N-30D 1 edg6673.txt VARP-AB UTILITY INCOME ALLIANCE -------------------------- VARIABLE PRODUCTS -------------------------- SERIES FUND -------------------------- ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN -------------------------- UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO -------------------------- SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT JUNE 30, 2001 Investment Products Offered --------------------------- > Are Not FDIC Insured > May Lose Value > Are Not Bank Guaranteed --------------------------- ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS June 30, 2001 (unaudited) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPANY U.S. $ VALUE PERCENT OF NET ASSETS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AT&T Corp. $ 3,490,542 5.2% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Verizon Communications, Inc. 3,253,335 4.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SBC Communications, Inc. 2,759,934 4.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calpine Corp. 2,623,320 3.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dynegy, Inc. Cl.A 2,604,000 3.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Duke Power Energy Corp. 2,527,848 3.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allegheny Energy, Inc. 2,258,100 3.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FPL Group, Inc. 2,119,392 3.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BellSouth Corp. 2,017,527 3.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nisource, Inc. 1,945,896 2.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 25,599,894 38.4% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS June 30, 2001 (unaudited) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Company Shares U.S. $ Value -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON & PREFERRED STOCKS-93.9% UNITED STATES INVESTMENTS-85.1% UTILITIES-70.5% ELECTRIC & GAS UTILITIES-44.7% AES Corp. (a) ............................... 34,400 $ 1,480,920 AGL Resources, Inc. ......................... 6,100 144,875 Allegheny Energy, Inc. ...................... 46,800 2,258,100 American Electric Power Co., Inc. ........... 30,000 1,385,100 Cinergy Corp. ............................... 20,000 699,000 Cleco Corp. ................................. 4,000 91,000 CMS Energy Corp. ............................ 18,400 512,440 Constellation Energy Group .................. 6,000 255,600 Dominion Resources, Inc. .................... 22,000 1,322,860 DPL, Inc. ................................... 21,000 608,160 DTE Energy Co. .............................. 25,389 1,179,065 Duke Power Energy Corp. ..................... 64,800 2,527,848 Equitable Resources, Inc. ................... 11,200 373,072 Exelon Corp. ................................ 27,062 1,735,216 FPL Group, Inc. ............................. 35,200 2,119,392 KeySpan Corp. ............................... 15,100 550,848 Montana Power Co. ........................... 31,200 361,920 New Jersey Resources Corp. .................. 13,200 596,640 Nisource, Inc. .............................. 71,200 1,945,896 Nisource, Inc. pfd. ......................... 8,000 393,520 Northwest Natural Gas Co. ................... 5,250 130,725 NRG Energy, Inc. (a) ........................ 39,200 865,536 NSTAR ....................................... 28,000 1,191,680 People's Energy Corp. ....................... 3,600 144,720 Pinnacle West Capital Corp. ................. 19,000 900,600 Progress Energy, Inc. ....................... 26,000 1,167,920 Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. ....... 13,700 669,930 Questar Corp. ............................... 7,000 173,320 Reliant Energy, Inc. ........................ 23,000 740,830 Reliant Resources, Inc. (a) ................. 3,100 76,570 TECO Energy, Inc. ........................... 42,000 1,281,000 UtiliCorp United, Inc. ...................... 42,000 1,283,100 Wisconsin Energy Corp. ...................... 26,000 618,020 ----------- 29,785,423 ----------- TELEPHONE UTILITIES-20.4% AT&T Corp. .................................. 158,661 3,490,542 BellSouth Corp. ............................. 50,100 2,017,527 Qwest Communications International, Inc. .... 29,571 942,428 SBC Communications, Inc. .................... 68,895 2,759,934 Telephone & Data Systems, Inc. .............. 6,000 652,500 Verizon Communications, Inc. ................ 60,810 3,253,335 WorldCom, Inc. .............................. 31,100 441,620 WorldCom, Inc. - MCI Group (a) .............. 1,244 20,028 ----------- 13,577,914 ----------- MISCELLANEOUS-5.4% Calpine Corp. (a) ........................... 69,400 2,623,320 Mirant Corp. (a) ............................ 28,000 963,200 ----------- 3,586,520 ----------- 46,949,857 ----------- ENERGY-9.2% DOMESTIC PRODUCERS-0.2% WGL Holdings, Inc. .......................... 5,600 151,816 ----------- PIPELINES-3.9% El Paso Corp. ............................... 21,000 1,103,340 Kinder Morgan, Inc. ......................... 11,500 577,875 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc. .............. 5,100 181,152 The Williams Cos., Inc. ..................... 22,031 725,921 ----------- 2,588,288 ----------- MISCELLANEOUS-5.1% Dynegy, Inc. Cl.A ........................... 56,000 2,604,000 Enron Corp. ................................. 15,600 764,400 ----------- 3,368,400 ----------- 6,108,504 ----------- CONSUMER SERVICES-4.7% BROADCASTING & CABLE-4.7% Cablevision Systems Corp. Cl.A .............. 14,828 867,438 Cablevision Systems Corp.- Rainbow Media Group (a) ................. 7,414 191,281 Comcast Corp. Cl.A (a) ...................... 18,000 781,200 MediaOne Group, Inc. (b) .................... 21,400 1,223,866 NTL, Inc. (a) ............................... 6,518 78,542 ----------- 3,142,327 ----------- TECHNOLOGY-0.5% COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT-0.5% ADC Telecommunications, Inc. (a) ............ 14,620 96,492 Lucent Technologies, Inc. ................... 33,500 207,700 ----------- 304,192 ----------- MULTI INDUSTRY COMPANY-0.2% Southwest Gas Corp. ......................... 7,000 165,760 ----------- Total United States Investments (cost $48,594,656) ....................... 56,670,640 ----------- 2 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS June 30, 2001 (unaudited) (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Company Shares U.S. $ Value -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOREIGN INVESTMENTS-8.8% BRAZIL-0.4% Companhia Paranaense de Energia-Copel pfd. (ADR) ................. 4,700 $ 35,297 Embratel Participacoes, S.A. (ADR) .......... 13,700 102,476 Telesp Celular Participacoes, SA (ADR) ...... 7,400 112,110 ----------- 249,883 ----------- CANADA-0.7% BCE, Inc. ................................... 16,700 439,210 ----------- FINLAND-1.3% Nokia Corp. (ADR) ........................... 40,000 881,600 ----------- FRANCE-0.1% Equant NV (a) ............................... 3,300 89,628 ----------- HONG KONG-1.3% China Mobile (Hong Kong), Ltd. (ADR) (a) .... 21,600 578,664 Hong Kong Electric Holdings, Ltd............. 81,000 311,547 ----------- 890,211 ----------- MEXICO-2.1% America Movil, S.A. de C.V. Series L (ADR) .. 24,800 517,328 Telefonos de Mexico, SA Series L (ADR) ...... 24,800 870,232 ----------- 1,387,560 ----------- Shares or Principal Amount Company (000) U.S. $ Value -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTH KOREA-0.4% SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (ADR) ................. 15,701 $ 265,347 ----------- SPAIN-0.1% Telefonica de Espana, SA (ADR) ............... 1,555 57,908 ----------- UNITED KINGDOM-2.4% Lattice Group Plc ........................... 89,500 200,093 National Grid Group Plc (ADR) ............... 27,000 996,300 Vodafone Group Plc (ADR) .................... 17,600 393,360 ----------- 1,589,753 ----------- Total Foreign Investments (cost $5,368,271) ........................ 5,851,100 ----------- Total Common & Preferred Stocks (cost $53,962,927) ....................... 62,521,740 ----------- SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT-6.0% TIME DEPOSIT-6.0% State Street Euro Dollar 3.25%, 7/02/01 (amortized cost $4,036,000) .............. $4,036 4,036,000 ----------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS-99.9% (cost $57,998,927) ....................... 66,557,740 Other assets less liabilities-0.1% .......... 46,563 ----------- NET ASSETS-100% ............................. $66,604,303 =========== -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Non-income producing security. (b) Premium Income Exchangeable note which is convertible to Vodafone AirTouch Plc until 8/15/01 at a rate of 2.0253 shares of Vodafone AirTouch for every share of the exchangeable note. Glossary ADR - American Depositary Receipt. See Notes to Financial Statements. 3 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES June 30, 2001 (unaudited) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ ASSETS Investments in securities, at value (cost $57,998,927) ..... $ 66,557,740 Cash ....................................................... 252 Collateral held for securities loaned ...................... 86,400 Receivable for investment securities sold .................. 70,192 Dividends and interest receivable .......................... 59,617 ------------ Total assets ............................................... 66,774,201 ------------ LIABILITIES Payable for collateral received on securities loaned ....... 86,400 Advisory fee payable ....................................... 41,309 Accrued expenses ........................................... 42,189 ------------ Total liabilities .......................................... 169,898 ------------ NET ASSETS .................................................... $ 66,604,303 ============ COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS Capital stock, at par ...................................... $ 3,419 Additional paid-in capital ................................. 57,854,626 Undistributed net investment income ........................ 453,429 Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions .................................... (265,821) Net unrealized appreciation of investments ................. 8,558,650 ------------ $ 66,604,303 ============ Class A Shares Net assets ................................................. $ 66,604,303 ============ Shares of capital stock outstanding ........................ 3,418,508 ============ Net asset value per share .................................. $ 19.48 ============ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 4 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Six Months Ended June 30, 2001 (unaudited) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ INVESTMENT INCOME Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $5,804) ......... $ 698,288 Interest .................................................... 88,621 ----------- Total investment income ..................................... 786,909 ----------- EXPENSES Advisory fee ................................................ 238,408 Administrative .............................................. 35,538 Custodian ................................................... 29,730 Audit and legal ............................................. 15,533 Transfer agency ............................................. 543 Printing .................................................... 362 Directors' fees ............................................. 362 Miscellaneous ............................................... 361 ----------- Total expenses .............................................. 320,837 ----------- Net investment income ....................................... 466,072 ----------- REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS Net realized loss on investment transactions ................ (250,884) Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions .......... (219) Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: Investments ............................................... (7,295,816) Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ....... (201) ----------- Net loss on investments and foreign currency transactions ... (7,547,120) ----------- NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS ..................... $(7,081,048) =========== -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 5 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================
Six Months Ended Year Ended June 30, 2001 December 31, (unaudited) 2000 ================ ============ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS Net investment income ....................................... $ 466,072 $ 2,432,550 Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions (251,103) 407,220 Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ................... (7,296,017) 3,053,270 ---------------- ------------ Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations ....... (7,081,048) 5,893,040 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM: Net investment income Class A .................................................... (2,428,492) (819,857) Net realized gain on investments Class A .................................................... (421,791) (2,301,907) CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS Net increase ................................................. 14,174,093 13,432,017 ---------------- ------------ Total increase ............................................... 4,242,762 16,203,293 NET ASSETS Beginning of period .......................................... 62,361,541 46,158,248 ---------------- ------------ End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $453,429 and $2,415,849, respectively) ............. $ 66,604,303 $ 62,361,541 ================ ============
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 6 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS June 30, 2001 (unaudited) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies The Utility Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio") is a series of Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"). The Portfolio's investment objective is to seek current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the utilities industry. 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 Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. As of June 30, 2001, the Portfolio had only Class A shares outstanding. The Portfolio 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 the 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 Portfolio. 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. 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 actually received or paid. Net unrealized 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 or depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. 3. Taxes It is the Portfolio'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 Portfolio accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. 5. Income and Expenses Expenses attributable to a single portfolio are charged to that portfolio. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each portfolio in proportion to net assets. All income earned and expenses incurred by a portfolio with multi-class shares outstanding are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate 7 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ interest in the portfolio represented by the net assets of such class, except that the portfolio's Class B shares bear the distribution fees. 6. Dividends and Distributions The Portfolio declares and distributes dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, respectively, if any, at least annually. 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 .75% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets. Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $35,538 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2001. Prior to May 1, 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. Effective May 1, 2000, the Adviser determined not to extend the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio. Expense waivers/reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2001, the Portfolio received no such waivers/reimbursements. Broker commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2001 amounted to $22,707, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser. The Portfolio compensates Alliance Global Investor 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 Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $474 for the six months ended June 30, 2001. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE C: Distribution Plan The Portfolio has adopted a Plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to the Distributor at an annual rate of up to .50% of the 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 the Portfolio's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities. The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution services fee in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the 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 Plan is characterized by the staff of the Commission as being of the "compensation" variety. In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution services fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor. The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio's shares. 8 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ NOTE D: Investment Transactions Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2001, were as follows: Purchases: Stocks and debt obligations ............................. $ 12,591,974 U.S. government and agencies ............................ -0- Sales: Stocks and debt obligations ............................. $ 1,630,785 U.S. government and agencies ............................ -0- At June 30, 2001, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows: Gross unrealized appreciation .......................... $ 12,883,772 Gross unrealized depreciation .......................... (4,324,959) ------------ Net unrealized appreciation ............................ $ 8,558,813 ============ 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 $7,097 during the fiscal year. 1. Forward Exchange Currency Contracts The 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 Portfolio 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. The 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 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 the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract. At June 30, 2001, the Portfolio had no outstanding forward exchange currency contracts. 2. Option Transactions For hedging and investment purposes, the 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 9 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ 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 six months ended June 30, 2001. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE E: Securities Lending The Portfolio has entered into a securities lending agreement with UBS/Paine Webber, Inc. (the "Lending Agent"). Under the terms of the agreement, the Lending Agent, on behalf of the Portfolio, administers the lending of portfolio securities to certain broker-dealers. In return, the Portfolio receives fee income from the lending transactions. All loans are continuously secured by collateral exceeding the value of the securities loaned. All collateral consists of either cash or U.S. Government securities. The Lending Agent invests the cash collateral in an eligible money market vehicle in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio. UBS/Paine Webber will indemnify the Portfolio for any loss resulting from a borrower's failure to return a loaned security when due. As of June 30, 2001, the Portfolio had loaned securities with a value of $81,632 and received cash collateral of $86,400. For the six months ended June 30, 2001, the Portfolio received fee income of $261 which is included in interest income in the accompanying Statement of Operations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE F: Capital Stock There are 500,000,000 Class A shares of $.001 par value capital stock authorized. Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Six Months Ended Year Ended Six Months Ended Year Ended June 30, 2001 December 31, June 30, 2001 December 31, (unaudited) 2000 (unaudited) 2000 ================ ============ ================ ============ Class A Shares sold .................... 709,548 809,242 $ 15,227,826 $ 17,683,636 Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions . 139,446 148,091 2,850,283 3,121,764 Shares redeemed ................ (183,621) (335,561) (3,904,016) (7,373,383) ---------------- ------------ ---------------- ------------ Net increase ................... 665,373 621,772 $ 14,174,093 $ 13,432,017 ================ ============ ================ ============
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE G: 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 H: 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 six months ended June 30, 2001. 10 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Six Months Ended Year Ended December 31, June 30, 2001 ======================================================================== (unaudited) 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 ============= ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ Net asset value, beginning of period $ 22.65 $ 21.66 $ 18.90 $ 15.67 $ 12.69 $ 12.01 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Income From Investment Operations Net investment income (a)... .15 1.01(b) .41(b) .37(b) .38(b) .31(b) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions ............. (2.43) 1.36 3.19 3.31 2.84 .62 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations ............... (2.28) 2.37 3.60 3.68 3.22 .93 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Less: Dividends and Distributions Dividends from net investment income......... (.76) (.36) (.30) (.31) (.24) (.09) Distributions from net realized gains (.13) (1.02) (.54) (.14) -0- (.16) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total dividends and distributions .............. (.89) (1.38) (.84) (.45) (.24) (.25) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, end of period ............ $ 19.48 $ 22.65 $ 21.66 $ 18.90 $ 15.67 $ 12.69 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Total Return Total investment return based on net asset value (c) ................ (10.24)% 11.45% 19.40% 23.91% 25.71% 7.88% Ratios/Supplemental Data Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) ......... $66,604 $62,362 $46,158 $34,436 $20,347 $14,857 Ratio to average net assets of: Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements ..... 1.01%(d) 1.00% .95% .95% .95% .95% Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements .... 1.01%(d) 1.04% 1.14% 1.35% 1.08% 1.51% Net investment income ... 1.47%(d) 4.63%(b) 2.07%(b) 2.20%(b) 2.83%(b) 2.61%(b) Portfolio turnover rate .... 3% 18% 16% 20% 30% 75%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Based on average shares outstanding. (b) Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser. (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. (d) Annualized. 11 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 Kathleen A. Corbet, Senior Vice President Alfred L. Harrison, Senior Vice President Peter Anastos, Vice President Andrew Aran, Vice President Bruce K. Aronow, Vice President Edward Baker, Vice President Thomas J. Bardong, Vice President Matthew Bloom, Vice President Mark H. Breedon, Vice President Russell Brody, Vice President Kenneth T. Carty, Vice President Frank Caruso, Vice President John F. Chiodi, Vice President Paul J. DeNoon, Vice President Joseph C. Dona, Vice President Gregory Dube, Vice President Marilyn G. Fedak, Vice President F. Jeanne Goetz, Vice President Jane Mack Gould, Vice President David A. Kruth, Vice President Alan E. Levi, Vice President Michael Levy, Vice President Gerald T. Malone, Vice President Andrew Moloff, Vice President Michael Mon, Vice President Raymond J. Papera, Vice President Douglas J. Peebles, Vice President Daniel G. Pine, Vice President Steven Pisarkiewicz, Vice President John Ricciardi, Vice President Paul C. Rissman, Vice President Gregory R. Sawers, Vice President Kevin F. Simms, Vice President Kenneth D. Smalley, Vice President Michael A. Snyder, Vice President Annie Tsao, 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 Global Investor Services, Inc. P.O. Box 1520 Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520 Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Member of the Audit Committee. 12 (This page left intentionally blank.)