-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GnOiyHPAlUpqw1ieQEwS1nDB5eUrTLW1aOl6IM5sqxCv8StNSRie8pybFxx3ZIY1 vFhgbp1Dq0FHJsESupYddg== 0000936772-01-000122.txt : 20010307 0000936772-01-000122.hdr.sgml : 20010307 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000936772-01-000122 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-30D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20001231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20010228 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALLIANCE VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000825316 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [] FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-30D SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-05398 FILM NUMBER: 1556153 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 500 PLAZA DRIVE STREET 2: 1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 31ST FL CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10105 BUSINESS PHONE: 2013194105 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANGEMENT LP STREET 2: 1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10105 N-30D 1 0001.txt ALLIANCE ----------------------- VARIABLE PRODUCTS ----------------------- SERIES FUND ----------------------- INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO ----------------------- ANNUAL REPORT DECEMBER 31, 2000 Investment Products Offered --------------------------- > Are Not FDIC Insured > May Lose Value > Are Not Bank Guaranteed --------------------------- LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ February 1, 2001 Dear Shareholder: We are pleased to provide you with an update of Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2000. We appreciate your investment in the Portfolio(s) of Alliance Variable Products Series Fund and look forward to reporting further investment progress in the coming period. Sincerely, /s/ John D. Carifa John D. Carifa Chairman and President 1 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The International Portfolio seeks to obtain a total return on its assets from long-term growth of capital principally through a broad portfolio of marketable securities of established non-United States companies (or United States companies having their principal activities and interests outside the United States), companies participating in foreign economies with prospects for growth, and foreign government securities. MARKET REVIEW The Year 2000 began with much fanfare. The world had entered into a new decade, a new century and a new millennium. Global markets continued their "race to the moon" with a 1% gain in the world markets, a 3% gain in the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Stock Index and a powerful 10.7% gain in the NASDAQ in the first quarter of 2000. Technology, media and telecommunication (TMT) stocks maintained their reign of superior performance. We had entered the world of the "new" economy, a new way of life. What a difference a year makes. The great engine of global growth, the U.S. economy, began to sputter and subsequently slow, the technology revolution lost its fire and technology stocks began to crumble under the weight of overextended valuations. Global markets nose-dived, the euro touched new lows, the Japanese recovery became unconvincing and the U.S. finally ended a heated and chaotic election. Despite the triumphant beginning and great expectations for 2000, global markets returned the worst results seen in a decade. The Morgan Stanley Capital World Index and the Morgan Stanley Capital Index (MSCI) Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index were down 13.2% and 14.2%, respectively. The S&P 500 declined 9.1% and the NASDAQ dropped 39.3%. The euro declined 6.3% versus the U.S. dollar and hit a low of .827 per U.S. dollar in November. The Japanese yen fell 10.5% against the greenback. The swing in market sentiment towards economic growth was swift this past year. Only 12 months prior, annualized fourth quarter growth for U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) was over 8%. That compares with a 2.7% consensus forecast for fourth quarter 2000. Certainly, the continuous increasing of interest rates around the world by central banks had a dampening effect on global economies. High energy prices also served as a brake on economic growth. In addition, the stockpiling of inventories, particularly in the technology arena, in order to ameliorate earlier problems of drastic component shortages, may have exacerbated the situation, causing growth to decline more rapidly. Signs of growing inventories and shorter lead times upset the markets, and technology stocks tumbled as a result. With concerns over economic growth and slowing demand, the easy capital flows for internet-related investments during the prior two years suddenly ceased, and certain credit markets around the world tightened rapidly. As a result, those companies with shaky and/or extended business models and no immediate cash flow soon fell by the wayside. With continuous news of dot.com bankruptcies, technology companies' earnings misses and market declines, the consumer has taken a rather sober view of the world recently, and has in turn, affected global growth negatively. This year's holiday spending may have been the lowest in years. INVESTMENT RESULTS With a growth bias, the Portfolio underperformed the MSCI EAFE Index for the year 2000. The overweight position in TMT stocks hurt performance of the Portfolio on a relative basis, leading to a -19.86% return for the year. Mitigating the negative results vis-a-vis the Index were the Portfolio's large positions in financial and pharmaceutical stocks. Relative to global growth indices, such as the MSCI EAFE Growth Index, the Portfolio returned superior results given the holdings in these latter groups. INVESTMENT OUTLOOK Our investment process has always stressed valuation as well as growth and we continue to focus on those stocks where the most exciting growth is available at the best price. The Portfolio is diversified among industries and concentrated in those companies offering the best earning visibility over the next year. We remain fully invested and believe the focus on strong relative earnings fundamentals will be rewarded by the markets in the future and over the long-term. PORTFOLIO STRATEGY In Europe, media and telecommunication stocks were the hardest hit sectors in the Portfolio as the market grasped for clarity on valuations. As mobile phone providers bid colossal amounts for third generation licenses, investors began to question the ultimate returns expected. Concerns over balance sheet strength and ballooning capital expenditures replaced last year's fascination with subscriber growth and monumental mergers. In Europe, as in the U.S., cable companies lost their luster, and the promise of interactive television moved realistically further into the future. Again, similar to the U.S., the largest contributors to performance in Europe were financial and health care-related stocks. 2 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Despite Japan's weak showing this year (the MSCI Japan Index was down 28.2% in 2000), the Portfolio's holdings in the region contributed positively to performance. The increase in value of the pharmaceutical, financial, and consumer stock positions more than offset the decline in technology-related holdings. Asia Pacific performance was mixed for the year. Positions in China and Hong Kong added to performance, while positions in Australia and Korea detracted from performance. The shift in psychology has been very rapid and has spread to almost all sectors of the economy. With the exception of financials, energy/utilities, pharmaceutical and consumer staples, all other industry sectors underperformed the world markets during 2000. Investor concerns are myopic in nature with extreme focus on the upcoming quarter's results with little or no value ascribed to growth prospects over the next 12-18 months. Despite the obvious change in global growth fundamentals, we believe the pendulum is beginning to swing too far to the other side. Global markets seem to be discounting a rather negative earnings scenario. With the decline in earnings estimates around the world complemented by numerous analyst-rating downgrades, global markets have settled into more realistic expectations, which we believe is favorable for the market. Although timing is very difficult, we believe 2001 can bring recovery to global markets. With the recent shift in focus from inflation to economic growth by the Federal Reserve, the U.S. will likely see the Fed lower rates further in the year 2001. In addition, there are signs of growing concerns of central bank members over an economic slowdown in both the Europe/UK and the Japan regions, which may result in lower rates outside the U.S. as well. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average annual total returns are for the Portfolio's Class A shares. 3 INVESTMENT RESULTS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ INVESTMENT RESULTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2000 Listed below are the Portfolios' average annual total returns for Class A shares for the one-year, five-year (where applicable) and since inception periods ended December 31, 2000. International Portfolio o 1 Year -19.86% o 5 Years 7.08% o Since Inception (12/92) 9.08% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total returns are based on net asset value (NAV) performance for Class A shares and reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gains distributions in additional shares. These figures do not reflect insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. 4 PERFORMANCE UPDATE Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ o Alliance International Portfolio o MSCI EAFE Index o Lipper International Funds Average [The following table was depicted as a mountain graph in the printed material.] Lipper International Funds Average: $23,629 MSCI EAFE Index: $22,928 International Portfolio: $20,062 Past performance is no guarantee of future results. These charts illustrate the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in each Portfolio as compared to the performance of an appropriate broad-based index for the time frames indicated for each Portfolio. Performance results for each Portfolio represent the Portfolio's total return at net asset value (NAV). An investor cannot invest directly in an index or average, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any Alliance mutual fund. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Month-end closest to Portfolio inception. Inception dates for the Portfolios are: 1/14/91 Growth & Income; 9/15/94 Growth; 12/28/92 Total Return; 12/28/92 International; 6/26/92 Premier Growth; 7/15/91 Global Bond; 5/10/94 Utility Income; 5/2/94 Global Dollar Government; 9/23/94 Worldwide Privatization; 5/3/94 North American Government Income; 9/17/92 U.S. Government/High-Grade Securities; 1/11/96 Technology; 8/5/96 Quasar; 1/9/97 Real Estate Investment; 10/27/97 High Yield. 5 THE BENCHMARKS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ The benchmarks described below represent unmanaged indices; the Lipper Averages include funds that have generally similar investment objectives to the respective Alliance portfolio, although some funds included in the averages may have somewhat different investment policies. CS First Boston High Yield--Credit Suisse First Boston High Yield Index is an unmanaged, trader-priced portfolio constructed to mirror the high yield debt market. DJ Utility--The Dow Jones Utility Index is a price-weighted average that consists of actively traded stocks representing a cross-section of corporations involved in various phases of the utility industry. JPM EMBI-Plus--The JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index-Plus tracks returns for external-currency-denominated debt instruments of the emerging markets including Brady bonds, loans, Eurobonds, and U.S. dollar-denominated local market instruments. Countries covered are Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Phillipines, Poland, Russia and Venezuela. LB Aggregate Bond--The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is composed of the Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Indices, and the Government/Credit Bond Index. LB Credit Bond--The Lehman Brothers Corporate Bond Index includes all publicly issued, fixed-rate, non-convertible investment grade corporate debt; the index is composed of both U.S. and Brady Bonds. Until June 30, 2000, this index was known as the Lehman Brothers Corporate Index. LB Gov't/Credit Bond--The Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Bond Index represents a combination of the two indices. LB Gov't Bond--The Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index is composed of the Treasury Bond and Agency Bond Indices, the 1-3 year Government Index and the 20+ year Treasury Index. LB Intermediate Gov't Bond--The Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government Bond Index is composed of U.S. Government agency and Treasury securities with maturities of one to 10 years. LB Long-Term Gov't Bond--The Lehman Brothers Long-Term Government Bond Index is composed of U.S. Government agency and Treasury securities with maturities of 10 years or more. Lipper Growth and Income Funds Average--The Lipper Growth and Income Funds Average reflects performance of 100 mutual funds. Lipper International Funds Average--The Lipper International Funds Average reflects performance of 100 mutual funds. MSCI EAFE--The Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index measures the overall performance of stock markets in 21 countries within Europe, Australia and the Far East. MSCI World ex-USA--The Morgan Stanley Capital International World ex-USA Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of stock markets in 21 countries outside the United States. NAREIT--The NAREIT Index represents returns for the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust Equity Index. NYSE Utility--The New York Stock Exchange Utility Index is composed of all utility issues traded on the Exchange. PSE High Technology--The Pacific Stock Exchange High Technology Index is comprised of technology stocks traded on the Pacific Stock Exchange. Russell 1000--The Russell 1000 Growth Stock Index represents performance of 1000 of the largest U.S. companies by market capitalization. Russell 2000--The Russell 2000 Value Index consists of 2000 small- and mid-cap companies. The average market capitalization is approximately $500 million. SSB 3-Month Treasury Bill--The Salomon Smith Barney 3-Month Treasury Bill Index represents the average of T-bill rates for each of the prior three months, adjusted to a bond equivalent basis. SSB World Gov't Bond--The Salomon Smith Barney World Government Bond Index represents performance of government bond markets in 14 countries. S&P 500--The Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Index includes 500 stocks and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. 6 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS December 31, 2000 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPANY U.S. $ Value PERCENT OF NET ASSETS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alleanza Assicurazioni $ 3,712,815 4.7% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vodafone Group Plc 3,370,472 4.3 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc 3,250,381 4.1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CGNU Plc 2,904,157 3.7 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. 2,838,349 3.6 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canon, Inc. 2,659,202 3.4 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sanofi-Synthelabo, SA 2,609,424 3.3 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BNP Paribas, SA 2,467,081 3.1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kao Corp. 2,439,468 3.1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reuters Group Plc 2,412,505 3.0 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $28,663,854 36.3% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION December 31, 2000 ================================================================================ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTOR U.S. $ Value PERCENT OF NET ASSETS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Goods $ 2,499,258 3.2% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consumer Manufacturing 1,109,214 1.4 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consumer Services 20,962,257 26.5 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consumer Staples 2,439,468 3.1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Energy 3,567,740 4.5 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance 23,061,727 29.2 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Healthcare 8,715,798 11.0 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multi Industry 1,059,957 1.3 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technology 13,693,051 17.4 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utilities 1,840,147 2.3 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Investments* 78,948,617 99.9 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and receivables, net of liabilities 41,392 0.1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Assets $78,990,009 100.0% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Excludes short-term obligations. 7 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 2000 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Company Shares U.S. $ Value - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON STOCKS-99.9% AUSTRALIA-0.8% News Corp., Ltd. (ADR) ............... 20,400 $ 657,900 ----------- FINLAND-2.5% Nokia AB Corp. ....................... 44,300 1,975,890 ----------- FRANCE-12.5% Alcatel, SA Cl.A ..................... 26,500 1,505,452 BNP Paribas, SA ...................... 28,100 2,467,081 Sanofi-Synthelabo, SA ................ 39,140 2,609,424 STMicroelectronics NV ................ 41,900 1,829,500 Total Fina Elf, SA Cl.B .............. 9,720 1,445,729 ----------- 9,857,186 ----------- HONG KONG-4.0% Cheung Kong Holdings, Ltd. ........... 89,000 1,138,217 China Mobile (Hong Kong), Ltd. (a) .......................... 96,000 524,328 Citic Pacific, Ltd. .................. 299,000 1,059,957 Li & Fung, Ltd. (a) .................. 224,000 406,375 ----------- 3,128,877 ----------- IRELAND-1.4% CRH Plc .............................. 59,600 1,109,214 ----------- ITALY-6.9% Alleanza Assicurazioni ............... 233,000 3,712,815 UniCredito Italiano SpA .............. 338,195 1,768,837 ----------- 5,481,652 ----------- JAPAN-24.0% Bank of Fukuoka, Ltd. ................ 181,000 772,638 Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. .............................. 69,000 686,258 Banyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. .............................. 31,000 700,971 Canon, Inc. .......................... 76,000 2,659,202 Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. ......... 56,000 584,395 Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. ............. 6,400 1,252,904 Hoya Corp. ........................... 9,000 661,302 Kao Corp. ............................ 84,000 2,439,468 NEC Corp. ............................ 58,000 1,060,357 Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. .......... 56,000 1,006,648 NTT Docomo, Inc. ..................... 111 1,912,789 Rohm Co., Ltd. ....................... 1,000 189,818 Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. ......................... 241,000 1,638,007 Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. .............................. 48,000 2,838,349 Tokyo Electron, Ltd. ................. 10,000 549,335 ----------- 18,952,441 ----------- MEXICO-0.5% Telefonos de Mexico, SA de CV (ADR) ....................... 8,500 383,562 ----------- NETHERLANDS-3.2% ASM Lithography Holding NV (a) ............................ 41,900 951,734 United Pan-Europe Communications NV Series A (a) ..................... 154,810 1,581,588 ----------- 2,533,322 ----------- SINGAPORE-1.1% DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. ............. 75,038 849,160 ----------- SOUTH KOREA-2.2% Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd ............................... 4,620 577,043 SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (ADR) .......... 50,750 1,195,797 ----------- 1,772,840 ----------- SPAIN-3.8% Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA .................... 149,900 2,230,984 Telefonica, SA (a) ................... 47,000 776,740 ----------- 3,007,724 ----------- SWEDEN-5.1% Atlas Copco AB Series A .............. 44,820 980,541 Securitas AB Series B ................ 73,460 1,361,956 Skandia Forsakrings AB ............... 101,600 1,652,251 ----------- 3,994,748 ----------- SWITZERLAND-2.7% ABB, Ltd. ............................ 14,250 1,518,717 Serono, SA Cl.B (a) .................. 617 593,818 ----------- 2,112,535 ----------- TAIWAN-0.4% Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ........... 99,840 239,652 ADR ............................... 5,700 98,325 ----------- 337,977 ----------- UNITED KINGDOM-28.8% AstraZeneca Group Plc ................ 39,100 1,973,236 BP Amoco Plc ......................... 262,800 2,122,011 British Aerospace Plc ................ 204,900 1,170,398 British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc ......................... 193,910 3,250,381 Centrica Plc ......................... 112,000 434,175 CGNU Plc ............................. 179,500 2,904,157 Diageo Plc ........................... 199,400 2,236,222 Dixons Group Plc ..................... 238,557 799,040 Logica Plc ........................... 8,600 225,043 National Grid Group Plc .............. 27,000 245,670 Prudential Plc ....................... 15,700 252,839 Reuters Group Plc .................... 142,400 2,412,505 Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc ......................... 10,000 236,556 Standard Chartered Plc ............... 80,493 1,160,884 Vodafone Group Plc ................... 918,144 3,370,472 ----------- 22,793,589 ----------- Total Common Stocks (cost $77,384,871) ................ 78,948,617 ----------- 8 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Principal Amount (000) U.S. $ Value - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT-4.6% TIME DEPOSIT-4.6% State Street Euro Dollar 6.00%, 1/02/01 (amortized cost $3,636,000) .................... $3,636 $ 3,636,000 ------------ U.S. $ Value - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS-104.5% (cost $81,020,871) ............. $ 82,584,617 Other assets less liabilities-(4.5%) ............. (3,594,608) ------------ NET ASSETS-100% ................... $ 78,990,009 ============ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Non-income producing security. Glossary: ADR - American Depositary Receipt See Notes to Financial Statements. 9 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES December 31, 2000 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ ASSETS Investments in securities, at value (cost $81,020,871) ........................... $ 82,584,617 Cash ............................................................................. 764 Foreign cash, at value (cost $1,057) ............................................. 1,085 Dividends and interest receivable ................................................ 93,491 Receivable for capital stock sold ................................................ 3,686 ------------ Total assets ..................................................................... 82,683,643 ------------ LIABILITIES Payable for capital stock redeemed ............................................... 3,606,951 Advisory fee payable ............................................................. 38,062 Accrued expenses ................................................................. 48,621 ------------ Total liabilities ................................................................ 3,693,634 ------------ NET ASSETS .......................................................................... $ 78,990,009 ============ COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS Capital stock, at par ............................................................ $ 4,935 Additional paid-in capital ....................................................... 73,618,974 Accumulated net investment loss .................................................. (39,186) Accumulated net realized gain on investments ..................................... 3,843,812 Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ......................................................... 1,561,474 ------------ $ 78,990,009 ============ Class A Shares Net assets ....................................................................... $ 78,990,009 ============ Shares of capital stock outstanding .............................................. 4,934,662 ============ Net asset value per share ........................................................ $ 16.01 ============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 10 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Year Ended December 31, 2000 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ INVESTMENT INCOME Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $106,437) ..... $ 687,691 Interest .................................................. 195,915 ------------ Total investment income ................................... 883,606 ------------ EXPENSES Advisory fee .............................................. 870,332 Custodian ................................................. 185,474 Administrative ............................................ 66,000 Audit and legal ........................................... 23,533 Printing .................................................. 8,989 Directors' fees ........................................... 1,426 Transfer agency ........................................... 945 Miscellaneous ............................................. 6,052 ------------ Total expenses ............................................ 1,162,751 Less: expenses waived and reimbursed ...................... (335,935) ------------ Net expenses .............................................. 826,816 ------------ Net investment income ..................................... 56,790 ------------ REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS Net realized gain on investment transactions .............. 3,983,044 Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions ........ (120,198) Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: Investments ............................................. (20,977,391) Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ..... (2,240) ------------ Net loss on investments and foreign currency transactions . (17,116,785) ------------ NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS ................... $(17,059,995) ============ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 11 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================
Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ============ ============ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS Net investment income ............................................... $ 56,790 $ 446,080 Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions .. 3,862,846 8,077,628 Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ............... (20,979,631) 15,904,515 ------------ ------------ Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations ............... (17,059,995) 24,428,223 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM: Net investment income Class A ........................................................... (105,625) (553,389) Net realized gain on investments Class A ........................................................... (7,359,954) (1,787,594) CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS Net increase (decrease) ............................................. 22,145,328 (5,768,778) ------------ ------------ Total increase (decrease) ........................................... (2,380,246) 16,318,462 NET ASSETS Beginning of period ................................................. 81,370,255 65,051,793 ------------ ------------ End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $94,817 at December 31, 1999) ..................................... $ 78,990,009 $ 81,370,255 ============ ============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 12 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2000 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies The International Portfolio (the "Portfolio") is a series of Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"). The Portfolio's investment objective is to seek to obtain a total return on its assets from long-term growth of capital principally through a broad portfolio of marketable securities of established non-U.S. companies (i.e., companies incorporated outside the U.S.), companies participating in foreign economies with prospects for growth, and foreign government securities. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers nineteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Fund currently issues shares of the Conservative Investors Portfolio, Growth Investors Portfolio, Total Return Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, International Portfolio, Premier Growth Portfolio, Quasar Portfolio, Real Estate Investment Portfolio, Technology Portfolio, Utility Income Portfolio, Worldwide Privatization Portfolio, Global Bond Portfolio, Global Dollar Government Portfolio, High-Yield Portfolio, North American Government Income Portfolio, Short-Term Multi-Market Portfolio, U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio (the "Portfolios"). On January 5, 1999, the creation of a second class of shares, Class B shares, was approved by the Board of Directors. The Fund offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan. As of December 31, 2000, the following Portfolios had Class B shares issued and outstanding: Growth and Income Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, Premier Growth Portfolio, Quasar Portfolio, Technology Portfolio, Worldwide Privatization Portfolio, Global Bond Portfolio, U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio. The Fund offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at each Portfolio's net asset value per share. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund. 1. Security Valuation Portfolio securities traded on a national securities 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) or on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., are generally valued at the last reported sales price or if no sale occurred, at the mean of the closing bid and asked price on that day. Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, securities listed on a foreign securities exchange whose operations are similar to the U.S. over-the-counter market, and securities listed on a national securities exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter (but excluding securities traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.), are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked price. U.S. government and fixed income securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless this method does not represent fair value. Securities for which current market quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures adopted by, the Board of Directors. Fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of prices obtained from a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. Securities in which the Money Market Portfolio invests are valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value, under which method a portfolio instrument is valued at cost and any premium or discount is amortized on a straight-line basis to maturity. 2. Currency Translation Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward exchange currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and asked price of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of securities and forward exchange currency contracts, holdings of foreign currencies, exchange gains and losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign witholding tax reclaims recorded on the Portfolio's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts 13 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ actually received or paid. Net currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. 3. Taxes It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are required. 4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. The Fund accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income and in the case of the Money Market Portfolio, amortizes premium as well. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. 5. Dividends and Distributions Each Portfolio declares and distributes dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, respectively, if any, at least annually, except for dividends on the Money Market Portfolio, which are declared daily and paid monthly. Income dividends and capital gains distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification. During the current fiscal year, permanent differences, primarily due to foreign exchange gain/loss and net operating loss, resulted in a net decrease in accumulated net investment loss and a corresponding increase in accumulated net realized gain on investments. This reclassification had no effect on net assets. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays Alliance Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser"), an investment advisory fee at an annualized rate of 1% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets. During the year ended December 31, 2000, the Adviser agreed to waive its fee and to reimburse the additional operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .95% of the average daily net assets for Class A shares. Expense waivers/reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. For the year ended December 31, 2000, such waivers/reimbursements amounted to $335,935. Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2000, amounted to $217,504. For the period from January 1, 2000 to October 31, 2000, no commission was paid to brokers utilizing the services of the Pershing Division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp. ("DLJ"), an affiliate of the Adviser (whose affiliation ended on November 2, 2000), nor to DLJ directly. Effective October 2, 2000, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC ("SCB") became an affiliate of the Adviser. For the period from October 2, 2000 to December 31, 2000, no brokerage commission was paid to SCB directly. The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2000, the Fund paid a total of $18,000 which was allocated evenly among the Portfolios. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE C: Distribution Plan The Portfolios have each adopted a Plan for Class B shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (each a "Plan" and collectively the "Plans"). Under the Plans, the Portfolios pay distribution and servicing fees to the Distributor at an annual rate of up to .50% of each portfolio's average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limit payments under the Plan to .25% of each Portfolio's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plans provide that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. The Portfolios are not obligated under the Plans to pay any distribution services fee in excess of the amounts set 14 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plans is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of each Portfolio's shares. Since the Distributor's compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plans are characterized by the staff of the Commission as being of the "compensation" variety. In the event that a Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution services fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolios to the Distributor with respect to the relevant Plan. The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of each Portfolio's shares. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE D: Investment Transactions Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended December 31, 2000, were as follows: Purchases: Stocks and debt obligations................................... $ 64,495,807 U.S. government and agencies.................................. -0- Sales: Stocks and debt obligations................................... $ 47,365,370 U.S. government and agencies.................................. -0- At December 31, 2000, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $81,078,988. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows: Gross unrealized appreciation................................. $ 9,204,894 Gross unrealized depreciation................................. (7,699,265) -------------- Net unrealized appreciation................................... $ 1,505,629 ============== Foreign currency losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October" losses) within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio's next taxable year. The Portfolio incurred and will elect to defer net foreign currency losses of $39,186 during the fiscal year. 1. Forward Exchange Currency Contracts All Portfolios (except for the Global Dollar Government Portfolio, U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio) may enter into forward exchange currency contracts to hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for investment purposes. A forward exchange currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The Portfolios may enter into contracts to deliver or receive foreign currency it will receive from or require for its normal investment activities. It may also use contracts in a manner intended to protect foreign currency denominated securities from declines in value due to unfavorable exchange rate movements. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contracts and the closing of such contracts is included in realized gains or losses from foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of forward exchange currency contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Portfolio. Each Portfolio's custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Portfolio having an approximate value equal to the aggregate amount of the respective portfolio's commitments under forward exchange currency contracts entered into with respect to position hedges. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure each Portfolio has in that particular currency contract. At December 31, 2000, the Portfolio had no outstanding forward exchange currency contracts. 15 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ 2. Option Transactions For hedging and investment purposes, all Portfolios (except for the Money Market Portfolio) may purchase and write call options and purchase put options on U.S. securities that are traded on U.S. securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid. When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from which written options expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from written options. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. The Portfolio had no transactions in options written for the year ended December 31, 2000. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE E: Capital Stock There are 20,000,000,000 shares of capital stock, $.001 par value per share of the Fund authorized divided into two classes, designated Class A and Class B. Each class consists of 10,000,000,000 authorized shares. The Portfolio had no Class B shares outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2000. Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
--------------------------------- --------------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT --------------------------------- --------------------------------- Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 2000 1999 ============= ============= ============= ============= Class A Shares sold .................... 14,724,676 7,048,844 $ 283,890,498 $ 122,548,001 Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions . 381,286 149,679 7,465,579 2,340,983 Shares redeemed ................ (13,907,844) (7,485,752) (269,210,749) (130,657,762) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net increase (decrease) ........ 1,198,118 (287,229) $ 22,145,328 $ (5,768,778) ============= ============= ============= =============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE F: Concentration of Risk Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable United States companies or of the United States government. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE G: Bank Borrowing A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $750 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility") intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the year ended December 31, 2000. 16 INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
----------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A ----------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended December 31, =========================================================== 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Net asset value, beginning of period ............... $ 21.78 $ 16.17 $ 15.02 $ 14.89 $ 14.07 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Income From Investment Operations Net investment income (a)(b) ....................... .01 .12 .17 .13 .19 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions ... (4.01) 6.13 1.80 .39 .83 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations ...................................... (4.00) 6.25 1.97 .52 1.02 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Less: Dividends and Distributions Dividends from net investment income ............... (.03) (.15) (.33) (.15) (.08) Distributions from net realized gains .............. (1.74) (.49) (.49) (.24) (.12) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total dividends and distributions .................. (1.77) (.64) (.82) (.39) (.20) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, end of period ..................... $ 16.01 $ 21.78 $ 16.17 $ 15.02 $ 14.89 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Total Return Total investment return based on net asset value (c) (19.86)% 40.23% 13.02% 3.33% 7.25% Ratios/Supplemental Data Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) .......... $78,990 $81,370 $65,052 $60,710 $44,324 Ratios to average net assets of: Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements ..... .95% .95% .95% .95% .95% Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements ..... 1.34% 1.36% 1.37% 1.42% 1.91% Net investment income (a) ....................... .07% .69% 1.08% .87% 1.29% Portfolio turnover rate ............................ 57% 111% 117% 134% 60%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. (b) Based on average shares outstanding. (c) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. 17 REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ To the Shareholders and Board of Directors International Portfolio Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the International Portfolio, (the "Portfolio"), a series of Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. as of December 31, 2000, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for the two years then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2000, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the International Portfolio, a series of Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2000, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for the two years then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the indicated periods, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP New York, New York February 1, 2001 FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION (unaudited) ================================================================================ The Portfolio hereby designates $5,830,503 as long-term capital gain distributions during the taxable year ended December 31, 2000. 18 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ BOARD OF DIRECTORS John D. Carifa, Chairman and President Ruth Block (1) David H. Dievler (1) John H. Dobkin (1) William H. Foulk, Jr. (1) Clifford L. Michel (1) Donald J. Robinson (1) OFFICERS Matthew Bloom, Senior Vice President Kathleen A. Corbet, Senior Vice President Greg Dube, Senior Vice President Alfred L. Harrison, Senior Vice President Wayne D. Lyski, Senior Vice President Raymond J. Papera, Senior Vice President Peter Anastos, Vice President Andrew Aran, Vice President Bruce K. Aronow, Vice President Edward Baker, Vice President Mark H. Breedon, Vice President Russell Brody, Vice President Frank Caruso, Vice President F. Jeanne Goetz, Vice President Jane Mack Gould, Vice President Alan E. Levi, Vice President Gerald T. Malone, Vice President Michael Mon, Vice President Douglas J. Peebles, Vice President Daniel G. Pine, Vice President John Ricciardi, Vice President Paul C. Rissman, Vice President Kenneth D. Smalley, Vice President Jean Van De Walle, Vice President Sandra Yeager, Vice President Edmund P. Bergan, Jr., Secretary Mark D. Gersten, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer Thomas Manley, Controller CUSTODIAN State Street Bank and Trust Company 225 Franklin Street Boston, MA 02110 DISTRIBUTOR Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Ernst & Young LLP 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019 LEGAL COUNSEL Seward & Kissel One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 TRANSFER AGENT Alliance Fund Services, Inc. P.O. Box 1520 Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520 Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Member of the Audit Committee. 19 (This page left intentionally blank.) (This page left intentionally blank.) -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----