shares. *** After-tax Returns: -Are estimates, which are based on the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes; actual after-tax returns depend on an individual investor's tax situation and are likely to differ from those shown; and -Are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Bar Chart The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -13.30 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 Calendar Year End You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's: Best Quarter was up 9.90%, 4th quarter, 2002; and Worst Quarter was down -18.13%, 3rd quarter, 2002. ------------------------------------------------------------------ FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND ------------------------------------------------------------------ This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment) Class R Shares* --------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a None percentage of offering price) Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or None redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) Exchange Fee None -------- *Class R shares are only offered to certain group retirement plans. See "Purchase and Sale of Shares" in this Prospectus. ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) and EXAMPLE The Example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund's operating expenses stay the same and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Operating Expenses Example Management fees .75% After 1 Yr $168 Distribution and service (12b-1) fees .50% After 3 Yrs $520 Other expenses(a) .40% After 5 Yrs $897 ----- Total Fund operating 1.65% After 10 Yrs $1,955 expenses(a) ===== ----------- (a) Based on estimated expenses. ------------------------------------------------------------------ GLOSSARY ------------------------------------------------------------------ This Prospectus uses the following terms. Types of Securities ------------------- Convertible securities are fixed-income securities that are convertible into common stock. Debt securities are bonds, debentures, notes, bills, loans, other direct debt instruments, and other fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations, but do not include convertible securities. Equity securities include (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business trust shares and other equity ownership interests in business enterprises and (ii) securities convertible into, and rights and warrants to subscribe for the purchase of, such stocks, shares and interests. Qualifying bank deposits are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than $1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Rule 144A securities are securities that are subject to restrictions which may render them illiquid; however, Alliance may determine that such securities are liquid pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees of the Fund. U.S. Government securities are securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Types of Companies ------------------ Non-U.S. company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of country other than the United States, (ii) has its principal place of business in a country other than the United States, and (iii) issues equity or debt securities that are traded principally in a country other than the United States. Rating Agencies and Indexes --------------------------- Fitch is Fitch Ratings, the international agency formed through the merger of Fitch IBCA, Inc. and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. Moody's is Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Prime commercial paper is commercial paper rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1 or higher by S&P or, if not rated, issued by companies that have an outstanding debt issue rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher by S&P. Russell 1000 TM Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies (the largest 1,000 U.S. companies by capitalization) with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000(TM) universe of securities is compiled by Frank Russell Company and is segmented into two style indices, the Russell 1000(TM) Growth Index and the Russell 1000(TM) Value Index. S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. Other ----- 1940 Act is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Code is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Commission is the Securities and Exchange Commission. Exchange is the New York Stock Exchange. Securities Act is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND ------------------------------------------------------------------ This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of the Fund's investment objective, principal strategies and risks. Of course, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Please note that: o Additional discussion of the Fund's investments, including the risks of the investments that appear in bold type can be found in the discussion under Description of Additional Investment Practices following this section. o The description of the Fund's risks may include risks discussed in the Risk/Return Summary above. Additional information about risks of investing in the Fund can be found in the discussion under Additional Risk Considerations. o Additional descriptions of the Fund's strategies, investments and risks can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI. o Except as noted, (i) the Fund's investment objective is "fundamental" and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote and, (ii) the Fund's investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote. Where an investment policy or restriction has a percentage limitation, such limitation is applied at the time of investment. Changes in the market value of securities in the Fund's portfolio after they are purchased by the Fund will not cause the Fund to be in violation of such limitation. Investment Objective and Principal Policies and Risks Investment Objective The investment objective of the Fund is long-term growth of capital. Principal Policies The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities generally representing at least 125 companies. The Fund's investment strategy emphasizes investment in companies that are determined by Bernstein to be undervalued, using a fundamental value approach. This approach to equity investing generally defines value by reference to the relationship between a security's current price and its intrinsic economic value, as measured by earnings power and dividend-paying capability. Alliance relies heavily on the fundamental research and analysis of Bernstein's large internal research staff in making investment decisions for the Fund. These investment decisions are the result of the multi-step process described below. The fundamental value approach seeks to identify, in the first instance, a universe of securities that are considered to be undervalued because they are attractively priced relative to their future earnings power and dividend-paying capability. Bernstein's research staff of company and industry analysts follows a research universe of approximately 700 companies with large capitalizations. This universe covers approximately 90% of the capitalization of the Russell 1000(TM) Value Index. The research staff identifies and quantifies the critical variables that influence a business's performance and analyzes the results in order to forecast each company's long-term prospects. As one of the largest multi-national investment firms, Alliance and its Bernstein unit have access to considerable information concerning all of the companies followed and the staff meets regularly with the management, suppliers, clients and competitors of companies in the Fund. As a result, analysts have an in-depth understanding of the products, services, markets and competition of these companies and a good knowledge of the management of most of the companies in the research universe. A company's financial performance is typically projected over a full economic cycle, including a trough and a peak, within the context of forecasts for real economic growth, inflation and interest rate changes. A committee composed of senior investment professionals (the "Research Review Committee") reviews all analyst research performed for the Fund. The Research Review Committee makes sure that the analysts have appropriately considered the key issues facing each company. In addition, it checks to see that forecasts of a company's future are compatible with its history. Finally, the Research Review Committee ensures that all forecasts use consistent analytic frameworks and economic assumptions. For each company in the research universe, Bernstein relates the present value of the company's future cash flow, as forecasted by Bernstein's analysts, to the current price of the company's stock. Using a dividend discount model and solving for the internal rate of return, Bernstein thus derives an expected rate of return. The senior investment professionals involved in the fundamental value approach then factor into this analysis the risk attributes of each company for purposes of re-ranking the companies. By evaluating overall sector concentration, capitalization distribution, leverage, degree of undervaluation and other factors, Bernstein ranks each security on a risk adjusted basis, in an effort to minimize overall Fund volatility. The Fund does not simply purchase the highest-ranked securities. Rather, Bernstein considers aggregate portfolio characteristics and risk diversification when deciding how much of each security to purchase for the Fund. The Fund will tend to overweight stocks selected in the top third of the final ranking, will tend to make market weight commitments to stocks selected from the middle third and will tend to minimize stocks in the lowest third, subject to overall risk diversification. The degree to which a security is attractive can change as a result of adverse, short-term market reactions to recent events or trends. Negative analysts' earnings-estimate revisions and relative return trends (also called "momentum") tend to reflect deterioration in a company's operating results and often signal poor performance to come; positive revisions and return trends tend to reflect fundamental improvements and positive performance ahead. Bernstein monitors these factors so as to better time purchases and sales of securities. A security generally will be sold when it no longer meets appropriate valuation criteria. Sale of a stock that has reached its target may be delayed, however, when earnings expectations are rising or relative return trends are improving. The Fund also may: o Invest up to 20% of its total assets in convertible securities; o Write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options traded on U.S. and non-U.S. security exchanges and over the counter, including options on market indices and currencies; o Invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities; o Invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities issued by non-U.S. companies; o Invest up to 10% of its total assets in rights and warrants; o Enter into forward commitments, futures contracts and options on futures contracts with respect to securities, indices and currencies; o Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, but only if at all times when a short position is open not more than 33% of the Fund's net assets is held as collateral for such sales; o Enter into contracts for the purchase and sale for the future delivery of contracts based on financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities issued by non-U.S. government entities; o Enter into currency swaps and forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes; o Make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets; and o Enter into repurchase agreements. Principal Risks Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are: o Market Risk This is the risk that the value of the Fund's investments will fluctuate as the stock or bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over short- or long-term periods. o Industry/Sector Risk This is the risk of investments in a particular industry sector. If the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in companies engaged in a particular industry sector, market or economic factors affecting that industry could have a major effect on the value of the Fund's investments. o Credit Risk This is the risk that the issuer of a security or the other party to an over-the-counter transaction will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. This risk is applicable to fixed-income securities and is greater for investments in lower-rated securities o Derivative and Leverage Risk The Fund may make substantial use of derivatives and employ specialized trading techniques such as short sales, options, futures, forwards, and other leveraging techniques to increase its exposure to certain selected securities. Alliance employs these techniques speculatively to enhance returns and not merely as hedging tools. These techniques are riskier than many investment strategies and will result in greater volatility for the Fund, particularly in periods of market declines. o Non-U.S. Investment Risk This is the risk of investments in issuers located in countries other than the United States. Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. companies. This is because the securities markets of many countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, non-U.S. issuers are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect the Fund's investments in a country other than the United States. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment. o Currency Risk This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may negatively affect the value of the Fund's investments. Because the Fund invests in non-U.S. issuers it is subject to this risk. o Management Risk The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. Alliance will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended result. Description of Additional Investment Practices This section describes the investment practices of the Fund and risks associated with these practices. Unless otherwise noted, the Fund's use of any of these practices was specified in the previous section. Convertible Securities. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the same general characteristics as nonconvertible debt securities, which generally provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to make the price of the convertible security less volatile than that of the underlying equity security. As with debt securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates fall. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they offer investors the potential to benefit from increases in the market prices of the underlying common stocks. Convertible securities that are rated Baa or lower by Moody's, BBB or lower by S&P or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality, may share some or all of the risks of non-convertible debt securities with those ratings. Currency Swaps. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by the Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The Fund will not enter into any currency swap unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the transaction. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements. Forward Commitments. Forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities may include purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a "delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a "when, as and if issued" trade). When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months after the transaction, but the Fund may negotiate settlements beyond two months. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuations and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. The use of forward commitments enables the Fund to protect against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling bond prices, the Fund might sell securities in its portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, the Fund might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of currently higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be required to complete such when-issued or forward transactions at prices inferior to the then current market values. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund enters into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving securities or delivering them, as the case may be. If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or dispose of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may incur a gain or loss. Any significant commitment of Fund assets to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. In the event the other party to a forward commitment transaction were to default, the Fund might lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of securities at favorable prices. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. The Fund may purchase or sell forward currency exchange contracts to minimize the risk of adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price at a future date, and is individually negotiated and privately traded. The Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the security ("transaction hedge"). The Fund will not engage in transaction hedges with respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency. When the Fund believes that a currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of that currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such currency, or when the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against another currency, it may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). The Fund will not position hedge with respect to a particular currency to an extent greater than the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that currency. Instead of entering into a position hedge, the Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a forward contract to sell a different currency for a fixed U.S. Dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated ("cross-hedge"). Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such forward contracts. Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. Illiquid Securities. The Fund will limit its investments in illiquid securities to no more than 15% of its net assets. Illiquid securities generally include (i) direct placements or other securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available market (e.g., when trading in the security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted securities, when market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers), including many individually negotiated currency swaps and any assets used to cover currency swaps, and most privately negotiated investments in state enterprises that have not yet conducted and initial equity offering, (ii) over-the-counter options and assets used to cover over-the-counter options, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. Because of the absence of a trading market for illiquid securities, the Fund may not be able to realize the price at which they are carried on the Fund's books upon sales. Alliance will monitor the liquidity of the Fund's investments in such securities. Rule 144A securities generally will not be treated as "illiquid" for purposes of this limit on investments if they meet certain liquidity guidelines established by the Fund. The Fund may not be able to readily sell securities for which there is no ready market. Such securities are unlike securities that are traded in the open market and can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower or higher than Alliance's most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally, less public information is available about the issuers of such securities than about companies whose securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that these securities are securities issued by non-U.S. companies, there is no law in many of the countries in which the Fund may invest similar to the Securities Act requiring an issuer to register the sale of securities with a governmental agency or imposing legal restrictions on resales of securities, either as to the length of time the securities may be held or the manner of resale. There may, however, be contractual restrictions on resales of non-publicly traded foreign securities. Loans of Portfolio Securities. A principal risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other collateralized extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, the Fund may be exposed to the risk that the sale of any collateral realized upon the borrower's default will not yield proceeds sufficient to replace the loaned securities. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income from the securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and earn additional income or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Any such investment of cash collateral will be subject to the Fund's investment risks. The Fund will have the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent securities to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest, or distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative, and custodial fees in connection with a loan. Options on Securities. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive from (in the case of a call) the writer of the option a specified amount of a security on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of another security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security with an exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has written. A put option written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund holds a put on the underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of the put option it has written. A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if the Fund does not own the underlying security and is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in value in another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. The Fund may write call options for cross-hedging purposes. The Fund would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a covered call option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge transaction would exceed that which would be received from writing a covered call option, while at the same time achieving the desired hedge. In purchasing an option, the Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in the case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the premium paid for the option. If an option written by the Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that, if the option is exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased or sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing transaction (i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could reduce these risks. The Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or call option whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of call options could result in increases in the Fund's portfolio turnover rate, especially during periods when market prices of the underlying securities appreciate. The Fund will purchase or write options on securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest in privately negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter) transactions only with investment dealers and other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by Alliance. Alliance has adopted procedures for monitoring the creditworthiness of such entities. Options purchased or written by the Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an advantageous time. Options on Securities Indices. An option on a securities index is similar to an option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. Options on Currencies. As in the case of other kinds of options, the writing of an option on a currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on a currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund's position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. See the Fund's SAI for further discussion of the use, risks, and costs of options on currencies. Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A "sale" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities or currency or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities or currency or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made. Options on futures contracts are options that, upon exercise, call for the delivery of futures contracts (or cash payments based on the value of futures contracts). Options on futures contracts written or purchased by the Fund will be traded on exchanges worldwide or over the counter. These investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future changes in market conditions and interest or exchange rates which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date. The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts only to the extent the transactions constitute bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The Fund will not enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of its total assets. Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit the Fund to keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. If a vendor defaults on its repurchase obligation, the Fund would suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price. If a vendor goes bankrupt, the Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness of the vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements. Rights and Warrants. The Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if the underlying equity securities themselves are deemed appropriate by Alliance for inclusion in the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights are similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security, although the value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time or a change in perception as to the potential of the underlying security, or any combination of these factors. If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on the expiration date, the warrant will expire worthless. Moreover, a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. Short Sales. A short sale is effected by selling a security that the Fund does not own, or, if the Fund does own such security, it is not to be delivered upon consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical to those sold short without payment. The Fund may utilize short selling in order to attempt both to protect its portfolio against the effects of potential downtrends in the securities markets and as a means of enhancing its overall performance. The Fund may not make a short sale if as a result more than 33% of the Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Although the Fund's gain is limited by the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Future Developments. The Fund may, following written notice to its shareholders, take advantage of other investment practices that are not currently contemplated for use by the Fund, or are not available but may yet be developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks that exceed those involved in the activities described above. General. The successful use of the investment practices described above draws upon Alliance's special skills and experience and usually depends on Alliance's ability to forecast price movements, interest rates, or currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should interest rates, prices, or exchange rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the transactions or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts and options on futures contracts, there are no daily price fluctuation limits for certain options on currencies and forward contracts, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition, the correlation between movements in the prices of such instruments and movements in the prices of the securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce unanticipated losses. The Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures contracts, options and forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types of securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing. It is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in various types of futures contracts, options and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not exist for an option purchased or written by the Fund, it might not be possible to effect a closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option), with the result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be exercised in order for the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may not be able to sell portfolio securities or currencies covering an option written by the Fund until the option expires or it delivers the underlying securities, currency or futures contract upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments effectively. In addition, the Fund's ability to engage in options and futures transactions may be limited by tax considerations and the use of certain hedging techniques may adversely impact the characterization of income to the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Portfolio Turnover. The Fund is actively managed and, in some cases in response to market conditions, the Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other expenses, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains, which, when distributed, are taxable to shareholders. Temporary Defensive Position. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may reduce its position in equity securities and invest in, without limit, certain types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high-quality debt securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities, qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and other types of short-term debt securities including notes and bonds. Such securities also may include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies, and supranational organizations. While the Fund invests for temporary defensive purposes, it may not meet its investment objective. Additional Risk Considerations Investment in the Fund involves the special risk considerations described below. Currency Considerations. The Fund may receive a portion of its revenues in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Therefore, the dollar equivalent of its net assets, distributions, and income will be adversely affected by reductions in the value of certain currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of the income and the making of Fund distributions, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if it has insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet distribution requirements that the Fund must satisfy to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time the Fund incurs expenses in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the amount of the currency required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to pay expenses in U.S. Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such expenses in the currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these risks, the Fund may engage in currency hedging transactions, as described above, which involve certain special risks. Securities of Non-U.S. Issuers. The securities markets of many countries outside of the United States are relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Consequently, the Fund may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in equity securities of U.S. companies. These markets may be subject to greater influence by adverse events generally affecting the market, and by large investors trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States. Securities registration, custody and settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and legal and administrative uncertainties. Certain countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of securities that may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and may increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. In addition, the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority. If a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may require the Fund to adopt special procedures that may involve additional costs to the Fund. These factors may affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments in any country and Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on the Fund's investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including brokerage commissions for transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in many countries are generally higher than in the United States. Issuers of securities in jurisdictions other than the United States are generally not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy requirements, and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting and auditing standards of countries may differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects and less information may be available to investors in securities of non-U.S. issuers than to investors in U.S. companies. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers. The economies of individual countries other than the United States may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Political changes, government regulation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments could affect adversely the economy of a country and the Fund's investments. In such events, the Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved. Extreme Governmental Action; Less Protective Laws. In contrast to investing in the United States, investment in other countries may involve in certain situations greater risk of nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or other extreme governmental action that could adversely impact the Fund's investments. In the event of certain such actions, the Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in various countries other than the United States governing, among other subjects, business organization and practices, securities and securities trading, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to investors such as the Fund than provided under United States laws. Non-U.S. Taxes. The Fund's investment in securities issued by non-U.S. companies may be subject to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments. Non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund may be creditable or deductible by U.S. shareholders for U.S. income tax purposes. No assurance can be given that applicable tax laws and interpretations will not change in the future. Moreover, non-U.S. investors may not be able to credit or deduct such non-U.S. taxes. ------------------------------------------------------------------ MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ------------------------------------------------------------------ Investment Adviser The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment adviser managing client accounts with assets as of June 30, 2003 totaling approximately $426 billion (of which approximately $156 billion represented assets of investment companies). As of June 30, 2003, Alliance managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 45 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee retirement funds in 43 states, for investment companies, and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52 registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 125 separate investment portfolios, currently have approximately 7.3 million shareholder accounts. Marilyn G. Fedak and Ranji H. Nagaswami are the persons who have been primarily responsible for the day to day management of the Fund. Ms. Fedak has held such position since the Fund's inception, and Ms. Nagaswami assumed such position in 2003. Ms. Fedak is an Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer - U.S. Value Equities of Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), the sole general partner of Alliance, with which she has been associated with since October 2000. Prior thereto, Ms. Fedak was Chief Investment Officer and Chairman of the U.S. Equity Investment Policy Group at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc. since prior to 1998. Ms. Nagaswami is a Senior Vice President of ACMC since 1999. Prior thereto, Ms. Nagaswami was managing director and co-head of U.S. Fixed Income at UBS Brinson since prior to 1998. Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities for the Fund. For these advisory services, the Fund paid Alliance a fee of .75% of the Fund's average daily net assets for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES ------------------------------------------------------------------ How the Fund Values Its Shares The Fund's net asset value or NAV is calculated at the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), each day the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, the Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund values its securities at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations, or, if such quotations are not readily available, such other methods as the Fund's directors believe accurately reflect fair market value. Your order for a purchase, sale, or exchange of shares is priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund. How to Buy Shares Class R shares are available to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans ("group retirement plans") that have plan assets of $1 million to $10 million and have plan level or omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund. Class R shares are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, traditional and ROTH IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403 (b) plans and AllianceBernstein sponsored retirements products. General The Fund is required by law to obtain, verify and record certain personal information from you or persons on your behalf in order to establish the account. Required information includes name, date of birth, permanent residential address and social security/taxpayer identification number. The Fund may also ask to see other identifying documents. If you do not provide the information, the Fund will not be able to open your account. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, or that of another person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or if the Fund believes it has identified potentially criminal activity, the Fund reserves the right to take action as it deems appropriate which may include closing your account. If you are not a US citizen or Resident Alien, your account must be affiliated with a NASD member firm. The Fund is required to withhold 28% of taxable dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not provided the Fund with their certified taxpayer identification number. To avoid this, you must provide your correct Tax Identification Number (Social Security Number for most investors) on your account application. The Fund may refuse any order to purchase shares. In particular, the Fund reserves the right to restrict purchases of shares (including through exchanges) when there appears to be evidence of a pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term considerations. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of its shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities markets or for other reasons. How to Exchange Shares To the extent that other AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds offer Class R shares, you may exchange your Fund shares for Class R shares of such other AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. Exchanges of shares are made at the next determined NAV, without sales or service charges. You may request an exchange by mail or telephone. You must call by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, to receive that day's NAV. The Fund may modify, restrict, or terminate the exchange service on 60 days' written notice. How to Sell Shares You may "redeem" your shares (i.e., sell your shares to the Fund) on any day the Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. Your sales price will be the next-determined NAV after the Fund receives your sales request in proper form. Normally, proceeds will be sent to you within 7 days. If you recently purchased your shares by check or electronic funds transfer, your redemption payment may be delayed until the Fund is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer has been collected (which may take up to 15 days). o Selling Shares Through Your Broker or Financial Representative Your broker or financial representative must receive your sales request by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, and submit it to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's NAV. Your broker or financial representative is responsible for submitting all necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this service. o Selling Shares Directly to the Fund By Mail: o Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with certificates, to: Alliance Global Investor Services P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278-6003 o For certified or overnight deliveries, send to: Alliance Global Investor Services 8000 IH 10 W, 4th Floor San Antonio, TX 78230 o For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange, or other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee signatures. Stock power forms are available from your financial intermediary, Alliance Global Investor Services ("AGIS"), and many commercial banks. Additional documentation is required for the sale of shares by corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you have any questions about these procedures, contact AGIS. By Telephone: o You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been issued by telephone request. Call AGIS at 800-221-5672 with instructions on how you wish to receive your sale proceeds. o A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's NAV. o If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your bank. Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you. o Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000 per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed $50,000 per day. o Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or "street name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within the previous 30 calendar days. ------------------------------------------------------------------ DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ------------------------------------------------------------------ The income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared by the Fund on its outstanding shares will, at the election of each shareholder, be paid in cash or in additional shares of the same class of shares of the Fund. If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate net asset value as of the close of business on the declaration date of the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or distribution. You may make an election to receive dividends and distributions in cash or in shares at the time you purchase shares. Your election can be changed at any time prior to a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or other charge in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election, electronically via the ACH network. If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you may, within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend or distribution in additional shares of the Fund without charge by returning to Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing the dividend or distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be deemed to have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions in shares of the Fund. While it is the intention of the Fund to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital gains, if any, the amount and timing of any dividend or distribution will depend on the realization by the Fund of income and capital gains from investments. There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. The final determination of the amount of the Fund's return of capital distributions for the period will be made after the end of each calendar year. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's distributions of net income (or short-term taxable gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term capital gains generally will be taxable to you as long-term capital gains. The Fund's distributions also may be subject to certain state and local taxes. Dividends and distributions are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Whether distributions of gains are taxable to you at long-term capital gains rates or short-term capital gains rates will not depend on your holding period in shares of the Fund, but rather on the Fund's holding period in assets giving rise to the gains. Under the provisions of recently enacted tax legislation, the maximum long-term capital gain rate has been reduced from 20% to 15%, and some or all of the distributions from a mutual fund may be treated as "qualified dividend income," taxable to individuals at the reduced maximum rate of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets), provided that both the Fund and the individual satisfy certain holding period and other requirements. A distribution from the Fund is treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that it is comprised of dividend income received by the Fund from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, and provided that the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the security paying the dividend. In addition, the individual must meet certain holding period requirements with respect to the shares of the Fund in order to take advantage of the 15% tax rate. To the extent distributions from the Fund are attributable to other sources, such as taxable interest, most distributions from real estate investment trusts, or short-term capital gains, the dividends will not be eligible for the lower rates. The Fund will notify you as to how much of the Fund's distributions, if any, would be qualified dividend income, assuming that you satisfied the holding period requirements. Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that the Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, the Fund intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the Code to "pass-through" to the Fund's shareholders credits for foreign income taxes paid (or to permit shareholders to claim a deduction for such foreign taxes), but there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to do so. Furthermore, a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction for foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not be permitted to claim a credit or deduction for all or a portion of the amount of such taxes. Under certain circumstances, if the Fund realizes losses (e.g., from fluctuations in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. Returns of capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a shareholder's basis in shares of the Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero (which could happen if the shareholder does not reinvest distributions and returns of capital are significant), any further returns of capital will be taxable as capital gain. If you buy shares just before the Fund deducts a distribution from its NAV, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back as a taxable distribution. The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Each year shortly after December 31, the Fund will send you tax information stating the amount and type of all its distributions for the year. Consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, and local tax consequences in your particular circumstances. ------------------------------------------------------------------ DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Fund offers Class R shares through this Prospectus. Class R shares are available only to certain group retirement plans that have plan assets of $1 million to $10 million. Class R shares are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred sales charges. The Fund's other share classes are offered through a separate prospectus. Asset-based Sales Charge or Rule 12b-1 Fee. The Fund has adopted a plan under Commission Rule 12b-1 that allows the Fund to pay asset-based sales charges or distribution and service fees for the distribution and sale of the Class R shares. The amount of this fee for the Class R shares is 0.50% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Class. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales fees. Special Distribution Arrangement for Group Retirement Plans and Employee Benefit Plans. The Fund offers special distribution arrangements for group retirement plans and certain employee benefit plans, including employer-sponsored tax-qualified 401(k) plans, other defined contribution plans (the "Plans"). However, plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries and other financial intermediaries may establish requirements for the Plans as to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of the Fund, including maximum and minimum initial investment requirements, that are different from those described in this Prospectus. The Plans also may not offer all classes of shares of the Fund. In order to enable participants investing through the Plans to purchase shares of the Fund, the maximum and minimum investment amounts may be different for shares purchased through the Plans from those described in this Prospectus. Therefore, plan sponsors or fiduciaries may not adhere to these share class eligibility standards set forth in this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund is not responsible for, and has no control over, the decision of any plan sponsor or fiduciary to impose such differing requirements. Other. A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary, or other financial representative with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of Class R shares made through such financial representative. The financial intermediaries or your fee-based program also may impose requirements on the purchase, sale, or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts. ------------------------------------------------------------------ GENERAL INFORMATION ------------------------------------------------------------------ Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The Fund reserves the right to close an account that through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the account value before the account is closed. During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty in reaching AGIS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions to AGIS. AGIS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests to purchase, sell, or exchange shares. AGIS will employ reasonable procedures to verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses resulting from unauthorized transactions if it failed to do so. Dealers and agents may charge a commission for handling telephone requests. The telephone service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice. Shareholder Services. AGIS offers a variety of shareholder services. For more information about these services or your account, call AGIS's toll-free number, 800-221-5672. Some services are described in the Subscription Application. You also may request a shareholder's manual explaining all available services by calling 800-227-4618. ------------------------------------------------------------------ FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Financial Highlights are not provided because Class R shares had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. For more information about the Fund, the following documents are available upon request: o Annual/Semi-annual Reports to Shareholders The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional information on the Fund's investments. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. o Statement of Additional Information (SAI) The Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund, including its operations and investment policies. The Fund's SAI is incorporated by reference into (and is legally part of) this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the SAI or make shareholder inquiries of the Fund, by contacting your broker or other financial intermediary, or by contacting Alliance: By Mail: c/o Alliance Global Investor Services P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278-6003 By Phone: For Information: (800) 221-5672 For Literature: (800) 227-4618 Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission: o Call the Commission at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. o Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. o Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You also may find more information about Alliance and the Fund on the Internet at: www.Alliancecapital.com. SEC File No: 811-10221 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy Notice (This information is not part of the Prospectus.) Alliance Capital Management L.P., the AllianceBernstein Family of Funds and AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (collectively, "Alliance" or "we") understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of our customers' nonpublic personal information. In order to provide financial products and services to our customers efficiently and accurately, we may collect nonpublic personal information about our customers from the following sources: (1) information we receive from account documentation, including applications or other forms (which may include information such as a customer's name, address, social security number, assets and income) and (2) information about our customers' transactions with us, our affiliates and others (including information such as a customer's account balances and account activity). It is our policy not to disclose nonpublic personal information about our customers (or former customers) except to our affiliates, or to others as permitted or required by law. From time to time, Alliance may disclose nonpublic personal information that we collect about our customers (or former customers), as described above, to non-affiliated third party providers, including those that perform processing or servicing functions and those that provide marketing services for us or on our behalf pursuant to a joint marketing agreement that requires the third party provider to adhere to Alliance's privacy policy. We have policies and procedures to safeguard nonpublic personal information about our customers (or former customers) which include: (1) restricting access to such nonpublic personal information and (2) maintaining physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to safeguard such nonpublic personal information. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN TRUST AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund Class R Shares Prospectus November 3, 2003 The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Investment Products Offered > Are Not FDIC Insured > May Lose Value > Are Not Bank Guaranteed TABLE OF CONTENTS RISK/RETURN SUMMARY FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND GLOSSARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND Investment Objective and Principal Policies and Risks Description of Additional Investment Practices Additional Risk Considerations MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES How The Fund Values Its Shares How To Buy Shares General How To Exchange Shares How To Sell Shares DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS GENERAL INFORMATION FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual funds. ----------------------------------------------------------------- RISK/RETURN SUMMARY ----------------------------------------------------------------- The following is a summary of certain key information about AllianceBernstein Trust - Small Cap Value Fund. This Summary describes the Fund's objective, principal investment strategies, principal risks and fees. This Summary includes a short discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. A more detailed description of the Fund, including the risks associated with investing in the Fund, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. The Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures and forwards. The use of these techniques involves special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. Other important things for you to note: o You may lose money by investing in the Fund. o An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Objective: The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies with small market capitalizations. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in these types of securities. The Fund's investment policies emphasize investment in companies that are determined by Alliance to be undervalued, using Bernstein's fundamental value approach. In selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, Bernstein uses its fundamental research to identify companies whose long-term earnings power is not reflected in the current market price of their securities. The Fund may also invest 15% of its total assets in securities issued by non-U.S. companies. Principal Risks: Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk, which is the risk of losses from adverse changes in the stock market. The Fund's investments in smaller capitalization companies tend to be more volatile than investments in companies with larger capitalizations. The Fund's investments in small capitalization stocks may have additional risks because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources. Depending on the Fund's investments at a particular time, the Fund may also have industry/sector risk. To the extent the Fund invests in securities issued by non-U.S. companies, it may have non-U.S. investment risk and currency risk. The Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. The use of these techniques involves special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. Performance Table and Bar Chart This information is for the Fund's Class A shares, which, although not offered in this Prospectus, have returns that are substantially similar to the Fund's Class R shares because the classes invest in the same portfolio of securities. The returns of the Class A shares and Class R shares will differ because the Class A shares have a lower expense ratio than the Class R shares. In addition, the returns will differ because the Class A shares have an initial sales charge while the Class R shares are not subject to any sales charges. For Class A shares the table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an investment in the Fund by showing: o how the Fund's average annual returns, before and after taxes, for one year and since inception compared to those of a broad based securities market index; and o changes in the Fund's performance from year to year since inception. The Fund's past performance before and after taxes, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Average Annual Total Returns* (For the periods ended December 31, 2002) 1 Year Since Inception** ------ ----------------- Class A*** Return Before Taxes -12.13% 3.18% Return After Taxes on Distributions -12.35% 2.70% Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -7.45% 2.32% Russell (reflects no 2500 deduction for fees, Value Index expenses, or taxes) -9.87% 0.51% Russell (reflects no 2500 deduction for fees, Index expenses, or taxes) -17.80% -5.19% -------- * Average annual total returns reflect imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge. ** Inception date is 3/29/01 for Class A shares. *** After-tax Returns: -Are estimates, which are based on the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes; actual after-tax returns depend on an individual investor's tax situation and are likely to differ from those shown; and -Are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Bar Chart The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -8.20 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 Calendar Year End You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's: Best Quarter was up 10.35%, 4th quarter, 2002; and Worst Quarter was down -20.69%, 3rd quarter, 2002. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------- This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment) Class R Shares* --------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) None Exchange Fee None -------- * Class R shares are only offered to certain group retirement plans. See "Purchase and Sale of Shares" in this Prospectus. ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) and EXAMPLE The Example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund's operating expenses stay the same and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Operating Expenses Example Management fees 1.00% After 1 Yr $163 Distribution and service (12b-1) fees .50% After 3 Yrs(c) $591 Other expenses(a) .51% After 5 Yrs(c) $1,045 ------- Total Fund operating 2.01% After 10 Yrs(c) $2,305 expenses(a) ======= Waiver and/or expense reimbursement(b) (.41)% ======= Net expenses 1.60% ======= -------- (a) Based on estimated expenses. (b) Reflects Alliance's contractual waiver of a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimbursement of a portion of the Fund's operating expenses. This waiver extends through the Fund's current fiscal year and may be extended by Alliance for additional one-year terms. No reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund's total annualized operating expenses to exceed 2.70% for Class R shares. (c) These examples assume that Alliance's agreement to waive management fees and/or bear Fund expenses is not extended beyond its current period. ----------------------------------------------------------------- GLOSSARY ----------------------------------------------------------------- This Prospectus uses the following terms. Types of Securities ------------------- Convertible securities are fixed-income securities that are convertible into common stock. Debt securities are bonds, debentures, notes, bills, loans, other direct debt instruments, and other fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations, but do not include convertible securities. Equity securities include (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business trust shares and other equity ownership interests in business enterprises and (ii) securities convertible into, and rights and warrants to subscribe for the purchase of, such stocks, shares and interests. Qualifying bank deposits are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than $1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Rule 144A securities are securities that are subject to restrictions which may render them illiquid; however, Alliance may determine that such securities are liquid pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees or Directors of the Fund, as the case may be.. U.S. Government securities are securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Types of Companies ------------------ Non-U.S. company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a country other than the United States, (ii) has its principal place of business in a country other than the United States, and (iii) issues equity or debt securities that are traded principally in a country other than the United States. Rating Agencies and Indexes --------------------------- Fitch is Fitch Ratings, the international agency formed through the merger of Fitch IBCA, Inc. and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. Moody's is Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Prime commercial paper is commercial paper rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1 or higher by S&P or, if not rated, issued by companies that have an outstanding debt issue rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher by S&P. S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. Other ----- 1940 Act is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Code is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Commission is the Securities and Exchange Commission. Exchange is the New York Stock Exchange. Securities Act is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------- This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of the Fund's investment objective, principal strategies and risks. Of course, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Please note that: o Additional discussion of the Fund's investments, including the risks of the investments that appear in bold type can be found in the discussion under Description of Additional Investment Practices following this section. o The description of the Fund's risks may include risks discussed in the Risk/Return Summary above. Additional information about risks of investing in the Fund can be found in the discussion under Additional Risk Considerations. o Additional descriptions of the Fund's strategies, investments and risks can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI. o Except as noted, (i) the Fund's investment objective is "fundamental" and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote and, (ii) the Fund's investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote. Where an investment policy or restriction has a percentage limitation, such limitation is applied at the time of investment. Changes in the market value of securities in the Fund's portfolio after they are purchased by the Fund will not cause the Fund to be in violation of such limitation. Investment Objective and Principal Policies and Risks Investment Objective The investment objective of the Fund is long-term growth of capital. Principal Policies In seeking to achieve its objective, the Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities generally representing 60 to 90 companies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets in the equity securities of smaller companies. For purposes of this policy, net assets includes any borrowings for investment purposes. This policy will not be changed without 60 days' prior written notice to shareholders. For these purposes, "smaller companies" are those that, at the time of investment, fall within the lowest 20% of the total U.S. equity market capitalization (excluding companies with market capitalizations of less than $10 million). Because the Fund's definition of smaller companies is dynamic, the upper limit on market capitalization will change with the markets. As of January 31, 2003, there were approximately 2,500 smaller companies, and those smaller companies had market capitalizations ranging up to approximately $5.0 billion. The Fund's investment policies emphasize investments in companies that are determined by Bernstein to be undervalued, using a fundamental value approach. Bernstein's fundamental value approach to equity investing generally defines value by reference to the relationship between a security's current price and its intrinsic economic value, as measured by long-term earnings prospects. In making investment decisions for the Fund, Alliance depends heavily on Bernstein's fundamental analysis and the research of its large internal research staff. These investment decisions are the result of the multi-step process described below. The fundamental value approach seeks to identify, in the first instance, a universe of securities that are considered to be undervalued because they are attractively priced relative to their future earnings power. Bernstein's research staff of analysts follows a primary research universe of approximately 800 largely domestic smaller companies. From this universe, Bernstein, on a daily basis, applies a quantitative screening process that examines a number of factors, such as the price to earnings ratio, price to book ratio to target approximately 300 companies for further analysis by the research staff and the Fund's portfolio managers. Bernstein then prepares its own earnings estimates and financial models for companies within this targeted group. Forecasting corporate earnings and dividend-paying capability is the heart of the fundamental value approach. The research staff identifies and quantifies the critical variables that control a business's performance and analyzes the results in order to forecast the company's long-term prospects and expected returns. As one of the largest multi-national investment firms, Alliance and its Bernstein unit have access to considerable information concerning all of the companies followed. Bernstein's research analysts develop an in-depth understanding of the products, services, markets and competition of those companies considered for purchase. Analysts also develop a good knowledge of the management of those companies. A company's future earnings are typically projected over a full economic cycle, including a trough and a peak, within the context of forecasts for real economic growth, inflation and interest rate changes. As a result, forecasts of near term economic events are generally not of major consequence. The Fund's portfolio managers carefully review the research process to be sure that the analysts have appropriately considered key issues facing each company, that forecasts of a company's future are compatible with its history, and that all forecasts use consistent analytic frameworks and economic assumptions. The Fund's portfolio managers, in consultation with the research analysts, also consider aggregate portfolio characteristics when deciding whether to purchase a particular security for the Fund. Bernstein seeks to manage overall Fund volatility relative to the universe of companies that comprise the lowest 20% of the total U.S. market capitalization by favoring promising securities that offer the best balance between return and targeted risk. At times, the Fund may favor or disfavor a particular sector compared to that universe of companies. To the extent that companies involved in certain sectors may from time to time constitute a material portion of the universe of companies that comprise the lowest 20% of the total U.S. market capitalization, such as financial services and consumer services, the Fund may also invest significantly in these companies. A disparity between a company's current stock price and Bernstein's assessment of intrinsic value can arise, at least in part, as a result of adverse, short-term market reactions to recent events or trends. In order to reduce the risk that an undervalued security will be purchased before such an adverse market reaction has run its course, Bernstein also monitors analysts' earnings-estimate revisions and relative return trends (also called "momentum") so as to better time new purchases and sales of securities. A security generally will be sold when it no longer meets appropriate valuation criteria. Sale of stock that has reached its target may be delayed, however, when earnings expectations are rising or relative return trends are improving. Typically, growth in the size of a company's market capitalization relative to other domestically traded companies will not cause the Fund to dispose of the security. The Fund also may: o Invest up to 20% of its total assets in convertible securities; o Write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options traded on U.S. and non-U.S. security exchanges and over the counter, including options on market indices and currencies; o Invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities; o Invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities issued by non-U.S. companies; o Invest up to 10% of its total assets in rights and warrants; o Enter into forward commitments, futures contracts and options on futures contracts with respect to securities, indices and currencies; o Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, but only if at all times when a short position is open not more than 33% of the Fund's net assets is held as collateral for such sales; o Enter into contracts for the purchase and sale for the future delivery of contracts based on financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities issued by non-U.S. government entities; o Enter into currency swaps and forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes; o Make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets; and o Enter into repurchase agreements. Principal Risks Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are: o Market Risk This is the risk that the value of the Fund's investments will fluctuate as the stock or bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over short- or long-term periods. o Industry/Sector Risk This is the risk of investments in a particular industry sector. If the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in companies engaged in a particular industry sector, market or economic factors affecting that industry could have a major effect on the value of the Fund's investments. o Capitalization Risk This is the risk of investments in small- to mid-capitalization companies. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap companies. Investments in small-cap companies tend to be more volatile than investments in mid- or large-cap companies. The Fund's investments in smaller capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. o Credit Risk This is the risk that the issuer of a security or the other party to an over-the-counter transaction will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. This risk is applicable to fixed-income securities and is greater for investments in lower-rated securities. o Derivative and Leverage Risk The Fund may make substantial use of derivatives and employ specialized trading techniques such as short sales, options, futures, forwards, and other leveraging techniques to increase its exposure to certain selected securities. Alliance employs these techniques speculatively to enhance returns and not merely as hedging tools. These techniques are riskier than many investment strategies and will result in greater volatility for the Fund, particularly in periods of market declines. o Non-U.S. Investment Risk This is the risk of investments in issuers located in countries other than the United States. Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. companies. This is because the securities markets of many countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, non-U.S. issuers are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect the Fund's investments in a country other than the United States. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment. o Currency Risk This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may negatively affect the value of the Fund's investments. Because the Fund invests in non-U.S. issuers it is subject to this risk. o Management Risk The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. Alliance will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended result. Description of Additional Investment Practices This section describes the investment practices of the Fund and risks associated with these practices. Unless otherwise noted, the Fund's use of any of these practices was specified in the previous section. Convertible Securities. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the same general characteristics as nonconvertible debt securities, which generally provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to make the price of the convertible security less volatile than that of the underlying equity security. As with debt securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates fall. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they offer investors the potential to benefit from increases in the market prices of the underlying common stocks. Convertible securities that are rated Baa or lower by Moody's, BBB or lower by S&P or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality, may share some or all of the risks of non-convertible debt securities with those ratings. Currency Swaps. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by the Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The Fund will not enter into any currency swap unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the transaction. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements. Forward Commitments. Forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities may include purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a "delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a "when, as and if issued" trade). When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months after the transaction, but the Fund may negotiate settlements beyond two months. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuations and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. The use of forward commitments enables the Fund to protect against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling bond prices, the Fund might sell securities in its portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, the Fund might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of currently higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be required to complete such when-issued or forward transactions at prices inferior to the then current market values. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund enters into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving securities or delivering them, as the case may be. If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or dispose of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may incur a gain or loss. Any significant commitment of Fund assets to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. In the event the other party to a forward commitment transaction were to default, the Fund might lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of securities at favorable prices. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. The Fund may purchase or sell forward currency exchange contracts to minimize the risk of adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price at a future date, and is individually negotiated and privately traded. The Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the security ("transaction hedge"). The Fund will not engage in transaction hedges with respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency. When the Fund believes that a currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of that currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such currency, or when the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against another currency, it may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). The Fund will not position hedge with respect to a particular currency to an extent greater than the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that currency. Instead of entering into a position hedge, the Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a forward contract to sell a different currency for a fixed U.S. Dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated ("cross-hedge"). Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such forward contracts. Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. Illiquid Securities. The Fund will limit its investments in illiquid securities to no more than 15% of its net assets. Illiquid securities generally include (i) direct placements or other securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available market (e.g., when trading in the security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted securities, when market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers), including many individually negotiated currency swaps and any assets used to cover currency swaps, and most privately negotiated investments in state enterprises that have not yet conducted and initial equity offering, (ii) over-the-counter options and assets used to cover over-the-counter options, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. Because of the absence of a trading market for illiquid securities, the Fund may not be able to realize the price at which they are carried on the Fund's books upon sales. Alliance will monitor the liquidity of the Fund's investments in such securities. Rule 144A securities generally will not be treated as "illiquid" for purposes of this limit on investments if they meet certain liquidity guidelines established by the Fund. The Fund may not be able to readily sell securities for which there is no ready market. Such securities are unlike securities that are traded in the open market and can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower or higher than Alliance's most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally, less public information is available about the issuers of such securities than about companies whose securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that these securities are securities issued by non-U.S. companies, there is no law in many of the countries in which the Fund may invest similar to the Securities Act requiring an issuer to register the sale of securities with a governmental agency or imposing legal restrictions on resales of securities, either as to the length of time the securities may be held or the manner of resale. There may, however, be contractual restrictions on resales of non-publicly traded foreign securities. Loans of Portfolio Securities. A principal risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other collateralized extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, the Fund may be exposed to the risk that the sale of any collateral realized upon the borrower's default will not yield proceeds sufficient to replace the loaned securities. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income from the securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and earn additional income or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Any such investment of cash collateral will be subject to the Fund's investment risks. The Fund will have the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent securities to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest, or distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative, and custodial fees in connection with a loan. Options on Securities. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive from (in the case of a call) the writer of the option a specified amount of a security on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of another security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security with an exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has written. A put option written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund holds a put on the underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of the put option it has written. A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if the Fund does not own the underlying security and is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in value in another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. The Fund may write call options for cross-hedging purposes. The Fund would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a covered call option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge transaction would exceed that which would be received from writing a covered call option, while at the same time achieving the desired hedge. In purchasing an option, the Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in the case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the premium paid for the option. If an option written by the Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that, if the option is exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased or sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing transaction (i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could reduce these risks. The Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or call option whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of call options could result in increases in the Fund's portfolio turnover rate, especially during periods when market prices of the underlying securities appreciate. The Fund will purchase or write options on securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest in privately negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter) transactions only with investment dealers and other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by Alliance. Alliance has adopted procedures for monitoring the creditworthiness of such entities. Options purchased or written by the Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an advantageous time. Options on Securities Indices. An option on a securities index is similar to an option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. Options on Currencies. As in the case of other kinds of options, the writing of an option on a currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on a currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund's position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. See the Fund's SAI for further discussion of the use, risks, and costs of options on currencies. Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A "sale" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities or currency or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities or currency or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made. Options on futures contracts are options that, upon exercise, call for the delivery of futures contracts (or cash payments based on the value of futures contracts). Options on futures contracts written or purchased by the Fund will be traded on exchanges worldwide or over the counter. These investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future changes in market conditions and interest or exchange rates which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date. The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts only to the extent the transactions constitute bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The Fund will not enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of its total assets. Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit the Fund to keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. If a vendor defaults on its repurchase obligation, the Fund would suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price. If a vendor goes bankrupt, the Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness of the vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements. Rights and Warrants. The Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if the underlying equity securities themselves are deemed appropriate by Alliance for inclusion in the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights are similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security, although the value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time or a change in perception as to the potential of the underlying security, or any combination of these factors. If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on the expiration date, the warrant will expire worthless. Moreover, a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. Short Sales. A short sale is effected by selling a security that the Fund does not own, or, if the Fund does own such security, it is not to be delivered upon consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical to those sold short without payment. The Fund may utilize short selling in order to attempt both to protect its portfolio against the effects of potential downtrends in the securities markets and as a means of enhancing its overall performance. The Fund may not make a short sale if as a result more than 33% of the Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Although the Fund's gain is limited by the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Future Developments. The Fund may, following written notice to its shareholders, take advantage of other investment practices that are not currently contemplated for use by the Fund, or are not available but may yet be developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks that exceed those involved in the activities described above. General. The successful use of the investment practices described above draws upon Alliance's special skills and experience and usually depends on Alliance's ability to forecast price movements, interest rates, or currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should interest rates, prices, or exchange rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the transactions or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts and options on futures contracts, there are no daily price fluctuation limits for certain options on currencies and forward contracts, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition, the correlation between movements in the prices of such instruments and movements in the prices of the securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce unanticipated losses. The Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures contracts, options and forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types of securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing. It is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in various types of futures contracts, options and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not exist for an option purchased or written by the Fund, it might not be possible to effect a closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option), with the result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be exercised in order for the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may not be able to sell portfolio securities or currencies covering an option written by the Fund until the option expires or it delivers the underlying securities, currency or futures contract upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments effectively. In addition, the Fund's ability to engage in options and futures transactions may be limited by tax considerations and the use of certain hedging techniques may adversely impact the characterization of income to the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Portfolio Turnover. The Fund is actively managed and, in some cases in response to market conditions, the Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other expenses, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains, which, when distributed, are taxable to shareholders. Temporary Defensive Position. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may reduce its position in equity securities and invest in, without limit, certain types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high-quality debt securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities, qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and other types of short-term debt securities including notes and bonds. Such securities also may include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies, and supranational organizations. While the Fund invests for temporary defensive purposes, it may not meet its investment objective. Additional Risk Considerations Investment in the Fund involves the special risk considerations described below. Currency Considerations. The Fund may receive a portion of its revenues in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Therefore, the dollar equivalent of its net assets, distributions, and income will be adversely affected by reductions in the value of certain currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of the income and the making of Fund distributions, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if it has insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet distribution requirements that the Fund must satisfy to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time the Fund incurs expenses in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the amount of the currency required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to pay expenses in U.S. Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such expenses in the currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these risks, the Fund may engage in currency hedging transactions, as described above, which involve certain special risks. Securities of Non-U.S. Issuers. The securities markets of many countries outside of the United States are relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Consequently, the Fund may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in equity securities of U.S. companies. These markets may be subject to greater influence by adverse events generally affecting the market, and by large investors trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States. Securities registration, custody and settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and legal and administrative uncertainties. Certain countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of securities that may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and may increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. In addition, the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority. If a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may require the Fund to adopt special procedures that may involve additional costs to the Fund. These factors may affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments in any country and Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on the Fund's investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including brokerage commissions for transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in many countries are generally higher than in the United States. Issuers of securities in jurisdictions other than the United States are generally not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy requirements, and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting and auditing standards of countries may differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects and less information may be available to investors in securities of non-U.S. issuers than to investors in U.S. companies. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers. The economies of individual countries other than the United States may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Political changes, government regulation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments could affect adversely the economy of a country and the Fund's investments. In such events, the Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved. Extreme Governmental Action; Less Protective Laws. In contrast to investing in the United States, investment in other countries may involve in certain situations greater risk of nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or other extreme governmental action that could adversely impact the Fund's investments. In the event of certain such actions, the Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in various countries other than the United States governing, among other subjects, business organization and practices, securities and securities trading, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to investors such as the Fund than provided under United States laws. Non-U.S. Taxes. The Fund's investment in securities issued by non-U.S. companies may be subject to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments. Non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund may be creditable or deductible by U.S. shareholders for U.S. income tax purposes. No assurance can be given that applicable tax laws and interpretations will not change in the future. Moreover, non-U.S. investors may not be able to credit or deduct such non-U.S. taxes. ----------------------------------------------------------------- MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Adviser The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment adviser managing client accounts with assets as of June 30, 2003 totaling approximately $426 billion (of which approximately $156 billion represented assets of investment companies). As of June 30, 2003, Alliance managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 45 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee retirement funds in 43 states, for investment companies, and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52 registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 125 separate investment portfolios, currently have approximately 7.3 million shareholder accounts. Joseph G. Paul is the person who has been primarily responsible for the day to day management of the Fund since 2002. Mr. Paul is a Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Small Cap Value Equities for Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), the sole general partner of Alliance, since 2002. He is also Chief Investment Officer of Advanced Value at ACMC since October 2000. He held the same position at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc. since prior to 1998. Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities for the Fund. For these advisory services, the Fund paid Alliance a fee of .61% of the Fund's average daily net assets for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002. This fee is stated net of any waivers and/or reimbursements. See "Fees and Expenses of the Fund" at the beginning of the Prospectus for more information about fee waivers. ----------------------------------------------------------------- PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES ----------------------------------------------------------------- How the Fund Values Its Shares The Fund's net asset value or NAV is calculated at the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), each day the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, the Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund values its securities at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations, or, if such quotations are not readily available, such other methods as the Fund's directors believe accurately reflect fair market value. Your order for a purchase, sale, or exchange of shares is priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund. How to Buy Shares Class R shares are available to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans ("group retirement plans") that have plan assets of $1 million to $10 million and have plan level or omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund. Class R shares are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, traditional and ROTH IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403 (b) plans and AllianceBernstein sponsored retirements products. General The Fund is required by law to obtain, verify and record certain personal information from you or persons on your behalf in order to establish the account. Required information includes name, date of birth, permanent residential address and social security/taxpayer identification number. The Fund may also ask to see other identifying documents. If you do not provide the information, the Fund will not be able to open your account. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, or that of another person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or if the Fund believes it has identified potentially criminal activity, the Fund reserves the right to take action as it deems appropriate which may include closing your account. If you are not a US citizen or Resident Alien, your account must be affiliated with a NASD member firm. The Fund is required to withhold 28% of taxable dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not provided the Fund with their certified taxpayer identification number. To avoid this, you must provide your correct Tax Identification Number (Social Security Number for most investors) on your account application. The Fund may refuse any order to purchase shares. In particular, the Fund reserves the right to restrict purchases of shares (including through exchanges) when there appears to be evidence of a pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term considerations. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of its shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities markets or for other reasons. How to Exchange Shares To the extent that other AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds offer Class R shares, you may exchange your Fund shares for Class R shares of such other AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. Exchanges of shares are made at the next determined NAV, without sales or service charges. You may request an exchange by mail or telephone. You must call by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, to receive that day's NAV. The Fund may modify, restrict, or terminate the exchange service on 60 days' written notice. How to Sell Shares You may "redeem" your shares (i.e., sell your shares to the Fund) on any day the Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. Your sales price will be the next-determined NAV after the Fund receives your sales request in proper form. Normally, proceeds will be sent to you within 7 days. If you recently purchased your shares by check or electronic funds transfer, your redemption payment may be delayed until the Fund is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer has been collected (which may take up to 15 days). o Selling Shares Through Your Broker or Financial Representative Your broker or financial representative must receive your sales request by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, and submit it to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's NAV. Your broker or financial representative is responsible for submitting all necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this service. o Selling Shares Directly to the Fund By Mail: o Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with certificates, to: Alliance Global Investor Services P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278-6003 o For certified or overnight deliveries, send to: Alliance Global Investor Services 8000 IH 10 W, 4th Floor San Antonio, TX 78230 o For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange, or other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee signatures. Stock power forms are available from your financial intermediary, Alliance Global Investor Services ("AGIS"), and many commercial banks. Additional documentation is required for the sale of shares by corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you have any questions about these procedures, contact AGIS. By Telephone: o You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been issued by telephone request. Call AGIS at 800-221-5672 with instructions on how you wish to receive your sale proceeds. o A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's NAV. o If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your bank. Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you. o Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000 per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed $50,000 per day. o Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or "street name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within the previous 30 calendar days. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ----------------------------------------------------------------- The income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared by the Fund on its outstanding shares will, at the election of each shareholder, be paid in cash or in additional shares of the same class of shares of the Fund. If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate net asset value as of the close of business on the declaration date of the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or distribution. You may make an election to receive dividends and distributions in cash or in shares at the time you purchase shares. Your election can be changed at any time prior to a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or other charge in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election, electronically via the ACH network. If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you may, within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend or distribution in additional shares of the Fund without charge by returning to Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing the dividend or distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be deemed to have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions in shares of the Fund. While it is the intention of the Fund to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital gains, if any, the amount and timing of any dividend or distribution will depend on the realization by the Fund of income and capital gains from investments. There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. The final determination of the amount of the Fund's return of capital distributions for the period will be made after the end of each calendar year. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's distributions of net income (or short-term taxable gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term capital gains generally will be taxable to you as long-term capital gains. The Fund's distributions also may be subject to certain state and local taxes. Dividends and distributions are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Whether distributions of gains are taxable to you at long-term capital gains rates or short-term capital gains rates will not depend on your holding period in shares of the Fund, but rather on the Fund's holding period in assets giving rise to the gains. Under the provisions of recently enacted tax legislation, the maximum long-term capital gain rate has been reduced from 20% to 15%, and some or all of the distributions from a mutual fund may be treated as "qualified dividend income," taxable to individuals at the reduced maximum rate of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets), provided that both the Fund and the individual satisfy certain holding period and other requirements. A distribution from the Fund is treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that it is comprised of dividend income received by the Fund from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, and provided that the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the security paying the dividend. In addition, the individual must meet certain holding period requirements with respect to the shares of the Fund in order to take advantage of the 15% tax rate. To the extent distributions from the Fund are attributable to other sources, such as taxable interest, most distributions from real estate investment trusts, or short-term capital gains, the dividends will not be eligible for the lower rates. The Fund will notify you as to how much of the Fund's distributions, if any, would be qualified as dividend income, assuming that you satisfied the holding period requirements. Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that the Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, the Fund intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the Code to "pass-through" to the Fund's shareholders credits for foreign income taxes paid (or to permit shareholders to claim a deduction for such foreign taxes), but there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to do so. Furthermore, a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction for foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not be permitted to claim a credit or deduction for all or a portion of the amount of such taxes. Under certain circumstances, if the Fund realizes losses (e.g., from fluctuations in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. Returns of capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a shareholder's basis in shares of the Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero (which could happen if the shareholder does not reinvest distributions and returns of capital are significant), any further returns of capital will be taxable as capital gain. If you buy shares just before the Fund deducts a distribution from its NAV, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back as a taxable distribution. The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Each year shortly after December 31, the Fund will send you tax information stating the amount and type of all its distributions for the year. Consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, and local tax consequences in your particular circumstances. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Fund offers Class R shares through this Prospectus. Class R shares are available only to certain group retirement plans that have plan assets of $1 million to $10 million. Class R shares are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred sales charges. The Fund's other share classes are offered through a separate prospectus. Asset-based Sales Charge or Rule 12b-1 Fee. The Fund has adopted a plan under Commission Rule 12b-1 that allows the Fund to pay asset-based sales charges or distribution and service fees for the distribution and sale of the Class R shares. The amount of this fee for the Class R shares is 0.50% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Class. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales fees. Special Distribution Arrangement for Group Retirement Plans and Employee Benefit Plans. The Fund offers special distribution arrangements for group retirement plans and certain employee benefit plans, including employer-sponsored tax-qualified 401(k) plans, other defined contribution plans (the "Plans"). However, plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries and other financial intermediaries may establish requirements for the Plans as to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of the Fund, including maximum and minimum initial investment requirements, that are different from those described in this Prospectus. The Plans also may not offer all classes of shares of the Fund. In order to enable participants investing through the Plans to purchase shares of the Fund, the maximum and minimum investment amounts may be different for shares purchased through the Plans from those described in this Prospectus. Therefore, plan sponsors or fiduciaries may not adhere to these share class eligibility standards set forth in this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund is not responsible for, and has no control over, the decision of any plan sponsor or fiduciary to impose such differing requirements. Other. A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary, or other financial representative with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of Class R shares made through such financial representative. The financial intermediaries or your fee-based program also may impose requirements on the purchase, sale, or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts. ----------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The Fund reserves the right to close an account that through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the account value before the account is closed. During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty in reaching AGIS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions to AGIS. AGIS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests to purchase, sell, or exchange shares. AGIS will employ reasonable procedures to verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses resulting from unauthorized transactions if it failed to do so. Dealers and agents may charge a commission for handling telephone requests. The telephone service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice. Shareholder Services. AGIS offers a variety of shareholder services. For more information about these services or your account, call AGIS's toll-free number, 800-221-5672. Some services are described in the Subscription Application. You also may request a shareholder's manual explaining all available services by calling 800-227-4618. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ----------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Highlights are not provided because Class R shares had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. For more information about the Fund, the following documents are available upon request: o Annual/Semi-annual Reports to Shareholders The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional information on the Fund's investments. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. o Statement of Additional Information (SAI) The Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund, including its operations and investment policies. The Fund's SAI is incorporated by reference into (and is legally part of) this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the SAI or make shareholder inquiries of the Fund, by contacting your broker or other financial intermediary, or by contacting Alliance: By Mail: c/o Alliance Global Investor Services P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278-6003 By Phone: For Information: (800) 221-5672 For Literature: (800) 227-4618 Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission: o Call the Commission at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. o Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. o Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You also may find more information about Alliance and the Fund on the Internet at: www.Alliancecapital.com. SEC File No: 811-10221 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy Notice (This information is not part of the Prospectus.) Alliance Capital Management L.P., the AllianceBernstein Family of Funds and AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (collectively, "Alliance" or "we") understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of our customers' nonpublic personal information. In order to provide financial products and services to our customers efficiently and accurately, we may collect nonpublic personal information about our customers from the following sources: (1) information we receive from account documentation, including applications or other forms (which may include information such as a customer's name, address, social security number, assets and income) and (2) information about our customers' transactions with us, our affiliates and others (including information such as a customer's account balances and account activity). It is our policy not to disclose nonpublic personal information about our customers (or former customers) except to our affiliates, or to others as permitted or required by law. From time to time, Alliance may disclose nonpublic personal information that we collect about our customers (or former customers), as described above, to non-affiliated third party providers, including those that perform processing or servicing functions and those that provide marketing services for us or on our behalf pursuant to a joint marketing agreement that requires the third party provider to adhere to Alliance's privacy policy. We have policies and procedures to safeguard nonpublic personal information about our customers (or former customers) which include: (1) restricting access to such nonpublic personal information and (2) maintaining physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to safeguard such nonpublic personal information. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN TRUST AllianceBernstein International Value Fund Class R Shares Prospectus November 3, 2003 The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Investment Products Offered > Are Not FDIC Insured > May Lose Value > Are Not Bank Guaranteed TABLE OF CONTENTS RISK/RETURN SUMMARY FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND GLOSSARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND Investment Objective and Principal Policies and Risks Description of Additional Investment Practices Additional Risk Considerations MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES How The Fund Values Its Shares How To Buy Shares General How To Exchange Shares How To Sell Shares DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS GENERAL INFORMATION FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual funds. ----------------------------------------------------------------- RISK/RETURN SUMMARY ----------------------------------------------------------------- The following is a summary of certain key information about AllianceBernstein Trust - AllianceBernstein International Value Fund. This Summary describes the Fund's objective, principal investment strategies, principal risks and fees. This Summary includes a short discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. A more detailed description of the Fund, including the risks associated with investing in the Fund, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. The Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures and forwards. The use of these techniques involves special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. Other important things for you to note: o You may lose money by investing in the Fund. o An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Objective: The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund will invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of non-U.S. equity securities. The Fund's investment policies emphasize investment in companies that are determined by Alliance to be undervalued, using Bernstein's fundamental value approach. In selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, Bernstein uses its fundamental research to identify companies whose long-term earnings power is not reflected in the current market price of their securities. In order to hedge a portion of currency risk, the Fund may from time to time invest in currency futures contracts or currency forward contracts. Principal Risks: Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, non-U.S. investment risk and currency risk. Market risk is the risk of losses from adverse changes in the stock market. Investments in countries other than the United States may have more risk because they tend to be more volatile than the U.S. stock market. To the extent that the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in a particular country, an investment in the Fund has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. Because the Fund may invest in emerging markets, an investment also has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting emerging markets, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. Depending on the Fund's investments at a particular time, the Fund may also have industry/sector risk. The Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. The use of these techniques involves special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. Performance Table and Bar Chart This information is for the Fund's Class A shares, which, although not offered in this Prospectus, have returns that are substantially similar to the Fund's Class R shares because the classes invest in the same portfolio of securities. The returns of the Class A shares and Class R shares will differ because the Class A shares have a lower expense ratio than the Class R shares. In addition, the returns will differ because the Class A shares have an initial sales charge while the Class R shares are not subject to any sales charges. For Class A shares the table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an investment in the Fund by showing: o how the Fund's average annual returns, before and after taxes, for one year and since inception compared to those of a broad based securities market index; and o changes in the Fund's performance from year to year since inception. The Fund's past performance before and after taxes, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Average Annual Total Returns* (For the periods ended December 31, 2002) 1 Year Since Inception** ------ ----------------- Class A*** Return Before Taxes -7.30% -4.48% Return After Taxes on Distributions -7.58% -4.64% Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -4.39% -3.62% MSCI (reflects no EAFE Index deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) -15.66% -13.89% -------- * Average annual total returns reflect imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge. ** Inception date is 3/29/01 for Class A shares. *** After-tax Returns: -Are estimates, which are based on the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes; actual after-tax returns depend on an individual investor's tax situation and are likely to differ from those shown; and -Are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Bar Chart The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -3.20 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 Calendar Year End You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's: Best Quarter was up 11.86%, 4th quarter, 2002; and Worst Quarter was down -21.15%, 3rd quarter, 2002. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------- This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment) Class R Shares* --------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) None Exchange Fee None -------- * Class R shares are only offered to certain group retirement plans. See "Purchase and Sale of Shares" in this Prospectus. ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) and EXAMPLE The Example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund's operating expenses stay the same and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Operating Expenses Example Management fees 1.00% After 1 Yr $143 Distribution and service (12b-1) fees .50% After 3 Yrs(c) $651 Other expenses(a) .89% After 5 Yrs(c) $1,186 ------- Total Fund operating 2.39% After 10 Yrs(c) $2,651 expenses(a) ======== Waiver and/or net expense reimbursement(b) (.99)% ======= Net expenses 1.40% ======= -------- (a) Based on estimated expenses. (b) Reflects Alliance's contractual waiver of a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimbursement of a portion of the Fund's operating expenses. This waiver extends through the Fund's current fiscal year and may be extended by Alliance for additional one-year terms. No reimbursement payment will be made that would cause the Fund's total annualized operating expenses to exceed 2.70% for Class R shares. (c) These examples assume that Alliance's agreement to waive management fees and/or bear Fund expenses is not extended beyond its current period. ----------------------------------------------------------------- GLOSSARY ----------------------------------------------------------------- This Prospectus uses the following terms. Types of Securities ------------------- Convertible securities are fixed-income securities that are convertible into common stock. Debt securities are bonds, debentures, notes, bills, loans, other direct debt instruments, and other fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations, but do not include convertible securities. Equity securities include (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business trust shares and other equity ownership interests in business enterprises and (ii) securities convertible into, and rights and warrants to subscribe for the purchase of, such stocks, shares and interests. Qualifying bank deposits are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than $1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Rule 144A securities are securities that are subject to restrictions which may render them illiquid; however, Alliance may determine that such securities are liquid pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees of the Fund. U.S. Government securities are securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Types of Companies ------------------ Non-U.S. company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a country other than the United States, (ii) has its principal place of business in a country other than the United States, and (iii) issues equity or debt securities that are traded principally in a country other than the United States. Rating Agencies and Indexes --------------------------- Fitch is Fitch Ratings, the international agency formed through the merger of Fitch IBCA, Inc. and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. Moody's is Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Prime commercial paper is commercial paper rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1 or higher by S&P or, if not rated, issued by companies that have an outstanding debt issue rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher by S&P. S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. Other ----- 1940 Act is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Code is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Commission is the Securities and Exchange Commission. Exchange is the New York Stock Exchange. Securities Act is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------- This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of the Fund's investment objective, principal strategies and risks. Of course, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Please note that: o Additional discussion of the Fund's investments, including the risks of the investments that appear in bold type can be found in the discussion under Description of Additional Investment Practices following this section. o The description of the Fund's risks may include risks discussed in the Risk/Return Summary above. Additional information about risks of investing in the Fund can be found in the discussion under Additional Risk Considerations. o Additional descriptions of the Fund's strategies, investments and risks can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI. o Except as noted, (i) the Fund's investment objective is "fundamental" and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote and, (ii) the Fund's investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote. Where an investment policy or restriction has a percentage limitation, such limitation is applied at the time of investment. Changes in the market value of securities in the Fund's portfolio after they are purchased by the Fund will not cause the Fund to be in violation of such limitation. Investment Objective and Principal Policies and Risks Investment Objective The investment objective of the Fund is long-term growth of capital. Principal Policies The Fund will invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of 35 to 50 established companies selected from more than 40 industries and from more than 40 developed and emerging market countries. The Fund normally invests in companies in at least three countries other than the United States. These countries currently include the developed nations in Europe and the Far East, Canada, Australia and emerging market countries worldwide. The Fund's investment policies emphasize investment in companies that are determined by Bernstein to be undervalued, using a fundamental value approach. Investment decisions are the result of the multi-step process described below. Bernstein's fundamental value approach to equity investing generally defines value by reference to the relationship between a security's current price and its intrinsic economic value, as measured by long-term earnings prospects. In each market, this approach seeks to identify, in the first instance, a universe of securities that are considered to be undervalued because they are attractively priced relative to their future earnings power. Accordingly, forecasting corporate earnings and dividend-paying capability is the heart of the fundamental value approach. Bernstein's fundamental analysis depends heavily upon its large internal research staff. The research staff begins with a global research universe of approximately 4,000 international and emerging market companies. Teams within the research staff cover a given industry worldwide, to better understand each company's competitive position in a global context. Bernstein's staff of approximately 130 company and industry analysts prepares its own earnings estimates and financial models for each company analyzed. Bernstein identifies and quantifies the critical variables that control a business's performance and analyzes the results in order to forecast each company's long-term prospects and expected returns. As one of the largest multi-national investment firms, Alliance and its Bernstein unit have global access to considerable information concerning all of the companies followed, an in-depth understanding of the products, services, markets and competition of these companies and a good knowledge of the management of most of the companies in the research universe. A company's financial performance is typically projected over a full economic cycle, including a trough and a peak, within the context of forecasts for real economic growth, inflation and interest rate changes. As a result, forecasts of near term economic events are generally not of major consequence. A group of senior investment professionals, including the Fund's portfolio managers, carefully reviews the research process to be sure that the analysts have appropriately considered key issues facing each company, that forecasts of a company's future are compatible with its history, and that all forecasts use consistent analytic frameworks and economic assumptions. Once Bernstein has applied its fundamental analysis to determine the intrinsic economic values of each of the companies in its research universe, each company is then ranked in the order of disparity between its intrinsic economic value and its stock price, with companies having the greatest disparities receiving the highest rankings (i.e., being considered the most undervalued). The Fund does not simply purchase the top-ranked securities. Rather, Bernstein considers aggregate portfolio characteristics when deciding how much of each security to purchase for the Fund. Bernstein's team of approximately 30 quantitative analysts builds valuation and risk models to ensure that the Fund's portfolio is constructed to obtain an effective balance of risk and return. By evaluating overall regional, country and currency exposures, sector concentration, degree of undervaluation and other subtle similarities among investments, Bernstein seeks to minimize overall Fund volatility by favoring those top ranked securities that also tend to diversify the Fund's risk. A disparity between a company's current stock price and the assessment of intrinsic value can arise, at least in part, as a result of adverse, short-term market reactions to recent events or trends. In order to reduce the risk that an undervalued security will be purchased before such an adverse market reaction has run its course, Bernstein also monitors analysts' earnings-estimate revisions and relative return trends (also called "momentum") so as to better time new purchases and sales of securities. Currencies can have a dramatic impact on equity returns, significantly adding to returns in some years and greatly diminishing them in others. Investment decisions concerning currencies are made independently of equity investments, and may be used to hedge the currency exposure resulting from securities positions. A security generally will be sold when it no longer meets appropriate valuation criteria. Sale of a stock that has reached its target may be delayed, however, when earnings expectations and/or momentum are favorable. The Fund also may: o Invest in depositary receipts, instruments of supranational entities denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational companies and "semi-governmental securities"; o Invest up to 20% of its total assets in convertible securities; o Write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options traded on U.S. and non-U.S. security exchanges and over the counter, including options on market indices and currencies; o Invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities; o Invest up to 10% of its total assets in rights and warrants; o Enter into forward commitments, futures contracts and options on futures contracts with respect to securities, indices and currencies; o Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, but only if at all times when a short position is open not more than 33% of the Fund's net assets is held as collateral for such sales; o Enter into contracts for the purchase and sale for the future delivery of contracts based on financial indices; o Enter into currency swaps and forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes; o Make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets; and o Enter into repurchase agreements. Principal Risks Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are: o Market Risk This is the risk that the value of the Fund's investments will fluctuate as the stock or bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over short- or long-term periods. o Industry/Sector Risk This is the risk of investments in a particular industry sector. If the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in companies engaged in a particular industry sector, market or economic factors affecting that industry could have a major effect on the value of the Fund's investments. o Capitalization Risk This is the risk of investments in small- to mid-capitalization companies. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap companies. Investments in small-cap companies tend to be more volatile than investments in mid- or large-cap companies. The Fund's investments in smaller capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. o Credit Risk This is the risk that the issuer of a security or the other party to an over-the-counter transaction will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. This risk is applicable to fixed-income securities and is greater for investments in lower-rated securities. o Derivative and Leverage Risk The Fund may make substantial use of derivatives and employ specialized trading techniques such as short sales, options, futures, forwards, and other leveraging techniques to increase its exposure to certain selected securities. Alliance employs these techniques speculatively to enhance returns and not merely as hedging tools. These techniques are riskier than many investment strategies and will result in greater volatility for the Fund, particularly in periods of market declines. o Non-U.S. Investment Risk This is the risk of investments in issuers located in countries other than the United States. Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. companies. This is because the securities markets of many countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, non-U.S. issuers are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect the Fund's investments in a country other than the United States. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment. o Currency Risk This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may negatively affect the value of the Fund's investments. Because the Fund invests in non-U.S. issuers it is subject to this risk. o Management Risk The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. Alliance will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended result. Description of Additional Investment Practices This section describes the investment practices of the Fund and risks associated with these practices. Unless otherwise noted, the Fund's use of any of these practices was specified in the previous section. Convertible Securities. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the same general characteristics as nonconvertible debt securities, which generally provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to make the price of the convertible security less volatile than that of the underlying equity security. As with debt securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates fall. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they offer investors the potential to benefit from increases in the market prices of the underlying common stocks. Convertible securities that are rated Baa or lower by Moody's, BBB or lower by S&P or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality, may share some or all of the risks of non-convertible debt securities with those ratings. Currency Swaps. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by the Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The Fund will not enter into any currency swap unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the transaction. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements. Depositary Receipts and Securities of Supranational Entities. Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers of the stock of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and therefore, there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a non-U.S. company. GDRs and other types of depositary receipts are typically issued by non-U.S. banks or trust companies and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a U.S. or a non-U.S. company. Generally, depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside of the United States. For purposes of determining the country of issuance, investments in depositary receipts of either type are deemed to be investments in the underlying securities. A supranational entity is an entity designated or supported by the national government of one or more countries to promote economic reconstruction or development. Examples of supranational entities include the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the European Investment Bank. A European Currency Unit is a basket of specified amounts of the currencies of the member states of the European Economic Community. "Semi-governmental securities" are securities issued by entities owned by either a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of one of such government jurisdictions that are not backed by its full faith and credit and general taxing powers. Forward Commitments. Forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities may include purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a "delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a "when, as and if issued" trade). When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months after the transaction, but the Fund may negotiate settlements beyond two months. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuations and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. The use of forward commitments enables the Fund to protect against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling bond prices, the Fund might sell securities in its portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, the Fund might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of currently higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be required to complete such when-issued or forward transactions at prices inferior to the then current market values. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund enters into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving securities or delivering them, as the case may be. If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or dispose of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may incur a gain or loss. Any significant commitment of Fund assets to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. In the event the other party to a forward commitment transaction were to default, the Fund might lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of securities at favorable prices. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. The Fund may purchase or sell forward currency exchange contracts to minimize the risk of adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price at a future date, and is individually negotiated and privately traded. The Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the security ("transaction hedge"). The Fund will not engage in transaction hedges with respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency. When the Fund believes that a currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of that currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such currency, or when the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against another currency, it may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). The Fund will not position hedge with respect to a particular currency to an extent greater than the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that currency. Instead of entering into a position hedge, the Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a forward contract to sell a different currency for a fixed U.S. Dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated ("cross-hedge"). Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such forward contracts. Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. Illiquid Securities. The Fund will limit its investments in illiquid securities to no more than 15% of its net assets. Illiquid securities generally include (i) direct placements or other securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available market (e.g., when trading in the security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted securities, when market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers), including many individually negotiated currency swaps and any assets used to cover currency swaps, and most privately negotiated investments in state enterprises that have not yet conducted and initial equity offering, (ii) over-the-counter options and assets used to cover over-the-counter options, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. Because of the absence of a trading market for illiquid securities, the Fund may not be able to realize the price at which they are carried on the Fund's books upon sales. Alliance will monitor the liquidity of the Fund's investments in such securities. Rule 144A securities generally will not be treated as "illiquid" for purposes of this limit on investments if they meet certain liquidity guidelines established by the Fund. The Fund may not be able to readily sell securities for which there is no ready market. Such securities are unlike securities that are traded in the open market and can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower or higher than Alliance's most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally, less public information is available about the issuers of such securities than about companies whose securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that these securities are securities issued by non-U.S. companies, there is no law in many of the countries in which the Fund may invest similar to the Securities Act requiring an issuer to register the sale of securities with a governmental agency or imposing legal restrictions on resales of securities, either as to the length of time the securities may be held or the manner of resale. There may, however, be contractual restrictions on resales of non-publicly traded foreign securities. Loans of Portfolio Securities. A principal risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other collateralized extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, the Fund may be exposed to the risk that the sale of any collateral realized upon the borrower's default will not yield proceeds sufficient to replace the loaned securities. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income from the securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and earn additional income or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Any such investment of cash collateral will be subject to the Fund's investment risks. The Fund will have the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent securities to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest, or distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative, and custodial fees in connection with a loan. Options on Securities. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive from (in the case of a call) the writer of the option a specified amount of a security on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of another security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security with an exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has written. A put option written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund holds a put on the underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of the put option it has written. A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if the Fund does not own the underlying security and is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in value in another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. The Fund may write call options for cross-hedging purposes. The Fund would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a covered call option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge transaction would exceed that which would be received from writing a covered call option, while at the same time achieving the desired hedge. In purchasing an option, the Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in the case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the premium paid for the option. If an option written by the Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that, if the option is exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased or sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing transaction (i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could reduce these risks. The Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or call option whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of call options could result in increases in the Fund's portfolio turnover rate, especially during periods when market prices of the underlying securities appreciate. The Fund will purchase or write options on securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest in privately negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter) transactions only with investment dealers and other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by Alliance. Alliance has adopted procedures for monitoring the creditworthiness of such entities. Options purchased or written by the Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an advantageous time. Options on Securities Indices. An option on a securities index is similar to an option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. Options on Currencies. As in the case of other kinds of options, the writing of an option on a currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on a currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund's position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. See the Fund's SAI for further discussion of the use, risks, and costs of options on currencies. Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A "sale" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities or currency or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities or currency or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made. Options on futures contracts are options that, upon exercise, call for the delivery of futures contracts (or cash payments based on the value of futures contracts). Options on futures contracts written or purchased by the Fund will be traded on exchanges worldwide or over the counter. These investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future changes in market conditions and interest or exchange rates which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date. The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts only to the extent the transactions constitute bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The Fund will not enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of its total assets. Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit the Fund to keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. If a vendor defaults on its repurchase obligation, the Fund would suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price. If a vendor goes bankrupt, the Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness of the vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements. Rights and Warrants. The Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if the underlying equity securities themselves are deemed appropriate by Alliance for inclusion in the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights are similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security, although the value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time or a change in perception as to the potential of the underlying security, or any combination of these factors. If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on the expiration date, the warrant will expire worthless. Moreover, a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. Short Sales. A short sale is effected by selling a security that the Fund does not own, or, if the Fund does own such security, it is not to be delivered upon consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical to those sold short without payment. The Fund may utilize short selling in order to attempt both to protect its portfolio against the effects of potential downtrends in the securities markets and as a means of enhancing its overall performance. The Fund may not make a short sale if as a result more than 33% of the Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Although the Fund's gain is limited by the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Future Developments. The Fund may, following written notice to its shareholders, take advantage of other investment practices that are not currently contemplated for use by the Fund, or are not available but may yet be developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks that exceed those involved in the activities described above. General. The successful use of the investment practices described above draws upon Alliance's special skills and experience and usually depends on Alliance's ability to forecast price movements, interest rates, or currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should interest rates, prices, or exchange rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the transactions or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts and options on futures contracts, there are no daily price fluctuation limits for certain options on currencies and forward contracts, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition, the correlation between movements in the prices of such instruments and movements in the prices of the securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce unanticipated losses. The Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures contracts, options and forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types of securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing. It is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in various types of futures contracts, options and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not exist for an option purchased or written by the Fund, it might not be possible to effect a closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option), with the result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be exercised in order for the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may not be able to sell portfolio securities or currencies covering an option written by the Fund until the option expires or it delivers the underlying securities, currency or futures contract upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments effectively. In addition, the Fund's ability to engage in options and futures transactions may be limited by tax considerations and the use of certain hedging techniques may adversely impact the characterization of income to the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Portfolio Turnover. The Fund is actively managed and, in some cases in response to market conditions, the Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other expenses, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains, which, when distributed, are taxable to shareholders. Temporary Defensive Position. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may reduce its position in equity securities and invest in, without limit, certain types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high-quality debt securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities, qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and other types of short-term debt securities including notes and bonds. Such securities also may include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies, and supranational organizations. While the Fund invests for temporary defensive purposes, it may not meet its investment objective. Additional Risk Considerations Investment in the Fund involves the special risk considerations described below. Currency Considerations. Substantially all of the assets of the Fund are invested in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies. The Fund may receive a portion of its revenues in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Therefore, the dollar equivalent of its net assets, distributions, and income will be adversely affected by reductions in the value of certain currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of the income and the making of Fund distributions, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if it has insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet distribution requirements that the Fund must satisfy to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time the Fund incurs expenses in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the amount of the currency required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to pay expenses in U.S. Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such expenses in the currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these risks, the Fund may engage in currency hedging transactions, as described above, which involve certain special risks. Securities of Non-U.S. Issuers. The securities markets of many countries outside of the United States are relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Consequently, the Fund may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in equity securities of U.S. companies. These markets may be subject to greater influence by adverse events generally affecting the market, and by large investors trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States. Securities registration, custody and settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and legal and administrative uncertainties. Certain countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of securities that may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and may increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. In addition, the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority. If a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may require the Fund to adopt special procedures that may involve additional costs to the Fund. These factors may affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments in any country and Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on the Fund's investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including brokerage commissions for transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in many countries are generally higher than in the United States. Issuers of securities in jurisdictions other than the United States are generally not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy requirements, and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting and auditing standards of countries may differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects and less information may be available to investors in securities of non-U.S. issuers than to investors in U.S. companies. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers. The economies of individual countries other than the United States may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Political changes, government regulation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments could affect adversely the economy of a country and the Fund's investments. In such events, the Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved. Extreme Governmental Action; Less Protective Laws. In contrast to investing in the United States, investment in other countries may involve in certain situations greater risk of nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or other extreme governmental action that could adversely impact the Fund's investments. In the event of certain such actions, the Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in various countries other than the United States governing, among other subjects, business organization and practices, securities and securities trading, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to investors such as the Fund than provided under United States laws. Non-U.S. Taxes. The Fund's investment in securities issued by non-U.S. companies may be subject to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments. Non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund may be creditable or deductible by U.S. shareholders for U.S. income tax purposes. No assurance can be given that applicable tax laws and interpretations will not change in the future. Moreover, non-U.S. investors may not be able to credit or deduct such non-U.S. taxes. ----------------------------------------------------------------- MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Adviser The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment adviser managing client accounts with assets as of June 30, 2003 totaling approximately $426 billion (of which approximately $156 billion represented assets of investment companies). As of June 30, 2003, Alliance managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 45 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee retirement funds in 43 states, for investment companies, and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52 registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 125 separate investment portfolios, currently have approximately 7.3 million shareholder accounts. Andrew S. Adelson and Kevin F. Simms are the persons who have been primarily responsible for the day to day management of the Fund since inception. Mr. Adelson is an Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of International Value Equities for Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), the sole general partner of Alliance, and has been associated with Alliance since October 2000. Prior thereto, he was the Chief Investment Officer of International Equities at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc. ("SCB") since prior to 1998. Mr. Simms is a Senior Vice President of ACMC and Director of Research for International Value and Global Value Equities since October 2000. Prior thereto, he was Director of Research for Emerging-Markets Equities at SCB since prior to 1998. Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities for the Fund. For these advisory services, the Fund paid Alliance a fee of .17% of the Fund's average daily net assets for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002. This fee is stated net of any waivers and/or reimbursements. See "Fees and Expenses of the Fund" at the beginning of this Prospectus for more information about fee waivers. ----------------------------------------------------------------- PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES ----------------------------------------------------------------- How the Fund Values Its Shares The Fund's net asset value or NAV is calculated at the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), each day the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, the Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund values its securities at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations, or, if such quotations are not readily available, such other methods as the Fund's directors believe accurately reflect fair market value. Your order for a purchase, sale, or exchange of shares is priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund. How to Buy Shares Class R shares are available to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans ("group retirement plans") that have plan assets of $1 million to $10 million and have plan level or omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund. Class R shares are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, traditional and ROTH IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403 (b) plans and AllianceBernstein sponsored retirements products. General The Fund is required by law to obtain, verify and record certain personal information from you or persons on your behalf in order to establish the account. Required information includes name, date of birth, permanent residential address and social security/taxpayer identification number. The Fund may also ask to see other identifying documents. If you do not provide the information, the Fund will not be able to open your account. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, or that of another person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or if the Fund believes it has identified potentially criminal activity, the Fund reserves the right to take action as it deems appropriate which may include closing your account. If you are not a US citizen or Resident Alien, your account must be affiliated with a NASD member firm. The Fund is required to withhold 28% of taxable dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not provided the Fund with their certified taxpayer identification number. To avoid this, you must provide your correct Tax Identification Number (Social Security Number for most investors) on your account application. The Fund may refuse any order to purchase shares. In particular, the Fund reserves the right to restrict purchases of shares (including through exchanges) when there appears to be evidence of a pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term considerations. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of its shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities markets or for other reasons. How to Exchange Shares To the extent that other AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds offer Class R shares, you may exchange your Fund shares for Class R shares of such other AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. Exchanges of shares are made at the next determined NAV, without sales or service charges. You may request an exchange by mail or telephone. You must call by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, to receive that day's NAV. The Fund may modify, restrict, or terminate the exchange service on 60 days' written notice. How to Sell Shares You may "redeem" your shares (i.e., sell your shares to the Fund) on any day the Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. Your sales price will be the next-determined NAV after the Fund receives your sales request in proper form. Normally, proceeds will be sent to you within 7 days. If you recently purchased your shares by check or electronic funds transfer, your redemption payment may be delayed until the Fund is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer has been collected (which may take up to 15 days). o Selling Shares Through Your Broker or Financial Representative Your broker or financial representative must receive your sales request by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, and submit it to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's NAV. Your broker or financial representative is responsible for submitting all necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this service. o Selling Shares Directly to the Fund By Mail: o Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with certificates, to: Alliance Global Investor Services P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278-6003 o For certified or overnight deliveries, send to: Alliance Global Investor Services 8000 IH 10 W, 4th Floor San Antonio, TX 78230 o For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange, or other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee signatures. Stock power forms are available from your financial intermediary, Alliance Global Investor Services ("AGIS"), and many commercial banks. Additional documentation is required for the sale of shares by corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you have any questions about these procedures, contact AGIS. By Telephone: o You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been issued by telephone request. Call AGIS at 800-221-5672 with instructions on how you wish to receive your sale proceeds. o A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's NAV. o If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your bank. Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you. o Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000 per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed $50,000 per day. o Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or "street name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within the previous 30 calendar days. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ----------------------------------------------------------------- The income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared by the Fund on its outstanding shares will, at the election of each shareholder, be paid in cash or in additional shares of the same class of shares of the Fund. If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate net asset value as of the close of business on the declaration date of the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or distribution. You may make an election to receive dividends and distributions in cash or in shares at the time you purchase shares. Your election can be changed at any time prior to a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or other charge in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election, electronically via the ACH network. If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you may, within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend or distribution in additional shares of the Fund without charge by returning to Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing the dividend or distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be deemed to have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions in shares of the Fund. While it is the intention of the Fund to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital gains, if any, the amount and timing of any dividend or distribution will depend on the realization by the Fund of income and capital gains from investments. There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. The final determination of the amount of the Fund's return of capital distributions for the period will be made after the end of each calendar year. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's distributions of net income (or short-term taxable gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term capital gains generally will be taxable to you as long-term capital gains. The Fund's distributions also may be subject to certain state and local taxes. Dividends and distributions are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Whether distributions of gains are taxable to you at long-term capital gains rates or short-term capital gains rates will not depend on your holding period in shares of the Fund, but rather on the Fund's holding period in assets giving rise to the gains. Under the provisions of recently enacted tax legislation, the maximum long-term capital gain rate has been reduced from 20% to 15%, and some or all of the distributions from a mutual fund may be treated as "qualified dividend income," taxable to individuals at the reduced maximum rate of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets), provided that both the Fund and the individual satisfy certain holding period and other requirements. A distribution from the Fund is treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that it is comprised of dividend income received by the Fund from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, and provided that the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the security paying the dividend. In addition, the individual must meet certain holding period requirements with respect to the shares of the Fund in order to take advantage of the 15% tax rate. To the extent distributions from the Fund are attributable to other sources, such as taxable interest, most distributions from real estate investment trusts, or short-term capital gains, the dividends will not be eligible for the lower rates. The Fund will notify you as to how much of the Fund's distributions, if any, would be qualified dividend income, assuming that you satisfied the holding period requirements. Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that the Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, the Fund intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the Code to "pass-through" to the Fund's shareholders credits for foreign income taxes paid (or to permit shareholders to claim a deduction for such foreign taxes), but there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to do so. Furthermore, a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction for foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not be permitted to claim a credit or deduction for all or a portion of the amount of such taxes. Under certain circumstances, if the Fund realizes losses (e.g., from fluctuations in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. Returns of capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a shareholder's basis in shares of the Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero (which could happen if the shareholder does not reinvest distributions and returns of capital are significant), any further returns of capital will be taxable as capital gain. If you buy shares just before the Fund deducts a distribution from its NAV, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back as a taxable distribution. The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Each year shortly after December 31, the Fund will send you tax information stating the amount and type of all its distributions for the year. Consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, and local tax consequences in your particular circumstances. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Fund offers Class R shares through this Prospectus. Class R shares are available only to certain group retirement plans that have plan assets of $1 million to $10 million. Class R shares are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred sales charges. The Fund's other share classes are offered through a separate prospectus. Asset-based Sales Charge or Rule 12b-1 Fee. The Fund has adopted a plan under Commission Rule 12b-1 that allows the Fund to pay asset-based sales charges or distribution and service fees for the distribution and sale of the Class R shares. The amount of this fee for the Class R shares is 0.50% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Class. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales fees. Special Distribution Arrangement for Group Retirement Plans and Employee Benefit Plans. The Fund offers special distribution arrangements for group retirement plans and certain employee benefit plans, including employer-sponsored tax-qualified 401(k) plans, other defined contribution plans (the "Plans"). However, plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries and other financial intermediaries may establish requirements for the Plans as to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of the Fund, including maximum and minimum initial investment requirements, that are different from those described in this Prospectus. The Plans also may not offer all classes of shares of the Fund. In order to enable participants investing through the Plans to purchase shares of the Fund, the maximum and minimum investment amounts may be different for shares purchased through the Plans from those described in this Prospectus. Therefore, plan sponsors or fiduciaries may not adhere to these share class eligibility standards set forth in this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund is not responsible for, and has no control over, the decision of any plan sponsor or fiduciary to impose such differing requirements. Other. A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary, or other financial representative with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of Class R shares made through such financial representative. The financial intermediaries or your fee-based program also may impose requirements on the purchase, sale, or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts. ----------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The Fund reserves the right to close an account that through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the account value before the account is closed. During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty in reaching AGIS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions to AGIS. AGIS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests to purchase, sell, or exchange shares. AGIS will employ reasonable procedures to verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses resulting from unauthorized transactions if it failed to do so. Dealers and agents may charge a commission for handling telephone requests. The telephone service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice. Shareholder Services. AGIS offers a variety of shareholder services. For more information about these services or your account, call AGIS's toll-free number, 800-221-5672. Some services are described in the Subscription Application. You also may request a shareholder's manual explaining all available services by calling 800-227-4618. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ----------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Highlights are not provided because Class R shares had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. For more information about the Fund, the following documents are available upon request: o Annual/Semi-annual Reports to Shareholders The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional information on the Fund's investments. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. o Statement of Additional Information (SAI) The Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund, including its operations and investment policies. The Fund's SAI is incorporated by reference into (and is legally part of) this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the SAI or make shareholder inquiries of the Fund, by contacting your broker or other financial intermediary, or by contacting Alliance: By Mail: c/o Alliance Global Investor Services P.O. Box 786003 San Antonio, TX 78278-6003 By Phone: For Information: (800) 221-5672 For Literature: (800) 227-4618 Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission: o Call the Commission at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. o Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. o Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You also may find more information about Alliance and the Fund on the Internet at: www.Alliancecapital.com. SEC File No: 811-10221 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy Notice (This information is not part of the Prospectus.) Alliance Capital Management L.P., the AllianceBernstein Family of Funds and AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (collectively, "Alliance" or "we") understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of our customers' nonpublic personal information. In order to provide financial products and services to our customers efficiently and accurately, we may collect nonpublic personal information about our customers from the following sources: (1) information we receive from account documentation, including applications or other forms (which may include information such as a customer's name, address, social security number, assets and income) and (2) information about our customers' transactions with us, our affiliates and others (including information such as a customer's account balances and account activity). It is our policy not to disclose nonpublic personal information about our customers (or former customers) except to our affiliates, or to others as permitted or required by law. From time to time, Alliance may disclose nonpublic personal information that we collect about our customers (or former customers), as described above, to non-affiliated third party providers, including those that perform processing or servicing functions and those that provide marketing services for us or on our behalf pursuant to a joint marketing agreement that requires the third party provider to adhere to Alliance's privacy policy. We have policies and procedures to safeguard nonpublic personal information about our customers (or former customers) which include: (1) restricting access to such nonpublic personal information and (2) maintaining physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to safeguard such nonpublic personal information. ----------------------------------------------------------------- (LOGO) ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN TRUST: ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VALUE FUND ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN SMALL CAP VALUE FUND ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL VALUE FUND c/o Alliance Global Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 786003, San Antonio, Texas 78278-6003 Toll Free (800) 221-5672 For Literature: Toll Free (800) 227-4618 ------------------------------------------------------------------ STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION March 31, 2003 (as amended November 3, 2003) ------------------------------------------------------------------ This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus but supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated March 31, 2003, as supplemented, for AllianceBernstein Value Fund, AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund, AllianceBernstein International Value Fund and AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund (the "Prospectus"). Financial statements for each Fund for the period from inception through November 30, 2002 are included in the respective annual report to shareholders and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. Copies of the Prospectus and annual reports may be obtained by contacting Alliance Global Investor Services, Inc. ("AGIS") at the address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown above. TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Page Description of the Trust and the Funds ....................... 2 Management of the Funds....................................... 17 Expenses of the Funds......................................... 28 Purchase of Shares............................................ 33 Redemption and Repurchase of Shares........................... 50 Shareholder Services.......................................... 52 Net Asset Value............................................... 58 Dividends, Distributions and Taxes............................ 60 Portfolio Transactions........................................ 66 General Information........................................... 68 Financial Statements and Report of Independent Auditors ...... 83 Appendix A: Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts and Foreign Currencies................. A-1 Appendix B: Statement of Policies and Procedures for Voting Proxies........................................... B-1 Appendix C: Commission Schedule ............................. C-1 ----------------- SM: This is a service mark used under license from the owner. ------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS ------------------------------------------------------------------ AllianceBernstein Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust was formed under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on December 12, 2000. AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund, AllianceBernstein Value Fund, AllianceBernstein International Value Fund and AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund are each a series of the Trust (each a "Fund," and together the "Funds"). Except as noted, each Fund's respective investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote. No Fund will change its policies without notifying its shareholders. There is no guarantee that any Fund will achieve its respective investment objectives. Class R shares are available only for the AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund, AllianceBernstein Value Fund and AllianceBernstein International Value Fund. Investment Policies and Practices --------------------------------- Each Fund's principal investment policies, practices and risks are set forth in the Prospectus. The information set forth below concerning the Funds' investment practices and policies supplements the information in the Prospectus. Except as otherwise noted, the Funds' investment policies described below are not designated "fundamental policies" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and may be changed by the Trustees of the Trust without shareholder approval. However, no Fund will change its investment policies without contemporaneous written notice to shareholders. Each Fund's respective investment objective is "fundamental" and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES The following information about the Funds' investment policies and practices supplements the information set forth in the Prospectus. CURRENCY SWAPS. Each Fund may enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes. Currency swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. Since currency swaps are individually negotiated, each Fund expects to achieve an acceptable degree of correlation between its portfolio investments and its currency swaps positions. A currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each currency swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account for the relevant Fund by a Fund's custodian. No Fund will enter into any currency swap unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is rated in the highest rating category of at least one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the transaction. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transactions. FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Each Fund may enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities. Such transactions may include purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a "delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a "when, as and if issued" trade). When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date, normally within four months after the transaction, although delayed settlements beyond four months may be negotiated. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and no interest accrues to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. At the time a Fund enters into a forward commitment, it will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value of the security purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining its net asset value. Any unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in such valuation of a "when, as and if issued" security would be canceled in the event that the required conditions did not occur and the trade was canceled. The use of forward commitments enables a Fund to protect against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might sell a security in its portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling bond prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund might sell securities in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the benefit of currently higher cash yields. However, if Alliance Capital Management L.P., the investment adviser to each of the Funds (the "Adviser" or "Alliance"), were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, a Fund might be required to complete such when-issued or forward transactions at prices less favorable than current market values. A Fund's right to receive or deliver a security under a forward commitment may be sold prior to the settlement date, but a Fund will enter into forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. To facilitate such transactions, a Fund's custodian will maintain, in the separate account of the relevant Fund, liquid assets having value equal to, or greater than, any commitments to purchase securities on a forward commitment basis. If a Fund, however, chooses to dispose of the right to receive or deliver a security subject to a forward commitment prior to the settlement date of the transaction, it can incur a gain or loss. In the event the other party to a forward commitment transaction were to default, a Fund might lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of securities at favorable prices. Although each Fund intends to make such purchases for speculative purposes, purchases of securities on such bases may involve more risk than other types of purchases. For example, by committing to purchase securities in the future, a Fund subjects itself to a risk of loss on such commitments as well as on its portfolio securities. Also, a Fund may have to sell assets that have been set aside in order to meet redemptions. In addition, if a Fund determines it is advisable as a matter of investment strategy to sell the forward commitment or when-issued or delayed delivery securities before delivery, that Fund may incur a gain or loss because of market fluctuations since the time the commitment to purchase such securities was made. Any such gain or loss would be treated as a capital gain or loss and would be treated for tax purposes as such. When the time comes to pay for the securities to be purchased under a forward commitment or on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, that Fund will meet its obligations from the then available cash flow or the sale of securities, or, although it would not normally expect to do so, from the sale of the forward commitment or when-issued or delayed delivery securities themselves (which may have a value greater or less than the Fund's payment obligation). FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. Each Fund may purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund of adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price at a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. A Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of the security ("transaction hedge"). A Fund may not engage in transaction hedges with respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency. Additionally, for example, when a Fund believes that a foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of that foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of that Fund's securities denominated in such foreign currency, or when a Fund believes that the U.S. dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). No Fund will position hedge with respect to a particular currency to an extent greater than the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that currency. In this situation, a Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. dollar value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated ("cross-hedge"). To the extent required by applicable law, a Fund's custodian will place liquid assets in a separate account of the relevant Fund having a value equal to the aggregate amount of that Fund's commitments under forward contracts entered into with respect to position hedges and cross-hedges. If the value of the assets placed in a Fund's separate account declines, additional liquid assets will be placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of that Fund's commitments with respect to such contracts. As an alternative to maintaining all or part of the separate account, a Fund may purchase a call option permitting that Fund to purchase the amount of foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract at a price no higher than the forward contract price or a Fund may purchase a put option permitting that Fund to sell the amount of foreign currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as high or higher than the forward contract price. In addition, each Fund may use such other methods of "cover" as are permitted by applicable law. A Fund will not speculate in forward currency contracts. A Fund will only enter forward foreign currency exchange contracts with counterparties that, in the opinion of the Adviser, do not present undue credit risk. Generally, such forward contracts will be for a period of less than three months. Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of securities decline. These transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedge currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for a Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the anticipated devaluation level. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not entered into such contracts. The matching of the increase in value of a forward contract and the decline in the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the foreign currency-denominated asset that is the subject of the hedge generally will not be precise. In addition, a Fund may not always be able to enter into foreign currency forward contracts at attractive prices and this will limit that Fund's ability to use such contract to hedge or cross-hedge its assets. Also, with regard to a Fund's use of cross-hedges, there can be no assurance that historical correlations between the movement of certain foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will continue. Thus, at any time poor correlation may exist between movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies underlying a Fund's cross-hedges and the movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies in which the Fund's assets that are the subject of such cross-hedges are denominated. LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, each Fund may lend its portfolio securities provided the loan is continuously secured by cash, marketable securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies, or a standby letter of credit issued by qualified banks equal to no less than the market value, determined daily, of the securities loaned. In lending its portfolio securities, a Fund will require that interest or dividends on securities loaned be paid to that Fund. Where voting or consent rights with respect to loaned securities pass to the borrower, a Fund will follow the policy of calling the loan, in whole or in part as may be appropriate, to permit it to exercise such voting or consent rights if the exercise of such rights involves issues having a material effect on that Fund's investment in the securities loaned. Loans will be made only to firms deemed by the Adviser to be of good standing and will not be made unless, in the judgment of the Adviser, the consideration to be earned from such loans would justify the risk. A Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and earn additional income, or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. A Fund will have the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights such as voting rights, subscription rights, and rights to dividends, interest or distributions. A Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative, and custodial fees in connection with a loan. OPTIONS. Each Fund may purchase put and call options written by others and write covered put and call options overlying the types of securities in which the Fund may invest. A put option (sometimes called a "standby commitment") gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to deliver a specified amount of a security to the writer of the option on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option (sometimes called a "reverse standby commitment") gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to call upon the writer to deliver a specified amount of a security on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price. Each Fund may purchase put and call options to provide protection against adverse price or yield effects from anticipated changes in prevailing interest rates. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might purchase a put option to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund might purchase a call option. In purchasing a call option, a Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the security increased by an amount in excess of the premium paid. It would realize a loss if the price of the security declined or remained the same or did not increase during the period by more than the amount of the premium. By purchasing a put option, a Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the security declined by an amount in excess of the premium paid. It would realize a loss if the price of the security increased or remained the same or did not decrease during that period by more than the amount of the premium. If a put or call option purchased by a Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to that Fund. When a Fund writes a put option it must either own at all times during the option period an offsetting put option on the same security or maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid assets in an amount adequate to purchase the underlying security should the put be exercised. When a Fund writes a call option it must own at all times during the option period either the underlying securities or an offsetting call option on the same securities. If a put option written by a Fund were exercised, that Fund would be obligated to purchase the underlying security at the exercise price. If a call option written by a Fund were exercised, that Fund would be obligated to sell the underlying security at the exercise price. A Fund may write put options either to earn additional income in the form of option premiums (anticipating that the price of the underlying security will remain stable or rise during the option period and the option will therefore not be exercised) or to acquire the underlying security at a net cost below the current value (e.g., the option is exercised because of a decline in the price of the underlying security, but the amount paid by a Fund, offset by the option premium, is less than the current price). Each Fund will write covered call options both to reduce the risks associated with certain of its respective investments and to increase total investment return through the receipt of premiums. In return for the premium income, a Fund will give up the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the exercise price so long as its obligations under the contract continue, except insofar as the premium represents a profit. Moreover, in writing the call option, a Fund will retain the risk of loss should the price of the security decline. The premium is intended to offset that loss in whole or in part. Unlike the situation in which a Fund owns securities not subject to call options, a Fund, in writing call options, must assume that the call may be exercised at any time prior to the expiration of its obligation as a writer, and that in such circumstances the net proceeds realized from the sale of the underlying securities pursuant to the call may be substantially below the prevailing market price. The risk involved in writing a put option is that there could be a decrease in the market value of the underlying security caused by rising interest rates or other factors. If this occurred, the option could be exercised and the underlying security would then be sold to a Fund at a higher price than its current market value. The risk involved in writing a call option is that there could be an increase in the market value of the underlying security caused by declining interest rates or other factors. If this occurred, the option could be exercised and the underlying security would then be sold by the respective Fund at a lower price than its current market value. These risks could be reduced by entering into a closing transaction as described below. A Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or call option whether or not the option is exercised. Each Fund may also write covered call options for cross-hedging purposes. A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if it is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in value in another security which a Fund owns or has the right to acquire. In such circumstances, a Fund collateralizes the option by maintaining, in a segregated account with the Custodian, liquid assets in an amount not less than the market value of the underlying security, marked to market daily. Each Fund may dispose of an option which it has purchased by entering into a "closing sale transaction" with the writer of the option. A closing sale transaction terminates the obligation of the writer of the option and does not result in the ownership of an option. A Fund realizes a profit or loss from a closing sale transaction if the premium received from the transaction is more than or less than the cost of the option. Each Fund may terminate its obligation to the holder of an option written by a Fund through a "closing purchase transaction." A Fund may not, however, effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to such an option after it has been notified of the exercise of such option. A Fund realizes a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the transaction is more than or less than the premium received by that Fund from writing the option. A closing purchase transaction for exchange-traded options may be made only on a national securities exchange. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on a national securities exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options, such as over-the-counter options, no secondary market on a national securities exchange may exist. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, that Fund will not sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the underlying security upon exercise. Each Fund may purchase or write options in negotiated transactions. A Fund may effect such transactions only with investment dealers and other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. The Adviser has also adopted procedures for monitoring the creditworthiness of such entities. Options traded in the over-the-counter market may not be as actively traded as those traded on an exchange. Accordingly, it may be more difficult to value such options. Options purchased or written by a Fund in negotiated transactions may be considered illiquid and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing purchase transaction at a time when the Adviser believes it would be advantageous to do so. Each Fund may enter into contracts (or amend existing contracts) with primary dealer(s) with whom they write over-the-counter options. The contracts will provide that the relevant Fund has the absolute right to repurchase an option it writes at any time at a repurchase price which represents the fair market value, as determined in good faith through negotiation between the parties, but which in no event will exceed a price determined pursuant to a formula contained in the contract. Although the specific details of the formula may vary between contracts with different primary dealers, the formula will generally be based on a multiple of the premium received by a Fund for writing the option, plus the amount, if any, of the option's intrinsic value (i.e., the amount the option is "in-the-money"). The formula will also include a factor to account for the difference between the price of the security and the strike price of the option if the option is written "out-of-the-money." Although each Fund has established standards of creditworthiness for these primary dealers, a Fund may still be subject to the risk that firms participating in such transactions will fail to meet their obligations. With respect to agreements concerning the over-the-counter options a Fund has written, a Fund will treat as illiquid only securities equal in amount to the formula price described above less the amount by which the option is "in-the-money," i.e., the amount by which the price of the option exceeds the exercise price. OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. Each Fund may purchase put and call options and write covered put and call options on securities indices for the purpose of hedging against the risk of unfavorable price movements adversely affecting the value of a Fund's securities or securities it intends to purchase. An option on a securities index is similar to an option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. A call option on a securities index is considered covered, for example, if, so long as a Fund is obligated as the writer of the call, it holds securities the price changes of which are, in the opinion of the Adviser, expected to replicate substantially the movement of the index or indexes upon which the options written by the Fund are based. A put on a securities index written by a Fund will be considered covered if, so long as it is obligated as the writer of the put, a Fund segregates with its custodian liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option. Through the purchase of listed index options, a Fund could achieve many of the same objectives as through the use of options on individual securities. Price movements in a Fund's securities probably will not correlate perfectly with movements in the level of the index and, therefore, a Fund would bear a risk of loss on index options purchased by it if favorable price movements of the hedged portfolio securities do not equal or exceed losses on the options or if adverse price movements of the hedged portfolio securities are greater than gains realized from the options. OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. Each Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign currency-denominated portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of such securities to be acquired. As in the case of other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and a Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to a Fund's position, it may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies to be written or purchased by a Fund are exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter. A Fund will write options on foreign currencies only if they are "covered." A Fund will not speculate in foreign currency options. Accordingly, a Fund will not hedge a currency substantially in excess of the market value of the securities denominated in that currency which it owns or the expected acquisition price of securities which it anticipates purchasing. See Appendix A for further discussion of the use, risks and costs of options on foreign currencies. FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON. Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and related options on debt securities and on indexes of debt securities to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates that might otherwise have an adverse effect on the value of its assets or assets it intends to acquire. Each Fund may also enter into futures contracts and related options on foreign currencies in order to limit its exchange rate risk. A "sale" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the incurring of a contractual obligation to acquire the securities called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally struck. All futures contracts and related options will be traded on exchanges that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"). A Fund will only write options on futures contracts which are "covered." These investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future changes in interest or exchange rates which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of a Fund's securities or adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date. These investment techniques will not be used for speculation. In general, each Fund will limit its use of futures contracts and options on futures contracts so that either (i) the contracts or options thereon are for "bona fide hedging" purposes as defined under regulations of the CTFC or (ii) if for other purposes, no more than 5% of the liquidation value of the respective Fund's total assets will be used for initial margin of option premiums required to establish non-hedging positions. These instruments will be used for hedging purposes and not for speculation or to leverage a Fund. In instances involving the purchase of futures contracts or the writing of put options thereon by a Fund, an amount of liquid assets equal to the cost of such futures contracts or options written (less any related margin deposits) will be deposited in a segregated account with its custodian, thereby insuring that the use of such futures contracts and options is unleveraged. In instances involving the sale of futures contracts or the writing of call options thereon by a Fund, the securities underlying such futures contracts or options will at all times be maintained by the Fund or, in the case of index futures and related options, the Fund will own securities the price changes of which are, in the opinion of the Adviser, expected to replicate substantially the movement of the index upon which the futures contract or option is based. Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held until delivery or cash settlement is required, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a gain or a loss. While futures positions taken by a Fund will usually be liquidated in this manner, each Fund may instead make or take delivery of underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or a board of trade which provides the market for such futures. Although each Fund intends to purchase or sell futures only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be an active market, there is no guarantee that such will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. If there is not a liquid market at a particular time, it may not be possible to close a futures position at such time, and, in the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of maintenance margin. However, in the event futures positions are used to hedge portfolio securities, the securities will not be sold until the futures positions can be liquidated. In such circumstances, an increase in the price of securities, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contracts. See Appendix A for further discussion of the use, risks and costs of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements pertaining to U.S. Government Securities with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or "primary dealers" (as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) in such securities. There is no percentage restriction on a Fund's ability to enter into repurchase agreements. Currently, each Fund intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with its custodian and such primary dealers. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon future date, normally one day or a few days later. The resale price is greater than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate which is effective for the period of time the buyer's money is invested in the security and which is related to the current market rate rather than the coupon rate on the purchased security. Such agreements permit each Fund to keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. Each Fund requires continual maintenance by its custodian for its account in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book Entry System of collateral in an amount equal to, or in excess of, the resale price. In the event a vendor defaulted on its repurchase obligation, a Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price. In the event of a vendor's bankruptcy, a Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling the collateral for its benefit. Repurchase agreements may exhibit the characteristics of loans by a Fund. During the term of a repurchase agreement, a Fund retains the security subject to the repurchase agreement as collateral securing the seller's repurchase obligation, continually monitors on a daily basis the market value of the security subject to the agreement and requires the seller to deposit with that Fund collateral equal to any amount by which the market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement falls below the resale amount provided under the repurchase agreement. ILLIQUID SECURITIES. None of the Funds will invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities are securities restricted as to disposition under Federal securities laws and include, among others, (a) direct placements or other securities which are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available market (e.g., trading in the security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted securities, market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers), and (b) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a readily available market are not deemed illiquid for purposes of this limitation. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing certain restricted securities held by a Fund, however, could affect adversely the marketability of such portfolio securities and that Fund might be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable prices. Rule 144A has already produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent inception of the PORTAL System, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). The Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, will monitor the liquidity of restricted securities in each Fund that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser will consider, among others, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers issuing quotations to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) the number of dealers undertaking to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (including its unregistered nature) and the nature of the marketplace for the security (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer); and (6) any applicable Commission interpretation or position with respect to such type of securities. A Fund may not be able to readily sell securities for which there is no ready market. To the extent that these securities are foreign securities, there is no law in many of the countries in which a Fund may invest similar to the Securities Act requiring an issuer to register the sale of securities with a governmental agency or imposing legal restrictions on resales of securities, either as to length of time the securities may be held or manner of resale. There may, however, be contractual restrictions on resale of securities. RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. Each Fund may invest in rights and warrants which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities which may be purchased nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Also, the value of right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. It is expected that a Fund's investments will ordinarily be traded on exchanges located in the respective countries in which the various issuers of such securities are principally based and in some case on other exchanges. As much as 25% of the value of a Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry. PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Because each Fund will actively use trading to achieve its investment objective and policies, a Fund may be subject to a greater degree of turnover and, thus, a higher incidence of short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income than might be expected from investment companies which invest substantially all of their funds on a long-term basis, and correspondingly larger mark-up charges can be expected to be borne by a Fund. Management anticipates that the annual turnover in each Fund may be in excess of 100%. An annual turnover rate of 100% occurs, for example, when all of the securities in a Fund are replaced one time in a period of one year. The value of a Fund's shares will be influenced by the factors which generally affect securities, such as the economic and political outlook, earnings, dividends and the supply and demand for various classes of securities. There can be, of course, no assurance that a Fund's investment objective will be achieved. CERTAIN RISK CONSIDERATIONS RISKS OF INVESTMENTS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES. Investors should understand and consider carefully the substantial risks involved in securities of foreign companies and governments of foreign nations, some of which are referred to below, and which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. Investing in securities of non-United States companies which are generally denominated in foreign currencies, and utilization of derivative investment products denominated in, or the value of which is dependent upon movements in the relative value of, a foreign currency, involve certain considerations comprising both risk and opportunity not typically associated with investing in United States companies. These considerations include changes in exchange rates and exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than are generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies comparable to reports and ratings that are published about companies in the United States. Foreign issuers are subject to accounting and auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements that differ, in some cases significantly, from those applicable to U.S. issuers. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of a foreign issuer may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had the financial statement been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, for an issuer that keeps accounting records in local currency, inflation accounting rules in some of the countries in which a Fund will invest require, for both tax and accounting purposes, that certain assets and liabilities be restated on the issuer's balance sheet in order to express items in terms of currency of constant purchasing power. Inflation accounting may indirectly generate losses or profits. Consequently, financial data may be materially affected by restatements for inflation and may not accurately reflect the real condition of those issuers and securities markets. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers. It is contemplated that foreign securities will be purchased in over-the-counter markets or on stock exchanges located in the countries in which the respective principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are located, if that is the best available market. Foreign securities markets are generally not as developed or efficient as those in the United States. While growing in volume, they usually have substantially less volume than the New York Stock Exchange, and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable United States companies. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets is less than in the United States and, at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the United States. Fixed commissions on foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on United States exchanges, although a Fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the United States. Expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, political, economic or social instability or other similar developments, such as military coups, have occurred in the past in countries in which a Fund will invest and could adversely affect a Fund's assets should these conditions or events recur. Foreign investment in certain foreign securities is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude foreign investment in certain foreign securities and increase the costs and expenses of a Fund. Certain countries in which the Funds will invest require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer, limit the investment by foreign persons only to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than the classes available for purchase by domiciliaries of the countries and/or impose additional taxes on foreign investors. Certain countries may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. Income from certain investments held by a Fund could be reduced by foreign income taxes, including withholding taxes. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance. A Fund's net asset value may also be affected by changes in the rates or methods of taxation applicable to that Fund or to entities in which that Fund has invested. The Adviser generally will consider the cost of any taxes in determining whether to acquire any particular investments, but can provide no assurance that the tax treatment of investments held by a Fund will not be subject to change. A shareholder otherwise subject to United States federal income taxes may, subject to certain limitations, be entitled to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes for his or her proportionate share of such foreign taxes paid by the Fund. See "U.S. Federal Income Taxes." Although a Fund may value its assets in terms of U.S. dollars, the Funds do not intend to convert their holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. A Fund will do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (commonly known as the "spread") between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should that Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Investors should understand that the expense ratio of a Fund investing in foreign securities may be higher than investment companies investing only in domestic securities since, among other things, the cost of maintaining the custody of foreign securities is higher and the purchase and sale of portfolio securities may be subject to higher transaction charges, such as stamp duties and turnover taxes. For many foreign securities, there are U.S. dollar-denominated American Depository Receipts (ADRs) which are traded in the United States on exchanges or over-the-counter and are issued by domestic banks or trust companies and for which market quotations are readily available. ADRs do not lessen the foreign exchange risk inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in stock of foreign issuers, a Fund can avoid currency risks which might occur during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. A Fund may purchase foreign securities directly, as well as through ADRs. SECURITIES RATINGS. The ratings of fixed-income securities by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services are a generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They are, however, subject to certain limitations from an investor's standpoint. The rating of an issuer is heavily weighted by past developments and does not necessarily reflect probable future conditions. There is frequently a lag between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. In addition, there may be varying degrees of difference in credit risk of securities within each rating category. The Adviser will try to reduce the risk inherent in each Fund's investment approach through credit analysis, diversification and attention to current developments and trends in interest rates and economic conditions. However, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur. In considering investments for each Fund, the Adviser will attempt to identify those high-yielding securities whose financial condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is expected to improve in the future. The Adviser's analysis focuses on relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer. Non-rated securities will also be considered for investment by each Fund when the Adviser believes that the financial condition of the issuers of such securities, or the protection afforded by the terms of the securities themselves, limits the risk to a Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated securities which are consistent with that Fund's objectives and policies. 1940 ACT RESTRICTIONS. Under the 1940 Act, a Fund is not permitted to borrow unless immediately after such borrowing there is "asset coverage," as that term is defined and used in the 1940 Act, of at least 300% for all borrowings of that Fund. In addition, under the 1940 Act, in the event asset coverage falls below 300%, a Fund must within three days reduce the amount of its borrowing to such an extent that the asset coverage of its borrowings is at least 300%. Assuming, for example, outstanding borrowings representing not more than one-third of a Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the asset coverage of that Fund's portfolio would be 300%; while outstanding borrowings representing 25% of the total assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the asset coverage of the Fund's portfolio would be 400%. Each Fund will maintain asset coverage of outstanding borrowings of at least 300% and if necessary will, to the extent possible, reduce the amounts borrowed by making repayments from time to time in order to do so. Such repayments could require a Fund to sell portfolio securities at times considered disadvantageous by the Adviser and such sales could cause a Fund to incur related transaction costs and to realize taxable gains. Under the 1940 Act, each Fund may invest not more than 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act each Fund may not own more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any investment company and not more than 5% of the value of each Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any investment company. A Fund may emphasize investments in particular industries or sectors as a by-product of the stock selection process rather than as the result of assigned targets or ranges. AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund -------------------------------------- As indicated in the Prospectus, AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the equity securities of smaller "companies," defined for these purposes as those companies that, at the time of investment, fall within the lowest 20% of the total U.S. equity market capitalization (excluding companies with market capitalizations of less than $10 million). For purposes of the foregoing, the Adviser considers the total U.S. equity market capitalization to be that described by the Russell 3000 Index. That index, maintained by Frank Russell Consulting, contains 3,000 large U.S. companies which represent about 98% of the U.S. equity market by market capitalization. Only common stocks of U.S. companies are included in this index; in the case of multiple classes of stock, generally only one is allowed. According to Frank Russell Consulting, total shares are adjusted for cross ownership between firms and for shares held by insiders to determine the shares floating and thus the capitalization used for the index. The Russell 3000 Index is reconstituted annually on June 30 using companies' market values as of May 31. On June 30, 2002, the average market capitalization was approximately $4 billion; the median market capitalization was approximately $700 million. The index had a total market capitalization range of approximately $309 billion to $128 million. Certain Fundamental Investment Policies --------------------------------------- Each Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions, which may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. The approval of a majority of a Fund's outstanding voting securities means the affirmative vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less. Each Fund may not: (1) Make loans except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (b) the lending of portfolio securities; or (c) the use of repurchase agreements; (2) Borrow money or issue senior securities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act; (3) Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings; (4) Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control; (5) (a) Purchase or sell real estate, except that it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real estate or interests therein and securities that are secured by real estate, provided such securities are securities of the type in which a Fund may invest; (b) purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, including futures contracts (except foreign currencies, futures on securities, currencies and securities indices and forward contracts or contracts for the future acquisition or delivery of securities and foreign currencies and other similar contracts and options on the foregoing); or (c) act as an underwriter of securities, except that a Fund may acquire restricted securities under circumstances in which, if such securities were sold, that Fund might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act; or (6) Concentrate more than 25% of its assets in any particular industry or group of industries. ------------------------------------------------------------------ MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Trustee Information The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the Trustees of the Trust. Certain information concerning the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. PORTFOLIOS NAME, ADDRESS, PRINCIPAL IN FUND OTHER AGE OF TRUSTEE OCCUPATION(S) COMPLEX TRUSTEESHIPS/ (YEARS OF DURING PAST OVERSEEN BY DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE*) 5 YEARS TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE --------- ------- ------- --------------- INTERESTED TRUSTEE John D. Carifa,** President, Chief Operating 116 None 58, Officer and a Director of 1345 Avenue of the Alliance Capital Management Americas, Corporation ("ACMC"), with New York, NY 10105 which he has been (2) associated since prior to 1998. DISINTERESTED TRUSTEES Ruth Block,#+ 72, Formerly Executive Vice 97 None 500 S.E. Mizner President and Chief Blvd., Insurance Officer of The Boca Raton, FL Equitable Life Assurance 33432 (2) Society of the United States; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Evlico; a Director of Avon, BP (oil and gas), Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals), Tandem Financial Group and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation; former Governor at Large, National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. David H. Dievler, Independent Consultant. 101 None #+74, Until December 1994 he was P.O. Box 167, Senior Vice President of ACMC Spring Lake, NJ responsible for mutual fund 07762 (2) administration. Prior to joining ACMC in 1984 he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that he was Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953. John H. Dobkin,#+ Consultant. He was formerly 98 None 61, President of Save Venice, P.O. Box 12, Inc. (preservation organization) Annandale, NY 12504 2001-2002; a Senior Advisor (2) from June 1999 - June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (December 1989 - May 1999 of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation). Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988-92, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of ACMC. William H. Foulk, Investment Adviser and an 113 None Jr.,#+ 71, 2 Sound independent consultant. He View Drive, Suite was formerly Senior Manager 100, of Barrett Associates, Inc., Greenwich, CT a registered investment 06830 (2) adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 1998. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings. Clifford L. Senior Counsel of the law 97 Placer Dome, Michel,#+ 64, 15 firm of Cahill Gordon & Inc. St. Bernard's Road, Reindel since February, Gladstone, NJ 07934 2001 and a partner of that (2) firm for more than twenty-five years prior thereto. President and Chief Executive Officer of Wenonah Development Company (investments)and a Director of the Placer Dome, Inc. (mining). Donald J. Senior Counsel to the law 96 None Robinson,#+ 69, firm of Orrick, Herrington 98 Hell's Peak & Sutcliffe LLP since prior Road, to 1998. He was also a senior Weston, VT 05161 partner and a member of the (2) Executive Committee of that firm. Formerly a member and Chairman of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and a Trustee of the Museum of the City of New York. ---------------- * There is no stated term of office for the Trustees. ** Mr. Carifa is an "interested person", as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Trust because of an affiliation with Alliance. # Member of the Audit Committee. + Member of the Nominating Committee. The Trustees of the Trust have two standing committees -- an Audit Committee and a Nominating Committee. The members of the Audit and Nominating Committees are identified above. The function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Trustees in their oversight of the Funds' financial reporting process. The Audit Committee met two times during the Funds' most recently completed fiscal year. The function of the Nominating Committee is to nominate persons to fill any vacancies of the Trustees. The Nominating Committee does not currently consider for nomination candidates proposed by shareholders for election as Trustees. The Nominating Committee did not meet during the Funds' most recently completed fiscal year. The dollar range of the Funds' securities owned by each Trustee and the aggregate dollar range of securities owned in the AllianceBernstein Fund Complex are set forth below. DOLLAR RANGE OF AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES EQUITY SECURITIES IN THE IN THE FUNDS AS OF ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN FUND COMPLEX Name of Trustee DECEMBER 31, 2002 AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002 John D. Carifa $0 more than $100,000 Ruth Block $10,001 - $50,000 more than $100,000 David H. Dievler $1 - $10,000 more than $100,000 John H. Dobkin $0 more than $100,000 William H. Foulk, Jr. $0 more than $100,000 Clifford L. Michel $0 more than $100,000 Donald J. Robinson $0 more than $100,000 Officer Information ------------------- Certain information concerning the officers of the Trust is set forth below. NAME AND ADDRESS,* POSITION(S) HELD WITH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING AND (AGE) TRUST PAST 5 YEARS John D. Carifa, (58) Chairman and President President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of ACMC**, with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Kathleen A. Corbet, (43) Senior Vice President Executive Vice President at ACMC**, with which she has been associated since prior to 1998. Frank V. Caruso, (46) Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of ACMC**, with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. (53) Secretary Senior Vice President and General Counsel of AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. ("ABIRM")** and Alliance Global Investor Services, Inc. ("AGIS")**, with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Andrew L. Gangolf, (49) Assistant Secretary Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of ABIRM**, with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Mark D. Gersten, (53) Treasurer and Chief Senior Vice President of Financial Officer AGIS** and Vice President of ABIRM**, with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Vincent S. Noto, (38) Controller Vice President of AGIS,** with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Joseph G. Paul, (43) Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of ACMC** and Chief Investment Officer - Small Cap Value Equities since 2002. He is also Chief Investment Officer of Advanced Value at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc. ("Bernstein")** since prior to 1998. Andrew S. Adelson, (47) Senior Vice President Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of International Value Equities at ACMC** since October 2000. Prior thereto, he was the Chief Investment Officer of International Value Equities at Bernstein** since prior to 1998. Seth J. Masters, (43) Senior Vice President Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer - Style Blend Services at ACMC** with which he has been associated since October 2000. Prior thereto, he was an investment professional at Bernstein** since prior to 1998. Kevin F. Simms, (37) Senior Vice President Senior Vice President and Director of Research for International Value and Global Value Equities at ACMC** since October 2000. Prior thereto, he was Director of Research for Emerging-Markets Equities at Bernstein** since prior to 1998. Marilyn G. Fedak, (56) Senior Vice President Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer - U.S. Value Equities of ACMC** since October 2000. Prior thereto, she was Chief Investment Officer and Chairman of the U.S. Equity Investment Policy Group at Bernstein** since prior to 1998. Ranji N. Nagaswami, (39) Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of ACMC** since 1999. Prior thereto she was a managing director and co-head of U.S. Fixed Income at UBS Brinson since prior to 1998. ---------------- * The address for each of the Trust's officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. ** ACMC, ABIRM, Bernstein and AGIS are affiliates of the Trust. The Trust does not pay any fees to, or reimburse expenses of, its Trustees who are considered "interested persons" of the Trust. The aggregate compensation paid by the Trust to each of the Trustees during the Funds' fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the aggregate compensation paid to each of the Trustees during calendar year 2002 by all of the registered investment companies to which the Adviser provides investment advisory services (collectively, the "AllianceBernstein Fund Complex"), and the total number of registered investment companies (and separate investment portfolios within those companies) in the AllianceBernstein Fund Complex with respect to which each of the Trustees serves as a director or trustee are set forth below. None of the Funds or any other registered investment company in the AllianceBernstein Fund Complex provides compensation in the form of pension or retirement benefits to any of its directors or trustees. Total Number Total Number of Investment of Investment Portfolios Companies in within the Total the Alliance Alliance Compensation Bernstein Bernstein from the Fund Complex, Fund Complex, Alliance Including the Including the Bernstein Trust, as to Trust, as to Aggregate Fund Which the Which the Compensation Complex, Trustee is a Trustee is a From Including Director Director Name of Trustee the Trust the Trust or Trustee or Trustee --------------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- John D. Carifa $0 $0 51 116 Ruth Block $13,355 $192,600 43 97 David H. Dievler $13,351 $246,237 47 101 John H. Dobkin $13,391 $217,887 45 98 William H. Foulk, Jr. $13,390 $241,700 48 113 Clifford L. Michel $13,355 $201,950 44 97 Donald J. Robinson $13,393 $183,083 43 96 As of March 7, 2003, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of each Fund. The Trust undertakes to provide assistance to shareholders in communications concerning the removal of any Trustee of the Trust in accordance with Section 16 of the 1940 Act. Adviser ------- Each Fund's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser" or "Alliance"), 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment adviser supervising client accounts with assets as of June 30, 2003 totaling approximately $426 billion (of which approximately $156 billion represented the assets of investment companies). As of June 30, 2003, Alliance managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 45 of the nation's Fortune 100 companies), for public employee retirement funds in 43 states, for investment companies, and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52 registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 125 separate investment portfolios, currently have approximately 7.3 million shareholder accounts. Alliance, a Delaware limited partnership, is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. ACMC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc. ("AXA Financial"), is the general partner of both Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. ("Alliance Holding") and Alliance. AXA Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, which is a holding company for an international group of insurance and related financial services companies. Alliance Holding Units are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"). Alliance Units do not trade publicly and are subject to significant restrictions on transfer. At March 31, 2003, Alliance Holding owned approximately 76.9 million, or 30.7%, of the issued and outstanding Alliance Units. ACMC owns 100,000 general partnership units in Alliance Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in Alliance. At March 31, 2003, AXA Financial was the beneficial owner of approximately 1.9% of the outstanding Alliance Holding Units and approximately 54.7% of the outstanding Alliance Units which, including the general partnership interests in Alliance and Alliance Holding, represent an economic interest of approximately 55.7% in Alliance. At March 31, 2003, SCB Partners Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCB Inc., was the beneficial owner of approximately 13.0% of the outstanding Alliance Units. Based on information provided by AXA, on March 3, 2003, approximately 17.70% of the issued ordinary shares (representing 28.71% of the voting power) of AXA were owned directly and indirectly by Finaxa, a French holding company. At January 1, 2003, 70.13% of the shares (representing 79.83% of the voting power) of Finaxa were owned by three French mutual insurance companies (the "Mutuelles AXA") and 21.82% of the shares of Finaxa (representing 13.32% of the voting power) were owned by BNP Paribas, a French bank. At January 1, 2003, the Mutuelles AXA owned directly or indirectly through intermediate holding companies (including Finaxa) approximately 20.48% of the issued ordinary shares (representing 33.16% of the voting power) of AXA. Under the Funds' investment advisory agreement ("Advisory Agreement"), the Adviser provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities for the Funds and pays all compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are affiliated persons of the Adviser. The Adviser or its affiliates also furnish the Funds, without charge, management supervision and assistance and office facilities and provides persons satisfactory to the Trustees of the Trust to serve as the Trust's officers. The Adviser is, under the Advisory Agreement, responsible for certain expenses incurred by the Funds, including, for example, office facilities and certain administrative services, and any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of shares of the Funds (other than the portion of the promotional expenses borne by the Funds in accordance with an effective plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and the costs of printing prospectuses of the Funds and other reports to shareholders and fees related to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and with state regulatory authorities). The Funds have, under the Advisory Agreement, assumed the obligation for payment of all of their other expenses. As to the obtaining of services other than those specifically provided to the Funds by the Adviser, each Fund may employ its own personnel. For such services, it may also utilize personnel employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. In such event, the services will be provided to the Funds at cost and the payments specifically approved by the Trustees. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, AllianceBernstein Value Fund paid $138,000 to the Adviser for such services; the fees for such services were waived for AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund, AllianceBernstein International Value Fund and AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund. For the services rendered by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, AllianceBernstein Value Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annualized rate of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. For the fiscal year of the Fund ended November 30, 2002 and for the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Adviser received from the Fund $2,536,876 and $673,383, respectively, in advisory fees and waived $0 and $34,500, respectively, pursuant to the waiver agreement described in the next paragraph. In January 2001, the Adviser entered into a contractual agreement with all the Funds to waive its fee and/or bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the total expenses of each Fund from exceeding on an annual basis 2.50%, 3.20%, 3.20% and 2.20% of aggregate average daily net assets, respectively, for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. The contractual agreement also provides that certain fees waived or expenses borne by the Adviser through March 27, 2002 may be reimbursed by the relevant Fund during the three years after commencement of the Funds' operations on March 29, 2001. No reimbursement payment will be made, however, that would cause a Fund's total annualized operating expenses to exceed the above limits in any given year or cause the sum of the reimbursement payments to exceed the Fund's total initial organizational and offering expenses. The contractual agreement is effective until March 27, 2004, but may be terminated by the Adviser at the end of the Fund's fiscal year upon 60 days' prior written notice. On July 2, 2001 (for AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund and Alliance Bernstein International Value Fund) and March 21, 2002 (for AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund), the Adviser entered into additional contractual agreements with AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund, AllianceBernstein International Value Fund and AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse certain expenses, as described below. Such agreements are in addition to, and do not supersede, the agreement with all the Funds described above. For the services rendered by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annualized rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. For the fiscal year of the Fund ended November 30, 2002 and for the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Adviser received from the Fund $3,703,369 and $512,303, respectively, in advisory fees and waived $1,431,149 and $470,894, respectively. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fee and bear certain expenses so that total expenses do not exceed on an annual basis 1.40%, 2.10%, 2.10% and 1.10% of aggregate average daily net assets, respectively, for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. This agreement extends through the Fund's current fiscal year and automatically extends for additional one year terms unless the Adviser provides written notice of termination to the Trust at least 60 days prior to the end of the Fund's fiscal year. For the services rendered by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, AllianceBernstein International Value Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annualized rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. For the fiscal year of the Fund ended November 30, 2002 and for the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Adviser received from the Fund $3,250,420 and $459,738, respectively, in advisory fees and waived $2,695,693 and $705,849, respectively. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fee and bear certain expenses so that total expenses do not exceed on an annual basis 1.20%, 1.90%, 1.90% and 0.90% of aggregate average daily net assets, respectively, for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. This agreement extends through the Fund's current fiscal year and automatically extends for additional one year terms unless the Adviser provides written notice of termination to the Trust at least 60 days prior to the end of the Fund's fiscal year. For the services rendered by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annualized rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. For the fiscal year of the Fund ended November 30, 2002 and for the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Adviser received from the Fund $635,223 and $45,829, respectively, in advisory fees and waived $282,713 and $297,086, respectively. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fee and bear certain expenses so that total expenses do not exceed on an annual basis 1.50%, 2.20%, 2.20% and 1.20% of aggregate average daily net assets, respectively, for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. This agreement extends through the Fund's current fiscal year and automatically extends for additional one year terms unless the Adviser provides written notice of termination to the Trust at least 60 days prior to the end of the Fund's fiscal year. The Advisory Agreement became effective on January 31, 2001. The Advisory Agreement was approved by the unanimous vote, cast in person, of the Trust's Trustees, including the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons as defined in the Act, of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose and held on January 31, 2001. The Advisory Agreement continues in effect from year to year provided that its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of a majority of each Fund's outstanding voting securities or by the Trust's Trustees, including in either case approval by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of such parties as defined by the 1940 Act. Continuance of the Advisory Agreement was approved for an additional term at a meeting of the Trustees on January 21-23, 2003. In approving the most recent annual continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered all information they deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement. The principal areas of review by the Trustees were the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the reasonableness of the fees charged for those services. These matters were considered by the disinterested trustees meeting separately from the other Trustees with experienced counsel that is independent of the Adviser. The Trustees' evaluation of the quality of the Adviser's services took into account their knowledge and experience gained through meetings with and reports of the Adviser's senior management, portfolio managers and administrative personnel over the course of the preceding year. Both short-term and long-term investment performance of each Fund, as well as senior management's attention to any portfolio management issues, were considered. Each Fund's current and longer-term performance were compared to its performance benchmark and to that of competitive funds and other funds with similar investment objectives. The Trustees also considered the expense limitation agreements for the Funds that set expense caps on overall Fund expenses and provide for waiver of fees by the Adviser or reimbursement if needed to meet such caps, the scope and quality of the in-house research capability of the Adviser and other resources dedicated to performing its services. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser's role in coordinating the activities of the Funds' other service providers, were considered in light of on-going reports by management as to compliance with investment policies and applicable laws and regulations and of related reports by management and the Funds' independent auditors in periodic meetings with the Trust's Audit Committee. In reviewing the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees compared the fees and overall expense levels of each Fund to those of competitive funds and other funds with similar investment objectives. The information on advisory fees and expense ratios, as well as performance data, included both information compiled by the Adviser and information compiled by an independent data service. The Trustees also considered the fees of each Fund as a percentage of assets at different asset levels and possible economies of scale to the Adviser. The Trustees considered information provided by the Adviser concerning the Adviser's profitability with respect to each Fund, including the assumptions and methodology used in preparing the profitability information, in light of applicable case law relating to advisory fees. For these purposes, the Trustees took into account not only the fees paid by each Fund, but also so-called "fallout benefits" to the Adviser, such as the engagement of affiliates of the Adviser to provide distribution, brokerage and transfer agency services to each Fund, the benefits of research made available to the Adviser by reason of brokerage commissions generated by each equity Fund's securities transactions, and that the Advisory Agreement provides that each Fund reimburses the Adviser for the cost of providing certain administrative services. In evaluating each Fund's advisory fees, the Trustees also took into account the demands, complexity and quality of the investment management of each Fund. The Trustees also considered the business reputation of the Adviser and its financial resources. The Trustees evaluated the procedures and systems adopted by the Adviser that are designed to fulfill the Adviser's fiduciary duty to each Fund with respect to possible conflicts of interest, including the Adviser's code of ethics (regulating the personal trading of its officers and employees) and the allocation of trades among its various investment advisory clients. The Trustees also considered information concerning policies and procedures of the Adviser with respect to the execution of portfolio transactions. No single factor was considered in isolation or to be determinative to the decision of the Trustees to approve continuance of the Advisory Agreement. Rather, the Trustees concluded in light of a weighing and balancing of all factors considered that it was in the best interests of each Fund to continue its Advisory Agreement without modification to its terms, including the fees charged for services thereunder. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty on 60 days' written notice by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund or by a vote of a majority of the Trust's Trustees, or by the Adviser on 60 days' written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser, or of reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder. Certain other clients of the Adviser may have investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Funds. The Adviser may, from time to time, make recommendations which result in the purchase or sale of the particular security by its other clients simultaneously with a Fund. If transactions on behalf of more than one client during the same period increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price. It is the policy of the Adviser to allocate advisory recommendations and the placing of orders in a manner which is deemed equitable by the Adviser to the accounts involved, including the Funds. When two or more of the clients of the Adviser (including a Fund) are purchasing or selling the same security on a given day from the same broker or dealer, such transactions may be averaged as to price. The Adviser may act as an investment adviser to other persons, firms or corporations, including investment companies, and is investment adviser to AllianceBernstein All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Trust, Inc., AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc., AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Capital Reserves, AllianceBernstein Disciplined Growth Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Dynamic Growth Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, AllianceBernstein Global Growth Trends Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc., AllianceBernstein Government Reserves, AllianceBernstein Greater China '97 Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Health Care Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Institutional Funds, Inc., AllianceBernstein Institutional Reserves, Inc., AllianceBernstein International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc., AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Fund II, AllianceBernstein Municipal Trust, AllianceBernstein New Europe Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Premier Growth Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Select Investor Series, Inc., AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Technology Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series, Inc., AllianceBernstein Disciplined Value Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Utility Income Fund, Inc., AllianceBernstein Trust, The AllianceBernstein Portfolios, Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. and Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc., all registered open-end investment companies; ACM Income Fund, Inc., ACM Government Opportunity Fund, Inc., ACM Managed Dollar Income Fund, Inc., ACM Managed Income Fund, Inc., ACM Municipal Securities Income Fund, Inc., Alliance All-Market Advantage Fund, Inc., Alliance California Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance National Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance New York Municipal Income, Inc., Alliance World Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance World Dollar Government Fund II, Inc., and The Spain Fund, Inc., all registered closed-end investment companies. ------------------------------------------------------------------ EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Distribution Services Agreement ------------------------------- The Trust has entered into a Distribution Services Agreement on behalf of each Fund (the "Agreement") with AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc., the Funds' principal underwriter (the "Principal Underwriter" or "ABIRM"), to permit the Principal Underwriter to distribute the Funds' shares and to permit the Funds to pay distribution services fees to defray expenses associated with distribution of their respective Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C and Class R shares in accordance with a plan of distribution that is included in the Agreement and which has been duly adopted and approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Commission under the 1940 Act (the "Rule 12b-1 Plan"). Distribution services fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and charged as expenses of the Fund as accrued. The distribution services fees attributable to the Class B shares, Class C and Class R shares of each Fund are designed to permit an investor to purchase such shares through broker-dealers without the assessment of an initial sales charge and at the same time to permit the Principal Underwriter to compensate broker-dealers in connection with the sale of such shares. In this regard the purpose and function of the combined contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") and respective distribution services fee on the Class B shares and Class C shares of each Fund are the same as those of the initial sales charge and distribution services fee with respect to the Class A shares of each Fund in that in each case the sales charge and distribution services fee provides for the financing of the distribution of the relevant class of the relevant Fund's shares. With respect to Class A shares of each Fund, distribution expenses accrued by ABIRM in one fiscal year may not be paid from distribution services fees received from a Fund in subsequent fiscal years. ABIRM's compensation with respect to Class B, Class C and Class R shares of each Fund under the Rule 12b-1 Plan is directly tied to the expenses incurred by ABIRM. Actual distribution expenses for Class B and Class C shares of each Fund for any given year, however, will probably exceed the distribution services fees payable under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the class involved and payments received from CDSCs. The excess will be carried forward by ABIRM and reimbursed from distribution services fees payable under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the class involved and payments subsequently received through CDSCs, so long as the Rule 12b-1 Plan is in effect. The Rule 12b-1 Plan is in compliance with rules of the NASD which effectively limit the annual asset-based sales charges and service fees that a mutual fund may pay on a class of shares to .75% and .25%, respectively, of the average annual net assets attributable to that class. The rules also limit the aggregate of all front-end, deferred and asset-based sales charges imposed with respect to a class of shares by a mutual fund that also charges a service fee to 6.25% of cumulative gross sales of shares of that class, plus interest at the prime rate plus 1% per annum. In approving the Rule 12b-1 Plan, the Trustees of the Trust determined that there was a reasonable likelihood that the Rule 12b-1 Plan would benefit each Fund and its shareholders. The distribution services fee of a particular class will not be used to subsidize the provision of distribution services with respect to any other class. The Adviser may from time to time and from its own funds or such other resources as may be permitted by rules of the Commission make payments for distribution services to the Principal Underwriter; the latter may in turn pay part or all of such compensation to brokers or other persons for their distribution assistance. The Agreement continues in effect so long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of that class of the relevant Fund, and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the Agreement or interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of any such party (other than as trustees of the Trust) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Rule 12b-1 Plan or any agreement related thereto. The Agreement was approved for an additional annual term by a vote, cast in person, of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons", as defined in the 1940 Act, at their meeting held on January 21-23, 2003. In the event that the Rule 12b-1 Plan is terminated by either party or not continued with respect to the Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, or Class R shares of a Fund, (i) no distribution services fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by that Fund to the Principal Underwriter with respect to that class and (ii) that Fund would not be obligated to pay the Principal Underwriter for any amounts expended under the Agreement not previously recovered by the Principal Underwriter from distribution services fees in respect of shares of such class or through deferred sales charges. During AllianceBernstein Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class A shares, in amounts aggregating $244,639, which constituted .30%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $595,915. Of the $840,554 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class A shares, $1,807 was spent on advertising, $22,402 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $380,985 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $128,465 to the Principal Underwriter), $78,902 for compensation to sales personnel, $356,458 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses. During AllianceBernstein Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class B shares, in amounts aggregating $1,203,873, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $903,717. Of the $2,107,590 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class B shares, $1,602 was spent on advertising, $30,022 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $1,645,097 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $108,225 to the Principal Underwriter), $65,915 for compensation to sales personnel, $152,360 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $212,594 was spent on interest on Class B financing. During AllianceBernstein Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class C shares, in amounts aggregating $510,281, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $160,134. Of the $670,415 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class C shares, $1,052 was spent on advertising, $18,566 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $516,704 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $62,382 to the Principal Underwriter), $39,763 for compensation to sales personnel, $86,222 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $8,108 was spent on interest on Class C financing. During AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class A shares, in amounts aggregating $251,996, which constituted .30%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $681,688. Of the $933,684 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class A shares, $2,405 was spent on advertising, $85,546 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $335,665 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $120,521 to the Principal Underwriter), $138,020 for compensation to sales personnel, $372,048 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses. During AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class B shares, in amounts aggregating $1,375,307, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $2,166,592. Of the $3,541,899 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class B shares, $2,060 was spent on advertising, $64,046 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $3,010,927 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $114,834 to the Principal Underwriter), $110,034 for compensation to sales personnel, $188,350 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $166,482 was spent on interest on Class B financing. During AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class C shares, in amounts aggregating $559,406, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $439,869. Of the $999,275 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class C shares, $1,443 was spent on advertising, $39,465 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $761,885 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $71,117 to the Principal Underwriter), $71,043 for compensation to sales personnel, $113,043 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $12,396 was spent on interest on Class C financing. During AllianceBernstein International Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class A shares, in amounts aggregating $82,135, which constituted .30%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $240,604. Of the $322,739 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class A shares, $1,086 was spent on advertising, $2,772 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $122,567 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $42,111 to the Principal Underwriter), $54,969 for compensation to sales personnel, $141,345 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses. During AllianceBernstein International Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class B shares, in amounts aggregating $190,552, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $1,055,311. Of the $1,245,863 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class B shares, $536 was spent on advertising, $1,489 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $1,172,023 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $21,343 to the Principal Underwriter), $25,960 for compensation to sales personnel, $24,569 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $21,286 was spent on interest on Class B financing. During AllianceBernstein International Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class C shares, in amounts aggregating $101,863, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $170,900. Of the $272,763 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class C shares, $559 was spent on advertising, $1,589 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $218,792 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $21,490 to the Principal Underwriter), $26,447 for compensation to sales personnel, $22,959 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $2,417 was spent on interest on Class C financing. During AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class A shares, in amounts aggregating $21,853, which constituted .30%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $207,916. Of the $229,769 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class A shares, $929 was spent on advertising, $1,200 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $107,043 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $61,767 to the Principal Underwriter), $9,317 for compensation to sales personnel, $111,280 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses. During AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class B shares, in amounts aggregating $29,073, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $80,525. Of the $109,598 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class B shares, $116 was spent on advertising, $1,131 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $72,775 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $21,372 to the Principal Underwriter), $3,856 for compensation to sales personnel, $27,686 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $4,034 was spent on interest on Class B financing. During AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under the Agreement, with respect to Class C shares, in amounts aggregating $15,791, which constituted 1.0%, annualized, of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources as described above aggregating $65,011. Of the $80,802 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class C shares, $344 was spent on advertising, $513 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders, $46,321 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $21,355 to the Principal Underwriter), $2,857 for compensation to sales personnel, $30,393 was spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses, and $374 was spent on interest on Class C financing. Class R shares were not offered until after November 30, 2002. Transfer Agency Agreement ------------------------- AGIS, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, located at 8000 IH 10 W, 4th Floor, San Antonio, Texas, 78230, receives a transfer agency fee per account holder of each of the Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Advisor Class shares and Class R shares of each Fund, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. The transfer agency fee with respect to the Class B shares and Class C shares of each Fund is higher than the transfer agency fee with respect to the Class A and Advisor Class shares of each Fund, reflecting the additional costs associated with the Class B and Class C CDSC. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, AGIS received $985,044 from AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund, the Fund's expenses were reduced by $3,239 under an expense offset arrangement with AGIS; $582,777 from AllianceBernstein Value Fund, the Fund's expenses were reduced by $1,790 under an expense offset arrangement with AGIS; $1,485,198 from AllianceBernstein International Value Fund, the Fund's expenses were reduced by $3,042 under an expense offset arrangement with AGIS; and $30,947 from AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund, the Fund's expenses were reduced by $100 under an expense offset arrangement with AGIS. Code of Ethics and Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ------------------------------------------------------- The Trust, the Adviser and the Principal Underwriter have each adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund. The Funds have adopted the Adviser's proxy voting policies and procedures. The Adviser's proxy voting policies and procedures are attached as Appendix B. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PURCHASE OF SHARES ------------------------------------------------------------------ The following information supplements that set forth in the Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of Shares--How to Buy Shares." General ------- Shares of each Fund are offered on a continuous basis at a price equal to their net asset value plus an initial sales charge at the time of purchase ("Class A shares"), with a CDSC ("Class B shares"), or without any initial sales charge and, as long as the shares are held for one year or more, without any CDSC ("Class C shares"), to investors eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares, without any initial sales charge or CDSC ("Advisor Class Shares"), or, to group retirement plans eligible to purchase Class R shares, without any initial sales charge or CDSC ("Class R shares"), in each case as described below. "Group retirement plans" are defined as 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of a Fund. All of the classes of shares of the Funds, except the Advisor Class shares, are subject to Rule 12b-1 asset-based sales charges. Shares of the Fund that are offered subject to a sales charge are offered through (i) investment dealers that are members of the NASD and have entered into selected dealer agreements with the Principal Underwriter ("selected dealers"), (ii) depository institutions and other financial intermediaries or their affiliates, that have entered into selected agent agreements with the Principal Underwriter ("selected agents") and (iii) the Principal Underwriter. Investors may purchase shares of the Funds either through selected broker-dealers, agents, financial intermediaries or other financial representatives ("financial intermediaries") or directly through the Principal Underwriter. A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be charged by your financial intermediary with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of each Fund made through the financial intermediary. Such financial intermediary may also impose requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed by a Fund, including requirements as to the classes of shares available through the financial intermediary and the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts. Sales personnel of selected dealers and agents distributing a Fund's shares may receive differing compensation for selling different classes of shares. In order to open your account, a Fund, or your financial intermediary, is required to obtain certain information from you for identification purposes. This information may include name, date of birth, permanent residential address and social security/taxpayer identification number. It will not be possible to establish your account without this information. If a Fund or your financial intermediary is unable to verify the information provided, your account may be closed and other appropriate action may be taken as permitted by law. The Funds may refuse any order for the purchase of shares. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of its shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities markets or for other reasons. If a Fund suspends the sale of its shares, shareholders will not be able to acquire its shares, including through an exchange. The public offering price of shares of each Fund is its net asset value, plus, in the case of Class A shares of each Fund, a sales charge . On each Fund business day on which a purchase or redemption order is received by a Fund and trading in the types of securities in which a Fund invests might materially affect the value of that Fund's shares, the per share net asset value is computed as of the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) by dividing the value of that Fund's total assets, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares then outstanding. A Fund business day is any day on which the Exchange is open for trading. The respective per share net asset values of the various classes of shares of each Fund are expected to be substantially the same. However, the per share net asset values of the Class B, Class C and Class R shares of each Fund will generally be slightly lower than the per share net asset values of the Class A and Advisor Class shares of each Fund, as a result of the differential daily expense accruals of the higher distribution and, in some cases, transfer agency fees applicable with respect to those classes of shares. The Funds will accept unconditional orders for their shares to be executed at the public offering price equal to their net asset value next determined (plus applicable Class A sales charges), as described below. Orders received by the Principal Underwriter prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange on each day the Exchange is open for trading are priced at the net asset value computed as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange on that day (plus applicable Class A sales charges). In the case of orders for purchase of shares placed through financial intermediaries the applicable public offering price will be the net asset value as so determined, but only if the financial intermediary receives the order prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting such orders by a prescribed time to the Fund or its transfer agent. If the financial intermediary fails to do so, the investor will not receive that day's net asset value. If the financial intermediary receives the order after the close of regular trading on the Exchange, the price received by the investor will be based on the net asset value determined as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange on the next day it is open for trading. Following the initial purchase of a Fund's shares, a shareholder may place orders to purchase additional shares by telephone if the shareholder has completed the appropriate portion of the Subscription Application or an "Autobuy" application obtained by calling the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this SAI. Except with respect to certain omnibus accounts, telephone purchase orders may not exceed $500,000. Payment for shares purchased by telephone can be made only by Electronic Funds Transfer from a bank account maintained by the shareholder at a bank that is a member of the National Automated Clearing House Association ("NACHA"). If a shareholder's telephone purchase request is received before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day, the order to purchase shares is automatically placed the following Fund business day, and the applicable public offering price will be the public offering price determined as of the close of business on such following business day. Full and fractional shares are credited to a shareholder's account in the amount of his or her subscription. As a convenience, and to avoid unnecessary expense to the Funds stock certificates representing shares of the Fund are not issued except upon written request to a Fund by the shareholder or his or her authorized financial intermediary. This facilitates later redemption and relieves the shareholder of the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost or stolen certificates. No certificates are issued for fractional shares, although such shares remain in the shareholder's account on the books of the relevant Fund. In addition to the discount or commission paid to financial intermediaries, the Principal Underwriter from time to time pays additional cash or other incentives to financial intermediaries, in connection with the sale of shares of the Funds. Such additional amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part, to provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Funds. On some occasions, such cash or other incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at seminars, meals, sporting events or theater performances, or payment for travel, lodging and entertainment incurred in connection with travel taken by persons associated with a financial intermediary to locations within or outside the United States. Such financial intermediary may elect to receive cash incentives of equivalent amount in lieu of such payments. Each class of shares of each Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the relevant Fund, have the same rights and are identical in all respects, except that (i) Class A shares of each Fund bear the expense of the initial sales charge (or CDSC when applicable) and Class B and Class C shares of each Fund bear the expense of the CDSC, (ii) Class B shares, Class C shares and Class R shares of each Fund each bear the expense of a higher distribution services fee than that borne by Class A shares of each Fund, and Advisor Class shares do not bear such a fee (iii) Class B shares and Class C shares of each Fund bear higher transfer agency costs than those borne by Class A shares, Class R shares and Advisor Class shares of each Fund, (iv) Class B and Advisor Class shares are subject to a conversion feature and will convert to Class A shares under certain circumstances, and (v) each of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares of each Fund has exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of the Rule 12b-1 Plan pursuant to which its distribution services fee is paid and other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate under applicable law, provided that, if a Fund submits to a vote of the Class A shareholders, an amendment to the Rule 12b-1 Plan that would materially increase the amount to be paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares of that Fund, then such amendment will also be submitted to the Class B and Advisor Class shareholders of that Fund because the Class B and Advisor Class shares convert to Class A shares under certain circumstances and the Class A, Class B and Advisor Class shareholders will vote separately by class. Each class has different exchange privileges and certain different shareholder service options available. The Trustees of the Trust have determined that currently no conflict of interest exists between or among the classes of shares of any respective Fund. On an ongoing basis, the Trustees of the Trust, pursuant to their fiduciary duties under the 1940 Act and state law, will seek to ensure that no such conflict arises. Alternative Purchase Arrangements --------------------------------- Classes A, B and C Shares. Class A, Class B and Class C shares of each Fund have the following alternative purchase arrangements: Class A shares are generally offered with an initial sales charge, Class B shares are generally offered with a CDSC and Class C shares are sold to investors choosing the asset-based sales charge alternative. Special purchase arrangements are available for Group Retirement Plans. See "Alternative Purchase Arrangements - Group Retirement Plans" below. These alternative purchase arrangements permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other circumstances. Investors should consider whether, during the anticipated life of their investment in a Fund, the accumulated distribution services fee and CDSC on Class B shares prior to conversion, or the accumulated distribution services fee and CDSC on Class C shares, would be less than the initial sales charge and accumulated distribution services fee on Class A shares purchased at the same time, and to what extent such differential would be offset by the higher return of Class A shares. Class A shares will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to the investor who qualifies for reduced initial sales charges on Class A shares, as described below. In this regard, the Principal Underwriter will reject any order (except orders from certain group retirement plans) for more than $250,000 for Class B shares of any Fund (see "Alternative Purchase Arrangements - Group Retirement Plans"). Class C shares of a Fund will normally not be suitable for the investor who qualifies to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. For this reason, the Principal Underwriter will reject any order for more than $1,000,000 for Class C shares. Class A shares of a Fund are subject to a lower distribution services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares of that Fund. However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares of a Fund would not have all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would initially own fewer shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A shares of a Fund because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on Class B shares or Class C shares of that Fund may exceed the initial sales charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment. Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not all their funds will be invested initially. Other investors might determine, however, that it would be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares of a Fund in order to have all their funds invested initially, although remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and being subject to a CDSC for a four-year and one-year period, respectively. For example, based on current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25% initial sales charge on Class A shares of a Fund would have to hold his or her investment approximately seven years for the Class C distribution services fee of that Fund to exceed the initial sales charge plus the accumulated distribution services fee of Class A shares. In this example, an investor intending to maintain his or her investment for a longer period might consider purchasing Class A shares. This example does not take into account the time value of money, which further reduces the impact of the Class C distribution services fees on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value or the effect of different performance assumptions. Those investors who prefer to have all of their funds invested initially but may not wish to retain Fund shares for the four-year period during which Class B shares are subject to a CDSC may find it more advantageous to purchase Class C shares of a Fund. During AllianceBernstein Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 31, 2001, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission payable with respect to shares of the Fund was $539,411 and $1,787,232, respectively. Of these amounts, the Principal Underwriter received $25,590 and $58,885, respectively, during fiscal year 2002 and fiscal period 2001, representing that portion of the sales charges paid on shares of the Fund sold during the year which was not reallocated to selected dealers (and was accordingly, retained by the Principal Underwriter). During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Principal Underwriter received CDSCs of $4,207 and $2,036, respectively, on Class A shares, $314,786 and $67,799, respectively, on Class B shares and $26,832 and $9,330, respectively, on Class C shares. During AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 31, 2001, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission payable with respect to shares of the Fund was $1,019,682 and $964,961, respectively. Of these amounts, the Principal Underwriter received $54,856 and $39,623, respectively, during fiscal year 2002 and fiscal period 2001, representing that portion of the sales charges paid on shares of the Fund sold during the year which was not reallocated to selected dealers (and was accordingly, retained by the Principal Underwriter). During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Principal Underwriter received CDSCs of $22,363 and $4,917, respectively, on Class A shares, $355,806 and $24,547, respectively, on Class B shares and $27,408 and $3,326, respectively, on Class C shares. During AllianceBernstein International Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 31, 2001, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission payable with respect to shares of the Fund was $290,167 and $93,714, respectively. Of these amounts, the Principal Underwriter received $13,541 and $4,592, respectively, during fiscal year 2002 and fiscal period 2001, representing that portion of the sales charges paid on shares of the Fund sold during the year which was not reallocated to selected dealers (and was accordingly, retained by the Principal Underwriter). During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Principal Underwriter received CDSCs of $2,808 and $0, respectively, on Class A shares, $38,899 and $1,687, respectively, on Class B shares and $4,946 and $261, respectively, on Class C shares. During AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 31, 2001, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission payable with respect to shares of the Fund was $51,922 and $78,812, respectively. Of these amounts, the Principal Underwriter received $1,739 and $1,347, respectively, during fiscal year 2002 and fiscal period 2001, representing that portion of the sales charges paid on shares of the Fund sold during the year which was not reallocated to selected dealers (and was accordingly, retained by the Principal Underwriter). During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, the Principal Underwriter received CDSCs of $904 and $0, respectively, on Class A shares, $7,619 and $6,849, respectively, on Class B shares and $25,991 and $0, respectively, on Class C shares. Class A Shares. The public offering price of Class A shares of a Fund is the net asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below. Sales Charge ------------ Discount or Commission As % of to Dealers As % of the or Agents Net Public as % of Amount of Amount Offering Offering Purchase Invested Price Price --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Less than $100,000 ....... 4.44% 4.25% 4.00% $100,000 but less than $250,000 ....... 3.36 3.25 3.00 $250,000 but less than $500,000 ....... 2.30 2.25 2.00 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000* .... 1.78 1.75 1.50 ------------- * There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000 or more. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A shares of a Fund redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a CDSC equal to 1% of the lesser of the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares of a Fund will be waived on certain redemptions, as described below under "--Class C Shares." In determining the CDSC applicable to a redemption of Class A shares of a Fund, it will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject to a CDSC (for example, because an initial sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they have been held beyond the period during which the charge applies or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the CDSC on Class A shares of a Fund are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related services to that Fund in connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for selling Class A shares of that Fund. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more made through selected dealers or agents, the Adviser may, pursuant to the Distribution Services Agreement described above, pay such dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to 1% of the amount invested to compensate such dealers or agents for their distribution assistance in connection with such purchases. No initial sales charge is imposed on Class A shares of a Fund issued (i) pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income dividends or capital gains distributions, (ii) in exchange for Class A shares of other "AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds" (as that term is defined under "Combined Purchase Privilege" below), except that an initial sales charge will be imposed on Class A shares issued in exchange for Class A shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves that were purchased for cash without the payment of an initial sales charge and without being subject to a CDSC, or (iii) upon the automatic conversion of Class B shares or Advisor Class shares of a Fund as described below under "Class B Shares--Conversion Feature" and "Conversion of Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares." The Fund receives the entire net asset value of its Class A shares sold to investors. The Principal Underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown above less any applicable discount or commission "reallowed" to selected dealers and agents. The Principal Underwriter will reallow discounts to selected dealers and agents in the amounts indicated in the table above. In this regard, the Principal Underwriter may elect to reallow the entire sales charge to selected dealers and agents for all sales with respect to which orders are placed with the Principal Underwriter. A selected dealer who receives reallowance in excess of 90% of such a sales charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities Act. In addition to the circumstances described above, certain types of investors may be entitled to pay no initial sales charge in certain circumstances described below. Class A shares - Sales at Net Asset Value. Each Fund may sell its Class A shares at net asset value (i.e., without any initial sales charge) to certain categories of investors including: (i) investment management clients of the Adviser or its affiliates; (ii) officers and present or former Trustees of the Funds or other investment companies managed by the Adviser, officers, directors and present or retired full-time employees and former employees (for subsequent investment in accounts established during the course of their employment) of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AGIS and their affiliates; officers, directors and present and full-time employees of selected dealers or agents; or the spouse, of any such person; or any trust, individual retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person; (iii) the Adviser, Principal Underwriter, AGIS and their affiliates; certain employee benefit plans for employees of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AGIS and their affiliates; (iv) persons participating in a fee-based program, sponsored and maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and approved by the Principal Underwriter, pursuant to which such persons pay an asset-based fee to such broker-dealer or financial intermediary, or its affiliate or agent, for service in the nature of investment advisory or administrative services; and (v) certain retirement plan accounts as described under "Alternative Purchase Arrangements-Group Retirement Plans." Class B Shares. Investors may purchase Class B shares of a Fund at the public offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the Class B shares of that Fund on the date of purchase without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Class B shares of a Fund are sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment. Proceeds from the CDSC on the Class B shares of a Fund are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related services to that Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for selling Class B shares. The combination of the CDSC and the distribution services fee enables a Fund to sell its Class B shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The higher distribution services fee incurred by Class B shares of a Fund will cause such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those related to Class A shares of a Fund. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class B shares of a Fund that are redeemed within four years of purchase will be subject to a CDSC at the rates set forth below charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 10,000 Class B shares of a Fund at $10 per share (at a cost of $100,000) and in the second year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 1,000 additional Class B shares of the Fund upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes his or her first redemption of 5,000 Class B shares (proceeds of $60,000), 1,000 Class B shares will not be subject to the charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 4,000 Class B shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $40,000 of the $60,000 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 3.0% (the applicable rate in the second year after purchase, as set forth below). The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of payment for the purchase of Class B shares of a Fund until the time of redemption of such shares. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge as a Year Since Purchase % of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge -------------------- -------------------------------------- First 4.0% Second 3.0% Third 2.0% Fourth 1.0% Fifth and thereafter None In determining the CDSC applicable to a redemption of Class B shares of a Fund, it will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and, second, of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales charge. When shares acquired in an exchange are redeemed, the applicable CDSC and conversion schedules will be the schedules that applied at the time of the purchase of shares of the corresponding class of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund originally purchased by the shareholder. The CDSC is waived on redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), of a shareholder, (ii) to the extent that the redemption represents a minimum required distribution from an individual retirement account or other retirement plan to a shareholder that has attained the age of 70-1/2, (iii) that had been purchased by present or former Trustees of the Trust, by the relative of any such person, by any trust, individual retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or relative, or by the estate of any such person or relative, (iv) pursuant to, and in accordance with, a systematic withdrawal plan (see "Sales Charge Reduction Programs--Systematic Withdrawal Plan" below), (v) sold through programs offered by financial intermediaries and approved by ABIRM where such programs offer only shares which are not subject to a CDSC, where the financial intermediary establishes a single omnibus account for each Fund, and where no advance commission is paid to any financial intermediary in connection with the purchase of such shares, or (vi) to the extent that the redemption is necessary to meet a plan participant's or beneficiary's request for a distribution or loan from a group retirement plan. Conversion Feature. Eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was accepted, Class B shares of a Fund will automatically convert to Class A shares of that Fund and will no longer be subject to a higher distribution services fee. Such conversion will occur on the basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose of the conversion feature is to reduce the distribution services fee paid by holders of Class B shares of a Fund that have been outstanding long enough for the Principal Underwriter to have been compensated for distribution expenses incurred in the sale of such shares. For purposes of conversion to Class A, Class B shares of a Fund purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions paid in respect of Class B shares in a shareholder's account will be considered to be held in a separate sub-account. Each time any Class B shares of a Fund in the shareholder's account (other than those in the sub-account) convert to Class A shares of that Fund, an equal pro rata portion of the Class B shares in the sub-account will also convert to Class A. The conversion of Class B shares of a Fund to Class A shares is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law. The conversion of Class B shares of a Fund to Class A shares of that Fund may be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available at the time such conversion is to occur. In that event, no further conversions of Class B shares of that Fund would occur, and shares might continue to be subject to the higher distribution services fee for an indefinite period which may extend beyond the period ending eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was accepted. Class C Shares. Investors may purchase Class C shares of a Fund at the public offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the Class C shares of that Fund on the date of purchase without the imposition of a sales charge either at the time of purchase or, as long as the shares are held for one year or more, upon redemption. Class C shares of a Fund are sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment and, as long as the shares are held for one year or more, without a CDSC so that the investor will receive as proceeds upon redemption the entire net asset value of his or her Class C shares. The Class C distribution services fee enables each Fund to sell its Class C shares without either an initial sales charge or CDSC, as long as the shares are held for one year or more. Class C shares of a Fund do not convert to any other class of shares of that Fund and incur higher distribution services fees than Class A shares of the relevant Fund, and will thus have a higher expense ratio and pay correspondingly lower dividends than Class A shares. Class C shares of a Fund that are redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a CDSC of 1%, charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. In determining the CDSC applicable to a redemption of Class C shares of a Fund, it will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject to a CDSC (for example, because the shares have been held beyond the period during which the charge applies or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related services to a Fund in connection with the sale of the Class C shares of that Fund, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for selling Class C shares. The combination of the CDSC and the distribution services fee enables a Fund to sell the Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The higher distribution services fee incurred by Class C shares of a Fund will cause such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those related to Class A of the relevant Fund. The CDSC is waived on redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability, as defined in the Code, of a shareholder, (ii) to the extent that the redemption represents a minimum required distribution from an individual retirement account or other retirement plan to a shareholder that has attained the age of 70-1/2, (iii) that had been purchased by present or former Trustees of the Trust, by the relative of any such person, by any trust, individual retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or relative, or by the estate of any such person or relative, (iv) pursuant to, and in accordance with, a systematic withdrawal plan (see "Sales Charge Reduction Programs--Systematic Withdrawal Plan" below), (v) sold through programs offered by financial intermediaries and approved by ABIRM where such programs offer only shares which are not subject to a CDSC, where the financial intermediary establishes a single omnibus account for each Fund, and where no advance commission is paid to any financial intermediary in connection with the purchase of such shares, or (vi) to the extent that the redemption is necessary to meet a plan participant's or beneficiary's request for a distribution or loan from a group retirement plan or to accommodate a plan participant's or beneficiary's direction to reallocate his or her plan account among other investment alternatives available under a group retirement plan. Advisor Class Shares. Advisor Class shares of the Funds may be purchased and held solely (i) through accounts established under fee-based programs, sponsored and maintained by registered broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries and approved by the Principal Underwriter, (ii) through self-directed defined contribution employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that have at least $10 million in assets and are purchased directly by the plan without the involvement of a financial intermediary, (iii) by the categories of investors described in clauses (i) through (iv) under "--Sales at Net Asset Value" (other than officers, directors and present and full-time employees of selected dealers or agents, or relatives of such person, or any trust, individual retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of such relative, none of whom is eligible on the basis solely of such status to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares), or (iv) by directors and present or retired full-time employees of CB Richard Ellis, Inc. Generally, a fee-based program must charge an asset-based or other similar fee and must invest at least $250,000 in Advisor Class shares of a Fund in order to be approved by the Principal Underwriter for investment in Advisor Class shares. A transaction fee may be charged by your financial intermediary with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares made through such financial intermediary. Advisor Class shares do not incur any distribution services fees, and will thus have a lower expense ratio and pay correspondingly higher dividends than Class A, Class B, Class C or Class R shares. Conversion of Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares. Advisor Class shares may be held solely through the fee- based program accounts, employee benefit plans, qualified state tuition programs and registered investment advisory or other financial intermediary relationships described above under "Purchase of Shares--Advisor Class Shares," and by investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Trust. If (i) a holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to participate in the fee-based program or plan, or to be associated with the investment adviser or financial intermediary, in each case, that satisfies the requirements to purchase shares set forth under "Purchase of Shares--Advisor Class Shares" or (ii) the holder is otherwise no longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares as described in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this SAI (each, a "Conversion Event"), then all Advisor Class shares held by the shareholder will convert automatically to Class A shares of the same Fund during the calendar month following the month in which the Fund is informed of the occurrence of the Conversion Event. The Fund will provide the shareholder with at least 30 days' notice of conversion. The failure of a shareholder or a fee-based program to satisfy the minimum investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not constitute a Conversion Event. The conversion would occur on the basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes and without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. Class A shares currently bear a .30% distribution services fee. As a result, Class A shares have a higher expense ratio and may pay correspondingly lower dividends and have a lower net asset value than Advisor Class shares. The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel to the effect that the conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law. The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares may be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available at the time such conversion is to occur. In that event, the Advisor Class shareholder whose Advisor Class shares would otherwise convert to Class A shares would be required to redeem his or her Advisor Class shares, which would constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law. CLASS R SHARES. Class R shares are offered only to group retirement plans that have plan assets of $1 million to $10 million and have plan level or omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund. Class R shares are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, traditional or Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403(b) plans and to AllianceBernstein sponsored retirement products. Class R shares incur a .50% distribution services fee and thus have a higher expense ratio than Class A shares and pay correspondingly lower dividends than Class A shares. Alternative Purchase Arrangements - Group Retirement Plans ---------------------------------------------------------- The Funds offer special distribution arrangements for group retirement plans. However, plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries and other financial intermediaries may establish requirements as to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of the Funds, including maximum and minimum initial investment requirements, that are different from those described in this SAI. Group retirement plans also may not offer all classes of shares of the Funds. In order to enable participants investing through group retirement plans to purchase shares of the Funds, the maximum and minimum investment amounts may be different for shares purchased through group retirement plans from those described herein. In addition, the Class A, Class B and Class C CDSC may be waived for investments made through certain group retirement plans. Therefore, plan sponsors or fiduciaries may not adhere to these share class eligibility standards as set forth in the Prospectuses and this SAI. The Funds are not responsible for, and have no control over, the decision of any plan sponsor or fiduciary to impose such differing requirements. Class A Shares. Class A shares are available at net asset value to all AllianceBernstein sponsored group retirement plans, regardless of size, and to the AllianceBernstein Link, AllianceBernstein Individual 401(k) and AllianceBernstein Simple IRA plans with at least $250,000 in plan assets or 100 or more employees. If the plan terminates the Fund as an investment option within one year, then all plan purchases of Class A shares will be subject to a 1%, 1-year CDSC redemption. Class A shares are also available at NAV to group retirement plans with plan assets in excess of $10 million or, for Funds that don't offer Class R shares, to group retirement plans with plan assets of $1 million or more. The 1%, 1-year CDSC also generally applies. However, the 1%, 1-year CDSC may be waived if the financial intermediary agrees to waive all commissions or other compensation paid in connection with the sale of such shares (typically up to a 1% advance payment for sales of Class A shares at NAV) other than the service fee paid pursuant to the Fund's distribution service plan. Class B Shares. Class B shares are generally not available for purchase by group retirement plans. However, Class B shares may continue to be purchased by group retirement plans that have already selected Class B shares as an investment alternative under their plan prior to September 2, 2003. Class C Shares. Class C shares are available to AllianceBernstein Link, AllianceBernstein Individual 401(k) and AllianceBernstein Simple IRA plans with less than $250,000 in plan assets and less than 100 employees. Class C shares are otherwise also available to group retirement plans with plan assets of less than $1 million. Class R Shares. Class R shares are available to certain group retirement plans with plan assets of $1 million to $10 million. Such plans are not eligible to purchase Class A shares. Class R shares are not subject to front-end sales charges or CDSCs, but are subject to a .50% distribution fee. Choosing a Class of Shares for Group Retirement Plans. As noted, plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries and other financial intermediaries may establish requirements as to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of a Fund, including maximum and minimum initial investment requirements, that are different from those described in this SAI. Plan fiduciaries should consider how these requirements differ from a Fund's share class eligibility criteria before determining whether to invest. For example, any Fund makes its Class A shares available at NAV to group retirement plans with plan assets in excess of $10 million. In addition, under certain circumstances described above, the 1%, 1-year CDSC may be waived. Because Class A shares have lower Rule 12b-1 distribution fees than Class R shares, plans eligible for Class A shares with no CDSC should purchase Class A shares. The plan sponsor or fiduciary of plans purchasing shares through a financial intermediary that is not willing to waive advance commission payments (and is therefore not eligible for the waiver of the 1%, 1-year CDSC) should weigh the lower distribution fee and the 1%, 1-year CDSC of Class A shares against the higher distribution fee and absence of a CDSC on Class R shares available from each Fund. In addition, as described above, while Class B shares are generally not available to group retirement plans, Class B shares are available for continuing contributions from plans that have already selected Class B shares as an investment options under their plans prior to September 2, 2003. Plan fiduciaries should weigh the fact that Class B shares will convert to Class A shares after a period of time against the fact that Class A and Class R shares have lower expenses, and therefore higher returns, than Class B shares, before determining which class to make available to their plan participants. Sales Charge Reduction Programs ------------------------------- The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds offer shareholders various programs through which shareholders may obtain reduced sales charges or reductions in CDSC through participation in such programs. In order for shareholders to take advantage of the reductions available through the combined purchase privilege, rights of accumulation and letters of intent, a Fund must be notified by the shareholder or his/her financial intermediary that the shareholder qualifies for such a reduction. If a Fund is not notified that a shareholder is eligible for these reductions, the Fund will be unable to ensure that the reduction is applied to the shareholder's account. Combined Purchase Privilege. Shareholders may qualify for the sales charge reductions by combining purchases of shares of a Fund into a single "purchase". By combining such purchases, shareholders may be able to take advantage of the quantity discounts described under "Alternative Purchase Arrangements - Class A Shares". A "purchase" means a single or concurrent purchases of shares of a Fund or any other AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund by (i) an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 years purchasing shares for his, her or their own account(s); (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust, estate or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is involved; or (iii) the employee benefit plans of a single employer. The term "purchase" also includes purchases by any "company," as the term is defined in the 1940 Act, but does not include purchases by any such company that has not been in existence for at least six months or that has no purpose other than the purchase of shares of a Fund or shares of other registered investment companies at a discount. The term "purchase" does not include purchases by any group of individuals whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein are credit card holders of a company, policy holders of an insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser. Currently, the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds include: AllianceBernstein All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Trust, Inc. AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series, Inc. -U.S. Large Cap Portfolio AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc. -AllianceBernstein Corporate Bond Portfolio -AllianceBernstein Quality Bond Portfolio -AllianceBernstein U.S. Government Portfolio AllianceBernstein Disciplined Value Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves AllianceBernstein Global Small Cap Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc. AllianceBernstein Greater China '97 Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Health Care Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein International Premier Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc. AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Fund, Inc. -California Portfolio -Insured California Portfolio -Insured National Portfolio -National Portfolio -New York Portfolio AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Fund II -Arizona Portfolio -Florida Portfolio -Massachusetts Portfolio -Michigan Portfolio -Minnesota Portfolio -New Jersey Portfolio -Ohio Portfolio -Pennsylvania Portfolio -Virginia Portfolio AllianceBernstein New Europe Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Premier Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Select Investor Series, Inc. -Biotechnology Portfolio -Premier Portfolio -Technology Portfolio AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Technology Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Trust -AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund -AllianceBernstein International Value Fund -AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund -AllianceBernstein Value Fund AllianceBernstein Utility Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc. The AllianceBernstein Portfolios AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy -AllianceBernstein Growth Fund -AllianceBernstein Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy -AllianceBernstein Tax-Managed Wealth Preservation Strategy -AllianceBernstein Tax-Managed Balanced Wealth Strategy -AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy -AllianceBernstein Wealth Preservation Strategy Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. -Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio -Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio -Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio -Short Duration Portfolio Prospectuses for the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds may be obtained without charge by contacting AGIS at the address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the front cover of this SAI. Cumulative Quantity Discount (Right of Accumulation). An investor's purchase of additional Class A shares of a Fund may be combined with the value of the shareholder's existing accounts, thereby enabling the shareholder to take advantage of the quantity discounts described under "Alternative Purchase Arrangements - Class A Shares". In such cases, the applicable sales charge on the newly purchased shares will be based on the total of: (i) the investor's current purchase; (ii) the net asset value (at the close of business on the previous day) of (a) all shares of a Fund held by the investor and (b) all shares of any other AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund held by the investor; and (iii) the net asset value of all shares described in paragraph (ii) owned by another shareholder eligible to combine his or her purchase with that of the investor into a single "purchase" (see above). For example, if an investor owned shares of an AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund worth $200,000 at their then current net asset value and, subsequently, purchased Class A shares of a Fund worth an additional $100,000, the sales charge for the $100,000 purchase would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single $300,000 purchase of shares of the Fund, rather than the 3.25% rate. Statement of Intention. Class A investors may also obtain the quantity discounts described under "Alternative Purchase Arrangements - Class A Shares" by means of a written Statement of Intention, which expresses the investor's intention to invest not less than $100,000 within a period of 13 months in shares of any AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. Each purchase of shares under a Statement of Intention will be made at the public offering price or prices applicable at the time of such purchase to a single transaction of the dollar amount indicated in the Statement of Intention. At the investor's option, a Statement of Intention may include purchases of shares of a Fund or any other AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund made not more than 90 days prior to the date that the investor signs a Statement of Intention, in which case the 13-month period during which the Statement of Intention is in effect will begin on the date of that earliest purchase. However, sales charges will not be reduced for purchases made prior to the date the Statement of Intention is signed. Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege described above may purchase shares of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds under a single Statement of Intention. For example, if at the time an investor signs a Statement of Intention to invest at least $100,000 in Class A shares of a Fund, the investor and the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Fund worth $20,000 (for a total of $40,000), it will only be necessary to invest a total of $60,000 during the following 13 months in shares of the Fund or any other AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund, to qualify for the 3.25% sales charge on the total amount being invested (the sales charge applicable to an investment of $100,000). The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5% of such amount. Shares purchased with the first 5% of such amount will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in the name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales charge applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is not purchased, and such escrowed shares will be involuntarily redeemed at their then net asset value to pay the additional sales charge, if necessary. Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares, are not subject to escrow. When the full amount indicated has been purchased, the escrow will be released. Investors wishing to enter into a Statement of Intention in conjunction with their initial investment in Class A shares of a Fund can obtain a form of Statement of Intention by contacting AGIS at the address or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this SAI. Reinstatement Privilege. A shareholder who has redeemed any or all of his or her Class A or Class B shares may reinvest all or any portion of the proceeds from that redemption in Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value without any sales charge, provided that (i) such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after the redemption or repurchase date, and (ii) for Class B shares, a CDSC has been paid and the Principal Underwriter has approved, at its discretion, the reinstatement of such shares. Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the net asset value next determined as described above. A reinstatement pursuant to this privilege will not cancel the redemption or repurchase transaction; therefore, any gain or loss so realized will be recognized for federal income tax purposes except that no loss will be recognized to the extent that the proceeds are reinvested in shares of the Fund within 30 calendar days after the redemption or repurchase transaction. Investors may exercise the reinstatement privilege by written request sent to a Fund at the address shown on the cover of this SAI. Dividend Reinvestment Program ----------------------------- Shareholders may elect to have all income and capital gains distributions from their account paid to them in the form of additional shares of the same class of the Fund pursuant to a Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Program. No initial sales charge or CDSC will be imposed on shares issued pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Program. Shares issued under this program will have an aggregate net asset value as of the close of business on the declaration date of the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount of the distribution. Investors wishing to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Program should complete the appropriate section of the Subscription Application. Current shareholders should contact AGIS to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Program. In certain circumstances where a shareholder has elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash but the account has been determined to be lost due to mail being returned to us by the Postal Service as undeliverable, such shareholder's distributions option will automatically be placed within the Dividend Reinvestment Program for future distributions. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution checks. Dividend Direction Plan ----------------------- A shareholder who already maintains accounts in more than one AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund may direct that income dividends and/or capital gains paid by one fund be automatically reinvested, in any amount, without the payment of any sales or service charges, in shares of the same class of the other AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund(s). Further information can be obtained by contacting AGIS at the address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this SAI. Investors wishing to establish a dividend direction plan in connection with their initial investment should complete the appropriate section of the Subscription Application. Current shareholders should contact AGIS to establish a dividend direction plan. Systematic Withdrawal Plan -------------------------- General. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares of a Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000 (for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less than $50 on a selected date. Systematic withdrawal plan participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions from a Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Shares of a Fund owned by a participant in the Fund's systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed as necessary to meet withdrawal payments and such payments will be subject to any taxes applicable to redemptions and, except as discussed below with respect to Class B and Class C shares, any applicable CDSC. Shares acquired with reinvested dividends and distributions will be liquidated first to provide such withdrawal payments and thereafter other shares will be liquidated to the extent necessary, and depending upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be depleted. A systematic withdrawal plan may be terminated at any time by the shareholder or the Fund. Withdrawal payments will not automatically end when a shareholder's account reaches a certain minimum level. Therefore, redemptions of shares under the plan may reduce or even liquidate a shareholder's account and may subject the shareholder to a Fund's involuntary redemption provisions. See "Redemption and Repurchase of Shares -- General." Purchases of additional shares concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable because of sales charges applicable when purchases are made. While an occasional lump-sum investment may be made by a holder of Class A shares who is maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan, such investment should normally be an amount equivalent to three times the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less. Payments under a systematic withdrawal plan may be made by check or electronically via the Automated Clearing House ("ACH") network. Investors wishing to establish a systematic withdrawal plan in conjunction with their initial investment in shares of a Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the Subscription Application, while current Fund shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an application form by contacting AGIS at the address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this SAI. CDSC Waiver for Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Under the systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2% bi-monthly or 3% quarterly of the value at the time of redemption of the Class B or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may be redeemed free of any CDSC. Class B shares that are not subject to a CDSC (such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any otherwise applicable CDSC. With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing limitations. Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be subject to any otherwise applicable CDSC. ------------------------------------------------------------------ REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES ------------------------------------------------------------------ The following information supplements that set forth in the Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of Shares--How to Sell Shares." If you are an Advisor Class shareholder through an account established under a fee-based program, your fee-based program may impose requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares of the Fund that are different from those described herein. A transaction fee may be charged by your financial representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares made through such financial representative. Each Fund has authorized one or more brokers to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on a Fund's behalf. In such cases, orders will receive the net asset value next computed after such order is properly received by the authorized broker or designee and accepted by a Fund. Redemption ---------- Subject only to the limitations described below, the Trust's Declaration of Trust requires that a Fund redeem the shares tendered to it, as described below, at a redemption price equal to their net asset value as next computed following the receipt of shares tendered for redemption in proper form. Except for any CDSC which may be applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C shares of a Fund, there is no redemption charge. Payment of the redemption price will be made within seven days after a Fund's receipt of such tender for redemption. If a shareholder is in doubt about what documents are required by his or her fee-based program or employee benefit plan, the shareholder should contact his or her financial representative. The right of redemption may not be suspended or the date of payment upon redemption postponed for more than seven days after shares are tendered for redemption, except for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings) or during which the Commission determines that trading thereon is restricted, or for any period during which an emergency (as determined by the Commission) exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or for such other periods as the Commission may by order permit for the protection of security holders of a Fund. Payment of the redemption price will be made in cash. No interest will accrue on uncashed redemption checks. The value of a shareholder's shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the cost of such shares to the shareholder, depending upon the market value of the relevant Fund's portfolio securities at the time of such redemption or repurchase. Redemption proceeds on Class A, Class B and Class C shares of a Fund will reflect the deduction of the CDSC, if any. Payment received by a shareholder upon redemption or repurchase of his shares, assuming the shares constitute capital assets in his hands, will result in long-term or short-term capital gains (or loss) depending upon the shareholder's holding period and basis in respect of the shares redeemed. To redeem shares of a Fund for which no stock certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners should forward a letter to the relevant Fund containing a request for redemption. The signature or signatures on the letter must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To redeem shares of a Fund represented by stock certificates, the investor should forward the appropriate stock certificate or certificates, endorsed in blank or with blank stock powers attached, to the relevant Fund with the request that the shares represented thereby, or a specified portion thereof, be redeemed. The stock assignment form on the reverse side of each stock certificate surrendered to a Fund for redemption must be signed by the registered owner or owners exactly as the registered name appears on the face of the certificate or, alternatively, a stock power signed in the same manner may be attached to the stock certificate or certificates or, where tender is made by mail, separately mailed to the relevant Fund. The signature or signatures on the assignment form must be guaranteed in the manner described above. Telephone Redemption By Electronic Funds Transfer. Each shareholder of a Fund is entitled to request redemption by electronic funds transfer of shares for which no stock certificates have been issued by telephone at (800) 221-5672 by a shareholder who has completed the appropriate portion of the Subscription Application or, in the case of an existing shareholder, an "Autosell" application obtained from AGIS. A telephone redemption request by electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000 (except for certain omnibus accounts), and must be made by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day as defined above. Proceeds of telephone redemptions will be sent by electronic funds transfer to a shareholder's designated bank account at a bank selected by the shareholder that is a member of the NACHA. Telephone Redemption By Check. Each shareholder of a Fund is eligible to request redemption by check of the relevant Fund shares for which no stock certificates have been issued by telephone at (800) 221-5672 before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day in an amount not exceeding $50,000. Proceeds of such redemptions are remitted by check to the shareholder's address of record. A shareholder otherwise eligible for telephone redemption by check may cancel the privilege by written instruction to AGIS or by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription Application. Telephone Redemptions - General. During periods of drastic economic, market or other developments, such as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, it is possible that shareholders would have difficulty in reaching AGIS by telephone (although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in connection with the attacks). If a shareholder were to experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written instructions to AGIS at the address shown on the cover of this SAI. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend or terminate its telephone redemption service at any time without notice. Telephone redemption is not available with respect to shares (i) for which certificates have been issued, (ii) held in nominee or "street name" accounts, (iii) held by a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within the preceding 30 calendar days, or (iv) held in any retirement plan account. None of the Funds nor the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or AGIS will be responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests for redemptions that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. Each Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to verify that telephone requests for redemptions are genuine, including, among others, recording such telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of the resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders. If a Fund did not employ such procedures, the Trust could be liable for losses arising from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected dealers or agents may charge a commission for handling telephone requests for redemptions. Repurchase ---------- The Funds may repurchase shares through the Principal Underwriter or financial intermediaries. The repurchase price will be the net asset value next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives the request (less the CDSC, if any, with respect to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of a Fund), except that requests placed through selected dealers or agents before the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be executed at the net asset value determined as of such close of regular trading on that day if received by the Principal Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally 5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting the request to the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. If the financial intermediary fails to do so, the shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A shareholder may offer shares of a Fund to the Principal Underwriter either directly or through a selected dealer or agent. None of the Funds nor the Principal Underwriter charges a fee or commission in connection with the repurchase of shares (except for the CDSC, if any, with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares of a Fund). Normally, if shares of a Fund are offered through a financial intermediary, the repurchase is settled by the shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or through the selected dealer or agent, who may charge the shareholder for this service. The repurchase of shares of a Fund as described above is a voluntary service of the Funds and a Fund may suspend or terminate this practice at any time. General ------- Each Fund reserves the right to close out an account that through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the account value before the account is closed. No CDSC will be deducted from the proceeds of this redemption. In the case of a redemption or repurchase of shares of a Fund recently purchased by check, redemption proceeds will not be made available until that Fund is reasonably assured that the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following the purchase date. ------------------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDER SERVICES ------------------------------------------------------------------ The following information supplements that set forth in the Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of Shares -- Shareholder Services." The shareholder services set forth below are applicable to all share classes of a Fund unless otherwise indicated. If you are an Advisor Class shareholder through an account established under a fee-based program or a shareholder in a group retirement plan, your fee-based program or retirement plan may impose requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of a Fund that are different from those described herein. Automatic Investment Program ---------------------------- Investors may purchase shares of the Funds through an automatic investment program utilizing electronic funds transfer drawn on the investor's own bank account. Under such a program, pre-authorized monthly drafts for a fixed amount (at least $50,000 for the initial purchase) are used to purchase shares through the selected dealer or selected agent designated by the investor at the public offering price next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives the proceeds from the investor's bank. In electronic form, drafts can be made on or about a date each month selected by the shareholder. Investors wishing to establish an automatic investment program in connection with their initial investment should complete the appropriate portion of the Subscription Application. Current shareholders should contact AGIS at the address or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this SAI to establish an automatic investment program. Exchange Privilege ------------------ You may exchange your investment in a Fund for shares of the same class of other AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds (including AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by the Adviser) if the other AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund in which you invest offers the same class. Exchanges of shares are made at the net asset value next determined and without sales or service charges. Exchanges may be made by telephone or written request. Telephone exchange requests must be received by AGIS by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day in order to receive that day's net asset value. Shares will continue to age without regard to exchanges for purpose of determining the CDSC, if any, upon redemption and, in the case of Class B shares of a Fund, for the purpose of conversion to Class A shares of that Fund. After an exchange, your Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance with the conversion schedule applicable to the Class B shares of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund you originally purchased for cash ("original shares"). When redemption occurs, the CDSC applicable to the original shares is applied. Please read carefully the prospectus of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund into which you are exchanging before submitting the request. Call AGIS at (800) 221-5672 to exchange uncertificated shares. Exchanges of shares as described above in this section are taxable transactions for federal income tax purposes. The exchange service may be changed, suspended or terminated on 60 days' written notice. All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the Prospectus. An exchange is effected through the redemption of the shares tendered for exchange and the purchase of shares being acquired at their respective net asset values as next determined following receipt by the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund whose shares are being exchanged of (i) proper instructions and all necessary supporting documents as described in the Prospectuses or (ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the procedures set forth in the following paragraph. Exchanges involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check will be permitted only after the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund whose shares have been tendered for exchange is reasonably assured that the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following the purchase date. Each shareholder of a Fund, and the shareholder's financial intermediary, as applicable, are authorized to make telephone requests for exchanges unless AGIS receives written instruction to the contrary from the shareholder, or the shareholder declines the privilege by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription Application. Such telephone requests cannot be accepted with respect to shares then represented by stock certificates. Shares acquired pursuant to a telephone request for exchange will be held under the same account registration as the shares redeemed through such exchange. Eligible shareholders desiring to make an exchange should telephone AGIS with their account number and other details of the exchange, at (800) 221 5672 before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on a Fund business day as defined above. Telephone requests for exchange received before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day will be processed as of the close of business on that day. During periods of drastic economic, market or other developments, such as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, it is possible that shareholders would have difficulty in reaching AGIS by telephone (although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in connection with the attacks). If a shareholder were to experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written instructions to AGIS at the address shown on the cover of this SAI. A shareholder may elect to initiate a monthly "Auto Exchange" whereby a specified dollar amount's worth of his or her Fund shares (minimum $25) is automatically exchanged for shares of another AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund. Auto Exchange transactions normally occur on the 12th day of each month, or the Fund business day prior thereto. None of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or AGIS will be responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests for exchanges that a Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. The Funds will employ reasonable procedures in order to verify that telephone requests for exchanges are genuine, including, among others, recording such telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of the resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders. If a Fund did not employ such procedures, it could be liable for losses arising from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected dealers, agents or financial representatives, as applicable, may charge a commission for handling telephone requests for exchanges. The exchange privilege is available only in states where shares of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund being acquired may be legally sold. Each AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund reserves the right, at any time on 60 days' notice to its shareholders, to reject any order to acquire its shares through exchange or otherwise to modify, restrict or terminate the exchange privilege. Statements and Reports ---------------------- Each shareholder of a Fund receives semi-annual and annual reports which include a portfolio of investments, financial statements and, in the case of the annual report, the report of the Funds' independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as well as a confirmation of each purchase and redemption. By contacting his or her broker or AGIS, a shareholder can arrange for copies of his or her account statements to be sent to another person. ------------------------------------------------------------------ NET ASSET VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Alliance Capital Pricing & Valuation Group (the "Pricing Group") is charged with the responsibility to implement Alliance's Statement of Pricing Policy (the "Policy Statement"), as approved by the Board of Trustees. The per share net asset value is computed in accordance with the Trust's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws at the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) following receipt of a purchase or redemption order by a Fund on each Fund business day on which such an order is received and on such other days as the Board of Trustees deems appropriate or necessary in order to comply with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act. Each Fund's per share net asset value is calculated by dividing the value of that Fund's total assets, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares then outstanding. As noted above a Fund business day is any weekday on which the Exchange is open for trading. In accordance with applicable rules under the 1940 Act, portfolio securities are valued at current market value or at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees (the "Pricing Policies"). The Board of Trustees has delegated to the Adviser certain of the Board's duties with respect to the Pricing Policies. Readily marketable securities listed on the Exchange or on a foreign securities exchange (other than foreign securities exchanges whose operations are similar to those of the United States over-the-counter market) are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the Exchange or, in the case of a foreign securities exchange, at the last quoted sale price, in each case on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, then the security is valued in good faith at fair value. Securities for which no bid and asked price quotations are readily available are valued in good faith at fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by, the Board of Trustees. Readily marketable securities not listed on the Exchange or on a foreign securities exchange but listed on other national securities exchanges are valued in like manner, and securities traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ") are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Portfolio securities traded on the Exchange or on a foreign securities exchange and on one or more other national or foreign securities exchanges, and portfolio securities not traded on the Exchange but traded on one or more other national or foreign securities exchanges are valued in accordance with these procedures by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded. Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including securities listed on a national securities exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter (but excluding securities traded on NASDAQ), are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources. Listed put or call options purchased by a Fund are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day. Open futures contracts and options thereon will be valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuations, the last available closing settlement price will be used. U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days (unless in either case the Board of Trustees determines that this method does not represent fair value). Fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. The prices provided by a pricing service take into account many factors, including institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and any developments related to specific securities. For securities where the Pricing Group has determined that an appropriate pricing service does not exist, such securities may be valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security. All other securities will be valued in accordance with readily available market quotations as determined in accordance with procedures established by a Fund or the Board of Trustees. With respect to securities for which market quotations are not readily available, the market value of a security will be determined in accordance with the Policy Statement. Trading in securities on Far Eastern and European securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally completed well before the close of business of each Fund business day. In addition, trading in foreign markets may not take place on all Fund business days. Furthermore, trading may take place in various foreign markets on days that are not Fund business days. Each Fund's calculation of the net asset value per share, therefore, does not always take place contemporaneously with the most recent determination of the prices of portfolio securities in these markets. Events affecting the values of these portfolio securities that occur between the time their prices are determined in accordance with the above procedures and the close of the Exchange will not be reflected in a Fund's calculation of net asset value unless these prices do not reflect current market value, in which case the securities will be valued in good faith at fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by, the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may suspend the determination of a Fund's net asset value (and the offering and sales of shares), subject to the rules of the Commission and other governmental rules and regulations, at a time when: (1) the Exchange is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (2) an emergency exists as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or (3) for the protection of shareholders, the Commission by order permits a suspension of the right of redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption. For purposes of determining each Fund's net asset value per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in a foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars at the mean of the current bid and asked prices of such currency against the U.S. dollar last quoted by a major bank that is a regular participant in the relevant foreign exchange market or on the basis of a pricing service that takes into account the quotes provided by a number of such major banks. If such quotations are not available as of the close of the Exchange, the rate of exchange will be determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Trustees. The assets attributable to the Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Advisor Class shares and Class R shares will be invested together in a single portfolio for each Fund. The net asset value of each class will be determined separately by subtracting the liabilities allocated to that class from the assets belonging to that class in conformance with the provisions of a plan adopted by each Fund in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. ------------------------------------------------------------------ DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends paid by a Fund, if any, with respect to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Advisor Class shares of that Fund will be calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day and will be in the same amount, except that the higher distribution services applicable to Class B and C shares, and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to Class B and Class C shares, will be borne exclusively by the class to which they relate. United States Federal Income Taxation of Dividends and Distributions -------------------------------------------------------------------- General. Each Fund intends for each taxable year to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). To so qualify, a Fund must, among other things, (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currency, or certain other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in stock, securities or currency; and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government Securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities with respect to which the Fund's investment is limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's assets is invested in securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other regulated investment companies). If a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company for any taxable year and makes timely distributions to its shareholders of 90% or more of its investment company taxable income for that year (calculated without regard to its net capital gain, i.e., the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss), it will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income for the year (including any net capital gain) that it distributes to shareholders. If a Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year, it would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income; in addition, to requalify as a regulated investment company, it could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions. Each Fund will also avoid the 4% federal excise tax that would otherwise apply to certain undistributed income for a given calendar year if it makes timely distributions to the shareholders equal to at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for that year; (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income and foreign currency gains for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of that year; and (iii) any ordinary income or capital gain net income from the preceding calendar year that was not distributed during that year. For this purpose, income or gain retained by a Fund that is subject to corporate income tax will be considered to have been distributed by that Fund by year-end. For federal income and excise tax purposes, dividends declared and payable to shareholders of record as of a date in October, November or December of a given year but actually paid during the immediately following January will be treated as if paid by a Fund on December 31 of that calendar year and will be taxable to these shareholders for the year declared and not for the year in which the shareholders actually receive the dividend. Each Fund intends to make timely distributions of its respective taxable income (including any net capital gain) so that none of the Funds will be subject to federal income or excise taxes. However, exchange control or other regulations on the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales, if any exist or are enacted in the future, may limit a Fund's ability to make distributions sufficient in amount to avoid being subject to one or both of such federal taxes. Dividends and Distributions. Dividends of each Fund's net ordinary income and distributions of any net realized short-term capital gain will generally be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In the case of corporate shareholders, such dividends may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction, except that the amount eligible for the deduction is limited to the amount of qualifying dividends received by the relevant Fund. A corporation's dividends-received deduction will be disallowed unless the corporation holds shares in a Fund at least 46 days during the 90-day period beginning 45 days before the ex-dividend date. In determining the holding period of such shares for this purpose, any period during which the corporation's risk of loss is offset by means of options, short sales or similar transactions is not counted. Furthermore, the dividends-received deduction will be disallowed to the extent a corporation's investment in shares of a Fund is financed with indebtedness. Under the provisions of recently enacted tax legislation, the maximum long term capital gain rate has been reduced from 20% to 15%, and some or all of the distributions from a mutual fund may be treated as "qualified dividend income," taxable to individuals at the reduced maximum rate of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets), provided that both the Fund and the individual satisfy certain holding period and other requirements. A distribution from a Fund is treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that it is comprised of dividend income received by a Fund from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, and provided that the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the security paying the dividend. In addition, the individual must meet certain holding period requirements with respect to the shares of a Fund in order to take advantage of the 15% tax rate. To the extent distributions from a Fund are attributable to other sources, such as taxable interest, most distributions from real estate investment trusts, or short-term capital gains, the dividends will not be eligible for the lower rates. Each Fund will notify you as to how much of the Fund's distributions, if any, would qualify for the reduced tax rate, assuming that you also satisfy the holding period requirements. Distributions of net capital gain will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in the relevant Fund. Distributions of net capital gain are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction referred to above. Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder on shares of a Fund will have the effect of reducing the net asset value of such shares by the amount of such dividend or distribution. Furthermore, a dividend or distribution made shortly after the purchase of such shares by a shareholder, although in effect a return of capital to that particular shareholder, would be taxable to him or her as described above. Dividends are taxable in the manner discussed regardless of whether they are paid to the shareholder in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of the relevant Fund. If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of its current and accumulated "earning and profits" in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces the shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of his or her shares. After the end of the calendar year, the Funds will notify shareholders of the federal income tax status of any distributions made by the Funds to shareholders during such year. A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to shares of a Fund held by a tax-deferred or qualified plan, such as an individual retirement account, 403(b)(7) retirement account or corporate pension or profit-sharing plan, generally will not be taxable to the plan. Distributions from such plans will be taxable to individual participants under applicable tax rules without regard to the character of the income earned by the qualified plan. It is the present policy of the Funds to distribute to shareholders all net investment income and to distribute realized capital gains, if any, annually. There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that a Fund will pay any dividends. The amount of any dividend or distribution paid on shares of a Fund must necessarily depend upon the realization of income and capital gains from that Fund's investments. Sales and Redemptions. Any gain or loss arising from a sale or redemption of Fund shares generally will be capital gain or loss except in the case of dealers or certain financial institutions. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if such shareholder has held such shares for more than one year at the time of the sale or redemption; and otherwise short-term capital gain or loss. If a shareholder has held shares in a Fund for six months or less and during that period has received a distribution of net capital gain, any loss recognized by the shareholder on the sale of those shares during the six-month period will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the distribution. In determining the holding period of such shares for this purpose, any period during which a shareholder's risk of loss is offset by means of options, short sales or similar transactions is not counted. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a sale or exchange of shares of a Fund will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are sold or exchanged. For this purpose, acquisitions pursuant to the relevant Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan would constitute a replacement if made within the period. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired. The tax rate generally applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers is (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less or (ii) 20% for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for more than one year (as well as capital gain dividends). For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, the maximum capital gain tax rate for capital assets (including fund shares) held by a noncorporate shareholder for more than 5 years will be 8% and 18% (rather than 10% and 20%). The 18-percent rate applies only to assets the holding period for which begins after December 31, 2000. Foreign Taxes. Income received by the Funds may also be subject to foreign income taxes, including withholding taxes. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle a Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of each Fund's assets to be invested within various countries is not known. Backup Withholding. A Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax on all distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the relevant Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; any amounts so withheld may be credited against a shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability or refunded. Pursuant to recently enacted tax legislation, the backup withholding tax rate will be (i) 30% for amounts paid during 2003, (ii) 29% for amounts paid during 2004 and 2005, and (iii) 28% for amounts paid during 2006 through 2010. The legislation will expire and the backup withholding rate will be 31% for amounts paid after December 31, 2010, unless Congress enacts tax legislation providing otherwise. The Bush Administration has announced a proposal to accelerate reductions in tax rates, which may change the backup withholding rate as well. The Bush Administration has also announced a proposal to make substantial changes to tax-advantaged savings and retirement vehicles the effect of which could significantly modify, among other things, the eligibility requirements, contribution limitations and investing parameters of such plans. The prospects for this proposal are unclear, and many of its details have not been specified. As such, it is not yet possible to determine how, if enacted, these changes would affect the foregoing discussion. The Bush Administration has also announced a proposal to reduce or eliminate the tax on dividends paid out of earnings previously taxed at the corporate level. Many of the details of the proposal have not been specified, and the prospects for this proposal are unclear. Accordingly, it is not possible to evaluate how this proposal might affect the tax discussion above. United States Federal Income Taxation of the Fund ------------------------------------------------- The following discussion relates to certain significant United States federal income tax consequences to each Fund with respect to the determination of its "investment company income" each year. This discussion assumes that each Fund will be taxed as a regulated investment company for each of its taxable years. Currency Fluctuations-"Section 988" Gains or Losses. Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time a Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time that Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, gains or losses from the disposition of foreign currencies, from the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, or from the disposition of a forward contract denominated in a foreign currency, which are attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the asset and the date of disposition also are treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code as "section 988" gains or losses, increase or decrease the amount of a Fund's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of that Fund's net capital gain. Because section 988 losses reduce the amount of ordinary dividends a Fund will be allowed to distribute for a taxable year, such section 988 losses may result in all or a portion of prior dividend distributions for such year being recharacterized as a non-taxable return of capital to shareholders, rather than as an ordinary dividend, reducing each shareholder's basis in his Fund shares. If such distributions exceed such shareholder's basis, such excess will be treated as a gain from the sale of shares. Futures and Forward Contracts. Certain options, regulated futures contracts, and forward foreign currency contracts are considered "section 1256 contracts" for federal income tax purposes. Section 1256 contracts held by the Funds at the end of each taxable year will be "marked to market" and treated for federal income tax purposes as though sold for fair market value on the last business day of such taxable year. Gain or loss realized by a Fund on section 1256 contracts other than forward foreign currency contracts will be considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss realized by a Fund on forward foreign currency contracts generally will be treated as section 988 gain or loss and will therefore be characterized as ordinary income or loss and will increase or decrease the amount of that Fund's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, as described above. A Fund can elect to exempt its section 1256 contracts which are part of a "mixed straddle" (as described below) from the application of section 1256. The Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations that would permit or require each Fund either to integrate a foreign currency hedging transaction with the investment that is hedged and treat the two as a single transaction, or otherwise to treat the hedging transaction in a manner that is consistent with the hedged investment. The regulations issued under this authority generally should not apply to the type of hedging transactions in which the Funds intends to engage. Tax Straddles. Any futures contract, forward foreign currency contract, or other position entered into or held by that Fund in conjunction with any other position held by the Fund may constitute a "straddle" for federal income tax purposes. A straddle of which at least one, but not all, the positions are section 1256 contracts may constitute a "mixed straddle." In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the character and timing of a Fund's gains and losses with respect to straddle positions by requiring, among other things, that (i) loss realized on disposition of one position of a straddle not be recognized to the extent that the Fund has unrealized gains with respect to the other position in such straddle; (ii) the Fund's holding period in straddle positions be suspended while the straddle exists (possibly resulting in gain being treated as short-term capital gain rather than long-term capital gain); (iii) losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions which are part of a mixed straddle and which are non-section 1256 positions be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital loss; (iv) losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions which would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses be treated as long-term capital losses; and (v) the deduction of interest and carrying charges attributable to certain straddle positions may be deferred. The Treasury Department is authorized to issue regulations providing for the proper treatment of a mixed straddle where at least one position is ordinary and at least one position is capital. No such regulations have yet been issued. Various elections are available to each Fund which may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to mixed straddles. In general, the straddle rules described above do not apply to any straddles held by the Funds all of the offsetting positions of which consist of section 1256 contracts. Foreign Tax Credits. Income received by the Funds from sources within various foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of the stock or securities of foreign corporations, that Fund may elect to "pass through" to the Fund's stockholders the amount of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. Pursuant to such election, a stockholder would be required: (i) to include in gross income his pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund; (ii) to treat his pro rata share of such foreign taxes as having been paid by him; and (iii) either to deduct his pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his taxable income, or to use it as a foreign tax credit against federal income taxes (but not both). No deduction for foreign taxes could be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. In addition, certain shareholders may be subject to rules which limit their ability to fully deduct, or claim a credit for, their pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by a Fund. A shareholder's foreign tax credit with respect to a dividend received from a Fund will be disallowed unless the shareholder holds shares in that Fund on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 other days during the 30-day period beginning 15 days prior to the ex-dividend date. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to meet the requirements of the Code to "pass through" to its shareholders foreign income taxes paid. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of each taxable year of the relevant Fund whether the foreign taxes paid by that Fund will "pass through" for that year and, if so, the amount of each shareholder's pro rata share (by country) of (i) the foreign taxes paid and (ii) the Fund's gross income from foreign sources. Of course, shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, such as retirement plans qualified under section 401 of the Code, will not be affected by any such "pass through" of foreign tax credits. Taxation of Foreign Stockholders -------------------------------- The foregoing discussion relates only to United States federal income tax law as it affects shareholders who are United States citizens or residents or United States corporations. The effects of U.S. federal income tax law on shareholders who are non-resident alien individuals or foreign corporations may be substantially different. Foreign investors should therefore consult their counsel for further information as to the United States tax consequences of receipt of income from the Fund. Other Taxation -------------- The Funds may be subject to other state and local taxes. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------ The management of the Funds has the responsibility for allocating its brokerage orders and may direct orders to any broker. It is the Funds' general policy to seek favorable net prices and prompt reliable execution in connection with the purchase or sale of all portfolio securities. In the purchase and sale of over-the-counter securities, it is the Funds' policy to use the primary market makers except when a better price can be obtained by using a broker. The Board of Trustees has approved, as in the best interests of each Fund and the shareholders, a policy of considering, among other factors, sales of each Fund's shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions, subject to best execution. The Adviser is authorized under the Advisory Agreement to place brokerage business with such brokers and dealers. The use of brokers who supply supplemental research and analysis and other services may result in the payment of higher commissions than those available from other brokers and dealers who provide only the execution of portfolio transactions. In addition, the supplemental research and analysis and other services that may be obtained from brokers and dealers through which brokerage transactions are effected may be useful to the Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than the Funds. Investment decisions for each Fund are made independently from those for the other Funds, other investment companies and other advisory accounts managed by the Adviser. It may happen, on occasion, that the same security is held in the portfolio of a Fund and one or more of such other Funds, companies or accounts. Simultaneous transactions are likely when several funds or accounts are managed by the same adviser, particularly when a security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one of such companies or accounts. When two or more companies or accounts managed by the Adviser are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the transactions are allocated to the respective companies or accounts both as to amount and price, in accordance with a method deemed equitable to each company or account. In some cases this system may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtainable for the Fund. Allocations are made by the officers of the Trust or of the Adviser. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are determined by the Adviser and are placed with broker-dealers by the order department of the Adviser. Some of the Funds' portfolio transactions in equity securities may occur on foreign stock exchanges. Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of brokerage commissions. On many foreign stock exchanges these commissions are fixed. Securities traded in foreign over-the-counter markets (including most fixed-income securities) are purchased from and sold to dealers acting as principal. Over-the-counter transactions generally do not involve the payment of a stated commission, but the price usually includes an undisclosed commission or markup. The prices of underwritten offerings, however, generally include a stated underwriter's discount. The Adviser expects to effect the bulk of its transactions in securities of companies based in foreign countries through brokers, dealers or underwriters located in such countries. U.S. Government or other U.S. securities constituting permissible investments will be purchased and sold through U.S. brokers, dealers or underwriters. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, AllianceBernstein Value Fund incurred brokerage commissions amounting in the aggregate to $833,341 and $309,408, respectively. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, transactions in portfolio securities of the Fund aggregating $3,072,484, with associated brokerage commissions of approximately $7,823, were allocated to persons or firms supplying research services to the Fund or the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund incurred brokerage commissions amounting in the aggregate to $1,426,997 and $275,399, respectively. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, transactions in portfolio securities of the Fund aggregating $8,939,131, with associated brokerage commissions of approximately $95,403, were allocated to persons or firms supplying research services to the Fund or the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, AllianceBernstein International Value Fund incurred brokerage commissions amounting in the aggregate to $738,244 and $270,746, respectively. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, transactions in portfolio securities of the Fund aggregating $113,283,307, with associated brokerage commissions of approximately $203,692, were allocated to persons or firms supplying research services to the Fund or the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund incurred brokerage commissions amounting in the aggregate to $198,845 and $17,653, respectively. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, transactions in portfolio securities of the Fund aggregating $14,703,261, with associated brokerage commissions of approximately $26,788, were allocated to persons or firms supplying research services to the Fund or the Adviser. It cannot presently be determined the extent to which commissions charged by broker-dealers selected by the Funds may reflect an element of value for research. To the extent that research services of value are provided by broker-dealers with or through whom a Fund places portfolio transactions, the Adviser may be relieved of expenses which it might otherwise bear. Research services furnished by broker-dealers could be useful and of value to the Adviser in servicing its other clients as well as a Fund; but, on the other hand, certain research services obtained by the Adviser as a result of the placement of portfolio brokerage of other clients could be useful and of value to it in serving that Fund. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the NASD, and subject to seeking best execution, each Fund may consider sales of shares of the Fund or other investment companies managed by the Adviser as a factor in the selection of brokers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Funds may from time to time place orders for the purchase or sale of securities (including listed call options) with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC ("SCB & Co."), an affiliate of the Adviser. In such instances, the placement of orders with such brokers would be consistent with each Fund's objective of obtaining best execution and would not be dependent upon the fact that SCB is an affiliate of the Adviser. With respect to orders placed with SCB & Co. for execution on a national securities exchange, commissions received must conform to Section 17(e)(2)(A) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17e-1 thereunder, which permit an affiliated person of a registered investment company (such as the Trust), or any affiliated person of such person, to receive a brokerage commission from such registered investment company provided that such commission is reasonable and fair compared to the commissions received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities during a comparable period of time. The brokerage transactions engaged in by the Funds with SCB & Co. and its affiliates during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 and the fiscal period ended November 30, 2001, are set forth below: % of Fund's % of Fund's Aggregate Fiscal Year Amount of Aggregate Dollar Ended Brokerage Brokerage Amount of November 30, Fund Commissions Commissions Transactions 2002 Value $465,886 55.9% 53.3% 2002 Small Cap Value $623,997 43.7% 53.9% 2002 International Value $41,750 5.7% 3.6% 2002 Global Value $55,946 28.1% 31.1% 2001 Value $185,762 -- -- 2001 Small Cap Value $166,803 -- -- 2001 International Value $23,891 -- -- 2001 Global Value $4,039 -- -- ------------------------------------------------------------------ GENERAL INFORMATION ------------------------------------------------------------------ Description of the Trust ------------------------ The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of Trust") dated December 12, 2000, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust is a "series" company as described in Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of each series and of each class of shares thereof. The shares of each Fund and each class thereof do not have any preemptive rights. Upon termination of any Fund or any class thereof, whether pursuant to liquidation of the Trust or otherwise, shareholders of that Fund or that class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of that Fund or that class then available for distribution to such shareholders. The assets received by the Trust for the issue or sale of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Advisor Class shares of each Fund and all income, earnings, profits, losses and proceeds therefrom, subject only to the rights of creditors, are allocated to, and constitute the underlying assets of, the appropriate class of that Fund. The underlying assets of each Fund and each class of shares thereof are segregated and are charged with the expenses with respect to that Fund and that class and with a share of the general expenses of the Trust. While the expenses of the Trust are allocated to the separate books of account of each series and each class of shares thereof, certain expenses may be legally chargeable against the assets of all series or a particular class of shares thereof. The Declaration of Trust provides for the perpetual existence of the Trust. The Trust or any Fund, however, may be terminated at any time by vote of at least two thirds of the outstanding shares of each Fund affected or by the Trustees by written notice to the shareholders. The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees may also terminate the Trust upon written notice to the shareholders. It is anticipated that annual shareholder meetings will not be held; shareholder meetings will be held only when required by federal or state law. Shareholders have available certain procedures for the removal of Trustees. A shareholder will be entitled to share pro rata with other holders of the same class of shares all dividends and distributions arising from the Fund's assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the then-current net asset value of the Fund represented by the redeemed shares less any applicable CDSC. The Fund is empowered to establish, without shareholder approval, additional portfolios, which may have different investment objectives and policies than those of the Fund and additional classes of shares within the Fund. If an additional portfolio or class were established in the Fund, each share of the portfolio or class would normally be entitled to one vote for all purposes. Generally shares of each portfolio and class would vote together as a single class on matters, such as the election of Trustees, that affect each portfolio and class in substantially the same manner. Each class of shares of a Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments, and has the same rights and is identical in all respects, except that each of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Advisor Class shares of a Fund bears its own distribution expenses and Class B shares and Advisor Class shares convert to Class A shares under certain circumstances. Each class of shares of a Fund votes separately with respect to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate under applicable law. Shares are freely transferable, are entitled to dividends as determined by the Trustees and, in liquidation of a Fund, are entitled to receive the net assets of the Fund. Capitalization -------------- The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial interest. The Trustees are authorized to reclassify any unissued shares to any number of additional series and classes without shareholder approval. Accordingly, the Trustees in the future, for reasons such as the desire to establish one or more additional portfolios with different investment objectives, policies or restrictions, may create additional classes or series of shares. Any issuance of shares of another class or series would be governed by the 1940 Act and the law of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If shares of another series were issued in connection with the creation of one or more additional portfolios, each share of any portfolio would normally be entitled to one vote for all purposes. Generally, shares of all portfolios would vote as a single series on matters, such as the election of Trustees, that affected all portfolios in substantially the same manner. As to matters affecting each portfolio differently, such as approval of the Investment Advisory Contract and changes in investment policy, shares of each portfolio would vote as a separate series. Procedures for calling a shareholders' meeting for the removal of Trustees of the Fund, similar to those set forth in Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, will be available to shareholders of the Fund. The rights of the holders of shares of a series may not be modified except by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such series. At the close of business on March 7, 2003 there were 10,904,729 Class A shares, 16,552,992 Class B shares, 7,393,651 Class C shares and 27,562,994 Advisor Class shares of AllianceBernstein Value Fund outstanding. To the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of a class of outstanding shares of the Fund as of March 7, 2003: Name and Address No. of Shares % of Class ---------------- ------------- ---------- Class A ------- MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 1,000,329 9.17% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Class B ------- Salomon Smith Barney 1,063,620 6.42% House Account Attn Cindy Tempesta 333 W 34th St Fl 3 New York, NY 10001-2483 MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 4,549,986 27.48% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Class C ------- Salomon Smith Barney 667,875 9.04% House Account Attn Cindy Tempesta 333 W 34th St Fl 3 New York, NY 10001-2483 MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 2,539,411 34.35% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Advisor Class ------------- CollegeBound Fund 3,584,419 13.00% CBF-Growth Portfolio 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,867,012 6.77% CBF-Balanced Portfolio 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,570,931 5.70% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1987-1989 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,863,101 6.76% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1990-1992 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,553,712 5.64% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1993-1995 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,690,730 6.13% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1996-1998 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,659,770 6.02% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1999-2001 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,532,359 5.56% AllianceBernstein Value Fund Customized Allocatio 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 At the close of business on March 7, 2003 there were 11,132,084 Class A shares, 14,896,626 Class B shares, 6,566,319 Class C shares and 15,047,506 Advisor Class shares of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund outstanding. To the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of a class of outstanding shares of the Fund as of March 7, 2003: Name and Address No. of Shares % of Class ---------------- ------------- ---------- Class A ------- 574,852 5.07% Reliance Trust Co TTEE FBO Brookshire Omnibus R/R PO Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 Class B ------- MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 2,304,822 15.48% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Class C ------- Salomon Smith Barney 336,335 5.13% House Account Attn Cindy Tempesta 333 W 34th St Fl 3 New York, NY 10001-2483 MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 1,970,530 30.03% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Advisor Class ------------- CollegeBound Fund 1,446,721 9.61% CBF-Aggressive Growth Portfolio 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 3,600,921 23.92% CBF-Growth Portfolio 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 791,634 5.26% Aggressive Growth Emph Age Based Portfolio 1996-1998 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,075,518 7.14% Age Based Portfolio 1999-2001 Aggressive Growth 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,133,446 7.53% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1996-1998 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,391,240 9.24% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1999-2001 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 1,080,026 7.17% CBF-AllianceBernstein Small Cap Customized Allocation 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 At the close of business on March 7, 2003 there were 8,488,005 Class A shares, 5,508,571 Class B shares, 2,981,955 Class C shares and 36,746,462 Advisor Class shares of AllianceBernstein International Value Fund outstanding. To the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of a class of outstanding shares of the Fund as of March 7, 2003: Name and Address No. of Shares % of Class ---------------- ------------- ---------- Class B ------- Salomon Smith Barney 412,686 7.50% House Account Attn Cindy Tempesta 333 W 34th St Fl 3 New York, NY 10001-2483 MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 699,620 12.71% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Class C ------- Salomon Smith Barney 203,539 6.81% House Account Attn Cindy Tempesta 333 W 34th St Fl 3 New York, NY 10001-2483 MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 796,805 26.67% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Advisor Class ------------- CollegeBound Fund 3,977,047 10.82% CBF-Aggressive Growth Portfolio 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 6,598,159 17.96% CBF-Growth Portfolio 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 2,578,518 7.02% CBF-Balanced Portfolio 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 2,131,678 5.80% Age Based Portfolio 1999-2001 Aggressive Growth 529 Plan 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 2,148,436 5.85% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1990-1992 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 2,150,437 5.85% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1993-1995 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 2,496,927 6.80% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1996-1998 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 CollegeBound Fund 2,759,682 7.51% Growth Emphasis Age Based Portfolio 1999-2001 500 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094-3619 At the close of business on March 7, 2003 there were 1,106,110 Class A shares, 475,853 Class B shares, 270,766 Class C shares and 9,247,171 Advisor Class shares of AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund outstanding. To the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of a class of outstanding shares of the Fund as of March 7, 2003: Name and Address No. of Shares % of Class ---------------- ------------- ---------- Class A ------- 87,741 7.97% Painewebber For the benefit of Harris Tr & Svgs TTEE for North Pittsburgh Telephone Co Attn: Mary Ann Flanagan 111 West Monroe Chicago, IL 60603-4096 CNA Trust Corp Ttee fbo 288,991 26.24% Sanford Bernstein fbo Cloverland Farms Dairy Inc. Employees 401K PSP P.O. Box 5024 Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5024 CNA Trust Corp Ttee fbo 80,355 7.30% Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP A/C #4650000295 P.O. Box 5024 Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5024 Class B ------- MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 116,846 24.56% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Class C ------- MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its 80,274 29.65% Customers Attn Fund Admin 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 2 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 14,104 5.21% TRAC2000 Retirement Alliance Link Neil R. Covin DDS PA 7004 Plymouth Ave. N Golden Valley, MN 55427-4650 Advisor Class ------------- Sanford Bernstein & Co LLC 810,061 8.76% 037-30653-17 1 N Lexington Ave White Plains, NY 10601-1712 Sanford Bernstein & Co LLC 612,677 6.63% 066-03615-10 1 N Lexington Ave White Plains, NY 10601-1712 Ford Marrin Espo Witmyer & Glese 550,535 5.95% Attn: Michael L. Anania Glesser LLP Personal & Confid. Wall St Plaza 23rd Floor New York, NY 10005 Class R shares were not yet being offered by the Funds on March 7, 2003. Voting Rights ------------- As summarized in the Prospectus, shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held (with fractional votes for fractional shares held) and will vote (to the extent provided herein) in the election of Trustees and the termination of the Trust or a Fund and on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the shareholders of any particular series or class shall not be entitled to vote on any matters as to which such series or class is not affected. Except with respect to matters as to which the Trustees have determined that only the interests of one or more particular series or classes are affected or as required by law, all of the shares of each series or class shall, on matters as to which such series or class is entitled to vote, vote with other series or classes so entitled as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to matters which would otherwise be voted on by two or more series or classes as a single class, the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, submit such matters to the shareholders of any or all such series or classes, separately. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides in effect that a series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each series in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of such series. Although not governed by Rule 18f-2, shares of each class of a Fund will vote separately with respect to matters pertaining to the respective Distribution Plans applicable to each class. The terms "shareholder approval" and "majority of the outstanding voting securities" as used in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information mean the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the applicable Fund or applicable class thereof represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such Fund or such class are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such Fund or such class. There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees except that in accordance with the 1940 Act (i) the Trust will hold a shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees at such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders and (ii) if, as a result of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees, less than two thirds of the Trustees holding office have been elected by the shareholders, that vacancy may only be filled by a vote of the shareholders. The Funds' shares have non-cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and in such event the holders of the remaining less than 50% of the shares voting for such election of Trustees will not be able to elect any person or persons to the Board of Trustees. A special meeting of shareholders for any purpose may be called by 10% of the Trust's outstanding shareholders. Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees. Shareholder and Trustee Liability --------------------------------- Under Massachusetts law shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of a Fund's property for all loss and expense of any shareholder of that Fund held liable on account of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund of which he or she was a shareholder would be unable to meet its obligations. The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. The By-Laws of the Trust provide for indemnification by the Trust of the Trustees and the officers of the Trust but no such person may be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or the Trust's shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. Custodian --------- State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110, acts as the Funds' custodian for the assets of the Funds but will play no part in deciding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees, State Street Bank and Trust Company may enter into sub-custodial agreements for the holding of the Fund's foreign securities. Principal Underwriter --------------------- AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, serves as the Funds' Principal Underwriter and as such may solicit orders from the public to purchase shares of the Funds. Under the Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has agreed to indemnify the Principal Underwriter, in the absence of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Counsel ------- Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the common stock offered hereby are passed upon by Ropes & Gray, One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Independent Auditors -------------------- Ernst & Young LLP, 5 Times Square, New York, New York, 10036, has been appointed as independent auditors for the Funds. Performance Information ----------------------- From time to time, each Fund advertises its "average annual total return", "average annual total return (after taxes on distributions)" and "average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemptions)" (referred to below as "total return" and "after-tax returns"). Computed separately for each class, each Fund's total return and after-tax returns are the average annual compounded rate of return for its most recently completed one, five and ten-year periods (or the period since the Fund's inception). Total return and after-tax returns are computed by finding, through the use of formulae prescribed by the Commission, the rate of return over the periods that would equate an assumed initial amount invested to the value of the investment at the end of the period. For the purposes of computing total return and after-tax returns, income dividends and capital gains distributions paid on shares of each Fund are assumed to have been reinvested when paid and the maximum sales charge applicable to purchases of Fund shares is assumed to have been paid. After-tax returns are an estimate that is based on the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the effect of state and local taxes. Since different classes may have first been sold on different dates ("Actual Inception Dates"), in some cases this can result in return information being presented for a class for periods prior to its Actual Inception Date. Where return information is presented for periods prior to the Actual Inception Date of a Class (a "Younger Class"), such information is calculated by using the historical performance of the class with the earliest Actual Inception Date (the "Oldest Class"). For this purpose, the Fund calculates the difference in total annual fund operating expenses (as a percentage of average net assets) between the Younger Class and the Oldest Class, divides the difference by 12, and subtracts the result from the monthly performance at net asset value (including reinvestment of all dividends and distributions) of the Oldest Class for each month prior to the Younger Class's Actual Inception Date for which performance information is to be shown. The resulting "pro forma" monthly performance information is used to calculate the Younger Class's average annual returns for these periods. Any conversion feature applicable to the Younger Class is assumed to occur in accordance with the Actual Inception Date for that class, not its hypothetical inception date. For each Fund, returns shown in the following table, for the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended November 30, 2002 (or since inception through that date, as noted), reflect imposition of the maximum front-end sales charges or CDSCs as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the applicable period. Class R shares were not available for purchase on November 30, 2002. AllianceBernstein Value Fund ---------------------------- Since 1 Year Inception* Class A Return Before Taxes (11.52)% (5.57)% Return After Taxes on Distributions (11.69)% (5.68)% Return After Taxes on Distributions and (7.07)% (4.49)% Sale of Fund Shares Class B Return Before Taxes (11.88)% (5.48)% Class C Return Before Taxes (9.04)% (3.75)% Advisor Class Return Before Taxes (7.30)% (2.78)% * Inception Date is 3/29/01 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund -------------------------------------- Since 1 Year Inception* Class A Return Before Taxes (4.33)% 5.13% Return After Taxes on Distributions (4.88)% 4.79% Return After Taxes on Distributions and (2.66)% 3.96% Sale of Fund Shares Class B Return Before Taxes (4.80)% 5.45% Class C Return Before Taxes (1.76)% 7.10% Advisor Class Return Before Taxes .18% 8.26% * Inception Date is 3/29/01 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. AllianceBernstein International Value Fund ------------------------------------------ Since 1 Year Inception* Class A Return Before Taxes (2.38)% (3.53)% Return After Taxes on Distributions (2.38)% (3.53)% Return After Taxes on Distributions and (1.46)% (2.82)% Sale of Fund Shares Class B Return Before Taxes (2.65)% (3.28)% Class C Return Before Taxes 0.56% (1.50)% Advisor Class Return Before Taxes 2.48% (0.48)% * Inception Date is 3/29/01 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund ----------------------------------- Since 1 Year Inception* Class A Return Before Taxes (14.90)% (11.08)% Return After Taxes on Distributions (14.90)% (11.12)% Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares (9.15)% (8.83)% Class B Return Before Taxes (15.21)% (11.04)% Class C Return Before Taxes (12.64)% (9.35)% Advisor Class Return Before Taxes (10.88)% (8.62)% * Inception Date is 3/29/01 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. A Fund's total return is not fixed and will fluctuate in response to prevailing market conditions or as a function of the type and quality of the securities in that Fund's portfolio and its expenses. Total return information is useful in reviewing a Fund's performance, but such information may not provide a basis for comparison with bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. An investor's principal invested in a Fund is not fixed and will fluctuate in response to prevailing market conditions. Advertisements quoting performance rankings of a Fund as measured by financial publications or by independent organizations such as Lipper, Inc., and Morningstar, Inc., advertisements comparing the performance of a Fund against various indices or other investments and advertisements presenting the historical record of payments of income dividends or capital gains by a Fund may also from time to time be sent to investors or placed in newspapers, magazines such as Barron's, Business Week, Changing Times, Forbes, Investor's Daily, Money Magazine, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal or other media on behalf of the Fund. Each Fund's annual report contains additional information and is available to shareholders upon request and without charge. Additional Information ---------------------- Any shareholder inquiries may be directed to the shareholder's broker or to AGIS at the address or telephone numbers shown on the front cover of this SAI. This SAI does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the Commission under the Securities Act. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at a reasonable charge from the Commission or may be examined, without charge, at the offices of the Commission in Washington, D.C. ------------------------------------------------------------------ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ------------------------------------------------------------------ The financial statements and the report of Ernst & Young LLP for each Fund are incorporated herein by reference to each Fund's annual report, filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 30(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 30b2-1 thereunder. Each Fund's annual report is dated November 30, 2002. AllianceBernstein Value Fund's annual report was filed on February 3, 2003, AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Fund's annual report was filed on February 5, 2003, AllianceBernstein International Value Fund's annual report was filed on February 7, 2003, and AllianceBernstein Global Value Fund's annual report was filed on February 10, 2003. Each Fund's annual report is available without charge upon request by calling AGIS at (800) 227-4618. ------------------------------------------------------------------ APPENDIX A FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES ------------------------------------------------------------------ FUTURES CONTRACTS The Funds may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of securities or foreign currencies or contracts based on financial indices. U.S. futures contracts have been designed by exchanges which have been designated "contracts markets" by the CFTC and must be executed through a futures commission merchant, or brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant contract market. Futures contracts trade on a number of exchange markets, and through their clearing corporations, the exchanges guarantee performance of the contracts as between the clearing members of the exchange. At the same time a futures contract is purchased or sold, a Fund must allocate cash or securities as a deposit payment ("initial deposit"). It is expected that the initial deposit would be approximately 1 1/2%-5% of a contract's face value. Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the payment of "variation margin" may be required, since each day that Fund would provide or receive cash that reflects any decline or increase in the contract's value. At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to such a contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value arising from the delivery of securities with a different interest rate from that specified in the contract. In some (but not many) cases, securities called for by a futures contract may not have been issued when the contract was written. Although futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of securities, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of the securities. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is accomplished by buying (or selling, as the case may be) on a commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take delivery of the securities. Since all transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, a Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells futures contracts. The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures contract may be to attempt to protect the Funds from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates without actually buying or selling foreign currencies. For example, if an exchange rate were expected to decrease, thereby making a foreign currency less expensive, the Fund might enter into futures contracts for the sale of the currency. Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling an equivalent value of the currency. If exchange rates did decrease, the value of the securities denominated in the particular currency in the portfolio would decline, but the value of the futures contracts to that Fund would increase at approximately the same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would have. The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of general interest rate trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful transaction. By establishing an appropriate "short" position in index futures, a Fund may seek to protect the value of its portfolio against an overall decline in the market for such securities. Alternatively, in anticipation of a generally rising market, a Fund can seek to avoid losing the benefit of apparently low current prices by establishing a "long" position in securities index futures and later liquidating that position as particular securities are acquired. To the extent that these hedging strategies are successful, a Fund will be affected to a lesser degree by adverse overall market price movements than would otherwise be the case. In addition, futures contracts entail risks. Although each Fund believes that use of such contracts will benefit that Fund, if the Adviser's investment judgment about the general direction of exchange rates is incorrect, a Fund's overall performance would be poorer than if it had not entered into any such contract. For example, if a Fund has hedged against the possibility of a change in exchange rates which would adversely affect the values of securities held in its portfolio and exchange rates instead move in the opposite direction, that Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS Each Fund intends to purchase and write options on futures contracts for hedging purposes. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when a Fund is not fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance due to increasing exchange rates. The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is below the exercise price, a Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in that Fund's holdings. The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, a Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities which that Fund intends to purchase. If a put or call option the Fund has written is exercised, that Fund will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it receives. Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its futures positions, a Fund's losses from existing options on futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities. The Funds will not write "uncovered" options on futures contracts. The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. For example, a Fund may purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge that Fund against the risk of rising interest rates. Upon the exercise of a call, the writer of the option is obligated to sell the futures contract (to deliver a "long" position to the option holder) at the option exercise price, which will presumably be lower than the current market price of the contract in the futures market. Upon exercise of a put, the writer of the option is obligated to purchase the futures contract (deliver a "short" position to the option holder) at the option exercise price which will presumably be higher than the current market price of the contract in the futures market. When the holder of an option exercises it and assumes a long futures position, in the case of call, or a short futures position in the case of a put, its gain will be credited to its futures margin account, while the loss suffered by the writer of the option will be debited to its futures margin account and must be immediately paid by the writer. However, as with the trading of futures, most participants in the options markets do not seek to realize their gains or losses by exercise of their option rights. Instead, the holder of an option will usually realize a gain or loss by buying or selling an offsetting option at a market price that will reflect an increase or a decrease from the premium originally paid. Options on futures contracts can be used by a Fund to hedge substantially the same risks as might be addressed by the direct purchase or sale of the underlying futures contracts. If a Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, it may obtain benefits similar to those that would result if it held the futures position itself. Purchases of options on futures contracts may present less risk in hedging than the purchase and sale of the underlying futures contracts since the potential loss is limited to the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. If a Fund writes options on futures contracts, that Fund will receive a premium but will assume a risk of adverse movement in the price of the underlying futures contract comparable to that involved in holding a futures position. If the option is not exercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium, which may partially offset unfavorable changes in the value of securities held in or to be acquired for the Fund. If the option is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss in the option transaction, which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it has received, but which will offset any favorable changes in the value of its portfolio securities or, in the case of a put, lower prices of securities it intends to acquire. While the holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may normally terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option of the same series, a Fund's ability to establish and close out options positions at fairly established prices will be subject to the existence of a liquid market. A Fund will not purchase or write options on futures contracts unless, in the Adviser's opinion, the market for such options has sufficient liquidity that the risks associated with such options transactions are not at unacceptable levels. OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES The Funds may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that in which futures contracts on foreign currencies, or forward contracts, will be utilized. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In order to protect against such diminutions in the value of portfolio securities, a Fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline, that Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have resulted. Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, a Fund may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however, the benefit to a Fund deriving from purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, a Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates. The Funds may write options on foreign currencies for the same types of hedging purposes. For example, where a Fund anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution in value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of the premium received. Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired, a Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, will expire unexercised and allow that Fund to hedge such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. As in the case of other types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be exercised and a Fund would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, a Fund also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates. The Funds will write options on foreign currencies only if they are covered. A put option on a foreign currency written by a Fund will be considered "covered" if, so long as that Fund is obligated as the writer of the put, it segregates with the Fund's custodian liquid assets equal at all times to the aggregate exercise price of the put. A call option on a foreign currency written by a Fund will be considered "covered" only if that Fund owns short term debt securities with a value equal to the face amount of the option contract and denominated in the currency upon which the call is written. ADDITIONAL RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS, FORWARD CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES Unlike transactions entered into by the Funds in futures contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with the exception of certain foreign currency options) by the Commission. To the contrary, such instruments are traded through financial institutions acting as market makers, although foreign currency options are also traded on certain national securities exchanges, such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, subject to Commission regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be traded over-the-counter. In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the purchase of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost. Moreover, the option writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the margin and collateral requirements associated with such positions. Options on foreign currencies traded on national securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the Commission, as are other securities traded on such exchanges. As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting the Fund to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements. The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options, however, is subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid secondary market described above, as well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, margining of options written, the nature of the foreign currency market, possible intervention by governmental authorities and the effects of other political and economic events. In addition, exchange- traded options on foreign currencies involve certain risks not presented by the over-the-counter market. For example, exercise and settlement of such options must be made exclusively through the OCC, which has established banking relationships in applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a result, the OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign currency option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions, on exercise. In addition, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in a Fund's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different requirements than in the United States, and (v) lesser trading volume. ------------------------------------------------------------------ APPENDIX B: Statement of Policies and Procedures for Voting Proxies ------------------------------------------------------------------ INTRODUCTION As a registered investment adviser, Alliance Capital Management L.P. ("Alliance Capital", "we" or "us") has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of our clients. As part of this duty, we recognize that we must vote client securities in a timely manner and make voting decisions that are in the best interests of our clients. This statement is intended to comply with Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It sets forth our policies and procedures for voting proxies for our discretionary investment advisory clients, including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This statement is applicable to Alliance Capital's growth and value investment groups investing on behalf of clients in both US and global securities. PROXY POLICIES This statement is designed to be responsive to the wide range of subjects that can have a significant effect on the investment value of the securities held in our clients' accounts. These policies are not exhaustive due to the variety of proxy voting issues that we may be required to consider. Alliance Capital reserves the right to depart from these guidelines in order to avoid voting decisions that we believe may be contrary to our clients' best interests. In reviewing proxy issues, we will apply the following general policies: Elections of Directors: Unless there is a proxy fight for seats on the Board or we determine that there are other compelling reasons for withholding votes for directors, we will vote in favor of the management proposed slate of directors. That said, we believe that directors have a duty to respond to shareholder actions that have received significant shareholder support. We may withhold votes for directors that fail to act on key issues such as failure to implement proposals to declassify boards, failure to implement a majority vote requirement, failure to submit a rights plan to a shareholder vote and failure to act on tender offers where a majority of shareholders have tendered their shares. In addition, we will withhold votes for directors who fail to attend at least seventy-five percent of board meetings within a given year without a reasonable excuse. Finally, we may withhold votes for directors of non-U.S. issuers where there is insufficient information about the nominees disclosed in the proxy statement. Appointment of Auditors: Alliance Capital believes that the company remains in the best position to choose the auditors and will generally support management's recommendation. However, we recognize that there may be inherent conflicts when a company's independent auditor performs substantial non-audit related services for the company. Therefore, we may vote against the appointment of auditors if the fees for non-audit related services are disproportionate to the total audit fees paid by the company or there are other reasons to question the independence of the company's auditors. Changes in Capital Structure: Changes in a company's charter, articles of incorporation or by-laws are often technical and administrative in nature. Absent a compelling reason to the contrary, Alliance Capital will cast its votes in accordance with the company's management on such proposals. However, we will review and analyze on a case-by-case basis any non-routine proposals that are likely to affect the structure and operation of the company or have a material economic effect on the company. For example, we will generally support proposals to increase authorized common stock when it is necessary to implement a stock split, aid in a restructuring or acquisition or provide a sufficient number of shares for an employee savings plan, stock option or executive compensation plan. However, a satisfactory explanation of a company's intentions must be disclosed in the proxy statement for proposals requesting an increase of greater than one hundred percent of the shares outstanding. We will oppose increases in authorized common stock where there is evidence that the shares will be used to implement a poison pill or another form of anti-takeover device, or if the issuance of new shares could excessively dilute the value of the outstanding shares upon issuance. Corporate Restructurings, Mergers and Acquisitions: Alliance Capital believes proxy votes dealing with corporate reorganizations are an extension of the investment decision. Accordingly, we will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis, weighing heavily the views of the research analysts that cover the company and the investment professionals managing the portfolios in which the stock is held. Proposals Affecting Shareholder Rights: Alliance Capital believes that certain fundamental rights of shareholders must be protected. We will generally vote in favor of proposals that give shareholders a greater voice in the affairs of the company and oppose any measure that seeks to limit those rights. However, when analyzing such proposals we will weigh the financial impact of the proposal against the impairment of shareholder rights. Corporate Governance: Alliance Capital recognizes the importance of good corporate governance in ensuring that management and the board of directors fulfill their obligations to the shareholders. We favor proposals promoting transparency and accountability within a company. For example, we will vote for proposals providing for equal access to proxies, a majority of independent directors on key committees, and separating the positions of chairman and chief executive officer. Anti-Takeover Measures: Alliance Capital believes that measures that impede takeovers or entrench management not only infringe on the rights of shareholders but may also have a detrimental effect on the value of the company. We will generally oppose proposals, regardless of whether they are advanced by management or shareholders, the purpose or effect of which is to entrench management or dilute shareholder ownership. Conversely, we support proposals that would restrict or otherwise eliminate anti-takeover measures that have already been adopted by corporate issuers. For example, we will support shareholder proposals that seek to require the company to submit a shareholder rights plan to a shareholder vote. We will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, proposals to completely redeem or eliminate such plans. Furthermore, we will generally oppose proposals put forward by management (including blank check preferred stock, classified boards and supermajority vote requirements) that appear to be intended as management entrenchment mechanisms. Executive Compensation: Alliance Capital believes that company management and the compensation committee of the board of directors should, within reason, be given latitude to determine the types and mix of compensation and benefit awards offered. Whether proposed by a shareholder or management, we will review proposals relating to executive compensation plans on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the long-term interests of management and shareholders are properly aligned. We will analyze the proposed plans to ensure that shareholder equity will not be excessively diluted, the option exercise price is not below market price on the date of grant and an acceptable number of employees are eligible to participate in such programs. We will generally oppose plans that permit repricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval. Other factors such as the company's performance and industry practice will generally be factored into our analysis. We will support proposals to submit severance packages triggered by a change in control to a shareholder vote and proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive compensation. Finally, we will support shareholder proposals requiring companies to expense stock options because we view them as a large corporate expense. Social and Corporate Responsibility: Alliance Capital will review and analyze on a case-by-case basis proposals relating to social, political and environmental issues to determine whether they will have a financial impact on shareholder value. We will vote against proposals that are unduly burdensome or result in unnecessary and excessive costs to the company. We may abstain from voting on social proposals that do not have a readily determinable financial impact on shareholder value. PROXY VOTING COMMITTEES Our growth and value investment groups have formed separate proxy voting committees to establish general proxy policies for Alliance Capital and consider specific proxy voting matters as necessary. These committees periodically review new types of corporate governance issues, evaluate proposals not covered by these policies and recommend how we should generally vote on such issues. In addition, the committees, in conjunction with the analyst that covers the company, contact management and interested shareholder groups as necessary to discuss proxy issues. Members of the committees include senior investment personnel and representatives of the Corporate Legal Department. The committees may also evaluate proxies where we face a potential conflict of interest (as discussed below). Finally, the committees monitor adherence to guidelines, industry trends and review the policies contained in this statement from time to time. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Alliance Capital recognizes that there may be a potential conflict of interest when we vote a proxy solicited by an issuer whose retirement plan we manage, whose retirement plan we administer, or with whom we have another business or personal relationship that may affect how we vote on the issuer's proxy. We believe that centralized management of proxy voting, oversight by the proxy voting committees and adherence to these policies ensures that proxies are voted with only our clients' best interests in mind. That said, we have implemented additional procedures to ensure that our votes are not the product of a conflict of interests, including: (i) requiring anyone involved in the decision making process to disclose to the chairman of the appropriate proxy committee any potential conflict that they are aware of and any contact that they have had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; (ii) prohibiting employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties; and (iii) where a material conflict of interests exists, reviewing our proposed vote by applying a series of objective tests and, where necessary, considering the views of a third party research service to ensure that our voting decision is consistent with our clients' best interests. For example, if our proposed vote is consistent with our stated proxy voting policy, no further review is necessary. If our proposed vote is contrary to our stated proxy voting policy but is also contrary to management's recommendation, no further review is necessary. If our proposed vote is contrary to our stated proxy voting policy or is not covered by our policy, is consistent with management's recommendation, and is also consistent with the views of an independent source, no further review is necessary. If our proposed vote is contrary to our stated proxy voting policy or is not covered by our policy, is consistent with management's recommendation and is contrary to the views of an independent source, the proposal is reviewed by the appropriate proxy committee for final determination. PROXIES OF CERTAIN NON-US ISSUERS Proxy voting in certain countries requires "share blocking." Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (usually one-week) with a designated depositary. During this blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients' custodian banks. Alliance Capital may determine that the value of exercising the vote does not outweigh the detriment of not being able to transact in the shares during this period. Accordingly, if share blocking is required we may abstain from voting those shares. In such a situation we would have determined that the cost of voting exceeds the expected benefit to the client. PROXY VOTING RECORDS Clients may obtain information about how we voted proxies on their behalf by contacting their Alliance Capital administrative representative. Alternatively, clients may make a written request for proxy voting information to: Mark R. Manley, Senior Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix C: Commission Schedule -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AllianceBernstein Equity and Fixed-Income Funds Annual Trail(1) Share Class Purchase Amount Charges Concessions (paid quarterly) ----------- --------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- Class A Shares $0 to $99,999(2) 4.25% 4.00% 0.25% $100,000 to $249,999 3.25% 3.00% 0.25% $250,000 to $499,999 2.25% 2.00% 0.25% $500,000 to $999,999 1.75% 1.50% 0.25% $1,000,000 or more(3) 0.00% tiered(4) 0.25% Class B Shares, Equity Funds, AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust and AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund $0 to $250,000(2, 5) 0.00% 4.00% 0.25% Class B Shares, Fixed-Income Funds $0 to $250,000(2, 5) 0.00% 3.00% 0.25% Class C Shares $0 to $1,000,000(2) 0.00% 1.00% 1.00% Class R Shares Any(6) 0.00% 0.00% 0.50% AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves Annual Trail(7) Share Class Purchase Amount Charges Concessions (paid quarterly) ----------- --------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- Class A Shares any None None 0.25% Class B Shares $0 to $250,000 None 4.00% 0.00% Class C Shares $0 to $1,000,000 None 1.00% 0.25% CDSC Schedule Class B Shares(5) Class C Shares Equity(8) & Equity, Exchange Years Owned Exchange Reserves Fixed-Income(7, 8) Reserves & Fixed-Income ----------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------------- Year 1 4.00% 3.00% 1.00% Year 2 3.00% 2.00% 0.00% Year 3 2.00% 1.00% 0.00% Year 4 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% Year 5 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% ---------- (1) For purchases under $1 million, the .25% trail is effective immediately, payable quarterly. For purchases of $1 million or more on Class A shares, a 1% CDSC will apply for the first year. The .25% annual trail, payable quarterly, will begin in the 13th month. Class C shares 1% annual trail begins in the 13th month. Class R shares .50% trail is effective immediately. (2) The minimum initial investment amount is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment amount is $50. (3) Class A shares that are received in exchange for AllianceBernstein Fund Class A shares that were not subject to an initial sales charge when originally purchased because the amount purchase was $1,000,000 or more are also subject to a 1% deferred sales charge on redemptions within one year of purchase. (4) Concessions for purchases of $1 million or more: 1.00% on amounts over $1,000,000 but less than $3,000,000 plus .75% on amounts over $3,000,000 but less than $5,000,000 plus .50% on amounts over $5,000,000. (5) Class B Shares for fixed-income funds, except AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust and AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, convert to Class A shares after 6 years. Class B Shares for equity funds and AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust, AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves convert to Class A shares after 8 years. (6) Class R shares are available only to group retirement plans with plan level assets of at least $1 million but no more than $10 million. (7) For Class A and B shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange reserves, the .25% trail is effective immediately. For Class C shares the, .25% trail begins in the 13th month. All trail payments on Class B shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, normally .25%, have been indefinitely suspended. In addition, trail payments to accounts that have been identified as engaging in a market timing strategy have also been indefinitely suspended. (8) For AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust and AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, the Equity fund CDSC applies. PART C OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 23. Exhibits (a) (1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust - incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A filed December 15, 2000. (2) First Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (3) Second Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust - filed herewith. (b) By-Laws of the Registrant - incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form N-1A filed December 15, 2000. (c) Not applicable. (d) Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (e) (1) Distribution Services Agreement between the Registrant and AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (formerly known as Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.)- incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (2) Form of Amendment to the Distribution Services Agreement between the Registrant and AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (formerly known as Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.) - filed herewith. (3) Selected Dealer Agreement between AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (formerly known as Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.) and selected dealers offering shares of Registrant - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 of the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc. (File Nos. 2-10988 and 811-134) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 1997. (4) Selected Agent Agreement between AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (formerly known as Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.) and selected agents making available shares of Registrant - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(b) to Post- Effective Amendment No. 88 of the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. (File Nos. 2-10988 and 811- 134) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 1997. (f) Not applicable. (g) Custodian Agreement - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (h) (1) Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (2) Expense Limitation Agreement dated January 31, 2001 between the Registrant, on behalf of the Funds, and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (3) Expense Limitation Agreement dated July 2, 2002 between the Registrant, on behalf of its Small Cap Value Fund and International Value Fund, and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002. (4) Expense Limitation Agreement dated March 21, 2002 between the Registrant, on behalf of its Global Value Fund, and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002. (5) Form of Expense Limitation Undertaking by Alliance Capital Management L.P. - filed herewith. (i) (1) Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray with respect to Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (2) Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray with respect to Class R shares - filed herewith . (j) Consent of Independent Accountants - filed herewith. (k) Not applicable. (l) Investment representation letter of Alliance Capital Management L.P. - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (m) Rule 12b-1 Plan - (See Exhibit (e)(1)). (n) (1) Rule 18f-3 Plan - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (2) Form of Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan - filed herewith. (o) (1) Code of Ethics for the Fund - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. (2) Code of Ethics for the Alliance Capital Management L.P. and AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. (formerly known as Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.) -- incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 of the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc. (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2000. Other Exhibits - Powers of Attorney - incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2001. ITEM 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant. None. ITEM 25. Indemnification. Paragraph (l) of Section 3, Article IV of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides in relevant part that the Trustees of the Trust have the power: "(l) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Trust, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, principal underwriters or independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person as Trustee, officer, employee, agent, investment adviser, principal underwriter or independent contractor, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against liability;" Section 2 of Article VII of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides in relevant part: "Limitation of Liability. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing of any officer, agent, employee, Manager or principal underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee, but nothing herein contained shall protect any Trustee against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in or with respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such Trustees or Trustee shall not be personally liable thereon." Section 2 of Article VIII of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides in relevant part: " Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required." Article 10 of the Registrant's Bylaws provides in relevant part: "Indemnification 10.1 Trustees, Officers, etc. The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of any alleged act or omission as a Trustee or officer or by reason of his or her being or having been such a Trustee or officer, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated in any such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interest of the Trust and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office. Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person, may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding on the condition that the amounts so paid shall be repaid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article; provided, however, that (1) such Covered Person shall provide a security for his undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that indemnification is not authorized under this Article, (2) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party directors of the Trust, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification under this Article. In the case of such a determination or opinion, the relevant disinterested, non-party directors or independent legal counsel, as the case may be, shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that he has not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office. 10.2 Compromise Payment. As to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by any such Covered Person referred to in Section 4.1 above, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no such indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless such compromise shall be approved as in the best interests of the Trust, after notice that it involved such indemnification, (a) by a disinterested majority of the Trustees then in office; or (b) by a majority of the disinterested Trustees then in office; or (c) by any disinterested person or persons to whom the question may be referred by the Trustees, provided that in the case of approval pursuant to clause (b) or (c) there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such person against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of office; or (d) by vote of shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote thereon, exclusive of any Shares beneficially owned by any interested Covered Person. Approval by the Trustees pursuant to clause (a) or (b) or by any disinterested person or persons pursuant to clause (c) of this Section shall not prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance with any of such clauses as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office. 10.3 Indemnification Not Exclusive. The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article 4, the term "Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors and administrators; an "interested Covered Person" is one against whom the action, suit or other proceeding in question or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending; and a "disinterested Trustee" or "disinterested person" is a Trustee or a person against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person." The foregoing summaries are qualified by the entire text of Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to Trustees, Officers and controlling persons of the Trust pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Trust of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, Officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, Officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Trust will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Adviser. The descriptions of Alliance Capital Management L.P. under the captions "Management of the Fund" in the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. The information as to the directors and executive officers of Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the general partner of Alliance Capital Management L.P., set forth in Alliance Capital Management L.P.'s Form ADV filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 1988 (File No. 801-32361) and amended through the date hereof, is incorporated by reference. ITEM 27. Principal Underwriters (a) AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc., the Registrant's Principal Underwriter in connection with the sale of shares of the Registrant. AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc. also acts as Principal Underwriter or Distributor for the following investment companies: AllianceBernstein Asia Investment Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Trust, Inc. AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series, Inc. AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Capital Reserves AllianceBernstein Disciplined Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Disciplined Value Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Dynamic Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves AllianceBernstein Global Growth Trends Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Small Cap Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc. AllianceBernstein Government Reserves AllianceBernstein Greater China `97 Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Health Care Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Institutional Funds, Inc. AllianceBernstein Institutional Reserves, Inc. AllianceBernstein Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio AllianceBernstein Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio AllianceBernstein Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio AllianceBernstein International Premier Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc. AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Municipal Income Fund II AllianceBernstein Municipal Trust AllianceBernstein New Europe Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Premier Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Select Investor Series, Inc. AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Technology Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Trust AllianceBernstein Utility Income Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc. Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc. The AllianceBernstein Portfolios The following are the Directors and Officers of AllianceBernstein Investment Research and Management, Inc., the principal place of business of which is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10105. POSITIONS AND POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH OFFICES WITH NAME UNDERWRITER REGISTRANT Michael J. Laughlin Director and Chairman John D. Carifa Director President, Trustee Richard K. Saccullo Director and President David Conine Executive Vice President Richard A. Davies Executive Vice President & Managing Director Kurt H. Schoknecht Executive Vice President Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. Senior Vice President, Secretary General Counsel and Secretary Benji A. Baer Senior Vice President Matthew F. Beaudry Senior Vice President Amy I. Belew Senior Vice President John R. Bonczek Senior Vice President John R. Carl Senior Vice President William W. Collins, Jr. Senior Vice President Mark J. Dunbar Senior Vice President John C. Endahl Senior Vice President Andrew L. Gangolf Senior Vice President and Assistant Assistant General Counsel Secretary John Grambone Senior Vice President Bradley F. Hanson Senior Vice President Geoffrey L. Hyde Senior Vice President Robert H. Joseph, Jr. Senior Vice President George H. Keith Senior Vice President Richard D. Keppler Senior Vice President Richard E. Khaleel Senior Vice President Henry Michael Lesmeister Senior Vice President Susan L. Matteson-King Senior Vice President Daniel D. McGinley Senior Vice President Patrick J. Mullen Senior Vice President Joanna D. Murray Senior Vice President Daniel A. Notto Senior Vice President Peter J. O'Brien Senior Vice President John J. O'Connor Senior Vice President Catherine N. Peterson Senior Vice President Robert E. Powers Senior Vice President Domenick Pugliese Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel John P. Schmidt Senior Vice President Raymond S. Sclafani Senior Vice President Gregory K. Shannahan Senior Vice President Scott C. Sipple Senior Vice President Peter J. Szabo Senior Vice President Joseph T. Tocyloski Senior Vice President David R. Turnbough Senior Vice President Craig E. Welch Senior Vice President Richard A. Winge Senior Vice President Emilie D. Wrapp Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel Keith A. Yoho Senior Vice President Patrick E. Ryan Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ricardo Arreola Vice President Peter J. Barber Vice President Kenneth F. Barkoff Vice President Charles M. Barrett Vice President Troy E. Barton Vice President Laura J. Beedy Vice President Gregory P. Best Vice President Daniel U. Brakewood Vice President Robert F. Brendli Vice President Alan T. Brum Vice President Kevin T. Cannon Vice President John M. Capeci Vice President John P. Chase Vice President Leo H. Cook Vice President Jean A. Coomber Vice President Russell R. Corby Vice President Dwight P. Cornell Vice President Michael R. Crimmins Vice President John W. Cronin Vice President Robert J. Cruz Vice President Daniel J. Deckman Vice President Sherry V. Delaney Vice President Jennifer M. DeLong Vice President Faith C. Deutsch Vice President Janet B. DiBrita Vice President Richard P. Dyson Vice President John S. Egner Vice President Adam E. Engelhardt Vice President Sohaila S. Farsheed Vice President John J. Fennessy Vice President Mark D. Gersten Vice President Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Thomas R. Graffeo Vice President Marci Green Vice President Alan Halfenger Vice President Michael S. Hart Vice President Jean-Francois Y. Hautemulle Vice President George R. Hrabovsky Vice President Dinah J. Huntoon Vice President Scott Hutton Vice President Anthony D. Ialeggio Vice President Theresa Iosca Vice President Oscar J. Isoba Vice President Michele C. Eschert Johnson Vice President Danielle M. Klaskow Vice President Victor Kopelakis Vice President Richard D. Kozlowski Vice President Robert I. Kurzweil Vice President Daniel W. Krause Vice President Donna M. Lamback Vice President P. Dean Lampe Vice President Joseph R. Laspina Vice President Laurel E. Lindner Vice President James M. Liptrot Vice President James P. Luisi Vice President Kathryn Austin Masters Vice President Richard F. Meier Vice President Michael V. Miller Vice President Thomas F. Monnerat Vice President Doris T. Ciliberti Muller Vice President Charles B. Nanick Vice President Michael F. Nash, Jr. Vice President Jamie A. Nieradka Vice President David L. Nitz Vice President Nicole Nolan-Koester Vice President Timothy J. O'Connell Vice President Richard J. Olszewski Vice President Albert Orokos Vice President David D. Paich Vice President Christopher A. Panicoe Vice President Todd P. Patton Vice President Jeffrey R. Petersen Vice President Mark A. Pletts Vice President James J. Posch Vice President Carol H. Rappa Vice President Arlene L. Reddington Vice President Bruce W. Reitz Vice President James A. Rie Vice President Miguel A. Rozensztroch Vice President Karen C. Satterberg Vice President Eileen B. Sebold Vice President Stephanie Seminara Vice President Richard J. Sidell Vice President Teris A. Sinclair Vice President Rayandra E. Slonina Vice President Bryant B. Smith Vice President Jeffrey C. Smith Vice President Eileen Stauber Vice President Elizabeth K. Tramo Vice President Benjamin H. Travers Vice President Marie R. Vogel Vice President Wayne W. Wagner Vice President Jesse L. Weissberger Vice President Mark E. Westmoreland Vice President Paul C. Wharf Vice President Scott Whitehouse Vice President Peter H. Whitlock Vice President Matthew Witschel Vice President Richard J. Appaluccio Assistant Vice President Omar J. Aridi Assistant Vice President Joseph D. Asselta Assistant Vice President Andrew Berger Assistant Vice President Gian D. Bernardi Assistant Vice President Susan Bieber Assistant Vice President Paul G. Bishop Assistant Vice President Heath A. Black Assistant Vice President Michael J. Bodnar Assistant Vice President Henry Brennan Assistant Vice President Mark S. Burns Assistant Vice President Maria L. Carreras Assistant Vice President Chul Y. Chang Assistant Vice President Judith A. Chin Assistant Vice President Jorge Ciprian Assistant Vice President Jeffrey T. Coghan Assistant Vice President Kenneth J. Connors Assistant Vice President Michael C. Conrath Assistant Vice President Shawn Conroy Assistant Vice President Ralph A. DiMeglio Assistant Vice President Joseph T. Dominguez Assistant Vice President Bernard J. Eng Assistant Vice President Jeffrey M. Eschert Assistant Vice President Michael J. Eustic Assistant Vice President Anthony P. Fiore Assistant Vice President Kelly P. Guter Assistant Vice President Arthur F. Hoyt, Jr. Assistant Vice President Mark W. Hubbard Assistant Vice President David A. Hunt Assistant Vice President Kumar Jagdeo II Assistant Vice President Elizabeth E. Keefe Assistant Vice President Edward W. Kelly Assistant Vice President Thomas J. Khoury Assistant Vice President Charles Kim Assistant Vice President Jeffrey M. Kusterer Assistant Vice President Gary M. Lang Assistant Vice President Evamarie C. Lombardo Assistant Vice President Daniel K. McGouran Assistant Vice President Andrew J. Magnus Assistant Vice President Steven M. Miller Assistant Vice President Jeffrey D. Mosco Assistant Vice President John J. Multhauf Assistant Vice President Alex E. Pady Assistant Vice President Wandra M. Perry-Hartsfield Assistant Vice President Irfan A. Raja Assistant Vice President Rizwan A. Raja Assistant Vice President David J. Riley Assistant Vice President Christopher P. Rodney Assistant Vice President Peter V. Romeo Assistant Vice President Jessica M. Rozman Assistant Vice President Michelle Y. Ryba Assistant Vice President Christina A. Santiago Assistant Vice President and Counsel Matthew J. Scarlata Assistant Vice President John Scialabba Assistant Vice President Orlando Soler Assistant Vice President Nancy D. Testa Assistant Vice President Richard L. Tocyloski Assistant Vice President Elsia M. Vasquez Assistant Vice President Nina C. Wilkinson Assistant Vice President Mark R. Manley Assistant Secretary (c) Not Applicable. ITEM 28. Location of Accounts and Records. The majority of the accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are maintained as follows: journals, ledgers, securities records and other original records are maintained principally at the offices of Alliance Fund Services, Inc., P.O. Box 786003, San Antonio, Texas 78278-6003 and at the offices of State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Registrant's custodian, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. All other records so required to be maintained are maintained at the offices of Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10105. ITEM 29. Management Services. Not applicable. ITEM 30. Undertakings. The Registrant undertakes to furnish to each person to whom a prospectus of the Registrant is delivered a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders, upon request and without charge. ******************** A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Alliance Bernstein Trust (the "Trust") is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this Registration Statement has been executed on behalf of the Trust by an officer of the Trust as an officer and by its Trustees as trustees and not individually and the obligations of or arising out of this Registration Statement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers and shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to its Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and the State of New York on the 27th day of October, 2003. ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN TRUST By: John D. Carifa* ---------------------------------- John D. Carifa President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated. PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER: John D. Carifa,* President and Chief Executive Officer PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER: /s/ Mark D. Gersten ------------------- Mark D. Gersten, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer TRUSTEES: John D. Carifa* David H. Dievler* John H. Dobkin* William H. Foulk, Jr.* Clifford B. Michel* Donald J. Robinson* *By: /s/ Andrew L. Gangolf ---------------------- Andrew L. Gangolf As Attorney-in-Fact Date: October 27, 2003 Index To Exhibits Exhibit No. Exhibit Name ----------- ------------ (a)(3) Second Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust (e)(2) Form of Amendment to the Distribution Services Agreement (h)(5) Form of Expense Limitation Undertaking by Alliance Capital Management L.P (i)(2) Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray with respect to Class R shares (j) Consent of Independent Accountants (n)(2) Form of Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan 00250.0442 #423855