-----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, FUl9jvsVGINm95+FJzPtjNMYyGoJuYyO7Pq7opu8NHkWjjs43roMPIwdMsqpE5tH T2EY6Idzk8e1TyCIGTi2fg== 0000936772-03-000076.txt : 20030221 0000936772-03-000076.hdr.sgml : 20030221 20030220202415 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000936772-03-000076 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-30D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20021231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20030221 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20030221 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALLIANCE VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000825316 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-30D SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-05398 FILM NUMBER: 03575004 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 edg8792.txt ALLIANCE ------------------------ VARIABLE PRODUCTS ------------------------ SERIES FUND ------------------------ ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN ------------------------ UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO ------------------------ ANNUAL REPORT DECEMBER 31, 2002 Investment Products Offered --------------------------- > Are Not FDIC Insured > May Lose Value > Are Not Bank Guaranteed --------------------------- ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ LETTER TO INVESTORS January 16, 2003 Dear Investor: The following is an update of Alliance Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio") for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2002. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES The Portfolio seeks current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in the equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the utilities industry. INVESTMENT RESULTS Periods Ended December 31, 2002 Total Returns Since 1 Year 5 Years Inception* ------ ------- ---------- AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio -22.12% -0.10% 5.83% NYSE Utility Index -29.34% -7.01% 1.40% 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. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on portfolio distributions or the redemption of portfolio 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. * The Portfolio's inception date is 5/10/94. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Utility Index is composed of all utility issues traded on the New York Stock Exchange. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio. During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2002, the Portfolio returned - -22.12%, outperforming its benchmark, the NYSE Utility Index, which returned - -29.34%. During this time period, the Portfolio maintained an underweight position in the telecommunications and utilities sectors. The Portfolio's underweight position in the utilities sector detracted somewhat from performance. The Portfolio's performance was also negatively impacted by an overweight position in the regulated utilities sector. Within the electric utilities sector, we focused on the regulated integrated utilities rather than the non-regulated electric power marketers and generators. Going forward, we will remain cautious toward telephone utilities, primarily because of their fundamental uncertainties and competitive concerns. On the electric side, we maintain a negative view toward the non-regulated generation and marketing sectors (given their liquidity concerns and negative fundamental outlook for 2003). We do, however, positively view the traditional regulated integrated utilities due to their earnings stability, high dividend yields and reasonable valuations. MARKET OVERVIEW Over the past 12 months, the non-regulated electric power marketers came under pressure due to several factors. These included growing uncertainty over "round-trip" trading, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) probe of questionable practices in Western U.S. markets and accounting issues regarding balance sheet transparency. For those companies, particularly, management credibility has surfaced as a major issue in the wake of Enron's bankruptcy. Rating agencies enforced higher standards and downgraded most companies with trading exposure. In fact, the rating agencies' heightened scrutiny of balance sheets and cash flow has kept pressure on most utility stocks, particularly the merchant energy sector. Liquidity became a major issue as companies sought to complete current construction programs and fund increased collateral demands in the wake of credit rating downgrades. MARKET OUTLOOK The weak dollar should encourage European companies to buy U.S. assets. Outside the U.S. merchant energy sector, utilities should continue to benefit from their safe haven status. Particularly, as part of President Bush's economic stimulus package, we view the prospect of a dividend tax relief as positive for utility stocks. Importantly, tax relief is targeted at the investor level, not at the corporate level. With the electric utilities dividend yields averaging 4.5%, the after-tax yield could benefit total return significantly (depending upon the degree of tax cut). Further, dividend tax relief could lower equity costs, 1 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ allowing debt-heavy utilities to de-leverage at more favorable terms. Given the low interest rate environment and difficult stock markets, a boost in after-tax yield could lead to a significant upside for utilities. Gas and electricity deregulation in Europe is leading to fragmentation and competition, putting steady downward pressure on gas and electricity prices. Capital spending reduction in the U.S. is likely, as tighter control by rating agencies may create a hard environment for capital raising. Volatility in the utility sector will likely remain pronounced in the near future. We have begun to purchase more defensive names with solid fundamentals, improving balance sheets, limited regulatory risks and reasonable yields coupled with managements that have proven track records. We appreciate your investment in AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio and look forward to reporting further investment progress in the coming period. Sincerely, /s/ Paul Rissman Paul Rissman Vice President and Portfolio Manager /s/ Annie Tsao Annie Tsao Vice President and Portfolio Manager 2 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ PERFORMANCE UPDATE ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT 5/31/94*-12/31/02 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS DEPICTED AS A MOUNTAIN CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.] AB Utility Income Portfolio: $16,326 NYSE Utility Index: $10,136 AllianceBernstein NYSE Utility Income Portfolio Index 5/31/94* $10,000 $10,000 12/31/94 $ 9,960 $86,300 12/31/95 $12,096 $11,000 12/31/96 $13,050 $11,304 12/31/97 $16,405 $14,578 12/31/98 $20,327 $19,395 12/31/99 $24,270 $22,230 12/31/00 $27,049 $19,160 12/31/01 $20,963 $14,345 12/31/02 $16,326 $10,136 Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in the Portfolio (from 5/31/94* to 12/31/02) as compared to the performance of an appropriate broad-based index. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Utility Index is composed of all utility issues traded on the New York Stock Exchange. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Since closest month-end after Portfolio's inception date of 5/10/94 3 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS December 31, 2002 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPANY U.S. $ VALUE PERCENT OF NET ASSETS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FPL Group, Inc. $ 2,346,592 5.8% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DTE Energy Co. 2,170,122 5.4 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dominion Resources, Inc. 2,003,850 5.0 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equitable Resources, Inc. 1,671,408 4.2 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cinergy Corp. 1,652,280 4.1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Progress Energy, Inc. 1,603,950 4.0 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NSTAR 1,598,040 4.0 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exelon Corp. 1,551,438 3.9 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern Co. 1,513,187 3.8 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Entergy Corp. 1,467,998 3.6 ----------- ---- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $17,578,865 43.8% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 2002 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Company Shares U.S. $ Value - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON & PREFERRED STOCKS-98.3% UNITED STATES INVESTMENTS-84.4% UTILITIES-77.6% ELECTRIC & GAS UTILITIES-69.6% AGL Resources, Inc. .......................... 6,100 $ 148,230 Ameren Corp. ................................. 20,000 831,400 American Electric Power Co., Inc. pfd. (a) ........................ 12,800 497,280 Cinergy Corp. ................................ 49,000 1,652,280 Consolidated Edison, Inc. .................... 33,600 1,438,752 Constellation Energy Group ................... 20,000 556,400 Dominion Resources, Inc. ..................... 36,500 2,003,850 DTE Energy Co. ............................... 36,889 1,711,650 DTE Energy Co. pfd ........................... 16,800 458,472 Duke Power Energy Corp. ...................... 10,800 211,032 Entergy Corp. ................................ 32,200 1,467,998 Equitable Resources, Inc. .................... 47,700 1,671,408 Exelon Corp. ................................. 29,400 1,551,438 FPL Group, Inc. .............................. 24,200 1,455,146 FPL Group, Inc. pfd. (a) ..................... 16,700 891,446 KeySpan Corp. ................................ 15,100 532,124 KeySpan Corp. pfd. (a) ....................... 17,000 858,330 National Fuel Gas Co. ........................ 41,000 849,930 New Jersey Resources Corp. ................... 23,800 751,842 Nisource, Inc. ............................... 10,000 200,000 Nisource, Inc. pfd. (a) ...................... 8,000 307,200 Northwest Natural Gas Co. .................... 5,250 142,065 NSTAR ........................................ 36,000 1,598,040 Pepco Holdings, Inc. ......................... 10,000 193,900 Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc. ...................................... 5,100 180,285 Pinnacle West Capital Corp. .................. 6,500 221,585 Progress Energy, Inc. ........................ 37,000 1,603,950 Public Service Enterprise Group (pfd) (a) ........................... 13,000 648,050 Questar Corp. ................................ 7,000 194,740 Sempra Energy pfd. (a) ....................... 12,500 300,625 Southern Co. ................................. 53,300 1,513,187 Southwest Gas Corp. .......................... 7,000 164,150 TXU Corp. .................................... 13,000 371,800 WGL Holdings, Inc. ........................... 5,600 133,952 Wisconsin Energy Corp. ....................... 26,000 655,200 ------------ 27,967,737 ------------ TELEPHONE UTILITIES-8.0% ALLTEL Corp. ................................. 5,000 255,000 AT&T Corp. ................................... 44,532 1,162,730 BellSouth Corp. .............................. 16,000 413,920 SBC Communications, Inc. ..................... 16,000 433,760 Sprint Corp. (FON Group) ..................... 32,000 463,360 Verizon Communications, Inc. ...................... 13,000 503,750 ------------ 3,232,520 ------------ 31,200,257 ------------ CONSUMER SERVICES-5.6% BROADCASTING & CABLE-2.9% Comcast Corp. Cl.A (a) ....................... 49,709 1,171,641 ------------ CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS-2.7% Nextel Communications, Inc. (a) .................................. 77,000 889,350 Sprint Corp. (PCS Group) (a) ........................... 40,000 175,200 ------------ 1,064,550 ------------ 2,236,191 ------------ ENERGY-1.2% PIPELINES-1.2% Kinder Morgan, Inc. .......................... 11,500 486,105 ------------ Total United States Investments (cost $33,279,562) ........................ 33,922,553 ------------ FOREIGN INVESTMENTS-13.9% BRAZIL-0.0% Companhia Paranaense de Energia-Copel pfd. (ADR) .................. 4,700 13,207 ------------ FINLAND-0.5% Nokia Corp. (ADR) ............................ 12,000 186,000 ------------ HONG KONG-0.8% Hong Kong Electric Holdings, Ltd. ...................................... 81,000 306,923 ------------ MEXICO-4.5% America Movil S.A. de C.V. Series L (ADR) ....................... 43,000 617,480 Telefonos de Mexico, SA Series L (ADR) ............................ 37,800 1,208,844 ------------ 1,826,324 ------------ SOUTH KOREA-0.8% SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (ADR) ..................................... 15,701 335,216 ------------ SPAIN-1.6% Gas Natural SDG, SA .......................... 17,000 322,150 Telefonica de Espana, SA (ADR) ..................................... 12,617 335,234 ------------ 657,384 ------------ UNITED KINGDOM-5.7% Centrica Plc ................................. 236,000 649,530 National Grid Group Plc ...................... 60,562 1,239,922 Vodafone Group Plc (ADR) ..................... 21,000 380,520 ------------ 2,269,972 ------------ Total Foreign Investments (cost $5,132,810) ......................... 5,595,026 ------------ Total Common & Preferred Stocks (cost $38,412,372) ................. 39,517,579 ------------ 5 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Principal Amount Company (000) U.S. $ Value - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT-1.8% TIME DEPOSIT-1.8% State Street Euro Dollar 0.75%, 1/02/03 (cost $715,000) ........................... $715 $ 715,000 ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS-100.1% (cost $39,127,372) ........................ 40,232,579 Other assets less liabilities(b)-(0.1%) ..................... (53,416) ------------ NET ASSETS-100% .............................. $ 40,179,163 ============ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Non-income producing security. (b) Includes cash collateral received of $257,400 for securities on loan as of December 31, 2002 (see Note F). The lending agent invested the cash in a short-term investment as follows: Current Yield Shares Value ------- ------ ----- UBS Private Money Market Fund, LLC 1.46% 257,400 $257,400 Glossary ADR - American Depositary Receipt See Notes to Financial Statements. 6 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES December 31, 2002 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ ASSETS Investments in securities, at value (cost $39,127,372) .......................... $ 40,232,579(a) Cash ............................................................................ 755 Collateral held for securities loaned ........................................... 257,400 Dividends and interest receivable ............................................... 75,584 Receivable for capital stock sold ............................................... 1,309 ------------ Total assets .................................................................... 40,567,627 ------------ LIABILITIES Payable for collateral received on securities loaned ............................ 257,400 Payable for capital stock redeemed .............................................. 60,198 Advisory fee payable ............................................................ 25,566 Accrued expenses ................................................................ 45,300 ------------ Total liabilities ............................................................... 388,464 ------------ NET ASSETS ......................................................................... $ 40,179,163 ============ COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS Capital stock, at par ........................................................... $ 3,125 Additional paid-in capital ...................................................... 56,065,288 Undistributed net investment income ............................................. 1,280,522 Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions ... (18,275,072) Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ....................................................... 1,105,300 ------------ $ 40,179,163 ============ Class A Shares Net assets ...................................................................... $ 40,139,837 ============ Shares of capital stock outstanding ............................................. 3,121,813 ============ Net asset value per share ....................................................... $ 12.86 ============ Class B Shares Net assets ...................................................................... $ 39,326 ============ Shares of capital stock outstanding ............................................. 3,058 ============ Net asset value per share ....................................................... $ 12.86 ============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Includes securities on loan with a value of $249,795 (see Note F). See Notes to Financial Statements. 7 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Year Ended December 31, 2002 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ INVESTMENT INCOME Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $7,038) ....... $ 1,828,760 Interest .................................................. 51,546 ------------ Total investment income ................................... 1,880,306 ------------ EXPENSES Advisory fee .............................................. 369,511 Distribution fee--Class B ................................. 7 Custodian ................................................. 98,011 Administrative ............................................ 69,000 Audit and legal ........................................... 40,683 Printing .................................................. 13,683 Directors' fees and expenses .............................. 1,440 Transfer agency ........................................... 947 Miscellaneous ............................................. 7,970 ------------ Total expenses ............................................ 601,252 ------------ Net investment income ..................................... 1,279,054 ------------ REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS Net realized gain (loss) on: Investment transactions ................................. (15,579,116) Foreign currency transactions ........................... 7,968 Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of: Investments ............................................. 260,991 Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ..... 117 ------------ Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions .. (15,310,040) ------------ NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS ................... $(14,030,986) ============ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 8 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================
Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2002 2001 ============ ============ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS Net investment income ................................................... $ 1,279,054 $ 958,730 Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions ....... (15,571,148) (2,696,207) Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities ................... 261,108 (15,010,475) ------------ ------------ Net decrease in net assets from operations .............................. (14,030,986) (16,747,952) DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM Net investment income Class A ............................................................... (937,618) (2,428,492) Net realized gain on investment transactions Class A ............................................................... -0- (421,791) CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS Net increase (decrease) ................................................. (7,536,471) 19,920,932 ------------ ------------ Total increase (decrease) ............................................... (22,505,075) 322,697 NET ASSETS Beginning of period ..................................................... 62,684,238 62,361,541 ------------ ------------ End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,280,522 and $931,118, respectively) ................................ $ 40,179,163 $ 62,684,238 ============ ============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 9 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2002 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies The AllianceBernstein 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. 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. 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 prices 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 prices. 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 prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued. Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments and foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes 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 amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. 10 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ 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 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. During the current fiscal year, permanent differences, primarily due to foreign currency transactions, resulted in a net increase in undistributed net investment income and a corresponding increase in accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions. 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 annual rate of .75 of 1% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets. Such fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. Pursuant to the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio has agreed to reimburse the Adviser for the cost of providing the Portfolio with certain legal and accounting services. For the year ended December 31, 2002, this reimbursement to the Adviser amounted to $69,000. Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2002 amounted to $178,592, of which $2,780 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 $947 for the year ended December 31, 2002. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE C: Distribution Plan The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the "Plan") for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50 of 1% 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 limits payments under the Plan to ..25 of 1% 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 and servicing fees 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 Class B 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 Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the "compensation" variety. In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing 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. 11 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ NOTE D: Investment Transactions Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended December 31, 2002, were as follows: Purchases: Stocks and debt obligations .................................... $41,590,214 U.S. government and agencies ................................... -0- Sales: Stocks and debt obligations .................................... $48,581,608 U.S. government and agencies ................................... -0- At December 31, 2002, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $39,600,016. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows: Gross unrealized appreciation ................................. $ 3,445,039 Gross unrealized depreciation ................................. (2,812,476) ----------- Net unrealized appreciation ................................... $ 632,563 =========== 1. Forward Exchange Currency Contracts The Portfolio may enter into forward exchange currency contracts to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its 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 on 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 net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of outstanding 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 a value at least 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 December 31, 2002, 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 and foreign currencies 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 12 Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ 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, 2002. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE E: Distributions to Shareholders The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 were as follows:
2002 2001 ======== ============ Distributions paid from: Ordinary income ....................................... $937,618 $ 2,443,210 Net long term capital gains ........................... -0- 407,073 -------- ------------ Total taxable distributions .............................. 937,618 2,850,283 -------- ------------ Total distributions paid ................................. $937,618 $ 2,850,283 ======== ============ As of December 31, 2002, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows: Undistributed ordinary income ........................................... $ 1,280,522 Accumulated capital and other losses .................................... (17,802,428)(a) Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) .................................. 632,656(b) ------------ Total accumulated earnings/(deficit) .................................... $(15,889,250) ============
(a) On December 31, 2002, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $17,789,840 of which $1,498,725 will expire in the year 2009 and $16,291,115 will expire in the year 2010. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Net capital losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Portfolio's next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2003, post October capital losses of $12,588. (b) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE F: Securities Lending The Portfolio has entered into a securities lending agreement with UBS/PaineWebber, 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 or it retains a portion of interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Portfolio also continues to receive dividends or interest on the securities loaned. Unrealized gain or loss in the value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be reflected in the accounts of the Portfolio. 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 received in an eligible money market vehicle in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio. The Lending Agent will indemnify the Portfolio for any loss resulting from a borrower's failure to return a loaned security when due. As of December 31, 2002, the Portfolio had loaned securities with a value of $249,795 and received cash collateral of $257,400, which was invested in a money market fund as included in the footnotes to the accompanying portfolio of investments. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Portfolio earned fee income of $5,317 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations. 13 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ NOTE G: Capital Stock There are 1,000,000,000 shares of $.001 par value capital stock authorized, divided into two classes, designated Class A and Class B shares. Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. 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, 2002 2001 2002 2001 ============ ============ ============ ============ Class A Shares sold ........................ 495,562 1,457,645 $ 7,188,203 $ 28,698,030 Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions ..... 67,943 139,446 937,618 2,850,282 Shares redeemed .................... (1,167,979) (623,939) (15,700,846) (11,627,380) ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ Net increase (decrease) ............ (604,474) 973,152 $ (7,575,025) $ 19,920,932 ========== ========== ============ ============ July 22, 2002* July 22, 2002* to to December 31, 2002 December 31, 2002 ================= ================= Class B Shares sold ........................ 3,085 $ 38,903 Shares redeemed .................... (27) (349) ---------- ------------ Net increase ....................... 3,058 $ 38,554 ========== ============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE H: 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 I: Joint Credit Facility 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, 2002. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Commencement of distribution. 14 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 =========================================================== Year Ended December 31, =========================================================== 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Net asset value, beginning of period ................... $ 16.82 $ 22.65 $ 21.66 $ 18.90 $ 15.67 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Income From Investment Operations Net investment income (a) .............................. .36 .29 1.01(b) .41(b) .37(b) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions ................... (4.06) (5.23) 1.36 3.19 3.31 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations .......................................... (3.70) (4.94) 2.37 3.60 3.68 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Less: Dividends and Distributions Dividends from net investment income ................... (.26) (.76) (.36) (.30) (.31) Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions ........................................ -0- (.13) (1.02) (.54) (.14) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total dividends and distributions ...................... (.26) (.89) (1.38) (.84) (.45) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, end of period ......................... $ 12.86 $ 16.82 $ 22.65 $ 21.66 $ 18.90 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Total Return Total investment return based on net asset value (c) ... (22.12)% (22.50)% 11.45% 19.40% 23.91% Ratios/Supplemental Data Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) .............. $40,140 $62,684 $62,362 $46,158 $34,436 Ratio to average net assets of: Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements ......... 1.22% 1.02% 1.00% .95% .95% Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements ......... 1.22% 1.02% 1.04% 1.14% 1.35% Net investment income ............................... 2.60% 1.49% 4.63%(b) 2.07%(b) 2.20%(b) Portfolio turnover rate ................................ 90% 25% 18% 16% 20%
================ CLASS B ================ July 22, 2002(d) to December 31, 2002 ================ Net asset value, beginning of period .......................... $11.40 ------ Income From Investment Operations Net investment income (a) ..................................... .07 Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions ... 1.39 ------ Net increase in net asset value from operations ............... 1.46 ------ Net asset value, end of period ................................ $12.86 ====== Total Return Total investment return based on net asset value (c) .......... 12.81% Ratios/Supplemental Data Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) ..................... $ 39 Ratio to average net assets of: Expenses (e) ............................................... 1.45% Net investment income (e) .................................. 1.92% Portfolio turnover rate ....................................... 90%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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 return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. (d) Commencement of distribution. (e) Annualized. 15 REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ To the Shareholders and Board of Directors AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), (one of the portfolios constituting the Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) as of December 31, 2002, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period 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 audit 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 and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2002, by correspondence with the custodian and others. 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 AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio of the Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2002, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period 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 3, 2003 16 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO 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) 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 5 Times Square New York, NY 10036 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. 17 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND Board of Directors Information The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund's Directors is set forth below.
PORTFOLIOS IN FUND OTHER NAME, AGE OF DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL COMPLEX DIRECTORSHIPS ADDRESS, OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN BY HELD BY (YEARS OF SERVICE*) DURING PAST 5 YEARS DIRECTOR DIRECTOR - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERESTED DIRECTOR John D. Carifa,** 57 President, Chief Operating Officer and 114 None 1345 Avenue of the Americas a Director of Alliance Capital Management New York, NY 10105 Corporation ("ACMC"), with which he has (13) been associated since prior to 1998. DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS Ruth Block, #+, 72 Formerly an Executive Vice President and 93 None P.O. Box 4623 Chief Insurance Officer of The Equitable Stamford, CT 06903 Life Assurance Society of the United States; (11) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Evlico; formerly a Director of Avon, BP Amoco Corporation (oil and gas), Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals), Tandem Financial Group, and Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation. David H. Dievler, #+, 73 Independent consultant. Until December 98 None P.O. Box 167 1994 he was Senior Vice President of ACMC Spring Lake, NJ 07762 responsible for mutual fund administration. (13) Prior to joining ACMC in 1984 he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953. John H. Dobkin, #+, 60 Consultant. He was formerly a Senior Advisor 94 None P.O. Box 12 from June 1999 - June 2000 and President Annandale, NY 12504 of Historic Hudson Valley (December 1989 - (11) May 1999). Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988-92, he was Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of ACMC. William H. Foulk, Jr., #+, 70 Investment adviser and an independent 110 None Suite 100 consultant. He was formerly Senior 2 Sound View Drive Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a Greenwich, CT 06830 registered investment adviser, with which (13) he had been associated since prior to 1998. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.
18 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================
PORTFOLIOS IN FUND OTHER NAME, AGE OF DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL COMPLEX DIRECTORSHIPS ADDRESS, OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN BY HELD BY (YEARS OF SERVICE*) DURING PAST 5 YEARS DIRECTOR DIRECTOR - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS (continued) Clifford L. Michel, #+, 63 Senior Counsel of the law firm of Cahill 93 Placer Dome Inc. 15 St. Bernard's Road Gordon & Reindel since February 2001 Gladstone, NJ 07934 and a partner of that firm for more than (11) twenty-five years prior thereto. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of Placer Dome Inc. (mining). Donald J. Robinson, #+, 68 Senior Counsel to the law firm of Orrick, 92 None 98 Hell's Peak Road Herrington & Sutcliffe since prior to 1998. Weston, VT 05161 Formerly a senior partner and a member of (7) the Executive Committee of that firm. He was also a member and Chairman of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and Trustee of the Museum of the City of New York.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * There is no stated term of office for the Directors. ** Mr. Carifa is an "interested director", as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as President and Chief Operating Officer of ACMC, the Fund's investment adviser. # Member of the Audit Committee. + Member of the Nominating Committee. 19 ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO Alliance Variable Products Series Fund ================================================================================ Officer Information Certain information concerning the Fund's Officers is listed below.
NAME, ADDRESS* POSITION(S) HELD PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND AGE WITH FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John D. Carifa, 57 Chairman & President See biography above. Paul C. Rissman, 46 Vice President Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Annie Tsao, 50 Vice President Senior Vice President of ACMC, with which she has been associated since prior to 1998. Edmund P. Bergan, Jr., 52 Secretary Senior Vice President and the General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. ("AFD") and Alliance Global Investor Services Inc. ("AGIS"), with which he has been associated since prior to 1998. Mark D. Gersten, 52 Treasurer and Chief Senior Vice President of AGIS and Vice President of AFD, with which he Financial Officer has been associated since prior to 1998. Thomas R. Manley, 51 Controller Vice President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior to 1998.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * The address for each of the Fund's Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. ** ACMC, AFD, and AGIS are affiliates of the Fund. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) has additional information about the Fund's Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or Alliance Capital at 800-227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI. 20 (This page left intentionally blank.) -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----