N-CSRS 1 dncsrs.htm ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC. AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

 

Investment Company Act file number:

   811-05398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York   10105
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

Joseph J. Mantineo

Alliance Bernstein L.P.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 221-5672

 

Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2007

 

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2007


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Balanced Shares Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
    January 1, 2007    
   Ending
Account Value
     June 30, 2007     
   Expenses Paid
    During Period*    
   Annualized
    Expense Ratio*    
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $   1,035.69    $     3.63    0.72 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,021.22    $ 3.61    0.72 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,034.29    $ 4.89    0.97 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.98    $ 4.86    0.97 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Federal National Mortgage Association (Bonds & Common Stock)

   $ 8,921,243      4.6 %

American International Group, Inc.

     5,987,565      3.1  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     5,731,635      2.9  

Time Warner, Inc. (Bonds & Common Stock)

     4,904,926      2.5  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     4,613,400      2.4  

Citigroup, Inc.

     4,569,939      2.3  

Procter & Gamble Co.

     4,509,703      2.3  

WellPoint, Inc. (Bonds & Common Stock)

     4,365,292      2.2  

Bank of America Corp.

     4,155,650      2.1  

AT&T, Inc.

     4,013,050      2.0  
                 
     $   51,772,403      26.4 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 51,907,184      25.9 %

Industrials

     24,478,401      12.2  

Health Care

     19,485,566      9.7  

Information Technology

     15,367,611      7.7  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     11,756,316      5.9  

Energy

     11,680,042      5.8  

Consumer Staples

     10,513,716      5.2  

Consumer Discretionary

     9,545,080      4.8  

Mortgage Pass Throughs

     9,326,628      4.6  

Telecommunication Services

     6,285,634      3.1  

Government Related

     5,692,557      2.8  

U.S. Treasuries

     4,727,985      2.4  

Other**

     11,048,476      5.5  

Short-Term Investments

     8,793,354      4.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   200,608,550      100.0 %

 


 

* Long-Term Investments.

 

** The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” represents less than 2.4% weightings in the following sectors: Asset Backed Securities, Corporate Sector, Materials, Mortgage CMOs, Non-Corporate Sectors and Utilities.

 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein for the equity securities are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. The issuer classifications presented herein for the fixed income securities are based on the Lehman Brothers Fixed Income Indices developed by Lehman Brothers. The fund components are divided either into duration, country, bond ratings or corporate sectors as classified by Lehman Brothers. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–64.5%

   
   

FINANCIALS–20.7%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.9%

   

The Bank of New York Co., Inc.

  17,300   $ 716,912

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  8,700     1,885,725

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  27,300     2,034,396

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  35,600     2,975,448

Northern Trust Corp.

  30,300     1,946,472
       
      9,558,953
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.1%

   

Wachovia Corp.

  7,000     358,750

Wells Fargo & Co.

  53,500     1,881,595
       
      2,240,345
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–7.4%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  85,000     4,155,650

Citigroup, Inc.

  89,100     4,569,939

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  118,300     5,731,635
       
      14,457,224
       

INSURANCE–6.2%

   

ACE Ltd.

  55,100     3,444,852

Allstate Corp.

  10,000     615,100

American International Group, Inc.

  85,500     5,987,565

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

  52,700     2,142,255
       
      12,189,772
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.1%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

  33,500     2,188,555
       
      40,634,849
       

HEALTH CARE–9.9%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.6%

   

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  17,500     1,303,750
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–5.6%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  21,500     1,062,100

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

  20,800     1,627,808

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  5,900     460,141

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  70,000     3,579,800

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  52,900     4,223,007
       
      10,952,856
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.7%

   

Eli Lilly & Co.

  38,100     2,129,028

Merck & Co., Inc.

  30,100     1,498,980

Wyeth

  62,800     3,600,952
       
      7,228,960
       
      19,485,566
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.3%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  23,000   $ 640,550
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–3.2%

   

International Business Machines Corp.

  30,400     3,199,600

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  575,300     3,026,078
       
      6,225,678
       

IT SERVICES–0.9%

   

Accenture Ltd.—Class A

  20,700     887,823

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

  15,000     852,000
       
      1,739,823
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.4%

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

  95,000     1,887,650

International Rectifier Corp.(a)

  23,400     871,884
       
      2,759,534
       

SOFTWARE–2.0%

   

Microsoft Corp.

  135,800     4,002,026
       
      15,367,611
       

ENERGY–5.9%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.3%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  7,810     657,055

BJ Services Co.

  11,200     318,528

Nabors Industries Ltd.(a)

  50,600     1,689,028
       
      2,664,611
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.6%

   

Chevron Corp.

  32,000     2,695,680

ConocoPhillips

  9,100     714,350

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  55,000     4,613,400

Noble Energy, Inc.

  15,900     992,001
       
      9,015,431
       
      11,680,042
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–5.4%

   

BEVERAGES–0.6%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  17,000     1,102,450
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Campbell Soup Co.

  10,100     391,981

Kellogg Co.

  6,200     321,098
       
      713,079
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.3%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  73,700     4,509,703
       

TOBACCO–2.1%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  35,700     2,503,998

Loews Corp.—Carolina Group

  21,800     1,684,486
       
      4,188,484
       
      10,513,716
       


 

3


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–4.9%

   

HOTELS RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.1%

   

McDonald’s Corp.

  2,500   $ 126,900
       

MEDIA–4.1%

   

Comcast Corp.—Class A(a)

  15,070     423,769

News Corp.—Class A

  103,100     2,186,751

Time Warner, Inc.

  211,300     4,445,752

Viacom, Inc.—Class B(a)

  25,000     1,040,750
       
      8,097,022
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.7%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  18,600     1,321,158
       
      9,545,080
       

INDUSTRIALS–4.6%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.3%

   

United Technologies Corp.

  35,000     2,482,550
       

AIR FREIGHT &
LOGISTICS–0.1%

   

United Parcel Service, Inc.—
Class B

  2,000     146,000
       

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–1.4%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  59,500     2,784,600
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.4%

   

General Electric Co.

  74,040     2,834,251
       

MACHINERY–0.4%

   

Danaher Corp.

  9,400     709,700
       
      8,957,101
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.2%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.2%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  96,700     4,013,050

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  55,200     2,272,584
       
      6,285,634
       

MATERIALS–1.9%

   

CHEMICALS–1.9%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  41,200     3,311,244

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  8,700     442,308
       
      3,753,552
       

UTILITIES–0.2%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.2%

   

FirstEnergy Corp.

  5,700     368,961
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $97,697,920)

      126,592,112
       
Company  

Principal
Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

CORPORATES—
INVESTMENT
GRADES–13.7%

   
   

INDUSTRIAL–7.2%

   

BASIC–1.0%

   

The Dow Chemical Co.
7.375%, 11/01/29

  $ 15   $ 16,235

Eastman Chemical Co.
7.25%, 1/15/24

    175     180,454

EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co.
3.375%, 11/15/07

    475     471,541

Inco Ltd.
7.75%, 5/15/12

    495     533,593

Lubrizol Corp.
5.50%, 10/01/14

    275     263,485

Noranda Inc.
6.00%, 10/15/15

    295     294,873

Southern Copper Corp.
7.50%, 7/27/35

    195     209,340
       
      1,969,521
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.4%

   

CRH America, Inc.
6.00%, 9/30/16

    250     247,186

Hanson Australia Funding Ltd.
5.25%, 3/15/13

    155     151,525

Hutchison Whampoa International, Ltd.
7.45%, 11/24/33(b)

    100     110,372

Tyco International Group, SA
6.00%, 11/15/13

    115     118,086

Waste Management, Inc.
6.375%, 11/15/12

    175     178,980
       
      806,149
       

COMMUNICATIONS—
MEDIA–0.8%

   

BSKYB Finance UK PLC
5.625%, 10/15/15(b)

    120     115,685

News America Holdings, Inc.
8.25%, 10/17/96

    60     68,251

9.25%, 2/01/13

    100     115,716

News America, Inc.
5.30%, 12/15/14

    100     96,601

The Thomson Corp.
5.75%, 2/01/08

    460     460,386

Time Warner Entertainment Co.
8.375%, 3/15/23

    400     459,174

Viacom, Inc.
7.875%, 7/30/30

    60     62,043

WPP Finance Corp.
5.875%, 6/15/14

    250     247,988
       
      1,625,844
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMUNICATIONS—
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.8%

   

AT&T Corp.
7.30%, 11/15/11

  $ 250   $ 266,120

Bellsouth Capital Funding Corp.
7.12%, 7/15/97

    360     360,848

BellSouth Corp.
5.20%, 9/15/14

    345     331,074

Embarq Corp.
6.738%, 6/01/13

    450     458,585

7.082%, 6/01/16

    280     281,568

GTE Corp.
8.75%, 11/01/21

    390     462,631

New Cingular Wireless
8.75%, 3/01/31

    200     249,324

Nextel Communications, Inc.
Series F
5.95%, 3/15/14

    290     276,211

Qwest Corp.
7.875%, 9/01/11

    200     208,500

Telus Corp.
8.00%, 6/01/11

    100     106,935

Verizon Virginia, Inc.
Series A
4.625%, 3/15/13

    525     492,254
       
      3,494,050
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—AUTOMOTIVE–0.2%

   

DaimlerChrysler North America
4.875%, 6/15/10

    395     387,474
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—OTHER–0.2%

   

DR Horton, Inc.
6.50%, 4/15/16

    80     76,541

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
7.375%, 11/15/15

    181     179,093

7.875%, 5/01/12

    98     102,052
       
      357,686
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—RETAILERS–0.1%

   

CVS Corp.
6.125%, 8/15/16

    150     148,700
       

CONSUMER
NON-CYCLICAL–1.3%

   

Altria Group, Inc.
7.75%, 1/15/27

    210     245,597

Boston Scientific Corp.
5.45%, 6/15/14

    148     139,279

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
6.875%, 8/01/97

    425     437,997

Cadbury Schweppes US Finance LLC
5.125%, 10/01/13(b)

    190     182,528

Fisher Scientific International, Inc.
6.125%, 7/01/15

    455     446,769

Kraft Foods, Inc.
5.25%, 10/01/13

    195     187,506
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Safeway, Inc.
4.95%, 8/16/10

  $ 400   $ 393,276

5.80%, 8/15/12

    200     200,043

Wyeth
6.50%, 2/01/34

    355     365,009
       
      2,598,004
       

ENERGY–0.3%

   

Amerada Hess Corp.
7.30%, 8/15/31

    260     278,829

Valero Energy Corp.
4.75%, 6/15/13

    300     284,528

XTO Energy, Inc.
7.50%, 4/15/12

    100     107,510
       
      670,867
       

SERVICES–0.2%

   

The Western Union Co.
5.93%, 10/01/16

    455     443,912
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.6%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.
Series B
6.50%, 8/01/13

    445     439,817

Hewlett-Packard Co.
3.625%, 3/15/08

    475     468,999

Motorola, Inc.
6.50%, 9/01/25

    105     100,437

7.50%, 5/15/25

    20     21,043

7.625%, 11/15/10

    64     67,454
       
      1,097,750
       

TRANSPORTATION— AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Southwest Airlines Co.
5.25%, 10/01/14

    455     430,711
       

TRANSPORTATION—
RAILROADS–0.1%

   

CSX Corp. 5.50%, 8/01/13

    100     98,051
       
      14,128,719
       

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–5.6%

   

BANKING–2.9%

   

Bank of Tokyo—Mitsubishi UFJ
7.40%, 6/15/11

    200     213,234

Barclays Bank PLC
8.55%, 6/15/11(b)(c)

    50     55,062

The Chuo Mitsui Trust & Banking Co., Ltd.
5.506%, 4/15/15(b)(c)

    300     283,169

Dresdner Funding Trust I
8.151%, 6/30/31(b)

    295     339,770

Fuji JGB Investment
9.87%, 6/30/08(b)(c)

    240     249,485

HBOS PLC
5.375%, 11/01/13(b)(c)

    250     242,082

HSBC Bank USA
5.875%, 11/01/34

    310     295,218

Northern Rock PLC
5.60%, 4/30/14(b)(c)

    445     424,769


 

5


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Popular North America, Inc.
4.25%, 4/01/08

  $ 470   $ 465,188

Rabobank Capital Funding II
5.26%, 12/31/13(b)(c)

    230     220,569

RBS Capital Trust III
5.512%, 9/30/14(c)

    495     475,749

Resona Preferred Global Securities
7.191%, 7/30/15(b)(c)

    413     422,296

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
7.648%, 9/30/31(c)

    250     278,725

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.
5.625%, 10/15/15(b)(c)

    135     128,655

UBS Preferred Funding Trust II
7.247%, 6/26/11(c)

    250     263,854

UBS Preferred Funding Trust V Series 1
6.243%, 5/15/16(c)

    465     466,836

UFJ Finance Aruba AEC
6.75%, 7/15/13

    335     353,725

Unicredito Italiano Capital Trust II
9.20%, 10/05/10(b)(c)

    330     364,393

Wachovia Capital Trust III
5.80%, 3/15/11(c)

    130     129,434
       
      5,672,213
       

BROKERAGE–0.3%

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
5.70%, 9/01/12

    470     469,715

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
7.875%, 8/15/10

    150     159,948
       
      629,663
       

FINANCE–1.0%

   

Capital One Bank
6.50%, 6/13/13

    400     410,818

Countrywide Financial Corp.
6.25%, 5/15/16

    460     451,767

General Electric Capital Corp.
5.875%, 2/15/12

    500     505,853

iStar Financial, Inc.
6.00%, 12/15/10

    200     200,844

Series B

   

5.70%, 3/01/14

    200     195,123

SLM Corp.
5.375%, 1/15/13

    190     167,789
       
      1,932,194
       

INSURANCE–1.2%

   

American RE Corp.
Series B
7.45%, 12/15/26

    140     155,497

CNA Financial Corp.
5.85%, 12/15/14

    85     83,303
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
6.375%, 11/01/08

  $ 125   $ 126,559

ING Groep NV
5.775%, 12/08/15(c)

    470     453,009

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.
5.75%, 3/15/14(b)

    350     338,605

Lincoln National Corp.
7.00%, 5/17/66(c)

    445     456,606

North Front Pass Through Trust
5.81%, 12/15/24(b)(c)

    500     483,151

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
5.25%, 3/15/11

    200     197,893

WellPoint, Inc.
5.25%, 1/15/16

    150     142,285
       
      2,436,908
       

REITS–0.2%

   

Regency Centers LP
5.25%, 8/01/15

    300     285,504
       
      10,956,482
       

UTILITY–0.8%

   

ELECTRIC–0.3%

   

Consumers Energy Co.
Series B
5.375%, 4/15/13

    150     147,615

SPI Electricity & Gas Australia Holdings Pty Ltd.
6.15%, 11/15/13(b)

    250     252,791

TXU Energy Co. LLC
7.00%, 3/15/13

    160     165,038
       
      565,444
       

NATURAL GAS–0.5%

   

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
Series B
7.875%, 4/01/13

    450     491,191

Enterprise Products Operating L.P.
Series B
5.60%, 10/15/14

    150     145,819

Texas Eastern Transmission Corp.
7.30%, 12/01/10

    350     368,163
       
      1,005,173
       
      1,570,617
       

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.1%

   

AGENCIES—NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.1%

   

Petronas Capital, Ltd.
7.00%, 5/22/12(b)

    150     159,297
       

Total Corporates—Investment Grades
(cost $27,261,993)

      26,815,115
       


 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–6.0%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–5.9%

   

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc.
Series 2001-PB1, Class A2
5.787%, 5/11/35

  $ 1,571   $ 1,578,023

Series 2005-1, Class A3
4.877%, 11/10/42

    2,000     1,968,169

Series 2006-5, Class A4
5.414%, 9/10/47

    300     290,526

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-PWR9, Class A4A
4.871%, 9/11/42

    2,000     1,881,134

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp.
Series 2005-GG3, Class A4
4.799%, 8/10/42(c)

    900     846,688

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2004-GG2, Class A6
5.396%, 8/10/38(c)

    600     586,917

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.
Series 2005-LDP3, Class A2
4.851%, 8/15/42

    1,500     1,465,792

Series 2006-CB15, Class A4
5.814%, 6/12/43(c)

    176     174,832

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C1, Class A4
5.156%, 2/15/31

    1,500     1,433,757

Morgan Stanley Capital I
Series 2005-HQ5, Class A4
5.168%, 1/14/42

    1,500     1,440,476
       
      11,666,314
       

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE CMBS–0.1%

   

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2007-EOP, Class E
5.76%, 3/06/20(b)(d)

    90     90,002
       

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $12,184,056)

      11,756,316
       

MORTGAGE
PASS-THRU’S–4.8%

   

FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–2.6%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
6.00%, TBA

    2,325     2,301,025

Series 2006
7.00%, 8/01/36

    1,060     1,087,890

Federal National Mortgage Association
6.50%, TBA

    710     716,656
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Series 2006
5.00%, 1/01/37

  $ 55   $ 51,579

Series 2007
5.00%, 5/01/37

    1,000     936,897
       
      5,094,047
       

FIXED RATE 15-YEAR–1.0%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association
5.00%, TBA

    1,920     1,855,200
       

AGENCY ARMS–0.9%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series 2006
6.03%, 9/01/36(d)

    523     527,055

Series 2007
6.05%, 4/01/37(d)

    358     359,524

Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2007
5.943%, 2/01/37(d)

    550     552,371

6.056%, 2/01/37(d)

    360     363,091
       
      1,802,041
       

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.3%

   

Banc of America Funding Corp.
Series 2007-C, Class 1A3
5.763%, 5/20/36(d)

    334     329,059

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust
Series 2006-3, Class 22A1
6.219%, 5/25/36(c)

    245     246,281
       
      575,340
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $9,366,342)

      9,326,628
       

U.S. TREASURIES–1.7%

   

U.S. Treasury Bonds
4.50%, 2/15/36

    2,870     2,598,696

8.75%, 5/15/17

    300     384,375

U.S. Treasury Notes
4.875%, 5/31/08

    340     339,681
       

Total U.S. Treasuries
(cost $3,420,066)

      3,322,752
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—NON-U.S. ISSUERS–1.5%

   

SOVEREIGNS–1.4%

   

Russian Federation
7.50%, 3/31/30(b)(e)

    1,284     1,408,696

United Mexican States
5.625%, 1/15/17

    1,080     1,057,320

7.50%, 1/14/12

    330     353,595
       
      2,819,611
       

AGENCIES–0.1%

   

Korea Development Bank
5.75%, 9/10/13

    200     201,420
       

Total Government-Related—Non-U.S. Issuers
(cost $3,114,592)

      3,021,031
       


 

7


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–1.3%

   

HOME EQUITY LOANS—FLOATING RATE–0.6%

   

Household Home Equity Loan
Series 2007-1, Class M1
5.70%, 3/20/36(d)

  $ 365   $ 364,730

Newcastle 2007-1 2A1
5.43%, 4/25/37(d)

    345     345,000

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2007-2, Class M1
5.68%, 3/25/37(d)

    125     124,712

RAAC Series
Series 2006-SP3, Class A1
5.40%, 8/25/36(d)

    86     85,627

Soundview Home Equity Loan Trust
Series 2007-OPT2, Class 2A2
5.44%, 7/25/37(d)

    350     350,017
       
      1,270,086
       

HOME EQUITY LOANS—
FIXED RATE–0.4%

   

Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates
Series 2007-S1, Class A3
5.81%, 11/25/36(c)

    375     367,733

Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-CB7, Class AF2
5.147%, 11/25/35(e)

    160     159,027

Home Equity Mortgage Trust
Series 2005-4, Class A3
4.742%, 1/25/36(e)

    156     154,884
       
      681,644
       

AUTOS—FIXED RATE–0.2%

   

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust
Series 2005-SN1A, Class A3A
4.10%, 6/15/08

    119     118,732

Capital One Prime Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2005-1, Class A3
4.32%, 8/15/09

    271     270,195
       
      388,927
       

OTHER—FLOATING RATE–0.1%

   

Libertas Preferred Funding Ltd.
Series 2007-3A, Class 2
5.999%, 4/09/47(b)(d)

    260     239,208
       

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $2,598,904)

      2,579,865
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—
U.S. AGENCIES–1.1%

   

AGENCY DEBENTURES–1.1%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association
6.625%, 10/15/07
(cost $2,251,689)

    2,250     2,256,894
       
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

EMERGING MARKETS—
NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–0.9%

   
   

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.9%

   

SOVEREIGN–0.9%

   

Republic of Brazil
8.25%, 1/20/34

  $ 855   $ 1,049,940

Republic of Panama
9.375%, 4/01/29

    270     357,750

Republic of Peru
8.75%, 11/21/33

    275     356,125
       

Total Emerging Markets—
Non-Investment Grades
(cost $1,834,266)

      1,763,815
       

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–0.7%

   

U.S. Treasury Notes
2.375%, 4/15/11 (TIPS)
(cost $1,400,617)

    1,421     1,405,233
       

CORPORATES—NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–0.6%

   
   

INDUSTRIAL–0.6%

   

BASIC–0.1%

   

Packaging Corp. of America
4.375%, 8/01/08

    200     197,039
       

COMMUNICATIONS—
MEDIA–0.2%

   

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
5.50%, 9/15/14

    215     183,731

DIRECTV Holdings LLC
6.375%, 6/15/15

    64     60,160

RH Donnelley Corp.
Series A-3
8.875%, 1/15/16

    225     234,000
       
      477,891
       

COMMUNICATIONS—
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1%

   

Windstream Corp.
8.125%, 8/01/13

    214     223,630
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

   

Ford Motor Credit Co.
4.95%, 1/15/08

    170     168,727
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—
OTHER–0.1%

   

MGM Mirage
6.75%, 9/01/12

    60     57,300

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Corp.
6.625%, 12/01/14

    45     43,369
       
      100,669
       
      1,167,956
       


 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.0%

   

INSURANCE–0.0%

   

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.
7.80%, 3/15/37(b)

  $ 100   $ 94,153
       

Total Corporates—
Non-Investment Grades
(cost $1,281,894)

      1,262,109
       
    Shares    

NON-CONVERTIBLE—
PREFERRED
STOCKS–0.5%

   
   

UTILITY–0.3%

   

ELECTRIC–0.3%

   

DTE Energy Trust I
7.80%

    20,000     509,000
       

INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

   

COMMUNICATIONS—
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1%

   

Centaur Funding Corp.
9.08%(b)

    200     224,625
       

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.1%

   

BANKING–0.1%

   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
5.75%

    10,000     221,700
       

Total Non-Convertible—
Preferred Stocks
(cost $982,616)

      955,325
       
Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—
U.S. OTHER ISSUERS–0.2%

   

MUNICIPAL BONDS–0.2%

   

Dallas-Fort Worth Texas International Airport Facilities Improvement Corp. MBIA FSA 7.07%, 11/01/24 (cost $409,347)

  $ 400   $ 414,632  
         

CORPORATES–0.1%

   

Mobile Telesystems Finance
9.75%, 1/30/08(b)
(cost $234,397)

    230     234,117  
         

MORTGAGE CMO’S–0.1%

   

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE–0.1%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust Series 2007-OA3, Class M1 5.63%, 4/25/47(d)
(cost $109,833)

    110     109,252  
         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–4.5%

   

AGENCY DISCOUNT
NOTES–4.1%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Zero Coupon, 7/09/07

    2,995     2,992,029  

Federal National Mortgage Association
Zero Coupon, 7/27/07

    4,990     4,972,325  
         
      7,964,354  
         

TIME DEPOSIT–0.4%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07

    829     829,000  
         

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $8,793,357)

      8,793,354  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–102.2%

(cost $172,941,889)

      200,608,550  

Other assets less
liabilities–(2.2)%

      (4,381,883 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 196,226,667  
         


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $6,663,480 or 3.4% of net assets.

 

(c) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2007.

 

(d) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

(e) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

   Glossary:

 

   FSA—Financial Security Assurance Inc.

 

   MBIA—Municipal Bond Investors Assurance

 

   TBA—To Be Announced

 

   TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $172,941,889)

   $ 200,608,550

Cash

     210,798

Receivable for investment securities sold

     2,852,369

Dividends and interest receivable

     896,357

Receivable for capital stock sold

     1,860
      

Total assets

     204,569,934
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     7,919,072

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     140,293

Advisory fee payable

     93,418

Administrative fee payable

     19,223

Distribution fee payable

     9,097

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses

     162,105
      

Total liabilities

     8,343,267
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 196,226,667
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 9,808

Additional paid-in capital

     158,330,940

Undistributed net investment income

     2,443,261

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     7,775,997

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     27,666,661
      
   $ 196,226,667
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   153,875,119      7,681,837      $   20.03

B

     $ 42,351,548      2,126,159      $ 19.92

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 2,008,119  

Dividends

     1,241,889  
        

Total investment income

     3,250,008  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     558,112  

Distribution fee—Class B

     54,323  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,069  

Transfer agency—Class B

     291  

Custodian

     74,243  

Administrative

     47,000  

Printing

     23,574  

Audit

     19,111  

Legal

     7,747  

Directors’ fees

     739  

Miscellaneous

     3,648  
        

Total expenses

     789,857  
        

Net investment income

     2,460,151  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     8,093,867  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (3,828,955 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     4,264,912  
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     352,186  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 7,077,249  
        

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,460,151     $ 5,203,090  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     8,093,867       4,453,419  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (3,828,955 )     13,257,971  

Contribution from Adviser

     352,186       –0
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     7,077,249       22,914,480  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (4,174,710 )     (4,150,250 )

Class B

     (1,026,872 )     (985,740 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (3,457,536 )     (4,500,374 )

Class B

     (940,615 )     (1,194,218 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (9,468,177 )     (24,364,070 )
                

Total decrease

     (11,990,661 )     (12,280,172 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     208,217,328       220,497,500  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,443,261 and $5,184,692, respectively)

   $ 196,226,667     $ 208,217,328  
                

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return consistent with reasonable risk, through a combination of income and long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek to achieve a high return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

13


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums or accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .625% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

During the period ended June 30, 2007, and in response to the Independent Director’s request, the Adviser made a payment of $352,186 to the Portfolio in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a claim for class action settlement proceeds on behalf of the Portfolio.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007 amounted to $38,543, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 36,291,188    $ 36,281,641

U.S. government securities

     18,878,975      39,798,240

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 29,624,467  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,957,806 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 27,666,661  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contracts and the closing of such contracts would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange 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.

 

15


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio earned income of $954 from dollar rolls which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  172,838     249,152       $ 3,604,851     $ 4,829,243  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  378,584     475,571         7,632,246       8,650,624  

Shares redeemed

  (923,993 )   (1,795,391 )       (18,939,657 )     (34,393,034 )
                             

Net decrease

  (372,571 )   (1,070,668 )     $ (7,702,560 )   $ (20,913,167 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  42,406     93,891       $ 879,678     $ 1,805,722  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  98,129     120,506         1,967,487       2,179,958  

Shares redeemed

  (225,056 )   (391,247 )       (4,612,782 )     (7,436,583 )
                             

Net decrease

  (84,521 )   (176,850 )     $ (1,765,617 )   $ (3,450,903 )
                             

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 5,352,104    $ 5,811,401  

Long-term capital gains

     5,478,478      –0
               

Total taxable distributions

     10,830,582      5,811,401  
               

Total distributions paid

   $ 10,830,582    $ 5,811,401  
               

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 5,583,172  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     3,961,239  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     31,216,178 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 40,760,589  
        

 

(a) The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

 

17


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the

 

19


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

20


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
   

Six
Months

Ended

June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.31     $19.18     $18.94     $17.76     $15.30     $17.65  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .25     .49     .43     .46 (b)   .42     .45  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  .44     1.66     .30     1.12     2.47     (2.29 )

Contribution from Adviser

  .04     –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  .73     2.15     .73     1.58     2.89     (1.84 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.55 )   (.49 )   (.49 )   (.40 )   (.43 )   (.32 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.46 )   (.53 )   –0   –0   –0   (.19 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.01 )   (1.02 )   (.49 )   (.40 )   (.43 )   (.51 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $20.03     $20.31     $19.18     $18.94     $17.76     $15.30  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  3.57 %   11.79 %   3.91 %   9.07 %   19.05 %   (10.58 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $153,875     $163,608     $175,005     $193,600     $197,334     $171,670  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .72 %(d)   .73 %(e)   .71 %   .71 %   .79 %   .79 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .72 %(d)   .73 %(e)   .71 %   .76 %   .79 %   .79 %

Net investment income

  2.48 %(d)   2.53 %(e)   2.29 %   2.57 %(b)   2.60 %   2.76 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  28 %   40 %   52 %   60 %   81 %   57 %

 


See footnote summary on page 22.

 

21


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.18     $19.05     $18.83     $17.69     $15.27     $17.65  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .23     .44     .38     .43 (b)   .36     .39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  .43     1.66     .29     1.10     2.48     (2.27 )

Contribution from Adviser

  .04     –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  .70     2.10     .67     1.53     2.84     (1.88 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.50 )   (.44 )   (.45 )   (.39 )   (.42 )   (.31 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.46 )   (.53 )   –0   –0   –0   (.19 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.96 )   (.97 )   (.45 )   (.39 )   (.42 )   (.50 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $19.92     $20.18     $19.05     $18.83     $17.69     $15.27  
                                   

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  3.43 %   11.56 %   3.61 %   8.79 %   18.78 %   (10.80 )%

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $42,352     $44,609     $45,493     $45,047     $23,417     $3,302  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .97 %(d)   .98 %(e)   .96 %   .96 %   1.05 %   1.05 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .97 %(d)   .98 %(e)   .96 %   1.01 %   1.05 %   1.05 %

Net investment income

  2.23 %(d)   2.28 %(e)   2.04 %   2.35 %(b)   2.29 %   2.51 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  28 %   40 %   52 %   60 %   81 %   57 %

 


 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed 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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

22


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

23


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to a composite index (60% Russell 1000 Value Index/40% Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Index) (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (December 1992 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group and Performance Universe comparisons the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile in the 1- and 5-year periods, 4th quintile in the 3-year period, and 1st quintile in the 10-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The Adviser informed the directors that there are no institutional products managed by it which have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and noted that it charged institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized accounts using strategies that differ from those of the Portfolio but which involve investments in securities of the same type that the Portfolio invests in (i.e., equity and fixed income securities). The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio has higher rates and breakpoint levels than the fee schedule applicable to its Corresponding Fund (which was organized many years before the Portfolio).

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 4 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

25


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Balanced

  

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

   $ 202.9    Balanced Shares Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.04 % of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio        Fiscal Year

Balanced Shares Portfolio

   Class A 0.73

Class B 0.98

%

%

     December 31

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc.:4

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule    Effective
ABMF Adv. Fee
 

Balanced Shares Portfolio

   Balanced Shares, Inc.   

0.60% on first $200 million

0.50% on next $200 million

0.40% on the balance

   0.60 %

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)5 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.6

 


 

4 Although AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. was affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG, the fund’s fee schedule was not amended since the fund already had lower breakpoints than the NYAG related master fee schedule.

 

5 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

6 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

27


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee 7
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Balanced Shares Portfolio

   0.550    0.644    3/19

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU8 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)9

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Balanced Shares Portfolio

   0.714    0.767    6/19    0.750    15/35

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $109,918 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $311,756 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

 


 

7 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

8 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

9 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

28


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.10

The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio11 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)12 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.13

 

Balanced Shares Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   11.79    11.79    11.78    9/19    31/64

3 year

   8.21    9.22    8.97    12/19    29/47

5 year

   6.17    5.83    6.12    9/19    22/44

10 year

   8.89    6.43    6.65    3/18    3/33

 


 

10 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

11 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

12 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

13 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

29


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)14 versus its benchmark.15 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.16

 

    

Periods Ending December 31, 2006

Annualized Performance

    1 Year
(%)
  3 Year
(%)
  5 Year
(%)
  10 Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
               Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

Balanced Shares Portfolio

  11.79   8.21   6.17   8.89   9.40   9.79   0.54   10

Russell 1000 Value Index

  22.25   15.09   10.86   11.00   12.99   14.21   0.54   10

Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Bond Index

  3.78   3.44   5.17   6.26   6.49   4.20   0.58   10

60% Russell 1000 Value Index/40% Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Index

  14.86   10.43   8.58   9.10   10.39   N/A   N/A   N/A

Inception Date: December 28, 1992

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

14 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

15 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

16 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

30


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.

 


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,043.38    $ 3.85    0.76 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,021.03    $ 3.81    0.76 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,041.26    $ 5.11    1.01 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.79    $ 5.06    1.01 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes' annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Federal National Mortgage Assoc. (Common Stock and Bonds)

   $ 18,522,640      10.6 %

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

     10,045,896      5.7  

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.

     3,432,909      2.0  

Kreditanstalt feur Wiederaufbau

     2,452,612      1.4  

Google, Inc.-Class A

     2,093,520      1.2  

Japan Finance Corp. for Municipal Enterprises

     2,072,093      1.2  

Apple Computer, Inc.

     2,050,272      1.2  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     1,836,972      1.1  

WellPoint, Inc. (Common Stock & Bonds)

     1,627,029      0.9  

Credit Suisse Group

     1,505,381      0.9  
                 
     $   45,639,324      26.2 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Finance

   $ 43,711,926      24.0 %

Mortgage Pass Throughs

     23,667,752      13.0  

Information Technology

     13,151,053      7.2  

Industrials

     12,372,200      6.8  

Consumer Discretionary

     10,409,660      5.7  

U.S. Treasuries

     10,045,895      5.5  

Health Care

     9,688,401      5.3  

Government Related

     9,023,156      5.0  

Energy

     7,624,122      4.2  

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities

     7,183,366      4.0  

Materials

     6,370,827      3.5  

Consumer Staples

     5,812,973      3.2  

Other**

     11,293,006      6.2  

Short-Term Investments

     11,668,904      6.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   182,023,241      100.0 %

 


 

* Long-term investments.

 

** The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” represents less than 3.2% weightings in the following sectors: Asset Backed Securities, Capital Equipment, Construction & Housing, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, Emerging Markets, Telecommunication Services and Utilities.

 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein for the equity securities are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–63.0%

   
   

FINANCIALS–24.3%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.5%

   

3i Group PLC

  11,371   $ 264,690

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

  2,800     177,996

The Blackstone Group LP(a)

  13,200     386,364

Credit Suisse Group

  12,559     891,577

Credit Suisse Group (New York) (ADR)

  8,650     613,804

Deutsche Bank AG

  1,500     217,091

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  7,675     1,016,707

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  2,490     539,708

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

  1,300     36,192

Lazard Ltd.–Class A

  700     31,521

Legg Mason, Inc.

  8,175     804,257

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

  4,375     314,235

Man Group PLC

  36,414     442,937

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  13,450     1,124,151

Morgan Stanley

  1,700     142,596

Nomura Holdings, Inc.(b)

  14,100     273,869

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  7,848     469,344

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.–Class A

  2,150     55,922
       
      7,802,961
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.9%

   

Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC (London Exchange)

  17,482     355,516

Bank Leumi Le-Israel

  14,400     56,350

Barclays PLC

  18,100     251,824

BNP Paribas SA

  3,100     368,229

China Construction Bank Corp.–Class H

  105,000     72,203

Comerica, Inc.

  3,100     184,357

Credit Agricole SA

  6,241     253,248

Fifth Third Bancorp

  5,400     214,758

HBOS PLC

  11,870     233,475

Keycorp

  4,100     140,753

Kookmin Bank

  1,200     105,250

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

  19     209,393

National City Corp.

  6,700     223,244

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

  26,264     332,331

Societe Generale

  1,460     270,507

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  37     344,929

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  2,150     184,341

U.S. Bancorp

  8,200     270,190

UniCredito Italiano SpA

  44,556     397,957

Wachovia Corp.

  4,500     230,625

Wells Fargo & Co.

  9,200     323,564
       
      5,023,044
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.2%

 

ORIX Corp.

  1,240     326,848
       

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES–3.4%

 

Bank of America Corp.

    23,500   $ 1,148,915

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.–Class A

  2,315     1,237,043

Citigroup, Inc.

  23,500     1,205,315

Fortis

  4,200     178,012

ING Groep NV

  9,300     409,328

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  22,350     1,082,858

Moody's Corp.

  5,400     335,880

NYSE Euronext

  4,350     320,247
       
      5,917,598
       

INSURANCE–2.9%

 

ACE Ltd.

  2,000     125,040

Allianz SE

  1,500     349,796

Allstate Corp.

  4,000     246,040

AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.

  2,100     183,099

American International Group, Inc.

  11,900     833,357

AON Corp.

  2,900     123,569

Aviva PLC

  14,900     221,186

Chubb Corp.

  3,500     189,490

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A

  6,200     146,940

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (ordinary shares)

  2,300     111,196

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (saving shares)

  700     24,781

Genworth Financial, Inc.–
Class A

  6,400     220,160

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  2,600     256,126

MBIA, Inc.

  2,400     149,328

MetLife, Inc.

  4,400     283,712

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  2,000     366,782

Old Republic International Corp.

  7,900     167,954

Prudential Financial, Inc.

  200     19,446

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  10,869     286,779

Swiss Reinsurance

  2,807     255,999

Torchmark Corp.

  1,875     125,625

The Travelers Cos, Inc.

  5,700     304,950

UnumProvident Corp.

  3,900     101,829
       
      5,093,184
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–6.5%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  1,825     176,697

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

  3,940     79,697

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

  3,600     181,512

Archstone-Smith Trust

  1,550     91,621

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

  60,000     115,437

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  6,600     77,616

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

  1,550     184,264


 

3


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

  3,519   $ 160,714

Boston Properties, Inc.

  1,950     199,154

British Land Co. PLC

  14,744     394,539

Brixton PLC

  4,100     35,896

Camden Property Trust

  1,800     120,546

Canadian Apartment Properties REI

  6     107

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

  4,473     122,312

CapitaMall Trust

  81,600     225,311

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

  4,920     99,491

DB RREEF Trust

  228,170     378,794

Developers Diversified Realty Corp.

  1,950     102,784

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  5,400     203,472

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust

  3,320     143,364

Equity Residential

  5,050     230,431

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  675     78,502

Federal Realty Investment Trust

  950     73,397

Felcor Lodging Trust, Inc.

  3,800     98,914

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

  600     23,256

Fonciere Des Regions

  1,250     182,333

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  6,475     342,851

General Property Group

  33,885     133,564

Great Portland Estates PLC

  11,300     149,889

H&R Real Estate Investment

  1,700     36,609

Hammerson PLC

  4,850     138,888

Health Care Property Investors, Inc.

  4,300     124,399

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  8,829     204,126

ING Office Fund

  110,600     163,632

Japan Real Estate Investment–Class A

  14     164,532

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.–Class A

  34     294,688

Kimco Realty Corp.

  4,850     184,640

Klepierre

  1,865     315,813

Land Securities Group PLC

  11,341     394,957

LaSalle Hotel Properties

  1,500     65,130

Macerich Co.

  500     41,210

Macquarie Goodman Group

  20,507     116,384

Maguire Properties, Inc.

  2,700     92,691

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  2,250     118,080

Mirvac Group

  60,702     292,794

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  5,400     146,880

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.–Class A

  11     152,593

Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.–Class A

  16     172,489

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  4,300     68,069

Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust

  3,577     65,441
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Prologis

  8,275   $ 470,848

Public Storage

  1,250     96,025

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

  10,471     232,474

Segro PLC

  4,700     58,624

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  5,550     516,372

SL Green Realty Corp.

  1,200     148,668

Stockland

  14,779     101,814

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  4,400     98,956

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

  2,800     79,492

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  3,350     125,458

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  2,050     101,701

UDR, Inc.

  1,850     48,655

Unibail

  2,325     594,583

Ventas, Inc.

  7,000     253,750

Vornado Realty Trust

  2,900     318,536

Westfield Group

  22,589     381,150
       
      11,387,616
       

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–3.1%

 

Beni Stabili SpA

  122,900     178,840

Brookfield Properties Corp.

  6,925     168,347

Citycon Oyj

  29,700     190,358

Derwent Valley Holdings PLC

  5,750     210,842

Deutsche Wohnen AG

  1,900     98,473

Eurocastle Investment Ltd.

  4,500     207,930

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.–
Class A

  2,850     175,218

Hang Lung Properties, Ltd.

  74,000     255,517

IVG Immobilien AG

  4,300     168,811

Keppel Land Ltd.

  27,000     154,741

Kerry Properties Ltd.

  74,746     469,447

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

  13,000     352,698

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

  15,100     423,228

New World Development Co., Ltd.

  158,807     397,426

Norwegian Property ASA

  10,900     135,699

NTT Urban Development Corp.(b)

  235     455,039

Sino Land Co.

  162,561     338,450

Sponda OYJ

  13,300     192,489

Sumitomo Realty & Development

  12,000     390,797

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

  29,700     357,370
       
      5,321,720
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.8%

   

Astoria Financial Corp.

  2,300     57,592

Countrywide Financial Corp.

  7,000     254,450

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  3,675     223,073

Federal National Mortgage Association

  6,800     444,244

MGIC Investment Corp.

  2,700     153,522

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  7,000     298,480
       
      1,431,361
       
      42,304,332
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–7.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT–1.3%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  47,050   $ 1,310,343

Nokia OYJ

  13,384     375,893

Qualcomm, Inc.

  12,600     546,714
       
      2,232,950
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–2.6%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  16,800     2,050,272

Compal Electronics, Inc.

  56,000     60,436

Fujitsu, Ltd.

  20,000     147,325

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  24,400     1,088,728

International Business Machines Corp.

  1,925     202,606

Lexmark International, Inc.–
Class A(a)

  2,300     113,413

Network Appliance, Inc.(a)

  14,900     435,080

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  32,700     172,002

Toshiba Corp.

  26,000     226,533
       
      4,496,395
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.3%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  950     36,508

AU Optronics Corp.

  85,000     145,204

Avnet, Inc.(a)

  2,500     99,100

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  1,300     14,040

HON HAI Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

  6,000     51,825

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  9,400     29,422

Solectron Corp.(a)

  29,600     108,928

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  1,400     53,844
       
      538,871
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.4%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  4,550     221,312

eBay, Inc.(a)

  5,800     186,644

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  4,000     2,093,520
       
      2,501,476
       

IT SERVICES–0.2%

 

Cap Gemini SA

  2,224     162,594

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  3,200     88,736

Infosys Technologies, Ltd.

  1,433     67,819
       
      319,149
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.2%

   

Canon, Inc.

  7,250     425,162
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.9%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  19,300     564,525

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(a)

  4,500     161,900

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  7,000     289,170

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  140     85,589

Siliconware Precision Industries Co.

  36,000     76,834
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  5,400   $ 203,202

United Microelectronics Corp.

  343,114     205,170
       
      1,586,390
       

SOFTWARE–0.6%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  10,100     405,515

Microsoft Corp.

  18,500     545,195

Oracle Corp.(a)

  2,700     53,217
       
      1,003,927
       
      13,104,320
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–6.0%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.6%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  2,300     130,801

BorgWarner, Inc.

  1,375     118,305

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–
Class B

  2,200     307,437

Denso Corp.

  3,500     136,887

Hyundai Mobis

  1,710     162,232

Johnson Controls, Inc.

  1,100     127,347
       
      983,009
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.8%

   

Fiat SpA

  13,474     400,217

General Motors Corp.

  2,400     90,720

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

  19,600     209,835

Renault SA

  3,300     529,284

Suzuki Motor Corp.

  1,400     39,757

Toyota Motor Corp.

  2,200     138,746
       
      1,408,559
       

HOTELS RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–1.2%

   

Accor SA

  2,581     228,163

Hilton Hotels Corp.

  13,900     465,233

Las Vegas Sands Corp.(a)

  700     53,473

McDonald’s Corp.

  11,800     598,968

MGM Mirage(a)

  600     49,488

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  9,975     669,023
       
      2,064,348
       

HOUSEHOLD
DURABLES–0.4%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  1,400     123,634

Centex Corp.

  1,700     68,170

KB Home

  2,800     110,236

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

  1,900     55,917

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  3,200     71,840

Sharp Corp.

  11,000     208,532
       
      638,329
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

Mattel, Inc.

  3,900     98,631
       

MEDIA–1.4%

 

CBS Corp.–Class B

  7,800     259,896

Citadel Broadcasting Corp.

  138     890

Comcast Corp.–Class A(a)

  4,950     139,194


 

5


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENT  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Comcast Corp.-Special–
Class A(a)

  42,350   $ 1,184,106

Gannett Co., Inc.

  2,000     109,900

Grupo Televisa SA (ADR)

  4,000     110,440

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.(a)

  5,500     62,700

Pearson PLC

  6,521     109,848

Time Warner, Inc.

  13,600     286,144

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  3,800     158,194
       
      2,421,312
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.0%

   

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.(a)

  900     39,195

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  4,800     164,736

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  9,725     690,767

Macy’s, Inc.

  6,000     238,680

Saks, Inc.

  3,400     72,590

Target Corp.

  7,800     496,080
       
      1,702,048
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.5%

   

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  14,500     184,229

The Gap, Inc.

  8,400     160,440

Home Depot, Inc.

  1,800     70,830

Inditex SA

  3,421     201,357

Ltd. Brands, Inc.

  3,650     100,193

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  3,300     99,990
       
      817,039
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.1%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  3,300     93,225

VF Corp.

  2,000     183,160
       
      276,385
       
      10,409,660
       

HEALTH CARE–5.6%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.1%

 

Celgene Corp.(a)

  7,100     407,043

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  9,150     692,289

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  21,700     841,309
       
      1,940,641
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.8%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  6,525     880,288

Essilor International SA

  1,748     208,197

Nobel Biocare Holding AG

  630     205,652
       
      1,294,137
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.2%

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A

  1,700     84,099

Cardinal Health, Inc.

  800     56,512

McKesson Corp.

  800     47,712

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  4,300     335,357

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

  10,600     69,006
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  18,400   $ 1,468,872
       
      2,061,558
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–2.5%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  14,300     765,765

AstraZeneca PLC

  3,000     160,773

Eli Lilly & Co.

  1,500     83,820

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

  5,400     140,670

Johnson & Johnson

  2,500     154,050

Merck & Co., Inc.

  13,200     657,360

Merck KGaA

  1,608     220,006

Pfizer, Inc.

  38,500     984,445

Roche Holding AG

  1,663     294,661

Sanofi-Aventis

  2,600     210,047

Schering-Plough Corp.

  6,000     182,640

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)

  7,200     297,000

Wyeth

  4,200     240,828
       
      4,392,065
       
      9,688,401
       

INDUSTRIALS–5.0%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.8%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  16,900     136,374

Boeing Co.

  15,050     1,447,208

Honeywell International, Inc.

  9,700     545,916

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  1,000     94,130

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  2,350     182,995

Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc.–Class A(a)

  13,600     490,280

United Technologies Corp.

  2,300     163,139
       
      3,060,042
       

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Air France-KLM

  3,200     148,895

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  4,600     128,304
       
      277,199
       

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

Cie de Saint-Gobain

  631     70,686
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Capita Group PLC

  10,626     154,256

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

  3,800     177,916
       
      332,172
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.4%

   

Fluor Corp.

  3,300     367,521

Vinci SA

  4,812     359,154
       
      726,675
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

ABB Ltd.

  16,742     377,495

Emerson Electric Co.

  3,800     177,840

Renewable Energy Corp. AS(a)

  2,206     85,435
       
      640,770
       


 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.8%

   

General Electric Co.

  30,100   $ 1,152,228

Tyco International, Ltd.

  5,000     168,950
       
      1,321,178
       

MACHINERY–0.8%

   

Atlas Copco AB(b)

  11,587     192,996

Cummins, Inc.

  1,400     141,694

Deere & Co.

  2,000     241,480

Eaton Corp.

  2,400     223,200

NGK Insulators Ltd.

  13,000     319,268

PACCAR, Inc.

  2,400     208,896

SPX Corp.

  1,425     125,129

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

  800     9,044
       
      1,461,707
       

MARINE–0.2%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  16,000     216,943

Nippon Yusen KK(b)

  16,000     146,742
       
      363,685
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.2%

 

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  22,000     439,054
       
      8,693,168
       

ENERGY–4.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.0%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  6,250     525,812

Halliburton Co.

  7,250     250,125

Schlumberger, Ltd.

  9,200     781,448

Technip SA

  1,043     86,207
       
      1,643,592
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE
FUELS–3.4%

   

BP PLC

  7,100     85,430

Chevron Corp.

  11,400     960,336

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

  160,000     178,506

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.–Class H

  55,000     191,915

ConocoPhillips

  6,600     518,100

ENI SpA

  9,900     358,949

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  21,900     1,836,972

Marathon Oil Corp.

  5,600     335,776

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  800     46,304

Petro-Canada

  300     15,947

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NY) (ADR)

  3,200     341,376

Repsol YPF SA

  4,300     170,231

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

  6,244     254,199

Total SA

  8,467     686,489
       
      5,980,530
       
      7,624,122
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MATERIALS–3.6%

   

CHEMICALS–1.9%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  3,800   $ 305,406

Ashland, Inc.

  2,000     127,900

BASF AG

  2,700     353,207

Bayer AG

  4,874     367,141

Dow Chemical Co.

  6,500     287,430

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  5,200     264,368

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

  1,550     80,817

Lubrizol Corp.

  1,525     98,439

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  25,500     234,087

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.(b)

  12,400     94,180

Monsanto Co.

  11,600     783,464

Nitto Denko Corp.

  5,600     282,259

PPG Industries, Inc.

  800     60,888
       
      3,339,586
       

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS–0.0%

   

Buzzi Unicem SpA

  3,000     103,297
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–0.4%

   

Bemis, Inc.

  2,700     89,586

Crown Holdings, Inc.(a)

  4,600     114,862

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  3,300     115,500

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  7,000     93,170

Sonoco Products Co.

  2,200     94,182

Temple-Inland, Inc.

  3,100     190,743
       
      698,043
       

METALS & MINING–1.3%

   

Antofagasta PLC

  11,100     136,041

Arcelor Mittal (Euronext Amsterdam)

  4,168     260,303

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  6,000     267,300

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  5,700     354,290

Kazakhmys PLC

  2,800     70,494

MMC Norilsk Nickel (ADR)

  484     101,156

POSCO

  300     144,025

Rio Tinto PLC

  3,162     241,905

Xstrata PLC

  10,992     654,387
       
      2,229,901
       
      6,370,827
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–3.3%

   

BEVERAGES–0.5%

   

Cia de Bebidas das Americas (ADR)

  1,000     70,000

The Coca-Cola Co.

  2,000     104,620

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  8,300     199,200

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

  1,900     175,674

PepsiCo, Inc.

  5,950     385,858
       
      935,352
       


 

7


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–0.4%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV(a)

  16,700   $ 209,466

The Kroger Co.

  3,700     104,081

Safeway, Inc.

  5,600     190,568

Tesco PLC

  12,479     104,408

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  1,400     67,354
       
      675,877
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.9%

   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

  4,100     110,126

General Mills, Inc.

  2,425     141,668

Kellogg Co.

  3,100     160,549

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  11,500     405,375

Nestle SA

  1,132     430,130

Sara Lee Corp.

  10,500     182,700

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  2,750     152,103
       
      1,582,651
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.1%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  3,200     207,520

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

  2,025     135,452

Procter & Gamble Co.

  21,550     1,318,644

Reckitt Benckiser PLC

  3,767     206,227
       
      1,867,843
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

L'Oreal SA

  1,461     172,691
       

TOBACCO–0.3%

 

Altria Group, Inc.

  7,100     497,994

UST, Inc.

  1,500     80,565
       
      578,559
       
      5,812,973
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.2%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.3%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  22,100     917,150

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  59,000     162,870

Embarq Corp.

  370     23,447

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.(b)

  31     137,185

Telefonica SA

  6,138     136,596

Telekomunikasi Indonesia
Tbk PT

  61,000     66,172

TeliaSonera AB(b)

  14,173     103,975

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  16,400     675,188
       
      2,222,583
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.9%

   

America Movil SAB de CV
Series L (ADR)

  11,250     696,712

American Tower Corp.–
Class A(a)

  1,100     46,200
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Sprint Nextel Corp.

    16,200   $ 335,502

Vodafone Group PLC

    152,455     510,848
       
      1,589,262
       
      3,811,845
       

UTILITIES–1.0%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.5%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.(a)

    1,800     93,132

American Electric Power
Co., Inc.

    5,300     238,712

E.ON AG

    2,500     417,407

Entergy Corp.

    900     96,615

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    1,800     71,730
       
      917,596
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.2%

   

Constellation Energy
Group, Inc.

    2,200     191,774

International Power PLC

    17,777     152,805
       
      344,579
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.3%

   

Ameren Corp.

    4,100     200,941

RWE AG

    1,960     207,917

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    2,350     103,941
       
      512,799
       
      1,774,974
       

CONSTRUCTION & HOUSING–0.1%

   

BUILDING MATERIALS–0.1%

   

CRH PLC

    4,204     206,988
       

CAPITAL
EQUIPMENT–0.0%

   

AEROSPACE &
DEFENSE–0.0%

   

European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., NV

    630     20,446
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $93,662,971)

      109,822,056
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

MORTGAGE
PASS-THRU'S–13.6%

   

FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–11.0%

   

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

6.00%, TBA

  $       2,685     2,657,312

Series 2007

7.00%, 2/01/37

    756     775,597

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

4.50%, TBA

    1,220     1,109,056

6.00%, TBA

    795     785,808

6.50%, TBA

    3,150     3,179,531


 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Series 2004

   

5.50%, 11/01/34

  $          487   $ 471,578

Series 2005

   

5.50%, 7/01/35

    268     259,236

Series 2006

   

5.00%, 2/01/36

    965     906,577

5.50%, 1/01/36-11/01/36

    6,442     6,228,629

6.50%, 8/01/36-12/01/36

    1,316     1,328,388

Series 2007

   

5.00%, 5/01/37

    485     454,516

5.50%, 5/01/36

    983     950,435
       
      19,106,663
       

AGENCY ARMS–1.1%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2006

   

5.831%, 12/01/36(c)

    1,229     1,228,772

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2005

   

4.182%, 9/01/35(c)

    130     130,956

Series 2006

   

5.481%, 5/01/36(c)

    66     65,856

5.802%, 3/01/36(c)

    156     156,877

5.862%, 11/01/36(c)

    119     120,229

5.927%, 6/01/36(c)

    115     115,806

Series 2007

   

5.776%, 1/01/37(c)

    169     169,231
       
      1,987,727
       

FIXED RATE 15-YEAR–0.8%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

5.00%, TBA

    160     154,600

Series 2005

   

5.00%, 4/01/19-10/01/20

    708     685,599

Series 2006

   

5.00%, 3/01/20-12/01/21

    475     459,218

Series 2007

   

5.00%, 2/01/22

    158     152,549
       
      1,451,966
       

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.7%

   

Banc of America Funding Corp.

   

Series 2007-C, Class 1A3

   

5.763%, 5/20/36(c)

    251     247,987

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust

   

Series 2006-1, Class 22A1

   

5.405%, 2/25/36(d)

    215     213,384

Series 2006-3, Class 22A1

   

6.219%, 5/25/36(d)

    68     68,201

Series 2007-1, Class 21A1

   

5.74%, 1/25/47(d)

    71     70,907

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.

   

Series 2005-2, Class 1A4

   

5.107%, 5/25/35(d)

    137     134,708
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Series 2006-AR1, Class 3A1

   

5.50%, 3/25/36(c)

  $    153   $ 153,484

Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust

   

Series 2006-AR7, Class 4A1

   

6.237%, 5/25/36(d)

    91     91,462

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005-SA3, Class 3A

   

5.235%, 8/25/35(d)

    144     141,263
       
      1,121,396
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $23,954,128)

      23,667,752
       

U.S. TREASURIES–5.8%

   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   

4.50%, 2/15/36

          2,490     2,254,618

8.75%, 5/15/17

    2,885     3,696,406

U.S. Treasury Notes

   

4.875%, 5/31/08-5/31/11

    4,100     4,094,871
       

Total U.S. Treasuries
(cost $10,138,558)

      10,045,895
       

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–4.1%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–4.1%

   

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc.

   

Series 2001-PB1, Class A2

   

5.787%, 5/11/35

    169     169,420

Series 2004-4, Class A3

   

4.128%, 7/10/42

    200     194,399

Series 2004-6, Class A2

   

4.161%, 12/10/42

    140     135,783

Series 2005-6, Class A4

   

5.353%, 9/10/47(d)

    315     302,808

Series 2006-5, Class A4

   

5.414%, 9/10/47

    205     198,526

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2004-C1, Class A4

   

5.529%, 4/15/40(d)

    110     108,146

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.

   

Series 2003-CK2, Class A2

   

3.861%, 3/15/36

    45     44,195

Series 2004-C1, Class A4

   

4.75%, 1/15/37

    70     66,226

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates

   

Series 2006-C3, Class A3

   

5.827%, 6/15/38(d)

    190     190,347

Series 2006-C4, Class A3

   

5.467%, 9/15/39

    235     228,103


 

9


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2005-C3, Class A3FX

   

4.863%, 7/10/45

  $          360   $ 352,560

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II

   

Series 2001-ROCK, Class C

   

6.878%, 5/03/18(e)

    605     631,820

Series 2004-GG2, Class A6

   

5.396%, 8/10/38(d)

    80     78,256

Series 2007-GG10, Class A2

   

5.778%, 8/10/45

    490     491,666

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.

   

Series 2004-C1, Class A2

   

4.302%, 1/15/38

    60     57,208

Series 2005-LDP3, Class A2

   

4.851%, 8/15/42

    100     97,719

Series 2005-LDP4, Class A2

   

4.79%, 10/15/42

    210     204,952

Series 2005-LDP5, Class A2

   

5.198%, 12/15/44

    60     59,104

Series 2006-CB14, Class A4

   

5.481%, 12/12/44

    50     48,775

Series 2006-CB15, Class A4

   

5.814%, 6/12/43

    110     109,270

Series 2006-CB16, Class A4

   

5.552%, 5/12/45

    200     195,408

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2003-C3, Class A4

   

4.166%, 5/15/32

    150     138,646

Series 2004-C4, Class A4

   

5.132%, 6/15/29(d)

    40     39,346

Series 2004-C8, Class A2

   

4.201%, 12/15/29

    125     121,198

Series 2005-C1, Class A4

   

4.742%, 2/15/30

    120     112,313

Series 2005-C7, Class A4

   

5.197%, 11/15/30

    50     47,950

Series 2006-C3, Class A4

   

5.661%, 3/15/39(d)

    285     281,370

Series 2006-C4, Class A4

   

5.899%, 6/15/38(d)

    275     276,925

Series 2006-C6, Class A4

   

5.372%, 9/15/39

    225     218,203

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2005-CKI1, Class A6

   

5.417%, 11/12/37(d)

    40     38,616

Series 2005-MKB2, Class A2

   

4.806%, 9/12/42

    320     314,092

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2006-2, Class A4

   

6.105%, 6/12/46(d)

    110     110,822

Series 2006-3, Class A4

   

5.414%, 7/12/46(d)

    280     270,863

Series 2007-6, Class A4

   

5.485%, 3/12/51(d)

    260     251,581
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Morgan Stanley Capital I

   

Series 2004-HQ4, Class A5

   

4.59%, 4/14/40

  $          190   $ 182,320

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2007-C30, Class A3

   

5.246%, 12/15/43

    345     338,248

Series 2007-C32, Class A2

   

5.74%, 6/15/49(d)

    400     401,180
       
      7,108,364
       

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE CMBS–0.0%

   

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II

   

Series 2007-EOP, Class E

   

5.76%, 3/06/20(c)(e)

    75     75,002
       

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $7,271,046)

      7,183,366
       

CORPORATES–
INVESTMENT
GRADES–3.0%

   

INDUSTRIAL–1.8%

   

BASIC–0.1%

   

The Dow Chemical Co.

   

7.375%, 11/01/29

    10     10,824

International Paper Co.

   

5.30%, 4/01/15

    55     51,938

International Steel Group, Inc.

   

6.50%, 4/15/14

    60     61,183

Lubrizol Corp.

   

4.625%, 10/01/09

    20     19,608

Westvaco Corp.

   

8.20%, 1/15/30

    15     15,870

Weyerhaeuser Co.

   

5.95%, 11/01/08

    35     35,257
       
      194,680
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.1%

   

Boeing Capital Corp.

   

4.75%, 8/25/08

    35     34,760

Textron Financial Corp.

   

4.125%, 3/03/08

    80     79,351

Tyco International Group, SA

   

6.00%, 11/15/13

    85     87,281

Waste Management, Inc.

   

6.875%, 5/15/09

    40     40,909
       
      242,301
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.3%

   

British Sky Broadcasting PLC

   

8.20%, 7/15/09

    20     20,975

Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc.

   

9.455%, 11/15/22

    55     69,803

Comcast Cable Communications LLC

   

6.875%, 6/15/09

    50     51,194


 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Comcast Cable
Communications, Inc.

   

6.20%, 11/15/08

  $            40   $ 40,317

Comcast Corp.

   

5.30%, 1/15/14

    40     38,557

5.50%, 3/15/11

    50     49,749

Cox Enterprises, Inc.

   

4.375%, 5/01/08(e)

    40     39,599

News America, Inc.

   

6.55%, 3/15/33

    45     43,888

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.

   

4.95%, 4/01/14

    25     22,839

Time Warner Entertainment Co.

   

8.375%, 3/15/23

    130     149,232

WPP Finance Corp.

   

5.875%, 6/15/14

    25     24,799
       
      550,952
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS–0.6%

   

AT&T Corp.

   

7.30%, 11/15/11

    40     42,579

8.00%, 11/15/31

    15     17,829

British Telecommunications PLC

   

8.625%, 12/15/10

    100     109,277

Embarq Corp.

   

6.738%, 6/01/13

    5     5,095

7.082%, 6/01/16

    240     241,344

New Cingular Wireless
Services, Inc.

   

7.875%, 3/01/11

    95     102,142

8.75%, 3/01/31

    50     62,331

Qwest Corp.

   

8.875%, 3/15/12

    10     10,775

Sprint Capital Corp.

   

8.375%, 3/15/12

    120     130,727

Telecom Italia Capital SA

   

4.00%, 1/15/10

    120     115,359

6.00%, 9/30/34

    65     58,560

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

4.90%, 9/15/15

    35     32,761

Verizon New Jersey, Inc.

   

Series A

   

5.875%, 1/17/12

    45     45,167

Vodafone Group PLC

   

5.50%, 6/15/11

    60     59,517
       
      1,033,463
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
AUTOMOTIVE–0.0%

   

DaimlerChrysler North America

   

4.875%, 6/15/10

    25     24,524
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1%

   

Centex Corp.

   

5.45%, 8/15/12

    34     32,441
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

   

7.375%, 11/15/15

  $          81   $ 80,146

7.875%, 5/01/12

    84     87,473

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.

   

6.875%, 11/15/12

    40     40,770
       
      240,830
       

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.3%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

   

7.75%, 1/15/27

    85     99,408

Cadbury Schweppes US Finance LLC

   

5.125%, 10/01/13(e)

    135     129,691

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

   

7.875%, 9/15/10

    19     20,268

Kraft Foods, Inc.

   

4.125%, 11/12/09

    115     111,407

The Kroger Co.

   

7.80%, 8/15/07

    45     45,113

Safeway, Inc.

   

4.125%, 11/01/08

    18     17,721

4.80%, 7/16/07

    20     19,989

6.50%, 3/01/11

    15     15,382

Wyeth

   

5.50%, 2/01/14

    40     39,423
       
      498,402
       

ENERGY–0.1%

 

Amerada Hess Corp.

   

7.875%, 10/01/29

    55     61,995

Valero Energy Corp.

   

6.875%, 4/15/12

    45     47,125
       
      109,120
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.2%

 

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

   

Series B

   

6.50%, 8/01/13

    145     143,311

IBM Corp.

   

4.375%, 6/01/09

    20     19,686

Motorola, Inc.

   

6.50%, 9/01/25

    70     66,958

7.50%, 5/15/25

    15     15,783

7.625%, 11/15/10

    5     5,270
       
      251,008
       
      3,145,280
       

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.8%

   

BANKING–0.2%

 

Bank of America Corp.

   

4.50%, 8/01/10

    100     97,655

Citigroup, Inc.

   

4.625%, 8/03/10

    75     73,414

5.50%, 6/09/09(c)

    20     20,045

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

6.75%, 2/01/11

    80     83,116


 

11


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

4.20%, 1/15/10

  $            35   $ 34,114

Zions Bancorporation

   

5.50%, 11/16/15

    35     33,639
       
      341,983
       

BROKERAGE–0.1%

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

   

4.75%, 7/15/13

    35     33,128

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

   

4.79%, 8/04/10

    105     102,892
       
      136,020
       

FINANCE–0.4%

 

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.

   

4.00%, 3/22/11

    65     60,927

4.25%, 12/19/07

    55     54,675

General Electric Capital Corp.

   

4.375%, 11/21/11

    25     23,903

6.75%, 3/15/32

    135     146,471

HSBC Finance Inc.

   

6.50%, 11/15/08

    80     81,123

7.00%, 5/15/12

    40     42,115

iStar Financial, Inc.

   

5.15%, 3/01/12

    20     19,246

SLM Corp.

   

4.50%, 7/26/10

    55     50,854

5.375%, 1/15/13

    165     145,711
       
      625,025
       

INSURANCE–0.1%

 

Assurant, Inc.

   

5.625%, 2/15/14

    35     34,253

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.

   

4.20%, 12/15/10

    50     48,212

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.

   

5.75%, 3/15/14(e)

    35     33,860

WellPoint, Inc.

   

3.50%, 9/01/07

    65     64,789

3.75%, 12/14/07

    16     15,875

4.25%, 12/15/09

    80     77,493
       
      274,482
       

REITS–0.0%

 

Simon Property Group LP

   

6.375%, 11/15/07

    30     30,084
       
      1,407,594
       

UTILITY–0.4%

 

ELECTRIC–0.4%

 

Carolina Power & Light Co.

   

6.50%, 7/15/12

    65     67,388

Consumers Energy Co.

   

Series C

   

4.25%, 4/15/08

    25     24,747

Exelon Corp.

   

6.75%, 5/01/11

    25     25,779
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

FirstEnergy Corp.

   

Series B

   

6.45%, 11/15/11

  $            65   $ 66,652

Series C

   

7.375%, 11/15/31

    85     92,017

MidAmerican Energy
Holdings Co.

   

5.875%, 10/01/12

    30     30,259

Nisource Finance Corp.

   

7.875%, 11/15/10

    40     42,591

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

   

4.80%, 3/01/14

    65     61,431

Progress Energy, Inc.

   

7.10%, 3/01/11

    19     19,909

Public Service Company of Colorado

   

7.875%, 10/01/12

    30     32,915

SPI Electricity & Gas Australia Holdings Pty Ltd.

   

6.15%, 11/15/13(e)

    238     240,657
       
      704,345
       

NATURAL GAS–0.0%

   

Duke Energy Field Services Corp.

   

7.875%, 8/16/10

    15     15,930

Enterprise Products
Operating L.P.

   

Series B

   

5.60%, 10/15/14

    25     24,303
       
      40,233
       
      744,578
       

Total Corporates–Investment Grades (cost $5,403,705)

      5,297,452
       

GOVERNMENT–RELATED
–AGENCIES–2.9%

   

Japan Finance Corp. for Municipal Enterprises

   

1.55%, 2/21/12(b)

    JPY  253,000     2,072,093

2.00%, 5/09/16(b)

    60,000     492,096

Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau

   

1.75%, 3/23/10(b)

    114,000     939,560

Series INTL

   

1.85%, 9/20/10(b)

    183,000     1,513,052
       

Total Government-Related–Agencies (cost $5,211,578)

      5,016,801
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–NON-U.S. ISSUERS–1.4%

   

SOVEREIGNS–1.4%

   

Russian Federation

   

7.5%, 3/31/30(b)(e)(f)

    1,104     1,212,134


 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

United Mexican States

   

5.625%, 1/15/17(b)

  $          928   $ 908,512

7.50%, 1/14/12(b)

    285     305,377
       

Total Government-Related–Non-U.S. Issuers
(cost $2,433,851)

      2,426,023
       

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–1.4%

   

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.9%

   

Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005–SD1, Class 1A1

   

5.47%, 4/25/22(c)

    8     8,256

Series 2007–HE3, Class M1

   

5.77%, 4/25/37(c)

    100     100,406

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005–CB7, Class AF2

   

5.147%, 11/25/35(f)

    170     168,966

Home Equity Asset Trust

   

Series 2007–3, Class M1

   

5.67%, 8/25/37(c)

    275     275,352

HSI Asset Securitization Corp. Trust

   

Series 2006–OPT2, Class 2A1

   

5.40%, 1/25/36(c)

    43     42,587

Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust

   

Series 2006–D, Class 2A2

   

5.43%, 11/25/36(c)

    295     294,631

IXIS Real Estate Capital Trust

   

Series 2006–HE3, Class A2

   

5.42%, 1/25/37(c)

    195     194,909

Lehman XS Trust

   

Series 2007–4N, Class M1

   

5.77%, 3/25/47(c)

    265     264,995

RAAC Series

   

Series 2006–SP3, Class A1

   

5.40%, 8/25/36(c)

    54     54,230

Residential Asset Securities Corp.

   

Series 2003–KS3, Class A2

   

5.92%, 5/25/33(c)

    3     2,851

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance

   

Series 2006–BC1, Class A2A

   

5.40%, 12/25/36(c)

    29     28,538

Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust

   

Series 2006–1, Class A1

   

5.40%, 1/25/36(c)

    63     63,215
       
      1,498,936
       
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.3%

   

Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates

   

Series 2007–S1, Class A3

   

5.81%, 11/25/36(d)

  $    275   $ 269,671

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2003–CB1, Class AF

   

3.45%, 1/25/33(f)

    35     33,956

Home Equity Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2005–4, Class A3

   

4.742%, 1/25/36(f)

    80     79,535

Series 2006–1, Class A2

   

5.30%, 5/25/36(f)

    30     29,302

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, Inc.

   

Series 2005–HI2, Class A3

   

4.46%, 5/25/35

    126     124,861
       
      537,325
       

CREDIT CARDS–FIXED RATE–0.1%

   

MBNA Credit Card Master Note Trust

   

Series 2003–A6, Class A6

   

2.75%, 10/15/10

    85     83,142

Providian Gateway Master Trust

   

Series 2004–DA, Class A

   

3.35%, 9/15/11(e)

    120     119,531
       
      202,673
       

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–0.1%

 

Capital Auto Receivables
Asset Trust

   

Series 2005–SN1A,
Class A3A

   

4.10%, 6/15/08

    95     94,808

Capital One Prime Auto Receivables Trust

   

Series 2005–1, Class A3

   

4.32%, 8/15/09

    79     78,281
       
      173,089
       

Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $2,408,406)

      2,412,023
       

EMERGING MARKETS–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–0.8%

   

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.8%

   

SOVEREIGN–0.8%

 

Republic of Brazil

   

8.25%, 1/20/34(b)

    725     890,300

Republic of Panama

   

9.375%, 4/01/29(b)

    200     265,000


 

13


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Republic of Peru

   

7.35%, 7/21/25(b)

  $    215   $ 239,725
       

Total Emerging Markets–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $1,342,000)

      1,395,025
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–SUPRANATIONALS–0.5%

   

European Investment Bank

   

1.25%, 9/20/12(b)

(cost $853,218)

  JPY   106,600     852,649
       

MORTGAGE
CMO’S–0.5%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED
RATE–0.3%

   

Merrill Lynch Mortgage
Investors, Inc.

   

Series 2005-A8,

Class A1C1

   

5.25%, 8/25/36(d)

  $ 119     116,357

Residential Accredit Loans, Inc.

   

Series 2007-QS1,

Class 1A1

   

6.00%, 1/25/37

    162     162,471

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust

   

Series 2006-AR11,

Class A4

   

5.519%, 8/25/36(d)

    222     220,728
       
      499,556
       

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE
RATE–0.2%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust

   

Series 2005-62, Class 2A1

   

6.029%, 12/25/35(c)

    68     67,799

Series 2006-OA14,

Class 3A1

   

5.877%, 11/25/46(c)

    199     198,428

Series 2007-OA3,

Class M1

   

5.63%, 4/25/47(c)

    75     74,490

Washington Mutual, Inc.

   

Series 2005-AR2,

Class 2A22

   

5.54%, 1/25/45(c)

    4     3,754
       
      344,471
       

Total Mortgage CMO’s
(cost $845,987)

      844,027
       

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT
GRADES–0.4%

   

INDUSTRIAL–0.3%

   

BASIC–0.1%

   

Ineos Group Holdings PLC

   

8.50%, 2/15/16(e)

    75     73,313

Packaging Corp. of America

   

5.75%, 8/01/13

    30     29,051
       
      102,364
       
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.1%

   

Cablevision Systems Corp.

   

Series B

   

8.00%, 4/15/12

  $      45   $ 44,437

Clear Channel
Communications, Inc.

   

5.50%, 9/15/14

    85     72,638

DirecTV Holdings LLC

   

6.375%, 6/15/15

    40     37,600
       
      154,675
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS–0.0%

   

Qwest Communications International, Inc.

   

7.50%, 2/15/14

    25     25,312

Series B

   

7.50%, 2/15/14

    15     15,188
       
      40,500
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

   

Ford Motor Credit Co.

   

7.375%, 10/28/09

    160     158,825
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.0%

   

MGM Mirage

   

8.375%, 2/01/11

    40     40,900
       

TRANSPORTATION–
SERVICES–0.0%

   

Hertz Corp.

   

8.875%, 1/01/14

    35     36,487
       
      533,751
       

UTILITY–0.1%

   

ELECTRIC–0.0%

   

NRG Energy, Inc.

   

7.25%, 2/01/14

    5     5,012

7.375%, 2/01/16

    35     35,088
       
      40,100
       

NATURAL GAS–0.1%

   

Williams Cos, Inc.

   

7.875%, 9/01/21

    40     43,000
       
      83,100
       

Total Corporates–
Non-Investment Grades
(cost $634,184)

      616,851
       

GOVERNMENT-
RELATED–
SOVEREIGNS–0.3%

   

Government of Sweden

   

Series 1043

   

5.00%, 1/28/09(b)

(cost $507,650)

    SEK 3,610     533,963
       


 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–U.S. AGENCIES–0.1%

   

AGENCY
DEBENTURES–0.1%

   

Federal National
Mortgage Association

   

Series 2005

   

3.875%, 2/15/10

(cost $196,388)

  $          200   $ 193,721
       
    Shares    

NON-CONVERTIBLE–
PREFERRED STOCKS–0.0%

   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.0%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT–0.0%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
(cost $47,684)

    100     46,733
       
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–6.7%

   

AGENCY DISCOUNT
NOTES–4.6%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Zero Coupon, 7/09/07

  $       3,995   $ 3,991,037  

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Zero Coupon, 7/27/07

    3,990     3,975,867  
         
      7,966,904  
         

TIME DEPOSIT–2.1%

   

The Bank of New York

   

4.25%, 7/02/07

    3,702     3,702,000  
         

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $11,668,907)

      11,668,904  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–104.5%

   

(cost $166,580,261)

      182,023,241  

Other assets less
liabilities–(4.5)%

      (7,765,727 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 174,257,514  
         

 


 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Month    Original
Value
   Value at
June 30,
2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Purchased Contracts

     

EURO STOXX 50 Index

      5    September 2007    $   299,816    $   305,542    $   5,726

 

15


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

      Contract
Amount
(000)
   U.S. $ Value on
Origination Date
   U.S. $ Value at
June 30, 2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Buy Contracts:

        

Mexican Nuevo Peso
settling 7/10/07

   11,881    $   1,088,439    $   1,099,305   

$

  10,866

Sale Contracts:

        

Japanese Yen
settling 7/06/07

   274,634      2,239,424   

 

2,231,430

     7,994

Japanese Yen
settling 7/06/07

   457,876      3,777,859      3,720,295      57,564

Mexican Nuevo Peso
settling 7/10/07

   12,790      1,188,076      1,183,426      4,650

Swedish Krona
settling 7/30/07

   4,230      620,812      619,312      1,500

 

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize forward currency exchange contracts. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $11,628,446.

 

(c) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

(d) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2007.

 

(e) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $2,555,607 or 1.5% of net assets.

 

(f) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

   Currency Abbreviations:

 

   JPY—Japanese Yen

 

   SEK—Swedish Krona

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   TBA— To Be Announced

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $166,580,261)

   $ 182,023,241  

Cash

     4,130  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $790,509)

     797,445 (a)

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     82,574  

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts

     3,430,228  

Dividends and interest receivable

     640,597  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     226,530  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     3,860  
        

Total assets

     187,208,605  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     12,669,786  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     121,632  

Advisory fee payable

     48,340  

Distribution fee payable

     34,113  

Foreign capital gain tax payable

     338  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     76,823  
        

Total liabilities

     12,951,091  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 174,257,514  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 13,573  

Additional paid-in capital

     155,649,731  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (40,934 )

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,075,850  

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     15,559,294  
        
   $ 174,257,514  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets    Shares Outstanding    Net Asset
Value

A

   $ 10,653,315    825,696    $ 12.90

B

   $ 163,604,199    12,747,417    $ 12.83

 


 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $22,231 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2007.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $160)

   $ 1,435,155  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $66,847)

     1,037,094  
        

Total investment income

     2,472,249  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     421,772  

Distribution fee—Class B

     177,499  

Transfer agency—Class A

     92  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,138  

Custodian

     143,955  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     21,695  

Printing

     16,428  

Legal

     3,254  

Directors’ fees

     750  

Miscellaneous

     8,359  
        

Total expenses

     841,942  

Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B)

     (79,087 )
        

Net expenses

     762,855  
        

Net investment income

     1,709,394  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     2,958,800  

Futures

     79,172  

Foreign currency transactions

     270,818  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     819,748 (a)

Futures

     525  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     40,583  
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     4,169,646  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 5,879,040  
        

 


 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital gain taxes of $766.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,709,394     $ 1,909,660  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,308,790       3,214,278  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     860,856       9,012,991  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     5,879,040       14,136,929  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (272,718 )     (80,464 )

Class B

     (3,511,139 )     (611,974 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (188,141 )     –0–  

Class B

     (2,585,906 )     –0–  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     38,832,954       48,588,078  
                

Total increase

     38,154,090       62,032,569  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     136,103,424       74,070,855  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income and undistributed net investment income of ($40,934) and $2,033,529, respectively)

   $ 174,257,514     $ 136,103,424  
                

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

19


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio commenced operations on July 1, 2004. 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.

7. Repurchase Agreements

It is the policy of the Portfolio that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

21


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .75% and 1.00% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. Prior to February 12, 2007, the Portfolio’s total operating expenses on an annual basis were limited to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007 the Adviser waived fees in the amount of $32,087.

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. Due to the Adviser’s agreement to limit total operating expenses as described above, the Adviser waived reimbursement for such services in the amount of $47,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $66,420, of which $175 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

  

$

56,512,728

   $ 32,391,817

U.S. government securities

     24,581,409      18,052,792

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 futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  

$

17,351,183

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,908,203 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

  

$

15,442,980

 

        

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

1. Financial Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these financial instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover.

At the time the Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is affected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.

2. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as net unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

3. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

23


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

4. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio earned income of $11,314 from dollar rolls which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     SHARES          AMOUNT  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
         Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

           

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   35,342     7,034        $ 460,859     $ 80,464  

Shares redeemed

   (72,677 )   –0        (933,676 )     –0
                               

Net increase (decrease)

   (37,335 )   7,034        $ (472,817 )   $ 80,464  
                               

Class B

           

Shares sold

   3,055,750     5,107,705        $ 40,149,666     $ 60,618,810  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   470,089     53,682          6,097,045       611,974  

Shares redeemed

   (537,780 )   (1,074,226 )        (6,940,940 )     (12,723,170 )
                               

Net increase

   2,988,059     4,087,161        $ 39,305,771     $ 48,507,614  
                               

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE: H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006     2005

Distributions paid from:

    

Ordinary income

   $ 692,438     $ 335,465

Net long-term capital gains

     –0     3,149
              

Total distributions paid

   $ 692,438     $ 338,614
              

NOTE I: Component of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 3,784,073  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     2,706,543  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (123,221 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     12,905,679 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 19,273,074  
        

 

(a) Passive foreign investment company 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, 2006, the Portfolio deferred until January 1, 2007, post-October passive foreign investment company losses of $123,221. The Portfolio utilized $112,135 of capital loss carryforward for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

 

(b) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies and the tax treatment of certain derivative instruments and tax straddles.

NOTE J: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee with respect to certain AllianceBernstein funds.

 

25


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiff’s time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE K: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

27


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
    2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $12.87     $11.39     $10.69     $10.00  
                       
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .16     .25     .18     .07  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .41     1.32     .60     .62  
                       

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .57     1.57     .78     .69  
                       
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

  (.32 )   (.09 )   (.05 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.22 )   –0   (.03 )   –0
                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (.54 )   (.09 )   (.08 )   –0
                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.90     $12.87     $11.39     $10.69  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  4.34 %   13.92 %   7.30 %   6.90 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $10,654     $11,111     $9,746     $9,089  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .76 %(e)   .99 %(f)   1.20 %   1.20 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .86 %(e)   1.07 %(f)   1.54 %   2.87 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  2.44 %(e)   2.08 %(f)   1.64 %   1.36 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  34 %   203 %   139 %   44 %

 


See footnote summary on page 29.

 

28


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
    2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $12.81     $11.34     $10.67     $10.00  
                       
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .14     .22     .15     .06  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .40     1.33     .60     .61  
                       

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .54     1.55     .75     .67  
                       
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

  (.30 )   (.08 )   (.05 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.22 )   –0   (.03 )   –0
                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (.52 )   (.08 )   (.08 )   –0
                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.83     $12.81     $11.34     $10.67  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  4.13 %   13.75 %   7.01 %   6.70 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $163,604     $124,992     $64,325     $17,866  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.01 %(e)   1.23 %(f)   1.45 %   1.45 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.12 %(e)   1.31 %(f)   1.77 %   3.34 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  2.21 %(e)   1.84 %(f)   1.31 %   1.49 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  34 %   203 %   139 %   44 %

 


(a) Commencement of operations.

 

(b) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) Net of expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(d) 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.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

(f) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

29


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”),2 prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003 is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Net Assets
06/30/06
($MIL)
   Portfolio

Balanced

   55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    $ 101.1    Balanced Wealth
   45 bp on next $2.5 billion       Strategy Portfolio
   40 bp on the balance      

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. Indicated below is the reimbursement amount, which the Adviser received from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, expressed in dollars and as a percentage of average daily net assets:

 

Portfolio    Amount        As a % of Average
Daily Net Assets
 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   $ 75,250 4      0.15 %

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on June 24, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on August 1, 2006 in accordance with the September 1, 2004 Assurance of Discontinuance between the NYAG and the Adviser. It also should be noted that references in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.”

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the New York State Attorney General.

 

4 The Adviser waived this expense reimbursement made by the Portfolio.

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expenses to the amounts set forth below during the Portfolio’s first fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days of written notice. The gross expense ratios of the Portfolio during the most recently completed fiscal year are also listed below.

 

Portfolio    Expense Cap Pursuant
to Expense Limitation
Undertaking
     Gross
Expense
Ratio
     Fiscal Year
End

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   Class A 1.20 %    1.54 %    December 31
   Class B 1.45 %    1.77 %   

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses is reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the Portfolio is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy, a retail mutual fund, which has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy:

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Advisory Fees

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   Balanced Wealth Strategy      55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
        45 bp on next $2.5 billion
        40 bp on the balance

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis

 

31


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the Lipper group median at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.5

 

Portfolio    Effective
Management
Fee6
     Lipper
Group
Median
     Rank

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   0.550      0.650      5/13

Lipper also analyzed the total expense ratio of the Portfolio in comparison to its Lipper Expense Group7 and Lipper Expense Universe.8 Lipper describes a Lipper Expense Group as a representative sample of comparable funds and a Lipper Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the same investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the subject Portfolio. The result of that analysis is set forth below:

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)9
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   1.199    0.793    13/13    0.702    26/26

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE MANAGEMENT FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that they should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution, and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments,

 


 

5 The effective management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Strategy has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

6 The effective management fee rate for the Portfolio would not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services. As previously mentioned, for the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser waived such payment. In addition, the effective management fee does not reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements for expense caps that effectively reduced the contractual fee rate.

 

7 Lipper uses the following criteria in screening funds to be included in the Portfolio’s expense group: variable product, fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes. A Lipper Expense Group will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

8 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting a Lipper Expense Group when selecting a Lipper Expense Universe. Unlike the Lipper Expense Group, the Lipper Expense Universe allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

9 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

32


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

front-end sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) and commissions for providing brokerage services. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur. Additional information regarding distribution related fees can be found in the prospectus of the Portfolio.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received the amount set forth below in Rule 12b-1 fees:

 

Portfolio    12b-1 Fees Received

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   $ 105,519

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.10

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection to Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it made the following payment on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI:

 

Portfolio    Adviser Payment to ABI

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   $ 21,378

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year.

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed on to any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule in the Investment Advisory Agreement reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent the breakpoints are reached. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant made a presentation to the Board of Directors and the Senior Officer regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were

 


 

10 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

33


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets exceeds its initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO.

With assets under management of $625 billion as June 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, which was prepared by Lipper, shows the 1 year performance ranking of the Portfolio11 relative to its Lipper Performance Group12 and Lipper Performance Universe13 for the periods ended April 30, 2006:

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio    Group      Universe

1 year

   1/12      2/47

Set forth below are the 1 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)14 versus its benchmarks:15

 

      Periods Ending April 30, 2006
Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year      Since
Inception

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   14.97      12.23

S&P 500 Stock Index

   11.72      12.22

Lehman Aggregate Bond Index

   2.26      2.96

Lehman Aggregate Bond Index 60% S&P 500 Index / 40%
Lehman Aggregate Bond Index

   7.94      8.52

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: September 7, 2006

 


 

11 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

12 The Lipper Performance Group is identical to the Lipper Expense Group.

 

13 For the Lipper Performance Universe, Lipper included the Portfolio and all of the funds of the same Lipper Classification/ Objective and load type, regardless of asset size.

 

14 The performance returns shown are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

15 The Adviser provided Strategy and benchmark performance return information for periods through April 30, 2006 in order to maintain consistency with Lipper’s performance rankings in the analysis.

 

34


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $   1,066.77    $     6.15    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)

   $     1,000    $ 1,018.84    $     6.01    1.20 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $ 1,065.37    $     7.43    1.45 %

Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)

   $     1,000    $ 1,017.60    $     7.25    1.45 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

   $ 305,532      2.9 %

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     304,218      2.9  

Credit Suisse Group

     296,601      2.8  

American International Group, Inc.

     231,099      2.2  

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

     206,385      2.0  

The Blackstone Group LP

     204,890      2.0  

Rio Tinto PLC

     178,483      1.7  

Total SA

     148,697      1.4  

General Electric Co.

     141,636      1.3  

Procter & Gamble Co.

     138,901      1.3  
                 
     $   2,156,442      20.5 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 3,018,357      29.3 %

Information Technology

     1,300,372      12.6  

Health Care

     1,192,310      11.6  

Industrials

     1,139,381      11.1  

Energy

     1,062,776      10.3  

Consumer Staples

     890,919      8.7  

Consumer Discretionary

     873,228      8.5  

Materials

     612,750      5.9  

Telecommunication Services

     124,151      1.2  

Utilities

     83,602      0.8  
                 

Total Investments

   $   10,297,846      100.0 %

 

 


 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 5,322,795      51.7 %

Switzerland

     1,024,929      9.9  

United Kingdom

     851,612      8.3  

France

     430,864      4.2  

Japan

     341,782      3.3  

Russia

     225,386      2.2  

Italy

     203,913      2.0  

Bermuda

     181,201      1.8  

Brazil

     179,397      1.7  

Australia

     163,171      1.6  

Spain

     157,534      1.5  

Canada

     132,658      1.3  

China

     125,500      1.2  

Other*

     957,104      9.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $   10,297,846      100.0 %

 

 

 


 

* The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 1.2% or less in the following countries: Argentina, Cayman Islands, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan and Turkey.

 

3


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.1%

   
   

FINANCIALS–28.7%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–14.8%

   

3i Group PLC

  3,434   $ 79,935

The Blackstone Group LP(a)

  7,000     204,890

Credit Suisse Group

  4,178     296,601

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  620     82,131

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

  4,300     119,712

Legg Mason, Inc.

  800     78,704

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  4,100     305,532

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

  1,241     89,135

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  1,125     94,028

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  3,451     206,385
       
      1,557,053
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–4.7%

   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

  4,461     109,093

Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA

  1,200     53,282

Standard Chartered(a)

  3,464     112,987

Turkiye Is Bankasi—Class C

  24,497     113,828

UniCredito Italiano SpA

  11,753     104,973
       
      494,163
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–5.0%

   

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.—Class A

  182     97,253

Citigroup, Inc.

  1,380     70,780

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  6,279     304,218

NYSE Euronext

  700     51,534
       
      523,785
       

INSURANCE–4.2%

   

American International Group, Inc.

  3,300     231,099

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

  800     32,520

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  2,806     74,036

Swiss Reinsurance

  1,159     105,701
       
      443,356
       
      3,018,357
       

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–12.4%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.7%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  4,145     115,438

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  1,400     35,238

Nokia OYJ

  3,045     85,520

Qualcomm, Inc.

  1,100     47,729
       
      283,925
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–3.2%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  550     67,122

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  1,700     75,854

InnoLux Display Corp.(a)

  4,000     16,525

International Business Machines Corp.

  800     84,200
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

Network Appliance, Inc.(a)

  600   $ 17,520

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  14,333     75,391
       
      336,612
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.4%

   

AU Optronics Corp.

  9,330     15,939

HON HAI Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (GDR)(b)

  1,609     27,807
       
      43,746
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.5%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  313     15,224

eBay, Inc.(a)

  1,600     51,488

Google, Inc.—Class A(a)

  172     90,022
       
      156,734
       

IT SERVICES–0.7%

   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.—Class A(a)

  570     42,801

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

  300     17,040

Infosys Technologies Ltd. (ADR)

  300     15,114
       
      74,955
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.5%

   

Canon, Inc.

  850     49,847
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

ASML Holding NV(a)

  674     18,518

Broadcom Corp.—Class A(a)

  750     21,937

KLA-Tencor Corp.

  400     21,980

Novatek Microelectronics Corp. Ltd.

  3,000     15,674

NVIDIA Corp.(a)

  500     20,655

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  22     13,450

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (ADR)

  1,635     18,198

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  881     33,152
       
      163,564
       

SOFTWARE–1.8%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  875     35,131

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

  900     30,303

Microsoft Corp.

  3,000     88,410

Oracle Corp.(a)

  1,570     30,945

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (ADR)(a)

  200     6,200
       
      190,989
       
      1,300,372
       

HEALTH CARE–11.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.5%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  500     28,665

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  775     58,636

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  1,700     65,909
       
      153,210
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.5%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  485   $ 65,431

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  550     40,975

Nobel Biocare Holding AG(a)

  150     48,965
       
      155,371
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.8%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  1,100     54,340

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

  613     47,973

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  530     41,335

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  800     40,912

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  1,400     111,762
       
      296,322
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.6%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  800     42,840

Allergan, Inc.

  500     28,820

Eli Lilly & Co.

  770     43,028

Merck & Co., Inc.

  2,100     104,580

Novartis AG

  902     50,639

Roche Holding AG

  482     85,404

Schering-Plough Corp.

  2,100     63,924

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

  1,000     16,300

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

  400     25,841

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)

  1,700     70,125

Wyeth

  975     55,906
       
      587,407
       
      1,192,310
       

INDUSTRIALS–10.9%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.5%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  8,819     71,165

Boeing Co.

  980     94,237

United Technologies Corp.

  1,300     92,209
       
      257,611
       

AIRLINES–0.5%

   

Continental Airlines, Inc.—Class B(a)

  850     28,790

easyJet PLC(a)

  2,124     22,245
       
      51,035
       

BUILDING PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

American Standard Cos, Inc.

  1,000     58,980

Asahi Glass Co. Ltd.

  2,000     26,967

Cie de Saint-Gobain

  455     50,970
       
      136,917
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.6%

   

Vinci SA(a)

  787     58,739
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.2%

   

ABB Ltd.

  2,281     51,432

Emerson Electric Co.

  1,700     79,560
       
      130,992
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.9%

   

General Electric Co.

  3,700   $ 141,636

Siemens AG

  402     57,567
       
      199,203
       

MACHINERY–1.7%

   

Atlas Copco AB(a)

  4,514     75,186

Danaher Corp.

  950     71,725

Deere & Co.

  300     36,222
       
      183,133
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.2%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  1,600     41,923

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  4,000     79,828
       
      121,751
       
      1,139,381
       

ENERGY–10.1%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.2%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  1,375     115,679

Nabors Industries Ltd.(a)

  1,100     36,718

Schlumberger, Ltd.

  1,255     106,599

Tenaris SA (ADR)

  1,500     73,440
       
      332,436
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–6.9%

   

Addax Petroleum Corp.

  1,436     53,706

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.—Class H

  33,000     115,149

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

  3,053     127,921

LUKOIL (ADR)

  996     76,393

Noble Energy, Inc.

  2,076     129,522

Petro-Canada

  1,482     78,952

Total SA

  1,834     148,697
       
      730,340
       
      1,062,776
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–8.5%

   

BEVERAGES–0.4%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  600     38,910
       

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–0.7%

   

Safeway, Inc.

  700     23,821

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV Series V

  13,492     51,203
       
      75,024
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–3.8%

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

  1,700     56,253

Bunge Ltd.

  1,325     111,962

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

  3,000     10,351

Nestle SA

  301     114,372

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  1,825     100,941
       
      393,879
       


 

5


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  2,270   $ 138,901
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.3%

   

L’Oreal SA

  254     30,023
       

TOBACCO–2.0%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  1,750     122,745

British American Tobacco PLC(a)

  2,681     91,437
       
      214,182
       
      890,919
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–8.3%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.4%

   

Denso Corp.

  1,200     46,933
       

AUTOMOBILES–1.2%

   

Fiat SpA

  3,331     98,941

Suzuki Motor Corp.(a)

  900     25,558
       
      124,499
       

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.4%

   

Apollo Group, Inc.—Class A(a)

  800     46,744
       

HOTELS RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.3%

   

Accor SA

  649     57,372

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)

  200     15,726

Hilton Hotels Corp.

  2,500     83,675

Punch Taverns PLC

  3,339     81,917
       
      238,690
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.5%

   

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

  2,000     28,586

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  900     20,205
       
      48,791
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Largan Precision Co., Ltd.

  1,000     14,010
       

MEDIA–2.4%

   

Comcast Corp.—Class A(a)

  2,950     82,954

Societe Television Francaise 1

  2,461     85,062

Time Warner, Inc.

  3,900     82,056
       
      250,072
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.5%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  775     55,048
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.5%

   

Inditex SA

  823     48,441
       
      873,228
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MATERIALS–5.8%

   

CHEMICALS–1.1%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  1,525   $ 122,564
       

METALS & MINING–4.7%

   

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  1,900     84,645

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  1,100     41,470

Rio Tinto PLC(a)

  2,333     178,483

Sterlite Industries India Ltd. (ADR)(a)

  3,800     55,746

Xstrata PLC

  2,181     129,842
       
      490,186
       
      612,750
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.2%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.2%

   

Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk PT (ADR)

  300     12,930

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  300     12,351
       
      25,281
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.0%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  1,150     71,219

MTN Group Ltd.

  484     6,579

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  200     21,072
       
      98,870
       
      124,151
       

UTILITIES–0.8%

   

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.8%

   

International Power PLC

  9,726     83,602
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–98.1%

(cost $8,523,758)

      10,297,846

Other assets less liabilities–1.9%

      200,178
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 10,498,024
       

 


 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security is considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the market value of this security amounted to $27,807 or 0.3% of net assets.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $8,523,758)

   $ 10,297,846

Cash

     67,736

Foreign cash, at value (cost $127,788)

     128,648

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts

     75,548

Receivable for capital stock sold

     19,779

Dividends receivable

     19,620

Receivable due from Adviser

     11,470
      

Total assets

     10,620,647
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     57,398

Custodian fee payable

     40,922

Distribution fee payable

     2,200

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     31

Accrued expenses

     22,013
      

Total liabilities

     122,623
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 10,498,024
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 750

Additional paid-in capital

     8,054,454

Undistributed net investment income

     21,495

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     646,255

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     1,775,070
      
   $ 10,498,024
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 148,599      10,585      $   14.04

B

     $   10,349,425      739,619      $   13.99

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $7,800)

   $ 97,980  

Interest

     5,457  
        

Total investment income

     103,437  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     41,215  

Distribution fee—Class B

     13,558  

Transfer agency—Class A

     19  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,438  

Custodian

     98,277  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,111  

Printing

     4,238  

Legal

     2,233  

Directors’ fees

     740  

Miscellaneous

     1,995  
        

Total expenses

     229,824  

Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B)

     (150,316 )
        

Net expenses

     79,508  
        

Net investment income

     23,929  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     659,056  

Foreign currency transactions

     5,833  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (161,741 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (3,068 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     500,080  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 524,009  
        

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


 
GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 23,929     $ 14,313  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     664,889       359,268  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (164,809 )     977,503  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     524,009       1,351,084  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (549 )     –0–  

Class B

     (14,840 )     –0–  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (5,328 )     (2,040 )

Class B

     (370,285 )     (149,106 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     (2,278,892 )     4,259,482  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (2,145,885 )     5,459,420  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     12,643,909       7,184,489  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $21,495 and $12,955, respectively)

   $ 10,498,024     $ 12,643,909  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio commenced operations on May 2, 2005. 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Adviser waived fees in the amount of $103,316.

 

11


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. Due to the Adviser’s agreement to limit total operating expenses as described above, the Adviser waived reimbursement for such services in the amount of $47,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $12,727, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 5,914,288     $ 8,060,483  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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

   $ 1,863,518  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (89,430 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,774,088  
        

1. Financial Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these financial instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

At the time the Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.

2. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as net unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

3. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

13


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  –0–     –0–       $ –0–     $ 38  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  416     169         5,877       2,040  
                             

Net increase

  416     169       $ 5,877     $ 2,078  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  182,951     361,383       $ 2,577,184     $ 4,621,694  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  27,353     12,384         385,125       149,106  

Shares redeemed

  (387,436 )   (41,356 )       (5,247,078 )     (513,396 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (177,132 )   332,411       $ (2,284,769 )   $ 4,257,404  
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 197,231  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     186,829  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (1,338 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,927,091 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 2,309,813  
        

 

(a) 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, 2006, the Portfolio deferred until January 1, 2007, post-October capital losses of $1,338.

 

(b) The difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee with respect to certain AllianceBernstein funds.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

 

15


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

17


 
GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
    May 2, 2005(a) to
December 31,
2005
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.70     $12.11     $10.00  
                 
     

Income From Investment Operations

     

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .06     .05     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .85     1.74     2.10  
                 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .91     1.79     2.11  
                 
     

Less: Dividends and Distributions

     

Dividends from net investment income

  (.05 )   –0   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.52 )   (.20 )   –0
                 

Total dividends and distributions

  (.57 )   (.20 )   –0
                 

Net asset value, end of period

  $14.04     $13.70     $12.11  
                 
     

Total Return

     

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  6.68 %   15.04 %   21.10 %
     

Ratios/Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $149     $139     $121  

Ratio to average net assets of:

     

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %(e)   1.20 %(f)   1.20 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  4.00 %(e)   4.61 %(f)   7.47 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  .81 %(e)   .41 %(f)   .13 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  55 %   64 %   43 %

 

 



See footnote summary on page 19.

 

18


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
    May 2, 2005(a) to
December 31,
2005
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.64     $12.09     $10.00  
                 
     

Income From Investment Operations

     

Net investment income (loss) (b)(c)

  .03     .02     (.01 )

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .86     1.73     2.10  
                 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .89     1.75     2.09  
                 
     

Less: Dividends and Distributions

     

Dividends from net investment income

  (.02 )   –0   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.52 )   (.20 )   –0
                 

Total dividends and distributions

  (.54 )   (.20 )   –0
                 

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.99     $13.64     $12.09  
                 
     

Total Return

     

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  6.54 %   14.73 %   20.90 %
     

Ratios/Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $10,349     $12,505     $7,063  

Ratio to average net assets of:

     

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %(e)   1.45 %(f)   1.45 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  4.18 %(e)   4.78 %(f)   7.73 %(e)

Net investment income (loss) (c)

  .43 %(e)   .14 %(f)   (.14 )%(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  55 %   64 %   43 %

 


 

(a) Commencement of operations.

 

(b) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) Net of expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(d) 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.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

(f) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

19


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO

CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser had waived reimbursement payments from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s last fiscal year. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

20


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors noted that the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio was not profitable to it in 2005 and 2006.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index (Net) (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-year period and the since inception period (May 2005 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile in the 1-year period and 3rd quintile in the since inception period, and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile in the 1-year period and 4th quintile in the since inception period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the since inception period and underperformed the Index in the 1-year period. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio but that the initial fee rate in the institutional fee schedule was higher than that for the Portfolio, so that the application of such fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be higher than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser is currently waiving its right to be reimbursed by the Portfolio for administrative expenses and that total compensation to the Adviser pursuant to the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement would be at a higher rate than under the institutional fee schedule but for such waiver. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are

 

21


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO

CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE

 
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The expense ratio of the Portfolio reflected fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of an expense limitation undertaking by the Adviser. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, the administrative expense reimbursement of 90 basis points had been waived by the Adviser. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser, was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors also noted the Fund’s relatively modest size (less than $15 million at February 28, 2007) and that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable in the Portfolio’s particular circumstances.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

22


 
GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE CAPS & REIMBURSEMENTS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

International

  

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

   $ 13.6    Global Research
Growth Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser was due to receive $86,750 (0.90% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services but waived the amount in its entirety.

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Fund    Expense Cap
Pursuant to
Expense
Limitation
Undertaking
   Gross
Expense
Ratio
     Fiscal Year
End

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   Class A 1.20%    4.61 %    December 31
   Class B 1.45%    4.78 %   

 


1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

23


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are usually reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Fund   

Net
Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)

Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective AB
Inst. Adv.
Fee
    

Fund

Advisory
Fee5

 

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   $13.6   

Global Research
Growth Schedule
80 bp on 1st $25 m
60 bp on next $25 m
50 bp on next $50 m
40 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $50 m

   0.800 %    0.750 %


The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Research Fund Growth, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Fund, Inc.:6

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund
(“ABMF”)

     Fee Schedule     

Effective
ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

Global Research

Growth Portfolio

   Global Research
Growth Fund, Inc.
    

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

     0.75 %

 


4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 Fund advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets. It should be noted that the advisory fee shown for the Fund excludes any expense reimbursements related to expense caps.

 

6 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

24


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for Global Growth Trends Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee  

Global Growth Trends Portfolio

  

Class A7

Class I (Institutional)

   1.70

0.90

%

%

The Alliance Capital Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ACITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ACITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio    ACITM Mutual Fund      Fee8

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   Alliance Global Research Growth9      0.30%10
   Alliance Global Growth Opportunities H, I, P11      1.00%
   Alliance Global Growth Opportunities P29      0.80%
   Alliance Global Growth Opportunities P39      0.85%

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)12 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.13

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 


7 Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

8 The Japanese Yen-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate quoted at 4 p.m. on March 6, 2007 by Reuters was ¥116.62 per $1. At that currency exchange rate, every ¥1 billion would be equivalent to approximately $8.6 million.

 

9 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

10 The fund is offered to three institutional clients that are charged a separate fee for managing their assets in addition to the 0.30%. The first client is charged 0.33% for the first ¥2.5 billion, 0.195% for the next ¥2.5 billion, 0.105% for the next ¥5 billion and 0.06% thereafter. The second client is charged 0.40% for the first ¥2.5 billion, 0.25% for the next ¥2.5 billion, 0.15% for the next ¥5 billion and 0.10% thereafter. The third client is charged 0.40% for the first ¥6 billion and 0.20% thereafter.

 

11 Classes H and P of the ACITM fund are privately placed or institutional.

 

12 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

13 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

25


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee14
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.900    3/9

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU15 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)16

  

Lipper
Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   1.200    0.990    8/9    0.990    15/17

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability for the Portfolio was considered not meaningful in percentage terms since revenues in 2006 were negative.

Although the Adviser did not earn a profit for managing the Portfolio’s investments in 2006, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $23,795 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $200,000 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional

 


14 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

15 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

16 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

26


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.17

The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1 year and since inception performance rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.20

 

Global Research Growth Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG
Median
   PU
Median
   PG
Rank
   PU
Rank

1 year

   15.04    17.66    17.98    8/9    19/21

Since Inception

   20.94    20.69    21.60    4/9    13/21

 


17 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

18 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the 1 year performance return of the Portfolio were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the 1 year performance return of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper. Lipper calculated the Portfolio’s since inception performance from the nearest month-end of the Portfolio’s true inception date.

 

19 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

20 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

27


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23

 

                  Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
    

1 Year
(%)

   Since
Inception
(%)
   Annualized    Risk
Period
(Year)
            Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   15.04    22.02    9.87    0.95    1

MSCI World Index (Net)

   20.07    20.03    6.98    1.90    1

MSCI World Growth (Net)

   15.15    17.03    7.77    1.19    1

Inception Date: May 2, 2005

              

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


21 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

22 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

23 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

28


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Global Technology Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,088.21    $ 4.71    0.91 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.28    $ 4.56    0.91 %

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,086.78    $ 6.00    1.16 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.04    $ 5.81    1.16 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

   $ 21,547,545      7.7 %

Microsoft Corp.

     15,115,163      5.4  

Nokia OYJ

     13,807,007      5.0  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     13,122,742      4.7  

International Business Machines Corp.

     13,029,950      4.7  

Google, Inc.-Class A

     12,299,430      4.4  

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

     11,779,086      4.3  

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

     11,771,880      4.2  

Apple, Inc.

     10,898,172      3.9  

Canon, Inc.

     8,787,658      3.2  
                 
     $ 132,158,633      47.5 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE    PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 237,537,034    87.5 %

Telecommunication Services

     23,116,173    8.5  

Consumer Discretionary

  

 

9,317,424

  

3.5

 

Short-Term Investments

     1,415,000    0.5  
               

Total Investments

   $ 271,385,631    100.0 %

 


 

  Please Note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the sector categorization methodology of the Adviser. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


 
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 198,644,248      73.2 %

Taiwan

     14,346,231      5.3  

Finland

     13,807,007      5.1  

Mexico

     11,779,086      4.3  

Japan

     8,787,658      3.2  

India

     6,807,900      2.5  

China

     4,038,278      1.5  

Canada

     3,379,831      1.3  

Russia

     2,096,664      0.8  

South Korea

     2,018,584      0.7  

Netherlands

     1,532,877      0.6  

Indonesia

     1,384,355      0.5  

South Africa

     1,347,912      0.5  

Short-Term Investments

     1,415,000      0.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 271,385,631      100.0 %

 

3


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–91.7%

   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–81.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–20.5%

   

Ciena Corp.(a)

  46,900   $ 1,694,497

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  773,700     21,547,545

Foundry Networks, Inc.(a)

  203,400     3,388,644

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  219,600     5,527,332

Nokia OYJ

  491,610     13,807,007

Qualcomm, Inc.

  179,900     7,805,861

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  16,900     3,379,831
       
      57,150,717
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–15.1%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  89,300     10,898,172

Data Domain, Inc.(a)

  29,600     680,800

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  294,100     13,122,742

InnoLux Display Corp.(a)

  703,000     2,904,238

Network Appliance, Inc.(a)

  86,598     2,528,661

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  2,238,000     11,771,880
       
      41,906,493
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.4%

   

Itron, Inc.(a)

  14,500     1,130,130
       

INTERNET–5.4%

   

eBay, Inc.(a)

  65,400     2,104,572

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  23,500     12,299,430

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (ADR)(a)

  21,000     651,000
       
      15,055,002
       

INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE–2.1%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  43,900     2,135,296

Equinix, Inc.(a)

  25,400     2,323,338

Switch & Data Facilities Co., Inc.(a)

  72,800     1,397,032
       
      5,855,666
       

IT SERVICES–9.5%

   

Accenture Ltd.–Class A

  52,100     2,234,569

Alliance Data Systems Corp.(a)

  35,700     2,758,896

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a)

  52,800     3,964,752

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

  43,425     2,466,540

Infosys Technologies Ltd. (ADR)

  41,080     2,069,610

International Business Machines Corp.

  123,800     13,029,950
       
      26,524,317
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–3.2%

   

Canon, Inc.

  149,850     8,787,658
       

OTHER–0.1%

   

Enernoc, Inc.(a)

  4,200     160,146
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–11.9%

   

ASML Holding NV(a)

  55,791   $ 1,532,877

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  91,050     2,663,213

Intel Corp.

  353,600     8,401,536

Intersil Corp.–Class A

  55,500     1,746,030

KLA-Tencor Corp.

  48,900     2,687,055

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

  64,200     2,144,922

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  52,700     2,177,037

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)

  315,900     3,386,448

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (GDR)(b)

  6,590     2,018,584

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (ADR)

  257,852     2,869,893

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  93,600     3,522,168
       
      33,149,763
       

SOFTWARE–13.4%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  145,200     5,829,780

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

  136,400     4,592,588

McAfee, Inc.(a)

  58,000     2,041,600

Microsoft Corp.

  512,900     15,115,163

Opsware, Inc.(a)

  137,900     1,311,429

Oracle Corp.(a)

  287,500     5,666,625

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  67,500     2,893,050
       
      37,450,235
       
      227,170,127
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.8%

   

COMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.6%

   

American Tower Corp.–
Class A(a)

  38,900     1,633,800
       

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.7%

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  46,900     1,930,873
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.5%

   

America Movil SAB de CV
Series L (ADR)

  190,200     11,779,086

MTN Group Ltd.

  99,163     1,347,912

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  19,900     2,096,664
       
      15,223,662
       
      18,788,335
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–3.3%

   

INTERNET–0.6%

   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)

  20,600     1,619,778
       

MEDIA–2.7%

   

Comcast Corp.–Class A(a)

  89,750     2,523,770

Focus Media Holding Ltd. (ADR)(a)

  35,000     1,767,500


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Time Warner, Inc.

  161,900   $ 3,406,376
       
      7,697,646
       
      9,317,424
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $212,296,541)

      255,275,886
       

WARRANTS–5.3%

   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–3.7%

   

CONTRACT MANUFACTURING–1.4%

   

HON HAI Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Citigroup Global Markets, expiring 1/17/12(a)(b)

  439,251     3,799,961
       

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS–1.1%

   

AU Optronics Corp. (CSFB), expiring 3/05/09(a)

  862,658     1,467,381

Largan Precision Co. Ltd., Citigroup Global Markets, expiring 1/20/10(a)

  124,645     1,746,277
       
      3,213,658
       

IT SERVICES–0.6%

   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., expiring 8/20/07(a)(b)

  63,596     1,794,806
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

Novatek Microelectronics Corp., Ltd., expiring 11/02/16(a)(b)

  297,477     1,558,482
       
      10,366,907
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6%

   

Bharti Airtel Ltd., Merrill Lynch, expiring 3/17/11(a)(b)

    141,242   $ 2,943,483

Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk PT, expiring 3/23/17(a)(b)

    1,295,000     1,384,355
       
      4,327,838
       

Total Warrants
(cost $11,971,987)

      14,694,745
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.5%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.5%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $1,415,000)

  $ 1,415     1,415,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.5%
(cost $225,683,528)

      271,385,631

Other assets less liabilities–2.5%

      6,941,043
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 278,326,674
       

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $13,499,671 or 4.9% of net assets.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $225,683,528)

   $ 271,385,631  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $7,995,608)

     8,004,660  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     6,035,537  

Dividends and interest receivable

     208,203  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     55,231  
        

Total assets

     285,689,262  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     14,642  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     6,653,786  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     383,482  

Advisory fee payable

     176,098  

Distribution fee payable

     41,061  

Administrative fee payable

     19,223  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     74,237  
        

Total liabilities

     7,362,588  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 278,326,674  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 15,034  

Additional paid-in capital

     470,237,239  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (441,978 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (237,194,859 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     45,711,238  
        
   $ 278,326,674  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 83,208,484      4,437,020      $ 18.75

B

     $ 195,118,190      10,597,469      $ 18.41

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $86,061)

   $ 996,599  

Interest

     22,535  
        

Total investment income

     1,019,134  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     1,008,807  

Distribution fee—Class B

     231,197  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,017  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,256  

Custodian

     98,249  

Administrative

     47,000  

Printing

     34,142  

Audit

     19,110  

Legal

     8,575  

Directors’ fees

     764  

Miscellaneous

     5,384  
        

Total expenses

     1,456,501  
        

Net investment loss

     (437,367 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     23,548,674  

Foreign currency transactions

     (129,005 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (358,954 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (38,335 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     23,022,380  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 22,585,013  
        

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (437,367 )   $ (1,156,691 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     23,419,669       20,210,435  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (397,289 )     694,421  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     22,585,013       19,748,165  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (8,426,858 )     (3,435,670 )
                

Total increase

     14,158,155       16,312,495  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     264,168,519       247,856,024  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($441,978) and ($4,611), respectively)

   $ 278,326,674     $ 264,168,519  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s objective was to seek growth of capital. Current income was incidental to the Portfolio’s objective. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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

 

9


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $348,239, of which $812 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 161,271,264     $ 173,891,968  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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

   $ 46,415,094  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (712,991 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 45,702,103  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets.

 

11


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
   

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2007
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  221,318     471,249       $ 3,914,318     $ 7,606,999  

Shares redeemed

  (823,518 )   (1,721,643 )       (14,533,999 )     (27,726,186 )
                             

Net decrease

  (602,200 )   (1,250,394 )     $ (10,619,681 )   $ (20,119,187 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  1,445,130     3,850,328       $ 25,058,879     $ 61,419,683  

Shares redeemed

  (1,319,436 )   (2,850,110 )       (22,866,056 )     (44,736,166 )
                             

Net increase

  125,694     1,000,218       $ 2,192,823     $ 16,683,517  
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (258,717,727 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     44,207,115 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (214,510,612 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $258,713,116 of which $65,171,509 expires in the year 2009, $172,308,210 expires in the year 2010, and $21,233,397 expires in the year 2011. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. During the current fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized capital loss carryforwards of $21,108,187. Net capital losses and net foreign currency losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2007, post October foreign currency losses of $4,611.

 

(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 I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”),

 

13


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

15


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
   

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $17.23     $15.86     $15.27     $14.49     $10.05     $17.24  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.01 )   (.05 )   (.05 )   (.03 )(b)   (.11 )   (.13 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investment transactions

  1.53     1.42     .64     .81     4.55     (7.06 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.52     1.37     .59     .78     4.44     (7.19 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $18.75     $17.23     $15.86     $15.27     $14.49     $10.05  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net
asset value (c)

  8.82 %   8.64 %   3.86 %   5.38 %   44.18 %   (41.71 )%

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $83,209     $86,819     $99,781     $117,145     $130,127     $93,369  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .91 %(d)   .92 %(e)   .92 %   .88 %   1.11 %   1.20 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .91 %(d)   .92 %(e)   .92 %   1.06 %   1.11 %   1.20 %

Net investment loss

  (.16 )%(d)   (.30 )%(e)   (.32 )%   (.22 )%(b)   (.86 )%   (1.01 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  62 %   117 %   98 %   86 %   90 %   68 %

 

 


See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
   

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $16.94     $15.63     $15.08     $14.35     $  9.98     $17.15  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.03 )   (.09 )   (.08 )   (.07 )(b)   (.14 )   (.16 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  1.50     1.40     .63     .80     4.51     (7.01 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.47     1.31     .55     .73     4.37     (7.17 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $18.41     $16.94     $15.63     $15.08     $14.35     $  9.98  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  8.68 %   8.38 %   3.65 %   5.09 %   43.79 %   (41.81 )%

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $195,118     $177,350     $148,075     $164,721     $187,319     $99,528  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.16 %(d)   1.18 %(e)   1.17 %   1.13 %   1.37 %   1.46 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.16 %(d)   1.18 %(e)   1.17 %   1.31 %   1.37 %   1.46 %

Net investment loss

  (.40 )%(d)   (.55 )%(e)   (.57 )%   (.47 )%(b)   (1.11 )%   (1.27 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  62 %   117 %   98 %   86 %   90 %   68 %

 


 

(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

17


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”) for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International World Information Technology Index (Net) (the “Index”) over the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods. The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile in the 1-year period, 4th quintile in the 3- and 5-year periods and 1 out of 1 in the 10-year period, and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile in the 1-year period, 4th quintile in the 3- and 5-year periods and 3 out of 4 in the 10-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 3-year period and underperformed the Index in the 1- and 5-year periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The Adviser informed the directors that there are no institutional products managed by it which have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and noted that it charged institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized accounts using strategies that differ from those of the Portfolio but which involve investments in securities of the same type that the Portfolio invests in (i.e., equity securities). The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund except that the Portfolio’s fee rate is a monthly fee based on average daily net assets whereas the Corresponding Fund’s fee rate is a quarterly fee based on net asset value at the end of each quarter.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a

 

19


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 3 basis points, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was essentially the same as the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

20


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Specialty

   75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    $ 434.2    Global Technology Portfolio
   65 bp on next $2.5 billion      
   60 bp on the balance      

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.03% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Global Technology Portfolio

   Class A 0.92 %    December 31
   Class B 1.18 %   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

21


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Technology Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Technology Fund, Inc.:4

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

Global Technology Portfolio5

   Global Technology Fund, Inc.    0.75% on first $2.5 billion    0.75 %
      0.65% on next $2.5 billion   
      0.60% on the balance   

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for International Technology Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee  

International Technology Portfolio

  

Class A6

   1.95 %

Class I (Institutional)

   1.15 %

 


 

4 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

5 The advisory fees of AllianceBernstein Global Technology Fund, Inc. are based on the fund’s net assets at each quarter end and are paid to the Adviser quarterly, in contrast to the Portfolio, whose advisory fees are based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets and are paid on a monthly basis.

 

6 Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)7 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee9
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Global Technology Portfolio

   0.750    0.775    3/8

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU10 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)11

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Global Technology Portfolio

   0.920    0.896    6/8    0.986    7/15

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

 


 

7 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively Small average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

8 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

9 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

10 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

11 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

23


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $400,033 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $416,302 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.12

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

 


 

12 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio13 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) 14 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.15

 

Global Technology Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   8.64    8.16    8.16    3/8    7/16

3 year

   5.94    6.19    7.18    5/8    11/16

5 year

   -0.01    0.71    0.99    6/8    12/16

10 year

   6.04    N/A    8.09    1/1    3/4

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)16 versus its benchmark.17 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.18

 

     Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
    1 Year
(%)
  3 Year
(%)
  5 Year
(%)
  10 Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized  

Risk
Period

(Year)

               Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

Global Technology Portfolio

  8.64   5.94   -0.01   6.04   6.44   22.31   0.01   5

MSCI World IT Index (Net)

  9.31   5.50   1.33   N/A   N/A   23.12   0.07   5

Inception Date: January 11, 1996

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

13 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

14 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

15 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

16 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

17 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

25


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $     1,073.01    $     4.68    0.91 %

Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.28    $ 4.56    0.91 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,071.35    $ 5.96    1.16 %

Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.04    $ 5.81    1.16 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.—Class A

   $ 9,996,558      4.7 %

Schlumberger Ltd.

     9,978,751      4.7  

Apple, Inc.

     8,802,745      4.1  

American International Group, Inc.

     7,349,649      3.5  

Boeing Co.

     7,314,891      3.4  

WellPoint, Inc.

     7,048,190      3.3  

Comcast Corp.—Class A

     6,966,027      3.3  

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc.—Class A

     6,900,325      3.3  

Legg Mason, Inc.

     6,596,379      3.1  

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

     6,387,622      3.0  
                 
     $   77,341,137      36.4 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 53,207,562      25.0 %

Information Technology

     53,194,786      25.0  

Health Care

     38,936,715      18.3  

Consumer Discretionary

     34,314,672      16.2  

Industrials

     21,240,717      10.0  

Energy

     9,978,751      4.7  

Consumer Staples

     1,157,685      0.6  

Short-Term Investments

     382,000      0.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $   212,412,888      100.0 %

 


 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.7%

   
   

FINANCIALS–25.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–12.4%

   

The Charles Schwab Corp.

  180,080   $ 3,695,242

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  29,470     6,387,622

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

  38,800     2,665,948

Legg Mason, Inc.

  67,050     6,596,379

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  29,885     2,227,030

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  57,350     4,793,313
       
      26,365,534
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–5.9%

   

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.—Class A

  9,743     5,206,269

Citigroup, Inc.

  41,820     2,144,948

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  108,170     5,240,837
       
      12,592,054
       

INSURANCE–3.5%

   

American International Group, Inc.

  104,950     7,349,649
       

REAL ESTATE–3.2%

   

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc.—Class A(a)

  189,050     6,900,325
       
      53,207,562
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–25.0%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–4.8%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  158,600     4,417,010

Qualcomm, Inc.

  133,320     5,784,755
       
      10,201,765
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–5.8%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  72,130     8,802,745

Network Appliance, Inc.(a)

  35,750     1,043,900

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  459,630     2,417,654
       
      12,264,299
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–2.4%

   

Amphenol Corp.—Class A

  145,210     5,176,737
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–6.1%

   

eBay, Inc.(a)

  73,270     2,357,829

Google, Inc.—Class A(a)

  19,100     9,996,558

VistaPrint, Ltd.(a)

  19,110     730,957
       
      13,085,344
       

IT SERVICES–1.7%

   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.—Class A(a)

  33,560     2,520,020

Iron Mountain, Inc.(a)

  39,960     1,044,155
       
      3,564,175
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–4.2%

   

Broadcom Corp.—Class A(a)

  147,860   $ 4,324,905

NVIDIA Corp.(a)

  110,810     4,577,561
       
      8,902,466
       
      53,194,786
       

HEALTH CARE–18.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–6.1%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  40,850     2,341,931

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  78,200     5,916,612

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  123,560     4,790,421
       
      13,048,964
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.9%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  29,520     3,982,543
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–5.6%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  53,510     4,173,245

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  12,320     630,045

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  88,290     7,048,190
       
      11,851,480
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.7%

   

Merck & Co., Inc.

  68,510     3,411,798

Schering-Plough Corp.

  31,800     967,992

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)

  137,550     5,673,938
       
      10,053,728
       
      38,936,715
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–16.2%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–1.1%

   

Johnson Controls, Inc.

  19,400     2,245,938
       

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.1%

   

Strayer Education, Inc.

  18,270     2,406,342
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.0%

   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.—Class A(a)

  49,970     4,261,442
       

MEDIA–3.3%

   

Comcast Corp.—Class A(a)

  247,725     6,966,027
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–2.6%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  76,985     5,468,244
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–2.5%

   

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.(a)

  90,260     5,250,424
       

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–3.6%

   

Coach, Inc.(a)

  46,720     2,214,061

Under Armour, Inc.—Class A(a)

  120,530     5,502,194
       
      7,716,255
       
      34,314,672
       


 

3


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIALS–10.0%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–4.0%

   

Boeing Co.

  76,070   $ 7,314,891

United Technologies Corp.

  15,020     1,065,369
       
      8,380,260
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.7%

   

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.(a)

  26,580     1,528,616
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–2.5%

   

Ametek, Inc.

  84,760     3,363,277

Emerson Electric Co.

  42,320     1,980,576
       
      5,343,853
       

MACHINERY–2.8%

   

Actuant Corp.—Class A

  6,730     424,393

Danaher Corp.

  73,690     5,563,595
       
      5,987,988
       
      21,240,717
       

ENERGY–4.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.7%

   

Schlumberger, Ltd.

  117,480     9,978,751
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–0.5%

   

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

Bare Escentuals, Inc.(a)

  33,900     1,157,685
       

Total Common Stocks (cost $156,461,606)

      212,030,888
       

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.2%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.2%

   

The Bank of New York 4.25%, 7/02/07 (cost $382,000)

  $ 382   $ 382,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.9% (cost $156,843,606)

      212,412,888

Other assets less liabilities–0.1%

      128,641
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 212,541,529
       


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $156,843,606)

   $ 212,412,888  

Cash

     717  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,702,257  

Dividends and interest receivable

     84,851  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     5,270  
        

Total assets

     214,205,983  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     1,152,425  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     143,916  

Advisory fee payable

     137,095  

Printing fee payable

     117,001  

Distribution fee payable

     27,253  

Administrative fee payable

     19,223  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     67,482  
        

Total liabilities

     1,664,454  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 212,541,529  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 9,889  

Additional paid-in capital

     225,215,793  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (436,484 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (67,816,951 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     55,569,282  
        
   $ 212,541,529  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 85,500,955      3,930,328      $ 21.75

B

     $   127,040,574      5,958,702      $   21.32

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $13,691)

   $ 714,119  

Interest

     13,245  
        

Total investment income

     727,364  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     822,540  

Distribution fee—Class B

     161,996  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,015  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,466  

Custodian

     61,256  

Administrative

     47,000  

Printing

     35,221  

Audit

     19,111  

Legal

     7,707  

Directors’ fees

     740  

Miscellaneous

     5,796  
        

Total expenses

     1,163,848  
        

Net investment loss

     (436,484 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     12,229,381  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     3,505,048  
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     15,734,429  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 15,297,945  
        

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (436,484 )   $ (907,564 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     12,229,381       30,221,262  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     3,505,048       (35,533,738 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     15,297,945       (6,220,040 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (27,552,606 )     (60,113,680 )
                

Total decrease

     (12,254,661 )     (66,333,720 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     224,796,190       291,129,910  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($436,484) and $0, respectively)

   $ 212,541,529     $ 224,796,190  
                

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek to provide long-term growth of capital. Current income was incidental to the Portfolio’s objective. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $70,594 none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

9


GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 44,254,883     $ 70,925,665  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 56,174,850  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (605,568 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 55,569,282  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange 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.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
   Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

          

Shares sold

  68,361    269,283       $ 1,435,894     $ 5,345,370  

Shares redeemed

  (747,646)    (1,689,477 )       (15,740,916 )     (33,240,111 )
                            

Net decrease

  (679,285)    (1,420,194 )     $ (14,305,022 )   $ (27,894,741 )
                            

Class B

          

Shares sold

  120,834    496,149       $ 2,464,192     $ 9,823,717  

Shares redeemed

  (763,655)    (2,210,469 )       (15,711,776 )     (42,042,656 )
                            

Net decrease

  (642,821)    (1,714,320 )     $ (13,247,584 )   $ (32,218,939 )
                            

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

 

11


GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (79,551,192 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     51,569,094 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (27,982,098 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $79,551,192 of which $64,635,720 expires in the year 2010 and $14,915,472 expires in the year 2011. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. During the current fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized capital loss carryforwards of $30,545,514.

 

(b) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the tax treatment of dividends received.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and
(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

 

13


GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

14


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.27     $20.49     $18.30     $15.95     $11.81     $16.42  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.03 )   (.04 )   (.08 )   (.07 )   (.06 )   (.06 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  1.51     (.18 )   2.27     2.42     4.20     (4.55 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.48     (.22 )   2.19     2.35     4.14     (4.61 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $21.75     $20.27     $20.49     $18.30     $15.95     $11.81  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  7.30 %   (1.07 )%   11.97 %   14.73 %   35.06 %   (28.08 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $85,501     $93,459     $123,535     $137,345     $141,809     $121,439  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

  .91 %(c)   .90 %(d)   .88 %   .88 %   .89 %   .88 %

Net investment loss

  (.25 )%(c)   (.22 )%(d)   (.43 )%   (.43 )%   (.43 )%   (.44 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  20 %   55 %   49 %   56 %   49 %   38 %

 

 


See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $19.90     $20.15     $18.05     $15.76     $11.70     $16.31  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.05 )   (.09 )   (.12 )   (.11 )   (.09 )   (.09 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  1.47     (.16 )   2.22     2.40     4.15     (4.52 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.42     (.25 )   2.10     2.29     4.06     (4.61 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $21.32     $19.90     $20.15     $18.05     $15.76     $11.70  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  7.14 %   (1.24 )%   11.64 %   14.53 %   34.70 %   (28.26 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $127,041     $131,337     $167,595     $152,899     $120,460     $71,724  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

  1.16 %(c)   1.15 %(d)   1.13 %   1.13 %   1.14 %   1.13 %

Net investment loss

  (.50 )%(c)   (.47 )%(d)   (.68 )%   (.68 )%   (.68 )%   (.69 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  20 %   55 %   49 %   56 %   49 %   38 %

 

 


 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) 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.

 

(c) Annualized.

 

(d) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

16


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

17


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 3000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (September 1990 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group and Performance Universe comparisons the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile in the 1-year period, 4th quintile in the 3-year period and 3rd quintile in the 5-year period, and in the 10-year period the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile in the Performance Group comparison and 4th quintile in the Performance Universe comparison. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in all periods reviewed except in the 1-year period when it underperformed the Index. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser (including the Adviser’s view that its “high conviction” style of growth investing had been out of favor for several years), and of the enhancements to its investment process being implemented by the Adviser with a view to improving investment performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s investment performance was understandable. The directors informed the Adviser that they planned to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 3 basis points, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

19


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Growth

   75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    $ 217.0    Growth Portfolio
   65 bp on next $2.5 billion      
   60 bp on the balance      

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.03% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio        Fiscal Year

Growth Portfolio

   Class A      0.90 %      December 31
   Class B      1.15 %     

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised

 


1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Growth Portfolio

   $ 217.0    U.S. Growth Schedule    0.400 %    0.750 %
      80 bp on 1st $25m      
      50 bp on next $25m      
      40 bp on next $50m      
      30 bp on next $100m      
      25 bp on the balance      
      Minimum account size $10m      

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Growth Fund, a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Growth Fund:5

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund
(“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

Growth Portfolio

   Growth Fund    0.75% on first $2.5 billion    0.75 %
      0.65% on next $2.5 billion   
      0.60% on the balance   

The Alliance Capital Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ACITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ACITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio    ACITM Mutual Fund    Fee  

Growth Portfolio

   AllianceBernstein U.S.
Growth Stock Fund A/B6
   0.75 %

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

6 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

21


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)7 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee9
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.750    7/13

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU10 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)11

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Growth Portfolio

   0.880    0.775    10/13    0.814    33/50

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to

 


 

7 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

8 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

9 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

10 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

11 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the ‘40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $364,558 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $365,270 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.12

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 


 

12 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

23


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio13 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)14 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.15

 

Growth Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   -1.07      6.67      7.89      12/13      57/59

3 year

   8.32      8.36      9.72      8/13      35/52

5 year

   4.30      4.30      4.45      6/12      25/45

10 year

   5.77      6.45      6.84      7/8      15/20

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)16 versus its benchmark.17 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.18

 

     

Periods Ending December 31, 2006

Annualized Performance

     

1 Year

(%)

   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
   10 Year
(%)
   Since
Inception
(%)
   Annualized    Risk
Period
(Year)
                  Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

Growth Portfolio

   -1.07    8.32    4.30    5.78    9.95    20.63    0.20    10

Russell 3000 Growth Index

   9.46    7.17    3.02    5.34    8.83    19.37    0.17    10

Inception Date: September 15, 1994

                       

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

13 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

14 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

15 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

16 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

17 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
    January 1, 2007    
   Ending
Account Value
      June 30, 2007      
   Expenses Paid
    During Period*    
   Annualized
    Expense Ratio*    
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $   1,060.98    $     3.07    0.60 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $     1,000    $   1,021.82    $     3.01    0.60 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $   1,059.65    $     4.34    0.85 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $     1,000    $   1,020.58    $     4.26    0.85 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

American International Group, Inc.

   $ 112,048,000      4.6 %

Procter & Gamble Co.

     102,340,275      4.2  

Emerson Electric Co.

     86,598,720      3.5  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     86,584,995      3.5  

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

     80,766,774      3.3  

WellPoint, Inc.

     79,766,136      3.3  

Microsoft Corp.

     79,112,215      3.2  

Time Warner, Inc.

     76,926,448      3.1  

Citigroup, Inc.

     76,719,582      3.1  

Loews Corp. (Common and Carolina Group)

     74,222,990      3.0  
                 
     $   855,086,135      34.8 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 712,049,835      29.0 %

Health Care

     396,203,123      16.1  

Consumer Staples

     321,986,820      13.1  

Information Technology

     281,666,577      11.5  

Energy

     179,528,697      7.3  

Consumer Discretionary

     168,043,290      6.9  

Industrials

     161,356,399      6.6  

Telecommunication Services

     108,740,776      4.4  

Materials

     52,240,500      2.1  

Utilities

     27,137,973      1.1  

Short-Term Investments

     45,480,000      1.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,454,433,990      100.0 %

 


 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.2%

   
   

FINANCIALS–29.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.8%

   

The Bank of New York Co., Inc.

  835,100   $ 34,606,544

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  67,800     8,981,466

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  254,400     18,957,888

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  375,400     31,375,932

Northern Trust Corp.

  393,900     25,304,136
       
      119,225,966
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.5%

   

Wachovia Corp.

  230,500     11,813,125

Wells Fargo & Co.

  1,150,000     40,445,500

Zions Bancorporation

  106,800     8,213,988
       
      60,472,613
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–8.5%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  925,200     45,233,028

Citigroup, Inc.

  1,495,800     76,719,582

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  1,787,100     86,584,995
       
      208,537,605
       

INSURANCE–11.7%

   

ACE Ltd.

  693,200     43,338,864

Allstate Corp.

  186,100     11,447,011

American International Group, Inc.

  1,600,000     112,048,000

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

  1,355,700     55,109,205

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  147,600     14,540,076

Loews Corp.

  642,300     32,744,454

Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

  392,400     17,289,144
       
      286,516,754
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.5%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

  570,900     37,296,897
       
      712,049,835
       

HEALTH CARE–16.2%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.7%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  66,500     8,971,515

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  418,900     31,208,050
       
      40,179,565
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–9.2%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  581,700     28,735,980

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

  332,600     26,029,276

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  223,800     17,454,162

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  1,434,900     73,380,786

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  999,200     79,766,136
       
      225,366,340
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.3%

   

Eli Lilly & Co.

  727,100   $ 40,630,348

Merck & Co., Inc.

  592,500     29,506,500

Schering-Plough Corp.

  501,000     15,250,440

Wyeth

  789,500     45,269,930
       
      130,657,218
       
      396,203,123
       

CONSUMER
STAPLES–13.1%

   

BEVERAGES–0.9%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  333,100     21,601,535
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.4%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

  629,100     22,930,695

Safeway, Inc.

  477,700     16,256,131

Walgreen Co.

  485,100     21,121,254
       
      60,308,080
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.7%

   

Campbell Soup Co.

  544,700     21,139,807

Kellogg Co.

  408,300     21,145,857
       
      42,285,664
       

HOUSEHOLD
PRODUCTS–4.2%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  1,672,500     102,340,275
       

TOBACCO–3.9%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  769,500     53,972,730

Loews Corp.—Carolina Group

  536,800     41,478,536
       
      95,451,266
       
      321,986,820
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–11.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.4%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  1,186,600     33,046,810
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–4.1%

   

International Business Machines Corp.

  195,900     20,618,475

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  15,354,900     80,766,774
       
      101,385,249
       

IT SERVICES–2.1%

   

Accenture Ltd.—Class A

  855,800     36,705,262

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

  268,400     15,245,120
       
      51,950,382
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.7%

   

International Rectifier Corp.(a)

  434,029     16,171,921
       

SOFTWARE–3.2%

   

Microsoft Corp.

  2,684,500     79,112,215
       
      281,666,577
       


 

3


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–7.3%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.3%

   

Nabors Industries Ltd.(a)

  249,000   $ 8,311,620
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–7.0%

   

Chevron Corp.

  577,700     48,665,448

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  863,100     72,396,828

Total SA (ADR)

  619,348     50,154,801
       
      171,217,077
       
      179,528,697
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–6.9%

   

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.4%

   

Apollo Group, Inc.—Class A(a)

  166,400     9,722,752
       

HOTELS RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.8%

   

McDonald’s Corp.

  367,200     18,639,072
       

MEDIA–5.7%

   

Comcast Corp.—Class A(a)

  637,100     17,915,252

News Corp.—Class A

  1,455,300     30,866,913

Omnicom Group, Inc.

  120,000     6,350,400

Time Warner, Inc.

  3,656,200     76,926,448

Viacom, Inc.—Class B(a)

  183,100     7,622,453
       
      139,681,466
       
      168,043,290
       

INDUSTRIALS–6.6%

   

AEROSPACE &
DEFENSE–1.0%

   

United Technologies Corp.

  325,000     23,052,250
       

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Southwest Airlines Co.

  327,900     4,888,989
       

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–3.5%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  1,850,400     86,598,720
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.9%

   

General Electric Co.

  1,223,000     46,816,440
       
      161,356,399
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value  
   

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.4%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    1,754,400   $ 72,807,600  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    872,800     35,933,176  
         
      108,740,776  
         

MATERIALS–2.1%

   

CHEMICALS–2.1%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    650,000     52,240,500  
         

UTILITIES–1.1%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.2%

   

The Southern Co.

    147,700     5,064,633  
         

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.9%

   

The AES Corp.(a)

    996,000     21,792,480  
         

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.0%

   

PG&E Corp.

    6,200     280,860  
         
      27,137,973  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $1,934,455,586)

      2,408,953,990  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.9%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.9%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $45,480,000)

  $ 45,480     45,480,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.1%
(cost $1,979,935,586)

      2,454,433,990  

Other assets less
liabilities–(0.1)%

      (1,426,026 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 2,453,007,964  
         


 

4

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $1,979,935,586)

   $ 2,454,433,990

Cash

     3,275

Receivable for investment securities sold

     25,904,060

Dividends and interest receivable

     2,233,761

Receivable for capital stock sold

     113,766
      

Total assets

     2,482,688,852
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     25,198,068

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     2,370,096

Advisory fee payable

     1,165,443

Distribution fee payable

     421,973

Administrative fee payable

     19,223

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses

     506,026
      

Total liabilities

     29,680,888
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 2,453,007,964
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 91,266

Additional paid-in capital

     1,828,007,012

Undistributed net investment income

     16,061,698

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     134,349,584

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     474,498,404
      
   $ 2,453,007,964
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 502,267,882      18,557,367      $ 27.07

B

     $   1,950,740,082      72,708,972      $   26.83

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $125,119)

   $ 24,618,922  

Interest

     1,641,506  
        

Total investment income

     26,260,428  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     6,886,288  

Distribution fee—Class B

     2,489,875  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,177  

Transfer agency—Class B

     4,529  

Printing

     339,501  

Custodian

     123,909  

Legal

     57,285  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,111  

Directors’ fees

     1,335  

Miscellaneous

     55,320  
        

Total expenses

     10,025,330  
        

Net investment income

     16,235,098  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     139,951,673  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (16,014,876 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     123,936,797  
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     5,490,338  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 145,662,233  
        

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 16,235,098     $ 30,599,546  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     139,951,673       137,341,083  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (16,014,876 )     230,009,742  

Contribution from Adviser

     5,490,338       –0–  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     145,662,233       397,950,371  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (7,215,789 )     (7,445,666 )

Class B

     (23,356,429 )     (21,954,052 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (24,491,029 )     (27,071,472 )

Class B

     (96,075,101 )     (98,572,218 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (85,211,555 )     (344,275,984 )
                

Total decrease

     (90,687,670 )     (101,369,021 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     2,543,695,634       2,645,064,655  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $16,061,698 and $30,398,818, respectively)

   $ 2,453,007,964     $ 2,543,695,634  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek reasonable current income and reasonable opportunity for appreciation through investments primarily in dividend-paying, common stocks of good quality. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .625% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

During the period ended June 30, 2007, and in response to the Independent Director’s request, the Adviser made a payment of $5,490,338 to the Portfolio in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a claim for class action settlement proceeds on behalf of the Portfolio.

 

9


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007 amounted to $1,019,260, of which $68,333 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 597,570,110     $ 741,405,173  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 479,974,785  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (5,476,381 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 474,498,404  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation by the Portfolio.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  835,144     2,064,629       $ 23,010,516     $ 51,573,410  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  1,167,409     1,481,422         31,706,818       34,517,138  

Shares redeemed

  (2,928,910 )   (7,031,345 )       (80,925,219 )     (177,773,452 )
                             

Net decrease

  (926,357 )   (3,485,294 )     $ (26,207,885 )   $ (91,682,904 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  956,012     5,483,289       $ 26,315,520     $ 132,876,586  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  4,434,888     5,215,330         119,431,530       120,526,270  

Shares redeemed

  (7,461,099 )   (20,044,146 )       (204,750,720 )     (505,995,936 )
                             

Net decrease

  (2,070,199 )   (9,345,527 )     $ (59,003,670 )   $ (252,593,080 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which

 

11


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 29,399,718    $ 35,565,876  

Net long-term capital gains

     125,643,690      –0
               

Total taxable distributions

     155,043,408      35,565,876  
               

Total distributions paid

   $ 155,043,408    $ 35,565,876  
               

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 37,965,099  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     112,649,399  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     485,261,641 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 635,876,139  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance

 

13


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

15


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $27.19     $24.88     $24.08     $21.80     $16.62     $22.16  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .21     .36     .31     .36 (b)   .23     .22  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  1.40     3.66     .85     2.12     5.15     (5.01 )

Contribution from Adviser

  .06     –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.67     4.02     1.16     2.48     5.38     (4.79 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.41 )   (.37 )   (.36 )   (.20 )   (.20 )   (.12 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.38 )   (1.34 )   –0   –0   –0   (.63 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.79 )   (1.71 )   (.36 )   (.20 )   (.20 )   (.75 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $27.07     $27.19     $24.88     $24.08     $21.80     $16.62  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  6.10 %   17.29 %   4.86 %   11.46 %   32.50 %   (22.05 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $502,268     $529,732     $571,372     $627,689     $603,673     $456,402  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .60 %(d)   .61 %(e)   .59 %   .60 %   .66 %   .68 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .60 %(d)   .61 %(e)   .59 %   .65 %   .66 %   .68 %

Net investment income

  1.49 %(d)   1.42 %(e)   1.29 %   1.62 %(b)   1.25 %   1.15 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  25 %   60 %   72 %   50 %   57 %   69 %

 

 


See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.93     $24.65     $23.87     $21.62     $16.49     $22.03  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .17     .29     .25     .31 (b)   .18     .17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  1.39     3.63     .83     2.10     5.11     (4.98 )

Contribution from Adviser

  .06     –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.62     3.92     1.08     2.41     5.29     (4.81 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.34 )   (.30 )   (.30 )   (.16 )   (.16 )   (.10 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.38 )   (1.34 )   –0   –0   –0   (.63 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.72 )   (1.64 )   (.30 )   (.16 )   (.16 )   (.73 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.83     $26.93     $24.65     $23.87     $21.62     $16.49  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  5.97 %   16.98 %   4.60 %   11.22 %   32.18 %   (22.26 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $1,950,740     $2,013,964     $2,073,693     $2,044,741     $1,671,671     $1,067,952  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .85 %(d)   .86 %(e)   .85 %   .85 %   .91 %   .93 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .85 %(d)   .86 %(e)   .85 %   .90 %   .91 %   .93 %

Net investment income

  1.24 %(d)   1.17 %(e)   1.05 %   1.39 %(b)   .99 %   .91 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  25 %   60 %   72 %   50 %   57 %   69 %

 


(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

17


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (January 1991 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile in the 1- and 5-year periods, 5th quintile in the 3-year period and 3rd quintile in the 10-year period, and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile in the 1- and 3-year periods, 3rd quintile in the 5-year period and 2nd quintile in the 10-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s investment performance was understandable. The directors informed the Adviser that they planned to continue to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

 

19


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 54.8 basis points, plus the less than 1 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was the same as the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

20


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Net Assets
02/28/07
($MIL)
   Portfolio

Value

   55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 45 bp on next $2.5 billion 40 bp on the balance    $ 2,480.1    Growth & Income
Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.003% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense
Ratio
       Fiscal Year

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Class A 0.61

Class B 0.86

%

%

     December 31

 


1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

21


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective AB
Inst. Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Growth & Income

   $ 2,480.1    Relative Value Schedule    0.262 %    0.550 %

Portfolio

      65 bp on 1st $25m

50 bp on next $25m

40 bp on next $50m

30 bp on next $100m

25 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $10m

     

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc.:5

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Growth & Income
Fund, Inc.
  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

   0.55%

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for American Value Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Fund:

 

Fund    Fee  

American Value Portfolio Class A6

   1.50 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.70 %

The Adviser provides sub-advisory investment services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the following fees for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio    Sub-Advised
Fund
     Fee Schedule

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Client No. 1     

0.30% on first $1 billion

0.25% on next $500 million

0.20% thereafter

   Client No.27      0.30%
   Client No.37     

0.60% on first $1 billion

0.55% on next $500 million

0.50% on next $500 million

0.45% on next $500 million 0.40% thereafter

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides, pursuant to the sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser. Consequently, at the request of the Adviser and the Senior Officer, Lipper expanded the Fund’s EG to include peers that have similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.

 


 

6 Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

7 The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

8 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

9 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

23


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
   Lipper
Group
Median
   Rank

Growth & Income Portfolio11

   0.548    0.560    8/19

However, because Lipper had expanded the EG of the Fund, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include the universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.12 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Fund.13

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)14
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper
Universe
Median
(%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

Growth & Income Portfolio15

   0.595    0.595    9/19    0.788    18/113

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $4,944,774 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $1,901,635 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

 


 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

11 The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, seven other variable insurance product (“VIP”) Large-Cap Value funds (“LCVE”) and eleven VIP Large-Cap Core funds (“LCCE”).

 

12 It should be noted that the expansion of the Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Adviser or the Senior Officer. They requested that only the EG be expanded.

 

13 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

14 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

15 The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP LCVE and LCCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.16

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)18 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.19

 

Growth & Income
Portfolio
   Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   17.29      17.44      19.31      5/8      34/45

3 year

   11.09      11.68      12.12      7/8      31/42

5 year

   7.20      7.43      7.52      5/8      21/35

10 year

   10.87      10.87      8.61      3/5      4/14

 


 

16 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

17 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

18 The Portfolio’s PG and PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The criteria for including in or excluding a fund in/from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

19 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

25


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)20 versus its benchmark.21 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.22

 

      Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
                         Since
Inception
(%)
   Annualized    Risk
Period
(Year)
      1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
   10 Year
(%)
      Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

Growth & Income Portfolio

   17.29    11.09    7.20    10.87    11.74    16.06    0.49    10

Russell 1000 Value Index

   22.25    15.09    10.86    11.00    13.48    14.21    0.54    10

Inception Date: January 14, 1991

                       

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

20 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

21 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

26


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”),2 prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pays the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003 is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Net Assets
06/30/06
($MIL)
   Portfolio

Value

   55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
45 bp on next $2.5 billion
40 bp on the balance
   $ 2,369.0    Growth & Income
Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. Indicated below is the reimbursement amount, which the Adviser received from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Amount      As a % of Average
Daily Net Assets
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

   $ 75,250      0.00 %

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio        Fiscal Year

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Class A 0.59 %      December 31
   Class B 0.85 %     

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on June 24, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on August 1, 2006 in accordance with the September 1, 2004 Assurance of Discontinuance between the NYAG and the Adviser. It also should be noted that references in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.”

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the New York State Attorney General.

 

27


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses is reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the Portfolio is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that the Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. To the extent that certain of these institutional relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arms-length bargaining or negotiations. In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applied to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee:

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
06/30/06
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein
Institutional
Fee Schedule
   Effective AB
Institutional
Advisory Fee
     Fund
Advisory
Fee4
 

Growth & Income

   $2,369.0    Relative Value Schedule    0.262 %    0.543 %5

Portfolio

      65 bp on the first $25 million

50 bp on the next $25 million

40 bp on the next $50 million

30 bp on the next $100 million

25 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $10m

     

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc.:

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Advisory Fee
Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Growth & Income
Fund, Inc.
    

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

 


 

4 Fund advisory information was provided by Lipper. See Section II for additional discussion.

 

5 This effective advisory fee rate is based on a hypothetical asset level ($2.675 billion) used by Lipper.

 

28


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following “all-in” fee6 for the Luxembourg fund that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee  

Equity Value

   1.50 %

The Adviser provides sub-advisory investment services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the following fees for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio    Sub-Advised
Fund
     Fee Schedule

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Client No. 1     

0.30% on first $1 billion

0.25% on next $500 million

0.20% thereafter

   Client No. 2     

0.60% on first $1 billion

0.55% thereafter

   Client No.37     

0.60% on first $1 billion

0.55% on next $500 million

0.50% on next $500 million

0.45% on next $500 million

0.40% thereafter

   Client No.47      0.30%

It is fair to note that the services of the Adviser provides, pursuant to the sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arms-length bargaining or negotiations.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the Lipper group median at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8

 

Portfolio    Effective
Management
Fee9
   Lipper
Group
Median
   Rank

Growth & Income Portfolio

   0.543    0.557    6/14

 


 

6 The “all-in” fee shown is for the Class A shares of Equity Value. This fee covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

7 The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

8 The effective management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

9 The effective management fee rate for the Portfolio does not reflect expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

29


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper also analyzed the total expense ratio of the Portfolio in comparison to its Lipper Expense Group10 and Lipper Expense Universe.11 Lipper describes a Lipper Expense Group as a representative sample of comparable funds and a Lipper Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the same investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the subject Portfolio. The result of that analysis is set forth below:

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)12
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

Growth & Income Portfolio

   0.595    0.595    7/14    0.841    14/128

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE MANAGEMENT FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that they should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution, and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, front-end sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) and commissions for providing brokerage services. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur. Additional information regarding distribution related fees can be found in the prospectus of the Portfolio.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received the amount set forth below in Rule 12b-1 fees:

 

Portfolio    12b-1 Fees Received

Growth & Income Portfolio

   $ 5,194,420

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection to Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it made the following payment on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI:

 

Portfolio    Adviser Payment to ABI

Growth Portfolio

   $ 1,981,357

 


 

10 Lipper uses the following criteria in screening funds to be included in the Portfolios expense group: variable product, fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes. A Lipper Expense Group will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting a Lipper Expense Group when selecting a Lipper Expense Universe. Unlike the Lipper Expense Group, the Lipper Expense Universe allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed on to any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule in the Investment Advisory Agreement reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent the breakpoints are reached. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant made a presentation to the Board of Directors and the Senior Officer regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets exceeds its initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO.

With assets under management of $625 billion as June 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, which was prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to its Lipper Performance Group15 and Lipper Performance Universe16 for the periods ended April 30, 2006:

 

Growth & Income Portfolio    Group      Universe

1 year

   2/4      39/51

3 year

   4/4      38/47

5 year

   2/3      19/33

10 year

   1/2      2/12

 


13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

14 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

15 The Lipper Performance Group is identical to the Lipper Expense Group.

 

16 For the Lipper Performance Universe, Lipper included the Portfolio and all of the funds of the same Lipper Classification/ Objective and load type, regardless of asset size.

 

31


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmarks:18

 

                              Periods Ending April 30, 2006
Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year      3 Year      5 Year      10 Year      Since
Inception

Growth & Income Portfolio

   9.45      17.72      5.22      11.34      11.45

Russell 1000 Value Index

   13.31      21.77      7.79      10.97      13.12

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: September 7, 2006

 


 

17 The performance returns shown are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

18 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through April 30, 2006 in order to maintain consistency with Lipper’s performance rankings in the analysis.

 

32


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

 

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov.The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

International Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,106.07    $ 5.95    1.14 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.14    $ 5.71    1.14 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,104.84    $ 7.25    1.39 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.90    $ 6.95    1.39 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Credit Suisse Group

   $ 3,110,829      2.4 %

Total SA

     3,103,756      2.4  

UniCredito Italiano SpA

     2,889,374      2.2  

Nestle SA

     2,640,816      2.0  

Fiat SpA

     2,511,230      1.9  

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

     2,478,421      1.9  

Investimentos Itau, SA

     2,282,153      1.7  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

     2,226,179      1.7  

Cia Vale Do Rio Doce (ADR and Sponsored ADR)

     2,203,945      1.7  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA

     2,133,739      1.6  
                 
     $   25,580,442      19.5 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 34,684,672      26.6 %

Consumer Discretionary

     16,819,365      12.9  

Industrials

     14,054,740      10.8  

Health Care

     12,186,515      9.3  

Telecommunication Services

     11,006,297      8.4  

Consumer Staples

     10,820,614      8.3  

Energy

     10,365,080      7.9  

Information Technology

     7,392,576      5.7  

Materials

     6,287,490      4.8  

Utilities

     4,501,401      3.5  

Short-Term Investments

     2,326,000      1.8  
                 

Total Investments

   $   130,444,750      100.0 %

 


 

* Long-term investments.

 

  Please Note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Japan

   $ 18,270,411      14.0 %

France

     17,451,983      13.4  

United Kingdom

     14,512,368      11.1  

Switzerland

     13,232,553      10.1  

Brazil

     7,802,765      6.0  

Spain

     5,834,839      4.5  

Italy

     5,400,604      4.1  

South Africa

     4,123,264      3.2  

Mexico

     4,053,394      3.1  

Germany

     3,640,479      2.8  

Australia

     3,565,683      2.7  

Russia

     3,152,036      2.4  

Other

     27,078,371      20.8  

Short-Term Investments

     2,326,000      1.8  
                 

Total Investments

   $   130,444,750      100.0 %

 


 

* The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 2.4% or less in the following countries: Austria, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan and Turkey.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.8%

   
   

FINANCIALS–26.5%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–7.8%

   

3i Group PLC

  56,766   $ 1,321,377

Credit Suisse Group

  43,820     3,110,829

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

  21,694     1,558,176

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

  127,600     2,478,421

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  28,895     1,728,046
       
      10,196,849
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–15.9%

   

Allied Irish Banks PLC

  38,326     1,046,949

Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC (Dublin)

  55,731     1,143,793

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

  87,252     2,133,739

Banco Santander Chile, SA (ADR)

  6,300     312,102

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

  995,500     600,281

Bank Hapoalim BM

  120,758     588,321

BNP Paribas SA

  15,702     1,865,140

Commerzbank AG

  20,805     992,309

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd.—Class H

  2,692,000     1,496,369

Investimentos Itau, SA

  367,162     2,282,153

Kookmin Bank (ADR)

  14,308     1,255,098

Malayan Banking Bhd

  246,100     855,224

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

  202     2,226,179

Turkiye Is Bankasi—Class C

  207,668     964,953

UniCredito Italiano SpA

  323,500     2,889,374

VTB Bank OJSC
(GDR)(a)(b)

  10,500     115,290
       
      20,767,274
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.8%

   

FirstRand Ltd.

  383,559     1,219,265

ING Groep NV

  25,557     1,124,861
       
      2,344,126
       

INSURANCE–1.0%

   

Prudential PLC

  1,085     15,444

Swiss Reinsurance

  14,923     1,360,979
       
      1,376,423
       
      34,684,672
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–12.8%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.8%

   

Denso Corp.

  27,700     1,083,365
       

AUTOMOBILES–2.7%

   

Fiat SpA

  84,545     2,511,230

Suzuki Motor Corp.

  37,100     1,053,566
       
      3,564,796
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.1%

   

Accor SA

  18,507   $ 1,636,033

OPAP, SA

  30,727     1,085,686
       
      2,721,719
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.4%

   

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

  37,000     528,840

Sony Corp.

  12,700     651,914

Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de C.V.(b)

  149,800     689,827
       
      1,870,581
       

MEDIA–3.7%

   

Eutelsat Communications(b)

  16,110     391,696

Grupo Televisa SA (ADR)

  30,900     853,149

Naspers Ltd.—Class N

  43,353     1,113,842

SES Global -FDR

  27,855     601,541

Societe Television Francaise 1

  27,255     942,039

WPP Group PLC

  62,895     940,687
       
      4,842,954
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.8%

   

Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd.

  2,765     1,077,158
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.3%

   

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

  8,100     576,521

Inditex SA

  12,479     734,503

Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermaerkte AG

  8,574     347,768
       
      1,658,792
       
      16,819,365
       

INDUSTRIALS–10.7%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.6%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  96,244     776,640
       

AIRLINES–0.6%

   

easyJet PLC(b)

  71,197     745,657
       

BUILDING PRODUCTS–1.9%

   

Asahi Glass Co. Ltd.

  48,000     647,204

Cie de Saint-Gobain

  16,134     1,807,373
       
      2,454,577
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.0%

   

Capita Group PLC

  93,365     1,355,365
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.2%

   

Vinci SA

  20,692     1,544,391
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

Fuji Electric Holdings Co. Ltd.

  109,000     552,883
       


 

4


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.6%

   

Barloworld Ltd.

  26,031   $ 723,306
       

MACHINERY–2.0%

   

Atlas Copco AB

  96,822     1,612,693

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

  22,100     767,885

Tata Motors Ltd.

  17,660     290,857
       
      2,671,435
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.6%

   

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  67,000     1,337,119

Wolseley PLC

  34,083     817,982
       
      2,155,101
       

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.8%

   

Cia de Concessoes Rodoviarias

  24,400     453,215

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide

  8,738     622,170
       
      1,075,385
       
      14,054,740
       

HEALTH CARE–9.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.5%

   

CSL Ltd./Australia

  26,969     2,007,506
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–2.0%

   

Essilor International SA

  14,670     1,747,282

Nobel Biocare Holding AG

  2,625     856,882
       
      2,604,164
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.8%

   

Merck KGaA

  12,266     1,678,232

Novartis AG

  35,212     1,976,822

Roche Holding AG

  8,794     1,558,179

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

  72,000     1,173,612

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)

  28,800     1,188,000
       
      7,574,845
       
      12,186,515
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–8.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.7%

   

Telefonica SA

  68,343     1,520,910

Telekom Austria AG

  34,697     864,053

Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk PT

  1,120,500     1,215,506
       
      3,600,469
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.7%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  32,600   $ 2,018,918

Bharti Airtel Ltd.(b)

  94,349     1,939,289

MTN Group Ltd.

  78,486     1,066,852

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

  404     638,966

Orascom Telecom Holding SAE (GDR)(a)

  10,604     688,200

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmet AS

  0     3

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  10,000     1,053,600
       
      7,405,828
       
      11,006,297
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–8.3%

   

BEVERAGES–1.6%

   

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (ADR)

  12,500     491,500

Pernod-Ricard, SA

  7,272     1,605,566
       
      2,097,066
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–2.0%

   

Nestle SA

  6,950     2,640,816
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–1.5%

   

L’Oreal SA

  16,613     1,963,668
       

TOBACCO–3.2%

   

Altadis SA

  14,290     944,417

British American Tobacco PLC

  38,162     1,301,533

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

  380     1,873,114
       
      4,119,064
       
      10,820,614
       

ENERGY–7.9%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.6%

   

Technip SA

  10,224     845,039
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–7.3%

   

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

  33,207     1,391,373

MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas NyRt

  4,281     645,049

Petro-Canada

  21,605     1,150,982

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NY) (ADR)

  17,300     1,845,564

Royal Dutch Shell PLC—Class A

  33,979     1,383,317

Total SA

  38,281     3,103,756
       
      9,520,041
       
      10,365,080
       


 

5


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–5.7%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.5%

   

Nokia OYJ

  68,283   $ 1,917,748
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.2%

   

AU Optronics Corp. (ADR)

  28,000     481,600

Hoya Corp.

  16,400     544,039

Integra Group Holdings (GDR)(b)

  32,515     591,773
       
      1,617,412
       

IT SERVICES–1.4%

   

Indra Sistemas SA

  20,102     501,269

LogicaCMG PLC

  266,999     809,117

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

  20,335     575,229
       
      1,885,615
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–1.3%

   

Canon, Inc.

  28,100     1,647,869
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.3%

   

Novatek Microelectronics Corp. Ltd.

  62,000     323,932
       
      7,392,576
       

MATERIALS–4.8%

   

CHEMICALS–0.4%

   

Nitto Denko Corp.

  9,700     488,914
       

METALS & MINING–4.4%

   

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  29,500     1,314,225

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored)(ADR)

  23,600     889,720

Rio Tinto PLC

  17,840     1,364,828

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA

  9,300     612,768

Xstrata PLC

  27,162     1,617,035
       
      5,798,576
       
      6,287,490
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

UTILITIES–3.4%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.8%

   

CEZ

    16,820   $ 864,927

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (ADR)

    19,200     405,120

Fortum Oyj

    37,378     1,167,969
       
      2,438,016
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.8%

   

International Power PLC

    122,433     1,052,396
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.8%

   

National Grid PLC

    68,517     1,010,989
       
      4,501,401
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $95,366,660)

      128,118,750
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.8%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.8%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $2,326,000)

  $          2,326     2,326,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.6%
(cost $97,692,660)

      130,444,750

Other assets less
liabilities–0.4%

      531,156
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 130,975,906
       


 

 


 

(a) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $803,490 or 0.6% of net assets.

 

(b) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $97,692,660)

   $ 130,444,750

Cash

     386

Foreign cash, at value (cost $442,347)

     447,045

Dividends and interest receivable

     269,000

Receivable for capital stock sold

     172,175
      

Total assets

     131,333,356
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     88,206

Advisory fee payable

     82,887

Custodian fee payable

     66,673

Payable for investment securities purchased

     44,881

Printing fee payable

     19,857

Administrative fee payable

     19,261

Foreign capital gain tax payable

     10,043

Distribution fee payable

     8,306

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses

     17,277
      

Total liabilities

     357,450
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 130,975,906
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 4,416

Additional paid-in capital

     87,206,403

Undistributed net investment income

     978,322

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     9,999,003

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     32,787,762
      
   $ 130,975,906
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 91,592,069      3,082,629      $ 29.71

B

     $ 39,383,837      1,332,976      $ 29.55

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $259,687)

   $ 1,691,863  

Interest

     65,060  
        

Total investment income

     1,756,923  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     467,267  

Distribution fee—Class B

     47,528  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,320  

Transfer agency—Class B

     579  

Custodian

     147,528  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,121  

Printing

     17,206  

Legal

     3,153  

Directors’ fees

     721  

Miscellaneous

     6,066  
        

Total expenses

     757,489  
        

Net investment income

     999,434  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     10,058,644  

Foreign currency transactions

     (16,432 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     1,274,518 (a)

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     2,981  
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     11,319,711  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 12,319,145  
        

 

 

 


 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital gain taxes of $28,181.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 999,434     $ 1,048,609  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     10,042,212       14,218,388  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     1,277,499       8,168,028  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     12,319,145       23,435,025  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (845,267 )     (654,473 )

Class B

     (287,688 )     (210,045 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (9,723,300 )     (436,315 )

Class B

     (4,187,332 )     (172,059 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     16,723,921       11,361,709  
                

Total increase

     13,999,479       33,323,842  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     116,976,427       83,652,585  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $978,322 and $1,111,843, respectively)

   $ 130,975,906     $ 116,976,427  
                

 

 

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $183,388, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 53,995,667     $ 49,736,310  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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

   $ 33,979,076  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,226,986 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 32,752,090  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

 

12


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  534,193     1,366,384       $ 16,975,664     $ 36,908,105  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  356,204     43,131         10,568,567       1,090,788  

Shares redeemed

  (496,301 )   (1,128,436 )       (15,624,272 )     (29,927,872 )
                             

Net increase

  394,096     281,079       $ 11,919,959     $ 8,071,021  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  177,391     492,302       $ 5,573,731     $ 13,161,869  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  151,644     15,175         4,475,020       382,104  

Shares redeemed

  (165,631 )   (381,609 )       (5,244,789 )     (10,253,285 )
                             

Net increase

  163,404     125,868       $ 4,803,962     $ 3,290,688  
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

 

13


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 864,518    $ 248,717  

Long-term capital gains

     608,374      –0
               

Total taxable distributions

     1,472,892      248,717  
               

Total distributions paid

   $ 1,472,892    $ 248,717  
               

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 3,241,761  

Undistributed long term capital gain

     11,781,216  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     31,466,552 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 46,489,529  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA

 

15


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $30.37     $24.27     $20.18     $16.28     $11.48     $12.18  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .26     .30     .25     .11 (b)   .04     .07 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.96     6.18     3.94     3.83     4.91     (.56 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  3.22     6.48     4.19     3.94     4.95     (.49 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.31 )   (.23 )   (.10 )   (.04 )   (.15 )   (.21 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (3.57 )   (.15 )   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.88 )   (.38 )   (.10 )   (.04 )   (.15 )   (.21 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $29.71     $30.37     $24.27     $20.18     $16.28     $11.48  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.61 %   27.04 %   20.84 %   24.27 %   43.46 %   (4.19 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $91,592     $81,655     $58,438     $41,198     $34,302     $27,136  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.14 %(d)   1.23 %(e)   1.41 %   1.65 %   2.17 %   1.54 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.14 %(d)   1.23 %(e)   1.41 %   1.81 %   2.17 %   1.98 %

Net investment income

  1.68 %(d)   1.11 %(e)   1.16 %   .65 %(b)   .34 %   .61 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  41 %   74 %   43 %   60 %   44 %   46 %

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
   

Six Months

Ended

June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $30.20     $24.16     $20.11     $16.24     $11.47     $12.17  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .22     .22     .21     .07 (b)   .02     .03 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.95     6.16     3.91     3.82     4.88     (.53 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  3.17     6.38     4.12     3.89     4.90     (.50 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.25 )   (.19 )   (.07 )   (.02 )   (.13 )   (.20 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (3.57 )   (.15 )   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.82 )   (.34 )   (.07 )   (.02 )   (.13 )   (.20 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $29.55     $30.20     $24.16     $20.11     $16.24     $11.47  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.48 %   26.70 %   20.55 %   23.97 %   43.07 %   (4.26 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $39,384     $35,321     $25,215     $14,501     $7,376     $3,609  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.39 %(d)   1.48 %(e)   1.66 %   1.90 %   2.41 %   1.79 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.39 %(d)   1.48 %(e)   1.66 %   2.06 %   2.41 %   2.23 %

Net investment income

  1.43 %(d)   .81 %(e)   .95 %   .41 %(b)   .13 %   .28 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  41 %   74 %   43 %   60 %   44 %   46 %

 


 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed 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) Annualized

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

18


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

19


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”) for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World (ex-US) Index (Net) (the “Index”) over the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods. The directors noted that in the Performance Group and Performance Universe comparisons the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile in all periods reviewed except in the 1- and 3-year periods when the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile in the Performance Group comparison. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 8 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (less than $125 million as of February 28, 2007) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable in the Portfolio’s particular circumstances.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

21


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

International

   75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    $ 120.5    International Growth
   65 bp on next $2.5 billion       Portfolio
   60 bp on the balance      

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.08% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

International Growth Portfolio

   Class A    1.23 %    December 31
   Class B    1.48 %   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

22


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee5

 

International Growth Portfolio

   $ 120.5    International Large Cap    0.566 %    0.750 %
      Growth Schedule6      
      80 bp on 1st $25m      
      60 bp on next $25m      
      50 bp on next $50m      
      40 bp on the balance      
      Minimum account size $25m      

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc.:7

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

International Growth Portfolio

  International Growth Fund, Inc.  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

  0.75 %
    0.65% on next $2.5 billion  
    0.60% on the balance  

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 Fund advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets.

 

6 Fees shown for the International Large Cap Growth Strategy, which is similar but more concentrated that the Portfolio’s strategy.

 

7 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

23


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

International Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.955    2/12

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU11 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)12

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

International Growth Portfolio

   1.414    1.207    10/12    1.126    20/22

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business

 


 

8 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

9 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $76,398 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $252,888 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 


 

13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

25


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)15 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.16

 

International Growth Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   27.04    25.95    24.13    4/12    6/30

3 year

   24.02    19.88    18.37    3/11    5/26

5 year

   21.26    11.94    12.05    1/11    2/26

10 year

   12.53    8.27    7.96    1/7    2/14

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmark.18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.19

 

     Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
    

1 Year
(%)

 

3 Year
(%)

 

5 Year
(%)

 

10 Year
(%)

 

Since
Inception

(%)

  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
            Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

International Growth Portfolio

  27.04   24.02   21.26   12.53   12.66   14.07   1.27   5

MSCI All Country World ex US Index (Net)

  26.65   21.32   16.42   N/A   N/A   13.66   1.01   5

MSCI World ex US

Index (Net)

  25.71   20.10   15.25   7.96   7.87   13.37   0.95   5

Inception Date: September 23, 1994

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

14 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

15 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

16 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

17 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

18 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

 

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

International Research Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,118.58    $ 6.57    1.25 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.60    $ 6.26    1.25 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,117.12    $ 7.87    1.50 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.36    $ 7.50    1.50 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Credit Suisse Group

   $ 3,070,861      3.7 %

UBS AG

     2,442,169      3.0  

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

     2,197,780      2.7  

Rio Tinto PLC

     2,052,291      2.5  

Cia Vale do Rio Doce ADR

     1,764,360      2.2  

Xstrata PLC

     1,717,645      2.1  

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

     1,637,796      2.0  

UniCredito Italiano SpA

     1,615,486      2.0  

Total SA

     1,600,241      2.0  

Nokia OYJ

     1,599,036      1.9  
                 
     $   19,697,665      24.1 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $   24,124,347      29.9 %

Energy

     10,854,620      13.5  

Consumer Discretionary

     8,718,449      10.8  

Industrials

     7,568,650      9.4  

Materials

     7,260,850      9.0  

Information Technology

     5,535,151      6.9  

Consumer Staples

     5,226,997      6.5  

Telecommunication Services

     4,829,798      6.0  

Health Care

     4,829,222      6.0  

Utilities

     1,216,988      1.5  

Short-Term Investments

     435,000      0.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 80,600,072      100.0 %

 


 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United Kingdom

   $ 12,009,109      14.9 %

Switzerland

     11,551,844      14.3  

Japan

     8,496,640      10.5  

France

     8,136,206      10.1  

Australia

     7,796,345      9.7  

Brazil

     4,460,639      5.5  

Italy

     3,179,570      4.0  

China

     2,991,298      3.7  

Russia

     2,593,026      3.2  

Spain

     2,477,591      3.1  

Mexico

     2,060,421      2.6  

Germany

     1,831,395      2.3  

Other*

     12,580,988      15.6  

Short-Term Investments

     435,000      0.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $   80,600,072      100.0 %

 

 


 

* The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 2.0% or less in the following countries: Argentina, Austria, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan and Turkey.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.0%

 
   

FINANCIALS–29.5%

 

CAPITAL MARKETS–13.6%

 

BlueBay Asset Management/United Kingdom(a)

  59,876   $ 591,734

Credit Suisse Group

  43,257     3,070,861

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

  30,599     2,197,781

Man Group PLC

  80,333     977,164

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

  43,800     850,743

Partners Group

  7,553     1,013,473

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  40,836     2,442,169
       
      11,143,925
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–12.1%

 

Allied Irish Banks PLC

  24,358     665,618

Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC (London Exchange)

  45,102     917,201

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

  28,317     692,489

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

  1,479,500     511,478

BNP Paribas SA

  5,018     596,056

China Construction Bank Corp.–Class H

  1,453,000     999,152

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd.–Class H

  1,459,000     810,996

Investimentos Itau SA

  88,455     549,806

Malayan Banking Berhad

  216,400     752,013

Standard Chartered

  38,798     1,265,489

Turkiye Is Bankasi–Class C

  103,535     481,086

UniCredito Italiano SpA

  180,873     1,615,486
       
      9,856,870
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES–1.0%

Deutsche Boerse AG

  3,316     372,320

IG Group Holdings PLC

  72,801     429,800
       
      802,120
       

INSURANCE–2.8%

 

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  62,073     1,637,796

Swiss Reinsurance

  7,496     683,636
       
      2,321,432
       
      24,124,347
       

ENERGY–13.3%

 

ENERGY EQUIPMENT &
SERVICES–3.5%

 

Schlumberger, Ltd.

  5,700     484,158

Tenaris SA (ADR)

  20,000     979,200

WorleyParsons Ltd.

  48,556     1,396,718
       
      2,860,076
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE
FUELS–9.8%

 

Addax Petroleum Corp.

  6,892     257,758

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.–Class H

  338,500     1,181,150

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

  31,871     1,335,395

LUKOIL (ADR)

  12,420     952,614

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Oil Search Ltd.

  259,601   $ 921,838

Origin Energy Ltd.

  60,675     510,194

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NY) (ADR)

  11,580     1,235,354

Total SA

  19,737     1,600,241
       
      7,994,544
       
      10,854,620
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–10.6%

 

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.6%

 

Denso Corp.

  13,500     527,994
       

AUTOMOBILES–2.2%

 

Fiat SpA

  45,887     1,362,976

Suzuki Motor Corp.

  15,000     425,970
       
      1,788,946
       

HOTELS RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–1.9%

Accor SA

  7,347     649,481

Punch Taverns PLC

  35,983     882,785
       
      1,532,266
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.1%

 

Gafisa SA (ADR)(a)

  6,800     212,160

Sony Corp.

  6,600     338,790

Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de C.V.(a)

  72,100     332,019
       
      882,969
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT &
PRODUCTS–0.6%

Largan Precision Co., Ltd.

  37,000     518,372
       

MEDIA–3.0%

 

Eutelsat Communications

  14,804     359,942

Grupo Televisa SA (ADR)

  21,300     588,093

Pearson PLC

  28,880     486,490

Premiere AG(a)

  20,035     479,320

WPP Group PLC

  34,906     522,071
       
      2,435,916
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.0%

 

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  31,369     398,558

Inditex SA

  7,345     432,320
       
      830,878
       

TEXTILES APPAREL &
LUXURY GOODS–0.2%

Geox SpA

  10,919     201,108
       
      8,718,449
       

INDUSTRIALS–9.2%

 

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.7%

 

BAE Systems PLC

  76,137     614,387
       

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.9%

 

Asahi Glass Co. Ltd.

  22,000     296,635

Cie de Saint-Gobain

  3,873     433,864
       
      730,499
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMERCIAL SERVICES &
SUPPLIES–0.6%

Michael Page International PLC

  49,605   $ 521,148
       

CONSTRUCTION &
ENGINEERING–1.1%

 

Vinci SA

  11,580     864,297
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.6%

 

ABB Ltd.

  14,588     328,927

Fuji Electric Holdings Co. Ltd.

  31,000     157,242
       
      486,169
       

MACHINERY–2.9%

 

Atlas Copco AB

  68,634     1,143,186

Komatsu Ltd.

  26,300     762,255

NGK Insulators Ltd.

  9,000     221,032

NSK Ltd.

  23,000     237,783
       
      2,364,256
       

TRADING COMPANIES &
DISTRIBUTORS–2.4%

Mitsubishi Corp.

  35,500     930,172

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  53,000     1,057,722
       
      1,987,894
       
      7,568,650
       

MATERIALS–8.9%

 

CHEMICALS–1.5%

 

Bayer AG

  8,099     610,067

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

  4,852     327,849

Nitto Denko Corp.

  5,800     292,340
       
      1,230,256
       

METALS & MINING–7.4%

 

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  46,800     1,764,360

Minara Resources Ltd.

  80,921     496,297

Rio Tinto PLC

  26,826     2,052,291

Xstrata PLC

  28,852     1,717,646
       
      6,030,594
       
      7,260,850
       

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–6.8%

 

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT–2.0%

 

Delta Networks, Inc.(a)

  25,000     14,388

Nokia OYJ

  56,935     1,599,035
       
      1,613,423
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.7%

 

AU Optronics Corp.

  126,000     215,243

Hoya Corp.

  9,900     328,414
       
      543,657
       

IT SERVICES–1.4%

 

Cap Gemini SA

  3,711     271,307

Infosys Technologies Ltd. (ADR)

  12,300     619,674

Otsuka Corp.

  2,600     246,583
       
      1,137,564
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–1.6%

 

Canon, Inc.

  22,100     1,296,011
       

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT–1.1%

 

ASML Holding NV(a)

  9,132   $ 250,905

Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, Ltd. (a)

  450,000     395,781

Novatek Microelectronics Corp. Ltd.

  57,000     297,809
       
      944,495
       
      5,535,150
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–6.4%

 

BEVERAGES–1.8%

 

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (ADR)

  14,668     576,746

Pernod–Ricard, SA

  3,904     861,954
       
      1,438,700
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.7%

 

Nestle SA

  3,684     1,399,823
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–1.1%

 

L’Oreal SA

  7,431     878,349
       

TOBACCO–1.8%

 

Altadis SA

  5,489     362,764

British American Tobacco PLC

  26,126     891,040

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

  52     256,321
       
      1,510,125
       
      5,226,997
       

TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–5.9%

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–2.7%

   

Iliad SA

  3,560     358,591

Neuf Cegetel(a)

  9,442     369,426

Telefonica SA

  44,487     990,017

Telekom Austria AG

  19,736     491,482
       
      2,209,516
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.2%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  9,100     563,563

Bharti Airtel Ltd.(a)

  11,968     245,996

China Mobile Ltd.

  14,271     153,542

Orascom Telecom Holding SAE (GDR)(b)

  4,547     295,100

Vimpel–Communications (ADR)

  2,895     305,017

Vodafone Group PLC

  315,465     1,057,064
       
      2,620,282
       
      4,829,798
       

HEALTH CARE–5.9%

 

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.4%

 

CSL Ltd./Australia

  4,136     307,874
       


 

5


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.5%

   

Essilor International SA

  7,495   $ 892,698

Nobel Biocare Holding AG

  1,108     361,686
       
      1,254,384
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.0%

 

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

  10,200     270,633

Merck KGaA

  2,702     369,687

Novartis AG

  19,671     1,104,341

Roche Holding AG

  6,473     1,146,929

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)

  9,100     375,375
       
      3,266,965
       
      4,829,223
       

UTILITIES–1.5%

 

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.9%

 

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (ADR)

  33,126     698,958
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.6%

   

NTPC Ltd.

  138,000     518,030
       
      1,216,988
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $59,143,208)

      80,165,072
       

 

Company   Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–0.6%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.6%

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $435,000)

  435   $ 435,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.6%

   

(cost $59,578,208)

      80,600,072

Other assets less liabilities–1.4%

      1,175,695
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 81,775,767
       

 

 


(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $295,100 or 0.4% of net assets.

 

     Glossary:

 

     ADR–American Depositary Receipt

 

     GDR–Global Depositary Receipt

 

     See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $59,578,208)

   $ 80,600,072

Cash

     6,063

Foreign cash, at value (cost $1,366,440)

     1,372,233

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts

     2,783,416

Dividends and interest receivable

     267,864

Receivable for capital stock sold

     23,079
      

Total assets

     85,052,727
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     2,970,883

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     119,029

Advisory fee payable

     52,147

Foreign capital gain tax payable

     42,269

Administrative fee payable

     19,185

Distribution fee payable

     2,585

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses

     70,803
      

Total liabilities

     3,276,960
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 81,775,767
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,522

Additional paid-in capital

     51,615,730

Undistributed net investment income

     566,093

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     8,568,035

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     21,022,387
      
   $ 81,775,767
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 69,604,588      2,993,745      $ 23.25

B

     $ 12,171,179      528,316      $ 23.04

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $117,494)

   $ 1,090,299  

Interest

     30,040  
        

Total investment income

     1,120,339  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     298,867  

Distribution fee—Class B

     15,085  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,395  

Transfer agency—Class B

     249  

Custodian

     113,257  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,326  

Printing

     10,450  

Legal

     5,350  

Directors’ fees

     721  

Miscellaneous

     2,694  
        

Total expenses

     514,394  
        

Net investment income

     605,945  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     8,714,605  

Foreign currency transactions

     (38,401 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (420,674 )(a)

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (3,135 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     8,252,395  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 8,858,340  
        

 


 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital loss taxes of $18,788.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


 
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 605,945     $ 527,078  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     8,676,204       12,764,940  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (423,809 )     4,487,325  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     8,858,340       17,779,343  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (471,909 )     (276,971 )

Class B

     (54,905 )     (27,309 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (5,676,789 )     –0–  

Class B

     (1,002,501 )     –0–  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     125,998       (13,056,548 )
                

Total increase

     1,778,234       4,418,515  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     79,997,533       75,579,018  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $566,093 and $486,962, respectively)

   $ 81,775,767     $ 79,997,533  
                

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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. Pur -

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

chases 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007 amounted to $120,846, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 37,109,355        $ 44,329,781  

U.S. government securities

     –0        –0

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

   $ 21,207,776  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (185,912 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 21,021,864  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange 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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  158,716     324,654       $ 3,940,493     $ 6,617,370  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  266,408     14,547         6,148,698       276,971  

Shares redeemed

  (415,629 )   (974,629 )       (9,853,211 )     (19,408,701 )
                               

Net increase (decrease)

  9,495     (635,428 )     $ 235,980     $ (12,514,360 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  30,494     173,170       $ 727,618     $ 3,452,225  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  46,236     1,446         1,057,406       27,309  

Shares redeemed

  (80,909 )   (204,263 )       (1,895,006 )     (4,021,722 )
                               

Net decrease

  (4,179 )   (29,647 )     $ (109,982 )   $ (542,188 )
                               

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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

 

13


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 304,280    $ 324,305
             

Total taxable distributions

     304,280      324,305
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 304,280    $ 324,305
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 803,705  

Undistributed long term capital gains

     6,381,072  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (20,607 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     21,340,109 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 28,504,279  
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $20,607 of which $20,607 will expire in the year 2008. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Based on certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code, various limitations regarding the future utilization of these carryforwards, brought forward as a result of the Portfolio’s merger with Brinson Series Trust Global Equity Portfolio, may apply. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized capital loss carryforwards of $6,087,308.

 

(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 I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

 

15


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $22.78     $18.09     $15.26     $13.01     $  9.90     $11.69  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .18     .14     .11     .08 (b)   .02     –0 –(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.51     4.63     2.80     2.20     3.11     (1.78 )

Contribution from Adviser

  –0   –0   –0   .01     –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  2.69     4.77     2.91     2.29     3.13     (1.78 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.17 )   (.08 )   (.08 )   (.04 )   (.02 )   (.01 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.05 )  

–0

 

–0

 

–0

 

–0

 

–0

                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (2.22 )  

(.08

)

 

(.08

)

 

(.04

)

 

(.02

)

 

(.01

)

                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $23.25     $22.78     $18.09     $15.26     $13.01     $  9.90  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  11.86 %   26.45 %   19.16 %   17.62 %   31.59 %   (15.28 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $69,605     $67,982     $65,496     $58,341     $53,425     $46,478  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.25 %(d)   1.25 %(e)   1.30 %   1.33 %   1.80 %   1.36 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.25 %(d)   1.25 %(e)   1.30 %   1.50 %   1.80 %   1.66 %

Net investment income

  1.56 %(d)   .71 %(e)   .67 %   .63 %(b)   .22 %   .04 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  48 %   79 %   93 %   128 %   96 %   70 %

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
   

Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $22.57     $17.94     $15.15     $12.93     $  9.87     $11.68  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

  .15     .09     .06     .05 (b)   (.02 )   (.03 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.48     4.59     2.79     2.20     3.09     (1.78 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  2.63     4.68     2.85     2.25     3.07     (1.81 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.11 )   (.05 )   (.06 )   (.03 )   (.01 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.05 )  

–0

 

–0

 

–0

 

–0

 

–0

                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (2.16 )  

(.05

)

 

(.06

)

 

(.03

)

 

(.01

)

 

–0

                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $23.04     $22.57     $17.94     $15.15     $12.93     $9.87  
                                   

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  11.71 %   26.11 %   18.85 %   17.41 %   31.11 %   (15.50 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $12,171     $12,016     $10,083     $7,065     $2,766     $467  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.50 %(d)   1.50 %(e)   1.56 %   1.56 %   2.05 %   1.63 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.50 %(d)   1.50 %(e)   1.56 %   1.73 %   2.05 %   1.92 %

Net investment income (loss)

  1.30 %(d)   .46 %(e)   .39 %   .35 %(b)   (.17 )%   (.25 )%(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  48 %   79 %   93 %   128 %   96 %   70 %

 

 


 

(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

18


 
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

19


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”) for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods, and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index (Net) (the “Index”) over the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and the since inception period (December 1992 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile in the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods of the Performance Group and Performance Universe comparisons, 5th quintile in the 10-year period of the Performance Group comparison and 4th quintile in the 10-year period of the Performance Universe comparison. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1-year and 3-year periods and underperformed the Index in the 5-year and since inception periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper

 

20


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 11 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (approximately $78 million as of February 28, 2007) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable in the Portfolio’s particular circumstances.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

21


 
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Net Assets
02/28/07
($MIL)
   Portfolio

International

   75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
65 bp on next $2.5 billion
60 bp on the balance
   $ 77.4    International Research
Growth Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.11% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio        Fiscal Year

International Research Growth Portfolio

   Class A

Class B

     1.25

1.50

%

%

     December 31

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee5
 

International Research Growth Portfolio

   $ 77.4    International Research Growth

85 bp on 1st $25m

65 bp on next $25m

55 bp on next $50m

45 bp on the balance

Minimum Account Size: None

   0.679 %    0.750 %

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Fund, Inc.:6

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective
ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

International Research Growth Portfolio

   International Research
Growth Fund, Inc.
  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

   0.75 %

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 Fund advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets.

 

6 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

23


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)7 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee9
   Lipper
Group
Median
   Rank

International Research Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.963    2/12

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU10 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)11
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

International Research Growth Portfolio

   1.305    1.207    9/12    1.126    17/22

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to

 


 

7 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

8 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

9 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

10 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

11 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $28,207 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $125,570 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.12

The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 


 

12 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

25


INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio13 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)14 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.15

 

International Research Growth Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG
Median
   PU
Median
   PG
Rank
   PU
Rank

1 year

   26.46    25.95    24.13    4/12    7/30

3 year

   21.01    19.88    18.37    3/11    6/26

5 year

   14.59    11.94    12.05    4/11    9/26

10 year16

   7.25    8.23    7.96    6/7    9/14

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmark.18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.19

 

    

Periods Ending December 31, 2006

Annualized Performance

   

1 Year
(%)

 

3 Year
(%)

 

5 Year
(%)

 

Since
Inception
(%)

  Annualized  

Risk
Period
(Year)

             Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

International Research Growth Portfolio

  26.45   21.02   14.59   8.36   14.72   0.84   5

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

    Inception Date: December 28, 1992

  26.34   19.93   14.98   9.45   13.43   0.93   5

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

13 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

14 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

15 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

16 The Portfolio’s 10 year return was provided by Lipper.

 

17 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

18 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

 

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

International Value Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $     1,104.70    $     4.28    0.82 %

Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.73    $ 4.11    0.82 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,103.36    $ 5.58    1.07 %

Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.49    $ 5.36    1.07 %

 

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Renault SA

   $ 91,774,646      3.4 %

Allianz SE

     89,384,554      3.3  

ING Groep NV

     76,045,793      2.8  

E.ON AG

     75,583,994      2.8  

BASF AG

     71,609,434      2.6  

BNP Paribas SA

     67,780,303      2.5  

JFE Holdings, Inc.

     67,221,894      2.5  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

     66,361,486      2.5  

ORIX Corp.

     65,772,925      2.4  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

     65,103,833      2.4  
                 
     $   736,638,862      27.2 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 975,440,253      36.3 %

Materials

     356,185,701      13.3  

Consumer Discretionary

     283,233,528      10.5  

Energy

     257,657,472      9.6  

Information Technology

     205,863,938      7.7  

Industrials

     166,489,514      6.2  

Utilities

     120,958,739      4.5  

Telecommunication Services

     109,009,360      4.1  

Health Care

     78,186,890      2.9  

Consumer Staples

     40,172,394      1.5  

Short-Term Investments

     91,473,000      3.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,684,670,789      100.0 %

 

 


 

* Long-term investments.

 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Japan

   $ 546,432,685      20.3 %

France

     445,320,199      16.6  

United Kingdom

     440,307,802      16.4  

Germany

     410,795,013      15.3  

Netherlands

     189,885,758      7.1  

South Korea

     130,729,227      4.9  

Italy

     101,075,740      3.8  

Taiwan

     78,739,726      2.9  

Brazil

     55,430,928      2.1  

Switzerland

     45,178,718      1.7  

Hong Kong

     42,644,130      1.6  

Spain

     33,705,691      1.2  

Other*

     72,952,172      2.7  

Short-Term Investments

     91,473,000      3.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,684,670,789      100.0 %

 

 

 

 


* The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 1.2% or less in the following countries: Belgium, China, Israel and Sweden.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–95.6%

   
   

FINANCIALS–36.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.1%

   

Credit Suisse Group

  636,400   $ 45,178,718

Deutsche Bank AG

  267,300     38,685,704
       
      83,864,422
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–17.8%

   

Bank Hapoalim BM

  990,700     4,826,591

Barclays PLC

  3,560,100     49,531,352

BNP Paribas SA

  570,620     67,780,303

Credit Agricole SA

  1,283,123     52,066,596

HBOS PLC

  2,903,550     57,110,848

Kookmin Bank

  247,600     21,716,662

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

  4,562     50,276,378

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

  5,244,522     66,361,486

Societe Generale

  293,931     54,459,071

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  6,058     56,475,140
       
      480,604,427
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–2.4%

   

ORIX Corp.

  249,530     65,772,925
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.0%

   

Fortis

  750,900     31,826,015

ING Groep NV

  1,727,771     76,045,793
       
      107,871,808
       

INSURANCE–8.0%

   

Allianz SE

  383,300     89,384,554

Aviva PLC

  2,472,997     36,710,960

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (ordinary shares)

  372,337     18,001,012

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (saving shares)

  51,100     1,809,038

Friends Provident PLC

  1,860,755     6,660,773

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  355,000     65,103,833
       
      217,670,170
       

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.7%

   

Leopalace21 Corp.

  223,700     7,644,416

Sino Land Co.

  5,769,528     12,012,085
       
      19,656,501
       
      975,440,253
       

MATERIALS–13.2%

   

CHEMICALS–4.2%

   

BASF AG

  547,400     71,609,434

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  2,551,000     23,417,915

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

  2,457,000     18,661,369
       
      113,688,718
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.7%

   

Buzzi Unicem SpA

  513,712   $ 17,688,322
       

METALS & MINING–8.1%

   

Antofagasta PLC

  864,300     10,592,842

Arcelor Mittal (Euronext Amsterdam)

  779,824     48,702,118

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  1,081,500     67,221,894

Kazakhmys PLC

  785,100     19,765,926

POSCO

  57,800     27,748,851

Xstrata PLC

  756,180     45,017,647
       
      219,049,278
       

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

Svenska Cellulosa AB-Class B

  344,400     5,759,383
       
      356,185,701
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.5%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–3.2%

   

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin—Class B

  395,100     55,212,897

Hyundai Mobis

  313,312     29,724,704
       
      84,937,601
       

AUTOMOBILES–5.3%

   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

  2,475,000     26,497,092

Renault SA

  572,200     91,774,646

Toyota Motor Corp.

  414,100     26,115,794
       
      144,387,532
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–2.0%

   

George Wimpey PLC

  336,800     3,371,393

Persimmon PLC

  79,131     1,829,857

Sharp Corp.

  2,351,000     44,569,071

Taylor Wimpey PLC

  574,800     4,138,074
       
      53,908,395
       
      283,233,528
       

ENERGY–9.5%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–9.5%

   

BP PLC

  1,169,600     14,072,995

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.—Class H

  27,374,000     30,540,183

ENI SpA

  1,753,500     63,577,367

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NY) (ADR)

  519,600     55,430,928

Repsol YPF SA

  851,400     33,705,691

Total SA

  744,100     60,330,308
       
      257,657,472
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.4%

   

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–3.2%

   

Compal Electronics, Inc. (GDR)(a)

  2,164,015   $ 11,687,196

Fujitsu, Ltd.

  3,702,000     27,269,854

Toshiba Corp.

  5,545,000     48,312,416
       
      87,269,466
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.9%

   

AU Optronics Corp.

  13,322,400     22,758,396
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.0%

   

Canon, Inc.

  50     2,932
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.3%

   

Hynix Semiconductor,
Inc.(b)

  810,700     29,167,124

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  25,510     15,595,603

Siliconware Precision Industries Co.

  3,214,000     6,859,607

United Microelectronics Corp.

  62,603,422     37,434,528
       
      89,056,862
       
      199,087,656
       

INDUSTRIALS–6.1%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.0%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  3,426,500     27,650,117

European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., NV

  812,550     26,370,288
       
      54,020,405
       

AIRLINES–1.8%

   

Air France-KLM

  515,700     23,995,317

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  898,200     25,052,750
       
      49,048,067
       

MACHINERY–0.2%

   

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

  575,000     6,500,597
       

MARINE–2.1%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  2,925,000     39,659,841

Nippon Yusen KK

  1,882,000     17,260,604
       
      56,920,445
       
      166,489,514
       

UTILITIES–4.5%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–2.8%

   

E.ON AG

  452,700     75,583,994
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.7%

   

RWE AG

  427,740     45,374,745
       
      120,958,739
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.8%

   

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  11,096,500   $ 30,632,045

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

  4,377     19,369,612
       
      50,001,657
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.2%

   

Vodafone Group PLC

  17,609,975     59,007,703
       
      109,009,360
       

HEALTH CARE–2.9%

   

PHARMACEUTICALS–2.9%

   

AstraZeneca PLC

  586,800     31,447,119

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

  270,200     7,038,710

Sanofi-Aventis

  491,427     39,701,061
       
      78,186,890
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–1.5%

   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.4%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV(b)

  3,090,800     38,767,559
       

TOBACCO–0.1%

   

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

  285     1,404,835
       
      40,172,394
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $2,013,140,186)

      2,586,421,507
       

NON-CONVERTIBLE– PREFERRED STOCKS–0.2%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.2%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.2%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
(cost $6,812,005)

  14,500     6,776,282
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–3.4%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $91,473,000)

  $91,473     91,473,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.2%
(cost $2,111,425,191)

      2,684,670,789

Other assets less liabilities–0.8%

      20,433,880
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 2,705,104,669
       

 


 

5


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration
Month
   Original
Value
   Value at
June 30,
2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Purchased Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index

   530    September 2007    $   31,780,548    $   32,387,494    $   606,946

 

 

 

 


 

(a) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $11,687,196 or 0.4% of net assets.

 

(b) Non-income producing security.

 

     Glossary:

 

     ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

     GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

     See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $2,111,425,191)

   $ 2,684,670,789  

Cash

     3,163  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $14,468,462)

     14,907,187 (a)

Receivable for investment securities sold

     6,614,250  

Dividends and interest receivable

     3,013,207  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     2,640,488  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     502,132  
        

Total assets

     2,712,351,216  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     2,432,434  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     2,347,196  

Advisory fee payable

     1,685,730  

Distribution fee payable

     521,031  

Administrative fee payable

     26,685  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     233,412  
        

Total liabilities

     7,246,547  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 2,705,104,669  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 103,979  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,027,893,232  

Undistributed net investment income

     13,377,030  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     89,473,454  

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     574,256,974  
        
   $ 2,705,104,669  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 195,911,866      7,466,668      $   26.24

B

     $   2,509,192,803      96,512,179      $ 26.00

 


 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $2,356,432 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2007.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $5,085,039)

   $ 40,864,987  

Interest

     2,167,230  
        

Total investment income

     43,032,217  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     8,695,463  

Distribution fee—Class B

     2,694,460  

Transfer agency—Class A

     171  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,314  

Custodian

     507,279  

Printing

     161,939  

Administrative

     47,000  

Legal

     28,992  

Audit

     19,101  

Director’ fees

     746  

Miscellaneous

     33,754  
        

Total expenses

     12,191,219  
        

Net investment income

     30,840,998  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     84,939,060  

Futures

     6,170,084  

Foreign currency transactions

     (1,236,000 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     117,553,330  

Futures

     9,885  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     225,767  
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     207,662,126  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 238,503,124  
        

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 30,840,998     $ 21,473,039  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     89,873,144       96,785,438  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     117,788,982       302,694,031  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     238,503,124       420,952,508  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (2,121,228 )     (1,113,605 )

Class B

     (24,321,058 )     (15,878,596 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (7,015,301 )     (1,462,755 )

Class B

     (91,158,928 )     (22,570,291 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     572,670,898       741,355,980  
                

Total increase

     686,557,507       1,121,283,241  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     2,018,547,162       897,263,921  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $13,377,030 and $8,978,318, respectively)

   $ 2,705,104,669     $ 2,018,547,162  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio commenced operations on May 10, 2001. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $1,661,429, of which $49,237 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 743,584,553     $ 286,636,660  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 580,846,274  

Gross unrealized depreciation

  

 

(7,600,676

)

        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 573,245,598  
        

1. Financial Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these financial instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

At the time the Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.

2. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange 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.

3. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

13


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
   

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2007
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

 

2,862,947

 

  2,902,550       $ 73,198,587     $ 63,224,190  

Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividends and distributions

  352,353     125,676         9,136,529       2,576,360  

Shares redeemed

  (949,844 )   (800,418 )       (24,399,385 )     (17,692,729 )
                             

Net increase

  2,265,456     2,227,808       $ 57,935,731     $ 48,107,821  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  17,173,063     32,602,691       $ 437,183,370     $ 709,380,668  

Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividends and distributions

  4,493,385     1,889,380         115,479,986       38,448,887  

Shares redeemed

  (1,490,322 )   (2,564,379 )       (37,928,189 )     (54,581,396 )
                             

Net increase

  20,176,126     31,927,692       $ 514,735,167     $ 693,248,159  
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 22,004,118    $ 5,167,063

Net long-term capital gains

     19,021,129      5,404,938
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 41,025,247    $ 10,572,001
             

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 66,357,230  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     57,646,765  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     439,216,854 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 563,220,849  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies, and the recognition for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

  (i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

  (ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

  (iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified

 

15


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

17


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.96     $19.07     $16.70     $13.45     $   9.35     $ 9.87  
                                       

Income From Investment Operations

 

         

Net investment income (a)

  .38     .38     .26 (b)   .20 (b)     .13 (b)     .13 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.22     6.21     2.49     3.16       4.01       (.64 )
                                       

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  2.60     6.59     2.75     3.36       4.14       (.51 )
                                       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.31 )   (.30 )   (.10 )   (.08 )     (.04 )     (.01 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.01 )   (.40 )   (.28 )   (.03 )     –0     –0
                                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.32 )   (.70 )   (.38 )   (.11 )     (.04 )     (.01 )
                                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.24     $24.96     $19.07     $16.70       $13.45     $ 9.35  
                                       

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.47 %   35.36 %   16.92 %   25.12 %     44.36 %     (5.15 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $195,912     $129,837     $56,692     $47,095       $31,628       $14,391  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .82 %(d)   .85 %(e)   .86 %   .95 %     1.20 %     1.17 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .82 %(d)   .85 %(e)   .87 %   1.13 %     1.49 %     2.20 %

Net investment income

  2.95 %(d)   1.75 %(e)   1.54 %(b)   1.42 %(b)     1.16 %(b)     1.30 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  13 %   25 %   18 %   23 %     14 %     19 %

 

 


See footnote summary on page 19.

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
   

Six Months

Ended

June 30, 2007
(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.74     $18.93     $16.61     $13.39     $   9.33     $ 9.87  
                                       
           

Income From Investment Operations

 

         

Net investment income (a)

  .33     .33     .19 (b)   .15 (b)     .08 (b)     .08 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.21     6.16     2.50     3.16       4.01       (.61 )
                                       

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  2.54     6.49     2.69     3.31       4.09       (.53 )
                                       
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.27 )   (.28 )   (.09 )   (.06 )     (.03 )     (.01 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.01 )   (.40 )   (.28 )   (.03 )     –0     –0
                                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.28 )   (.68 )   (.37 )   (.09 )     (.03 )     (.01 )
                                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.00     $24.74     $18.93     $16.61       $13.39       $9.33  
                                       

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.34 %   35.05 %   16.58 %   24.86 %     43.95 %     (5.36 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $2,509,193     $1,888,710     $840,572     $284,443       $112,336       $26,133  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.07 %(d)   1.10 %(e)   1.11 %   1.20 %     1.45 %     1.44 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.07 %(d)   1.10 %(e)   1.12 %   1.38 %     1.74 %     2.47 %

Net investment income

  2.64 %(d)   1.53 %(e)   1.08 %(b)   1.07 %(b)     .38 %(b)     .86 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  13 %   25 %   18 %   23 %     14 %     19 %

 


 

(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

19


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

20


 
 
   

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index (Net) (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group and Performance Universe comparisons the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile in all periods reviewed. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

 

21


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)  

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 1 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap) was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

22


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE CAPS & REIMBURSEMENTS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

International

  

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

   $ 2,164.9    International Value Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.01% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 


 

1

It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2

Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3

The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

23


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Fund   

Expense Cap Pursuant to
Expense Limitation
Undertaking

    

Gross
Expense
Ratio

     Fiscal Year End

International Value Portfolio

   Class A

Class B

   1.20

1.45

%

%

   0.85

1.10

%

%

   December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee5

 

International Value Portfolio

   $ 2,164.9   

International Strategic Value Schedule

90 bp on 1st $25m

70 bp on next $25m

60 bp on next $50m

50 bp on the balance Minimum account size $25m

   0.509 %    0.750 %

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 Fund advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets.

 

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Value Fund a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein International Value Fund:6

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

Value Portfolio

   International Value Fund   

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

   0.75 %

The Alliance Capital Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ACITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ACITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio   ACITM Mutual Fund   Fee7

International Value Portfolio

  Alliance International
Diversified Value8
  0.10%9
  AllianceBernstein
International Value Equity A8
  0.30%10
  AllianceBernstein Kokusai
Value Stock8
  0.70%
  Bernstein Kokusai Strategic
Value8
  0.95% on first ¥1 billion

0.85% on next ¥1.5 billion

0.70% on next ¥2.5 billion

0.60% on next ¥5 billion

0.50% thereafter

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the following sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio   Sub-advised Fund   Fee Schedule

International Value Fund

  Client # 1   0.65% on 1st $75 million 0.50% on next $25 million 0.40% on next $200 million 0.35% on next $450 million 0.30% thereafter
  Client # 211  

0.60% on 1st $1 billion

0.55% on next $500 million

0.50% on next $500 million

0.45% on next $500 million

0.40% thereafter

 


 

6 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

7 The Japanese Yen-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate quoted at 4 p.m. on March 6, 2007 by Reuters was ¥116.62 per $1. At that currency exchange rate, every ¥1 billion would be equivalent to approximately $8.6 million.

 

8 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

9 In addition to the 0.10%, the Adviser charges the institutional account 0.5175% for the first ¥2.5 billion, 0.375% for the next ¥2.5 billion, 0.3275% for the next ¥2.5 billion, 0.28% for the next ¥10 billion and 0.185% thereafter.

 

10 The fund is offered to two institutional clients that are charged a separate fee for managing their assets in addition to the 0.30%. The first client is charged 0.33% for the first ¥2.5 billion, 0.195% for the next ¥2.5 billion, 0.105% for the next ¥5 billion and 0.06% thereafter. The second client is charged 0.40% for the first ¥2.5 billion, 0.25% for the next ¥2.5 billion, 0.15% for the next ¥5 billion and 0.10% thereafter.

 

11 This is the fee schedule of a fund managed by an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

25


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio   Sub-advised Fund   Fee Schedule
  Client # 3  

0.70% on 1st $25 million

0.45% on next $25 million

0.35% on next $200 million

0.33% thereafter

  Client # 4  

0.45% on 1st $200 million

0.36% on next $300 million

0.32% thereafter

  Client # 5  

0.55% on 1st $150 million

0.50% on next $150 million

0.20% thereafter

  Client # 6  

0.55% on 1st $150 million

0.40% thereafter

  Client # 7   0.50%
  Client # 8   0.30%
  Client # 9  

0.22% on 1st $1 billion

0.18% on next $1.5 billion

0.16% thereafter

+/- Performance Fee

  Client # 10  

0.60% on 1st $50 million

0.40% on next $50 million

0.30% on next $300 million

0.25% thereafter

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)12 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.13

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 


 

12 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

13 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser. Consequently, at the request of the Adviser and the Senior Officer, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee14
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

International Value Portfolio15

   0.750    0.773    5/16

However, because Lipper had expanded the EG of the Portfolio under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include the universes of those peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.16 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.17

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)18

  

Lipper

Group

Median
(%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median
(%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

International Value Portfolio19

   0.860    0.959    2/16    1.001    8/52

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a total expense ratio basis than it does on a management fee basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $3,247,442 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

 


 

14 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

15 The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, five other variable insurance product (“VIP”) International Value funds (“IFVE”) and ten VIP International Core funds (“IFCE”).

 

16 It should be noted that the expansion of the Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Adviser or the Senior Officer. They requested that only the EG be expanded.

 

17 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

18 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

19 The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP IFVE and IFCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

27


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $1,518,773 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.20

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 


 

20 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

28


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3 and 5 year performance rankings of the Portfolio21 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)22 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.23

 

International Value Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   35.36    28.50    27.37    1/6    1/16

3 year

   25.57    20.38    20.28    1/6    2/16

5 year

   22.08    16.46    15.15    1/6    3/16

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)24 versus its benchmark.25 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.26

 

    

Periods Ending December 31, 2006

Annualized Performance

     1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
   Since
Inception
(%)
   Annualized    Risk
Period
(Year)
                 Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

International Value Portfolio

   35.36    25.57    22.08    19.06    14.76    1.29    5

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

   26.34    19.93    14.98    10.80    13.43    0.93    5

Inception Date: May 10, 2001

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

21 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

22 The Portfolio’s PG and PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The criteria for including in or excluding a fund in/from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

23 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

24 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

25 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

26 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

29


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,059.17    $ 4.29    0.84 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.63    $ 4.21    0.84 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,057.64    $ 5.56    1.09 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.39    $ 5.46    1.09 %

 


* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.—Class A

   $ 50,019,427      6.3 %

Apple, Inc.

     48,986,856      6.1  

WellPoint, Inc.

     35,125,200      4.4  

Boeing Co.

     31,405,856      3.9  

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.—Class A

     29,464,610      3.7  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     29,298,200      3.7  

Comcast Corp.—Special—Class A

     26,314,554      3.3  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     24,804,258      3.1  

Franklin Resources, Inc.

     24,400,715      3.1  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     20,296,095      2.5  
                 
     $   320,115,771      40.1 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $   235,807,161      29.6 %

Financials

     149,723,494      18.8  

Health Care

     145,093,553      18.1  

Consumer Discretionary

     80,629,062      10.1  

Industrials

     79,033,108      9.9  

Energy

     37,765,568      4.7  

Consumer Staples

     31,708,240      4.0  

Materials

     26,530,010      3.3  

Telecommunications Services

     10,072,914      1.3  

Short-Term Investments

     1,623,000      0.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 797,986,110      100.0 %

 


 

   Please Note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.8%

   
   

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–29.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–5.3%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  1,052,000   $ 29,298,200

Qualcomm, Inc.

  301,650     13,088,593
       
      42,386,793
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–11.1%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  401,400     48,986,856

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  555,900     24,804,258

Network Appliance, Inc.(a)

  357,350     10,434,620

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  790,250     4,156,715
       
      88,382,449
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–7.5%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  109,700     5,335,808

eBay, Inc.(a)

  157,050     5,053,869

Google, Inc.—Class A(a)

  95,570     50,019,427
       
      60,409,104
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.2%

   

Broadcom Corp.—Class A(a)

  462,150     13,517,887

NVIDIA Corp.(a)

  169,500     7,002,045

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  129,600     4,876,848
       
      25,396,780
       

SOFTWARE–2.4%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  241,850     9,710,278

Microsoft Corp.

  323,100     9,521,757
       
      19,232,035
       
      235,807,161
       

FINANCIALS–18.8%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–12.3%

   

The Blackstone Group LP(a)

  317,900     9,304,933

Credit Suisse Group (New York) (ADR)

  202,000     14,333,920

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  184,500     24,440,715

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  51,810     11,229,818

Lazard Ltd.—Class A

  15,600     702,468

Legg Mason, Inc.

  196,990     19,379,876

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  221,900     18,546,402
       
      97,938,132
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–6.5%

   

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.—Class A

  55,140     29,464,610

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  137,150     6,644,918

Moody’s Corp.

  128,100     7,967,820

NYSE Euronext

  104,700     7,708,014
       
      51,785,362
       
      149,723,494
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE–18.2%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–5.9%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  172,000   $ 9,860,760

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  220,600     16,690,596

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  523,500     20,296,095
       
      46,847,451
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT &
SUPPLIES–2.2%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  130,900     17,659,719
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS &
SERVICES–5.4%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  102,250     7,974,478

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  440,000     35,125,200
       
      43,099,678
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.7%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  341,500     18,287,325

Merck & Co., Inc.

  162,000     8,067,600

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries,
Ltd. (ADR)

  124,600     5,139,750

Wyeth

  104,500     5,992,030
       
      37,486,705
       
      145,093,553
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.1%

   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–3.2%

   

Hilton Hotels Corp.

  236,850     7,927,370

McDonald’s Corp.

  91,900     4,664,844

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  189,500     12,709,765
       
      25,301,979
       

MEDIA–3.3%

   

Comcast Corp.—Special—
Class A(a)

  941,150     26,314,554
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–3.6%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  234,300     16,642,329

Target Corp.

  194,500     12,370,200
       
      29,012,529
       
      80,629,062
       

INDUSTRIALS–9.9%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–7.5%

   

Boeing Co.

  326,600     31,405,856

Honeywell International, Inc.

  234,200     13,180,776

Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc.—Class A(a)

  326,900     11,784,745

United Technologies Corp.

  51,800     3,674,174
       
      60,045,551
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.1%

   

Fluor Corp.

  79,750     8,881,757
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  92,100     4,310,280
       


 

3


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MACHINERY–0.7%

   

Deere & Co.

  48,000   $ 5,795,520
       
      79,033,108
       

ENERGY–4.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.7%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  150,400     12,653,152

Halliburton Co.

  175,400     6,051,300

Schlumberger, Ltd.

  219,400     18,635,836
       
      37,340,288
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–0.0%

   

Petro-Canada

  8,000     425,280
       
      37,765,568
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–4.0%

   

BEVERAGES–0.9%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  116,800     7,574,480
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  67,300     3,722,363
       

HOUSEHOLD
PRODUCTS–2.6%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  74,800     4,850,780

Procter & Gamble Co.

  254,300     15,560,617
       
      20,411,397
       
      31,708,240
       

MATERIALS–3.3%

   

CHEMICALS–3.3%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  93,200     7,490,484

Monsanto Co.

  281,900     19,039,526
       
      26,530,010
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.3%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.3%

   

America Movil SAB de CV
Series L (ADR)

    162,650   $ 10,072,914
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $648,028,333)

      796,363,110
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.2%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.2%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $1,623,000)

  $       1,623     1,623,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.0%

(cost $649,651,333)

      797,986,110

Other assets less liabilities–0.0%

      281,008
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 798,267,118
       

 


 

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $649,651,333)

   $ 797,986,110  

Cash

     886  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     35,075,521  

Dividends and interest receivable

     527,310  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     70,432  
        

Total assets

     833,660,259  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     28,310,346  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     6,076,139  

Advisory fee payable

     535,926  

Distribution fee payable

     86,021  

Administrative fee payable

     19,185  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     365,465  
        

Total liabilities

     35,393,141  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 798,267,118  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 28,336  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,155,581,643  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (539,248 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (505,138,390 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     148,334,777  
        
   $ 798,267,118  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 400,043,153      14,055,246      $ 28.46

B

     $ 398,223,965      14,280,601      $ 27.89

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $14,608)

   $ 3,658,009  

Interest

     60,180  
        

Total investment income

     3,718,189  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     3,329,186  

Distribution fee—Class B

     541,174  

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,720  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,596  

Printing

     146,704  

Custodian

     124,034  

Administrative

     47,000  

Legal

     24,142  

Audit

     19,101  

Directors’ fees

     1,461  

Miscellaneous

     19,319  
        

Total expenses

     4,257,437  
        

Net investment loss

     (539,248 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     54,654,008  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (2,535,530 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     52,118,478  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 51,579,230  
        

 

 


 

(a) On April 30, 2007, the portfolio had a redemption-in-kind with total proceeds in the amount of $66,857,006. The gain on investments of $8,292,069 will not be realized for tax purposes.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (539,248 )   $ (2,560,371 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     54,654,008       170,521,755  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (2,535,530 )     (181,181,117 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     51,579,230       (13,219,733 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (183,755,576 )     (299,769,320 )
                

Total decrease

     (132,176,346 )     (312,989,053 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     930,443,464       1,243,432,517  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($539,248) and $0, respectively)

   $ 798,267,118     $ 930,443,464  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment policies. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $583,865, of which $9,820 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

9


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 400,683,049     $ 583,200,434  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 154,323,159  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (5,988,382 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 148,334,777  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

 

807,882

 

  581,760      

$

21,929,290

 

  $ 15,508,284  

Shares redeemed

  (4,393,433 )   (5,875,107 )       (122,881,216 )     (153,191,993 )
                             

Net decrease

  (3,585,551 )   (5,293,347 )    

$

(100,951,926

)

  $ (137,683,709 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  357,136     1,838,427      

$

9,654,872

 

  $ 48,018,290  

Shares redeemed

  (3,385,012 )   (8,052,806 )       (92,458,522 )     (210,103,901 )
                             

Net decrease

  (3,027,876 )   (6,214,379 )    

$

(82,803,650

)

  $ (162,085,611 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in

 

11


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2007.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (554,213,221 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     145,291,130 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (408,922,091 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $554,213,221 of which $387,106,878 will expire in the year 2010 and $167,106,343 will expire in the year 2011. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. During the current fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized capital loss carryforwards of $151,186,783.

 

(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 I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”),

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties.

 

13


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

14


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.87     $26.99     $23.44     $21.58     $17.45     $25.16  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

  .00 (b)   (.03 )   (.07 )   (.03 )(c)   (.05 )(c)   (.08 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  1.59     (.09 )   3.62     1.89     4.18     (7.63 )
                                   
           

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.59     (.12 )   3.55     1.86     4.13     (7.71 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $28.46     $26.87     $26.99     $23.44     $21.58     $17.45  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  5.92 %   (.44 )%   15.15 %   8.62 %   23.67 %   (30.64 )%

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $400,043     $474,069     $618,980     $656,544     $917,935     $869,130  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .84 %(e)   .84 %(g)   .81 %   .81 %   1.04 %   1.05 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .84 %(e)   .84 %(g)   .81 %   .98 %   1.05 %   1.05 %

Net investment income (loss)

  .00 %(e)(f)   (.12 )%(g)   (.28 )%   (.13 )%(c)   (.24 )%(c)   (.41 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  46 %   81 %   54 %   73 %   79 %   109 %

 


See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.37     $26.55     $23.11     $21.33     $17.29     $25.00  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.03 )   (.09 )   (.12 )   (.08 )(c)   (.09 )(c)   (.13 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  1.55     (.09 )   3.56     1.86     4.13     (7.58 )
                                   
           

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.52     (.18 )   3.44     1.78     4.04     (7.71 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $27.89     $26.37     $26.55     $23.11     $21.33     $17.29  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  5.76 %   (.68 )%   14.89 %   8.34 %   23.37 %   (30.84 )%

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $398,224     $456,374     $624,453     $603,050     $693,764     $493,937  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.09 %(e)   1.08 %(g)   1.06 %   1.06 %   1.29 %   1.31 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.09 %(e)   1.08 %(g)   1.06 %   1.24 %   1.30 %   1.31 %

Net investment loss

  (.25 )%(e)   (.37 )%(g)   (.53 )%   (.38 )%(c)   (.49 )%(c)   (.64 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  46 %   81 %   54 %   73 %   79 %   109 %

 


 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

(c) Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser.

 

(d) 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.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

(f) Ratio is less than .005%

 

(g) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

16


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

17


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (June 1992 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile in the 1- and 5-year periods, 3rd quintile in the 3-year period and 4th quintile in the 10-year period, and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile in the 1-year period, 3rd quintile in the 3- and 10-year periods, and 4th quintile in the 5-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 3- and 10-year and since inception periods and underperformed the Index in the 1- and 5-year periods. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser (including the Adviser’s view that its “high conviction” style of growth investing had been out of favor for several years), and of the enhancements to its investment process being implemented by the Adviser with a view to improving investment performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s investment performance was understandable. The directors informed the Adviser that they planned to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 1 basis point. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group median and essentially the same as the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

19


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net
Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Growth

  

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

   $ 883.9    Large Cap Growth Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Class A    0.84 %    December 31
  

Class B

  

1.08

%

  

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $883.9    Large Cap Growth Schedule    0.287 %    0.750 %
      80 bp on 1st $25m      
      50 bp on next $25m      
      40 bp on next $50m      
      30 bp on next $100m      
      25 bp on the balance      
      Minimum account size $10m      

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.:5

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

     Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.     

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

   0.75 %
       

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

  
       

0.60% on the balance

  

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

21


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for American Growth Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee  

American Growth Portfolio

  

Class A6

  

1.50

%

Class I (Institutional)

   0.70 %

The Alliance Capital Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ACITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ACITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio      ACITM Mutual Fund      Fee  

Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

     Alliance American Premier Growth—Hedged /Non-Hedged      0.95 %
     Alliance American Premier Growth F / FB / FVA7      0.70 %

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Fund    Sub-advised
Fund
       Fee Schedule

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Client  #18     

0.60% on 1st $1 billion

       

0.55% on next $500 million

       

0.50% on next $500 million

       

0.45% on next $500 million

       

0.40% thereafter

   Client  #2     

0.35% on 1st $50 million

       

0.30% on next $100 million

       

0.25% thereafter

   Client  #3     

0.40% on first $300 million

       

0.37% on next $300 million

       

0.35% on next $300 million

       

0.32% on next $600 million

       

0.25% thereafter

   Client  #4      0.35%

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolios by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s

 

 


 

6 Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

7 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

8 This is the fee schedule of a fund managed by an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)9 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.10

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee11
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.688    9/13

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU12 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   0.814    0.691    10/13    0.807    40/74

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to

 

23

 


 

9 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

11 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

12 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

13 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $1,286,947 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $987,151 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.14

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 


14 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio15 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)16 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.17

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   -0.44    4.62    6.53    12/13    87/92

3 year

   7.58    7.58    7.04    7/13    36/87

5 year

   1.32    2.79    2.21    8/9    54/73

10 year

   6.81    7.24    6.13    6/8    15/35

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)18 versus its benchmark.19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.20

 

      Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
     

1 Year

(%)

   3 Year
(%)
  

5 Year

(%)

  

10 Year

(%)

  

Since
Inception

(%)

   Annualized    Risk
Period
(Year)
                 

Volatility

(%)

  

Sharpe

(%)

  

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   -0.44    7.58    1.32    6.81    10.52    19.97    0.24    10

Russell 1000 Growth Index

   9.07    6.87    2.69    5.44    8.77    19.24    0.18    10

Inception Date: June 26, 1992

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

15 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

16 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

17 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

18 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

19 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

25


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

     Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

                   

Actual

     $ 1,000      $ 933.70      $ 3.88      0.81 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     $   1,000      $   1,020.78      $   4.06      0.81 %
                   

Class B

                   

Actual

     $ 1,000      $ 932.93      $ 5.08      1.06 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     $ 1,000      $ 1,019.54      $ 5.31      1.06 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

   $ 7,089,648      7.5 %

ProLogis

     6,600,400      7.0  

Vornado Realty Trust

     5,360,192      5.7  

Ventas, Inc.

     4,234,000      4.5  

General Growth Properties, Inc.

     4,177,755      4.4  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     3,353,325      3.6  

Kimco Realty Corp.

     3,319,704      3.5  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     3,185,984      3.4  

Boston Properties, Inc.

     3,125,178      3.3  

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.-Class A

     3,000,224      3.2  
                 
     $   43,446,410      46.1 %

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

INDUSTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Multi-Family

   $ 15,056,654      16.2 %

Diversified/Specialty

     14,015,082      15.1  

Regional Mall

     13,236,920      14.3  

Lodging

     12,794,349      13.8  

Office

     10,501,522      11.3  

Health Care

     9,199,996      9.9  

Shopping Center/Other Retail

     9,122,566      9.9  

Industrial Warehouse Distribution

     6,600,400      7.1  

Self Storage

     2,066,458      2.2  

Short-Term Investments

     149,000      0.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $   92,742,947      100.0 %

 

 
 


 

     Please Note: The industry classifications presented herein are based on the industry
categorization methodology of the Adviser.

 

2


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.1%

   
   

EQUITY: OTHER–24.6%

   

DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–14.9%

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  30,500   $ 2,953,010

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  71,700     2,701,656

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.—Class A

  48,800     3,000,224

Vornado Realty Trust

  48,800     5,360,192
       
      14,015,082
       

HEALTH CARE–9.7%

   

Health Care Property Investors, Inc.

  56,100     1,622,973

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  85,600     2,328,320

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  64,100     1,014,703

Ventas, Inc.

  116,800     4,234,000
       
      9,199,996
       
      23,215,078
       

RETAIL–23.7%

   

REGIONAL MALL–14.0%

   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  78,900     4,177,755

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  76,200     7,089,648

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  39,700     1,969,517
       
      13,236,920
       

SHOPPING CENTER/OTHER RETAIL–9.7%

   

Developers Diversified Realty Corp.

  34,800     1,834,308

Federal Realty Investment Trust

  9,400     726,244

Kimco Realty Corp.

  87,200     3,319,704

Ramco-Gershenson Properties

  29,500     1,059,935

Saul Centers, Inc.

  14,100     639,435

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  41,200     1,542,940
       
      9,122,566
       
      22,359,486
       

RESIDENTIAL–18.1%

   

MULTI-FAMILY–15.9%

   

Apartment Investment & Management Co.—Class A

  51,200     2,581,504

Archstone-Smith Trust

  11,300     667,943

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

  26,800     3,185,984

Camden Property Trust

  37,900     2,538,163

Equity Residential

  48,400     2,208,492

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  6,700     779,210

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  45,100     2,366,848

UDR, Inc.

  27,700     728,510
       
      15,056,654
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares or
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SELF STORAGE–2.2%

   

Public Storage

    26,900   $ 2,066,458
       
      17,123,112
       

LODGING–13.6%

   

LODGING–13.6%

   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

    8,500     99,960

Equity Inns, Inc.

    6,599     147,818

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

    82,000     2,134,460

Hilton Hotels Corp.

    47,600     1,593,172

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    145,040     3,353,325

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    11,600     503,672

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    39,900     2,676,093

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    79,800     1,794,702

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    17,300     491,147
       
      12,794,349
       

OFFICE–11.1%

   

OFFICE–11.1%

   

Boston Properties, Inc.

    30,600     3,125,178

Brookfield Properties Corp.

    108,750     2,643,712

Maguire Properties, Inc.

    57,020     1,957,496

SL Green Realty Corp.

    22,400     2,775,136
       
      10,501,522
       

INDUSTRIAL–7.0%

   

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION–7.0%

 

ProLogis

    116,000     6,600,400
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $61,270,734)

      92,593,947
       

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–0.2%

 

TIME DEPOSIT–0.2%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $149,000)

  $ 149     149,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–98.3%

(cost $61,419,734)

      92,742,947

Other assets less liabilities–1.7%

      1,589,451
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 94,332,398
       

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

3


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $61,419,734)

   $ 92,742,947  

Cash

     13,769  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,166,935  

Dividends and interest receivable

     294,323  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     260,078  
        

Total assets

     94,478,052  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Advisory fee payable

     46,386  

Audit fee payable

     21,686  

Printing fee payable

     19,652  

Administrative fee payable

     19,185  

Custodian fee payable

     17,516  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     9,160  

Distribution fee payable

     6,660  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     5,350  
        

Total liabilities

     145,654  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 94,332,398  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 5,320  

Additional paid-in capital

     53,308,812  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (162,265 )

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     9,857,318  

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     31,323,213  
        
   $ 94,332,398  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   64,704,323      3,648,420      $   17.73

B

     $ 29,628,075      1,671,305      $ 17.73

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $7,209)

   $ 310,552  

Interest

     31,334  
        

Total investment income

     341,886  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     307,698  

Distribution fee—Class B

     42,439  

Transfer agency—Class A

     979  

Transfer agency—Class B

     425  

Custodian

     56,309  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     21,687  

Printing

     11,452  

Legal

     3,899  

Directors’ fees

     726  

Miscellaneous

     1,832  
        

Total expenses

     494,446  
        

Net investment loss

     (152,560 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     9,960,120  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (16,313,537 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (6,353,417 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (6,505,977 )
        

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (152,560 )   $ 1,287,745  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     9,960,120       16,269,378  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (16,313,537 )     13,184,606  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (6,505,977 )     30,741,729  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (931,803 )     (1,453,595 )

Class B

     (356,998 )     (500,621 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (11,126,096 )     (9,286,857 )

Class B

     (5,149,348 )     (3,779,939 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     4,624,695       6,020,754  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (19,445,527 )     21,741,471  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     113,777,925       92,036,454  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of investment income and undistributed net investment income of ($162,265) and $1,279,096, respectively)

   $ 94,332,398     $ 113,777,925  
                

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital and income. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s objective was to seek total return from long-term growth of capital and income principally through investing in equity securities of companies that are primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

7


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .90% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007 amounted to $29,595, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC, and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U. S. government securities)

   $ 26,363,912     $ 38,510,328  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 32,899,702  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,576,489 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 31,323,213  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as net unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 currency exchange 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.

 

9


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  260,051     607,488       $ 6,060,408     $ 12,929,499  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  624,115     569,785         12,057,899       10,740,452  

Shares redeemed

  (753,933 )   (1,021,095 )       (17,294,849 )     (21,832,571 )
                             

Net increase

  130,233     156,178       $ 823,458     $ 1,837,380  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  101,478     320,262       $ 2,384,430     $ 6,882,186  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  285,155     227,085         5,506,346       4,280,560  

Shares redeemed

  (182,964 )   (327,525 )       (4,089,539 )     (6,979,372 )
                             

Net increase

  203,669     219,822       $ 3,801,237     $ 4,183,374  
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Concentration of Risk—Although the Portfolio does not invest directly in real estate, it invests primarily in Real Estate Equity Securities and has a policy of concentration of its investments in the real estate industry. Therefore, an investment in the Portfolio is subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general. To the extent that assets underlying the Portfolio’s investments are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, the Portfolio may be subject to additional risks.

In addition, investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims of losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 2,994,315    $ 6,167,554

Net long-term capital gains

     12,026,697      5,777,454
             

Total taxable distributions

     15,021,012      11,945,008
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 15,021,012    $ 11,945,008
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 3,825,036  

Undistributed long term capital gain

     13,709,646  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     47,553,806 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 65,088,488  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

11


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Portfolio’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 must be incorporated no later than the last day on which a NAV is calculated preceding the Portfolio’s 2007 semi-annual report. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

 

13


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

14


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net assets value, beginning of period

  $22.83     $19.98     $20.66     $15.62     $11.52     $11.50  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

  (.02 )   .29     .32     .39 (b)   .46     .44 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (1.17 )   6.02     1.84     5.05     3.99     (.12 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.19 )   6.31     2.16     5.44     4.45     .32  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.30 )   (.47 )   (.68 )   (.40 )   (.35 )   (.30 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (3.61 )   (2.99 )   (2.16 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.91 )   (3.46 )   (2.84 )   (.40 )   (.35 )   (.30 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $17.73     $22.83     $19.98     $20.66     $15.62     $11.52  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (6.63 )%   35.22 %   11.67 %   35.63 %   39.30 %   2.60 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $64,704     $80,317     $67,161     $88,441     $68,717     $50,062  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .81 %(d)   .83 %(e)   .83 %   .77 %   1.24 %   1.06 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .81 %(d)   .83 %(e)   .83 %   .99 %   1.24 %   1.29 %

Net investment income (loss)

  (.17 )%(d)   1.33 %(e)   1.64 %   2.26 %(b)   3.50 %   3.70 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  24 %   47 %   46 %   35 %   23 %   31 %

 


See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
   

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net assets value, beginning of period

  $22.80     $19.94     $20.54     $15.55     $11.48     $11.49  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

  (.06 )   .22     .38     .34 (b)   .43     .40 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (1.15 )   6.03     1.72     5.03     3.98     (.11 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.21 )   6.25     2.10     5.37     4.41     .29  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.25 )   (.40 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.34 )   (.30 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (3.61 )   (2.99 )   (2.16 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.86 )   (3.39 )   (2.70 )   (.38 )   (.34 )   (.30 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $17.73     $22.80     $19.94     $20.54     $15.55     $11.48  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (6.71 )%   34.88 %   11.40 %   35.28 %   39.02 %   2.31 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

  $29,628     $33,461     $24,875     $67,457     $43,919     $16,626  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.06 %(d)   1.08 %(e)   1.06 %   1.02 %   1.49 %   1.31 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.06 %(d)   1.08 %(e)   1.06 %   1.24 %   1.49 %   1.52 %

Net investment income (loss)

  (.52 )%(d)   1.04 %(e)   2.11 %   2.02 %(b)   3.22 %   3.43 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  24 %   47 %   46 %   35 %   23 %   31 %

 


 

(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

16


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

17


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts Equity Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (January 1997 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile in the 1-year period and 4th quintile in the 3- and 5-year periods, and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile in the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio although the initial fee rates in the institutional fee schedule were higher, and that the application of such fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be higher than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement prior to taking account of the administrative expense reimbursements made to the Adviser. The directors noted that adding the eight basis point administrative expense reimbursement to the Adviser resulted in a lower rate of total compensation to the Adviser under the institutional fee schedule than what is paid by the Portfolio. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 8 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

19


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Value

   55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
45 bp on next $2.5 billion
40 bp on the balance
   $ 117.9    Real Estate Investment Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.08% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   Class A

Class B

   0.83

1.08

%

%

   December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
02/28/07
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   $ 117.9   

Domestic REIT Strategy Schedule
70 bp on 1st $25m
60 bp on next $25m
50 bp on next $25m
negotiable on the balance

Minimum account size $10m

   0.564 %5    0.550 %

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.:6

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
(“ABMF”)
   Fee Schedule    Effective ABMF
Adv. Fee
 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio7

   Global Real Estate Investment, Inc.    0.55% on first $2.5 billion
0.45% on next $2.5 billion
0.40% on the balance
   0.55 %

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 Assumes 50 bp on the balance.

 

6 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

7 It should be noted that the Portfolio’s investment guidelines are more restrictive than that of AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. The Portfolio primarily invests in equity securities of U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITS”) and other U.S. real estate industry companies, in contrast to the AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., which may invest in equities of non-U.S. REITS and other non-U.S. real estate industry companies.

 

21


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for U.S. Real Estate Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Fund:

 

Fund    Fee  

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

  

Class A8

   1.75 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.95 %

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)9 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.10

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee11
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   0.550    0.834    1/15

Lipper also analyzed the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Fund’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU12 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Fund.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   0.832    0.905    2/15    0.921    4/18

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior

 


 

8 Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

9 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

11 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

12 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

13 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

22


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $73,262 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $172,555 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.14

The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for

 


 

14 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

23


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3 and 5 year performance rankings of the Portfolio15 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)16 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.17

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   Portfolio
Return
     PG
Median
     PU
Median
     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank

1 year

   35.22      35.84      36.35      9/15      14/22

3 year

   26.99      27.09      27.28      8/12      12/18

5 year

   23.96      24.09      24.14      7/10      8/13

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)18 versus its benchmark.19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.20

 

     

Periods Ending December 31, 2006

Annualized Performance

     1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
   Since
Inception (%)
   Annualized    Risk
Period (Year)
                  Volatility (%)    Sharpe (%)   

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   35.22    26.99    23.96    14.60    14.49    1.39    5

NAREIT Equity Index

   35.06    25.85    23.20    14.48    14.16    1.38    5

Inception Date: January 9, 1997

                    

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

15 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

16 The Fund’s PG is identical to the Fund’s EG. The Fund’s PU is not identical to the Fund’s EU as the criteria for including or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

17 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

18 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

19 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,120.86    $ 6.36    1.21 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.79    $ 6.06    1.21 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,119.01    $ 7.67    1.46 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.55    $ 7.30    1.46 %

 

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Resources Connection, Inc.

   $ 1,380,288      2.1 %

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.

     1,285,716      1.9  

LKQ Corp.

     1,219,684      1.8  

VistaPrint Ltd.

     1,174,275      1.8  

Strayer Education, Inc.

     1,053,680      1.6  

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.—Class A

     1,041,300      1.6  

Baldor Electric Co.

     1,029,952      1.6  

Astec Industries, Inc.

     1,017,502      1.5  

Bill Barrett Corp.

     1,016,508      1.5  

Bucyrus International, Inc.—Class A

     997,998      1.5  
                 
     $   11,216,903      16.9 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $   16,745,411      25.1 %

Industrials

     15,074,720      22.6  

Health Care

     10,683,113      16.0  

Consumer Discretionary

     10,207,952      15.3  

Energy

     6,551,117      9.8  

Financials

     3,486,278      5.2  

Telecommunication Services

     1,562,442      2.3  

Technology

     582,390      0.9  

Consumer Staples

     341,964      0.5  

Consumer Services

     222,240      0.3  

Short-Term Investments

     1,338,000      2.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 66,795,627      100.0 %

 

 


 

* Long-term investments.

 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.6%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–25.2%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.1%

   

Dycom Industries, Inc.(a)

  27,200   $ 815,456

Netgear, Inc.(a)

  15,900     576,375
       
      1,391,831
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–1.1%

   

Synaptics, Inc.(a)

  21,300     762,327
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–5.7%

   

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.(a)

  34,900     1,285,716

LoopNet, Inc.(a)

  23,400     545,922

Omniture, Inc.(a)

  12,100     277,332

Switch & Data Facilities Co., Inc.(a)

  24,800     475,912

VistaPrint, Ltd.(a)

  30,700     1,174,275
       
      3,759,157
       

IT SERVICES–2.9%

   

Authorize.Net Holdings, Inc.(a)

  39,900     713,811

Enernoc, Inc.(a)

  400     15,252

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a)

  4,300     125,388

Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc.(a)

  31,600     506,232

VeriFone Holdings, Inc.(a)

  16,200     571,050
       
      1,931,733
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–6.9%

   

Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.(a)

  93,700     908,890

Eagle Test Systems, Inc.(a)

  36,610     587,957

Hittite Microwave Corp.(a)

  20,800     888,784

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a)

  32,430     495,206

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)

  83,100     890,832

Verigy Ltd.(a)

  29,200     835,412
       
      4,607,081
       

SOFTWARE–6.5%

   

Blackbaud, Inc.

  26,020     574,521

Commvault Systems, Inc.(a)

  21,900     378,213

MICROS Systems, Inc.(a)

  18,100     984,640

Quest Software, Inc.(a)

  36,420     589,640

THQ, Inc.(a)

  27,350     834,722

Ultimate Software Group, Inc.(a)

  32,200     931,546
       
      4,293,282
       
      16,745,411
       

INDUSTRIALS–22.7%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.4%

   

Hexcel Corp.(a)

  44,400     935,508
       

AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.5%

   

UTI Worldwide, Inc.

  12,100     324,159
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.7%

   

Dayton Superior Corp.(a)

  36,900   $ 498,150
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–8.3%

   

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.(a)

  13,627     994,907

Innerworkings, Inc.(a)

  17,600     281,952

Kenexa Corp.(a)

  17,700     667,467

Knoll, Inc.

  38,600     864,640

Resources Connection, Inc.(a)

  41,600     1,380,288

Stericycle, Inc.(a)

  19,980     888,311

Taleo Corp.—Class A(a)

  19,000     428,070
       
      5,505,635
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

Baldor Electric Co.

  20,900     1,029,952
       

MACHINERY–6.5%

   

Astec Industries, Inc.(a)

  24,100     1,017,502

Bucyrus International, Inc.—
Class A

  14,100     997,998

IDEX Corp.

  24,655     950,204

RBC Bearings, Inc.(a)

  22,100     911,625

Watts Water Technologies, Inc.—Class A

  12,600     472,122
       
      4,349,451
       

MARINE–1.5%

   

Kirby Corp.(a)

  25,900     994,301
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–2.2%

   

Houston Wire & Cable Co.(a)

  20,400     579,564

MSC Industrial Direct Co.—
Class A

  15,600     858,000
       
      1,437,564
       
      15,074,720
       

HEALTH CARE–16.1%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.5%

   

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  14,400     648,864

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

  13,100     150,650

Array Biopharma, Inc.(a)

  14,200     165,714
       
      965,228
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–4.2%

   

Abaxis, Inc.(a)

  19,900     415,114

ArthroCare Corp.(a)

  15,400     676,214

Hansen Medical, Inc.(a)

  26,720     504,741

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

  43,450     941,127

TomoTherapy, Inc.(a)

  11,500     252,080
       
      2,789,276
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–4.1%

   

HealthExtras, Inc.(a)

  21,900     647,802

LHC Group, Inc.(a)

  35,700     935,340

Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.(a)

  17,900     649,054

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(a)

  5,469     494,999
       
      2,727,195
       


 

3


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–1.4%

   

Trizetto Group(a)

  48,600   $ 940,896
       

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–4.1%

   

Advanced Magnetics, Inc.(a)

  10,100     587,416

Icon PLC (ADR)(a)

  22,200     971,028

Nektar Therapeutics(a)

  38,400     364,416

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

  10,100     780,427
       
      2,703,287
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–0.8%

   

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  17,700     146,379

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  7,500     119,925

Pozen, Inc.(a)

  16,100     290,927
       
      557,231
       
      10,683,113
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–15.4%

   

DISTRIBUTORS–1.8%

   

LKQ Corp.(a)

  49,460     1,219,684
       

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–2.4%

   

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a)

  12,900     501,939

Strayer Education, Inc.

  8,000     1,053,680
       
      1,555,619
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–5.6%

   

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.(a)

  37,900     540,075

Home Inns & Hotels Management, Inc. (ADR)(a)

  19,200     618,432

Life Time Fitness, Inc.(a)

  17,700     942,171

Orient-Express Hotels, Ltd.—
Class A

  19,500     1,041,300

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.—
Class A(a)

  46,300     592,177
       
      3,734,155
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

MarineMax, Inc.(a)

  17,700     354,354
       

MEDIA–1.0%

   

Morningstar, Inc.(a)

  14,500     681,862
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.3%

   

Citi Trends, Inc.(a)

  18,900     717,444

Coldwater Creek, Inc.(a)

  37,350     867,641

Zumiez, Inc.(a)

  15,390     581,434
       
      2,166,519
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.8%

   

Under Armour, Inc.—Class A(a)

  10,860     495,759
       
      10,207,952
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–9.9%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–6.5%

   

Complete Production Services, Inc.(a)

  25,900   $ 669,515

Core Laboratories NV(a)

  7,984     811,893

Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)

  18,500     831,575

FMC Technologies, Inc.(a)

  6,000     475,320

Tesco Corp.(a)

  16,700     526,885

W-H Energy Services, Inc.—Class H(a)

  16,100     996,751
       
      4,311,939
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–3.4%

   

Bill Barrett Corp.(a)

  27,600     1,016,508

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.(a)

  9,000     373,230

EXCO Resources, Inc.(a)

  27,500     479,600

Penn Virginia Corp.

  9,200     369,840
       
      2,239,178
       
      6,551,117
       

FINANCIALS–5.2%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.2%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

  6,000     772,560

GFI Group, Inc.(a)

  1,000     72,480

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

  12,000     824,520

OptionsXpress Holdings, Inc.

  18,180     466,499
       
      2,136,059
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.2%

   

Community Bancorp(a)

  13,600     380,528

First Republic Bank

  7,600     407,816
       
      788,344
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.4%

   

Primus Guaranty Ltd.(a)

  27,530     295,121
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.4%

   

Clayton Holdings, Inc.(a)

  23,420     266,754
       
      3,486,278
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.4%

   

Cbeyond, Inc.(a)

  16,600     639,266

NTELOS Holdings Corp.

  33,400     923,176
       
      1,562,442
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.9%

   

COMPUTER PERIPHERALS–0.4%

   

Data Domain, Inc.(a)

  10,000     230,000
       

SOFTWARE–0.5%

   

PROS Holdings, Inc.(a)

  26,900     352,390
       
      582,390
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER STAPLES–0.5%

   

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

Hain Celestial Group, Inc.(a)

  12,600   $ 341,964
       

CONSUMER SERVICES–0.3%

   

MISCELLANEOUS–0.3%

   

comScore, Inc.(a)

  9,600     222,240
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $49,629,505)

      65,457,627
       

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.0%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.0%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $1,338,000)

  $ 1,338   $ 1,338,000  
         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.6%
(cost $50,967,505)

      66,795,627  

Other assets less liabilities–(0.6)%

      (385,838 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 66,409,789  
         


 

 

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $50,967,505)

   $ 66,795,627  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     736,762  

Dividends and interest receivable

     5,559  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     1,422  
        

Total assets

     67,539,370  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     10,324  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     843,789  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     106,723  

Advisory fee payable

     42,414  

Administrative fee payable

     19,185  

Distribution fee payable

     4,574  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     102,513  
        

Total liabilities

     1,129,581  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 66,409,789  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 4,390  

Additional paid-in capital

     97,331,219  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (358,723 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (46,395,219 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     15,828,122  
        
   $ 66,409,789  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 44,941,720      2,954,133      $ 15.21

B

     $ 21,468,069      1,435,824      $ 14.95

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

   $ 75,092  

Interest

     20,660  
        

Total investment income

     95,752  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     258,813  

Distribution fee—Class B

     27,488  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,301  

Transfer agency—Class B

     607  

Custodian

     73,672  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,601  

Printing

     11,140  

Legal

     4,666  

Directors’ fees

     755  

Miscellaneous

     1,509  
        

Total expenses

     446,552  
        

Net investment loss

     (350,800 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     6,452,183  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     1,772,685  
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     8,224,868  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 7,874,068  
        

 

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (350,800 )   $ (722,442 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     6,452,183       8,848,126  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     1,772,685       (861,528 )
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     7,874,068       7,264,156  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (12,032,360 )     (8,615,766 )
                

Total decrease

     (4,158,292 )     (1,351,610 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     70,568,081       71,919,691  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($358,723) and ($7,923), respectively)

   $ 66,409,789     $ 70,568,081  
                

 

 

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment policies. Current income is incidental to the Portfolio’s objective. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

9


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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 and loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, foreign currency exchange contracts, holdings 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007 amounted to $69,226, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 27,441,379     $ 39,906,090  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 16,652,759  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (824,637 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 15,828,122  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

 

11


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  79,645     802,592       $ 1,130,371     $ 10,449,898  

Shares redeemed

  (698,830 )   (1,264,557 )       (10,079,392 )     (16,507,629 )
                             

Net decrease

  (619,185 )   (461,965 )     $ (8,949,021 )   $ (6,057,731 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  112,753     520,053       $ 1,561,375     $ 6,865,945  

Shares redeemed

  (329,482 )   (725,793 )       (4,644,714 )     (9,423,980 )
                             

Net decrease

  (216,729 )   (205,740 )     $ (3,083,339 )   $ (2,558,035 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (52,050,020 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     13,250,132 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (38,799,888 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carrryforward of $52,050,020 of which $120,803 expires in the year 2008, $6,605,979 expires in the year 2009, and $45,323,838 expires in 2010. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Based on certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code, various limitations regarding the future utilization of these carryforwards, brought forward as a result of the Portfolio’s merger with Brinson Series Trust Small Cap Growth Portfolio, may apply. During the current fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized capital loss carryforwards of $8,207,426.

 

(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 I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

 

13


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges,

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

15


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
   

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.57     $12.26     $11.65     $10.17     $  6.83     $10.01  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.07 )   (.12 )   (.11 )   (.10 )(b)   (.09 )   (.07 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  1.71     1.43     .72     1.58     3.43     (3.11 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.64     1.31     .61     1.48     3.34     (3.18 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $15.21     $13.57     $12.26     $11.65     $10.17     $  6.83  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  12.09 %   10.69 %   5.24 %   14.55 %   48.90 %   (31.77 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $44,942     $48,498     $49,453     $61,661     $61,079     $86,093  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.21 %(d)   1.16 %(e)   1.18 %   1.14 %   1.36 %   1.11 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.21 %(d)   1.16 %(e)   1.18 %   1.30 %   1.36 %   1.25 %

Net investment loss

  (.94 )%(d)   (.90 )%(e)   (.93 )%   (.93 )%(b)   (1.10 )%   (.86 )%(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  40 %   76 %   90 %   92 %   129 %   111 %

 

 

 


See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.36     $12.09     $11.53     $10.08     $  6.78     $  9.98  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.08 )   (.15 )   (.13 )   (.12 )(b)   (.11 )   (.09 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  1.67     1.42     .69     1.57     3.41     (3.11 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.59     1.27     .56     1.45     3.30     (3.20 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $14.95     $13.36     $12.09     $11.53     $10.08     $  6.78  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  11.90 %   10.51 %   4.86 %   14.39 %   48.67 %   (32.06 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $21,468     $22,070     $22,467     $24,448     $15,846     $5,101  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.46 %(d)   1.41 %(e)   1.43 %   1.40 %   1.61 %   1.37 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.46 %(d)   1.41 %(e)   1.43 %   1.56 %   1.61 %   1.51 %

Net investment loss

  (1.19 )%(d)   (1.15 )%(e)   (1.18 )%   (1.19 )%(b)   (1.37 )%   (1.10 )%(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  40 %   76 %   90 %   92 %   129 %   111 %

 


(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

17


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (August 1996 inception). The directors also reviewed information prepared by the Adviser based on information from Lipper showing that the Fund outperformed the Index and was in the second quintile of the Performance Universe in the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile in the 1-year period, 3rd quintile in the 3- and 5-year periods and 5th quintile in the 10-year period and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile in the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and 5th quintile in the 10-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser concerning the Portfolio’s performance and the improved performance in the first quarter of 2007, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio although the institutional fee schedule provided for higher rates on the first $150 million of assets, and that the application of such fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be higher than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement, even after taking into account the 12 basis point expense ratio impact of the administrative expense reimbursement provision in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

19


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

 

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 12 basis points, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (approximately $70 million as of February 28, 2007) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable in the Portfolio’s particular circumstances.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

20


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Growth

   75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    $70.0    Small Cap Growth Portfolio
   65 bp on next $2.5 billion      
   60 bp on the balance      

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.12% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   Class A    1.16 %    December 31
   Class B    1.41 %   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

21


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   $ 70.0   

Small Cap Growth Schedule

100 bp on 1st $50m

85 bp on next $50m

75 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $10m

   0.957 %    0.750 %

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Fund, a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio:5

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio6

   Cap Fund, Inc—Small Cap Growth Portfolio   

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

   0.75 %

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

6 The advisory fees of the Portfolio are paid on a monthly basis and are based on the portfolio’s average daily net assets, in contrast to AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio, whose fees are based on the portfolio’s net assets at the end of each quarter and are paid to the Adviser quarterly. The breakpoints in the fee schedules are the same for the Portfolio and the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Fund    Sub-advised Fund      Fee Schedule

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   Client  #17    0.60% on 1st $1 billion
      0.55% on next $500 million
      0.50% on next $500 million
      0.45% on next $500 million
      0.40% thereafter
   Client  #2    0.65% on 1st $25 million
      0.60% on next $75 million
      0.55% thereafter

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolios by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.800    2/13

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU11 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio (%)12

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   1.178    0.992    11/13    0.990    33/37

 


 

7 This is the fee schedule of a fund managed by an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

8 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively small average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

9 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

23


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $58,239 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $257,141 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

 


 

13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)15 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.16

 

Small Cap Growth
Portfolio
   Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   10.69      11.04      12.39      8/13      26/47

3 year

   10.09      9.82      9.82      6/13      22/45

5 year

   6.27      5.91      5.77      5/12      17/38

10 year

   3.95      4.80      5.39      5/6      14/16

 


 

14 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

15 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

16 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

25


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmark.18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.19

 

      Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
     

1 Year
(%)

  

3 Year
(%)

  

5 Year
(%)

  

10 Year
(%)

  

Since
Inception
(%)

   Annualized   

Risk
Period
(Year)

                  Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   10.69    10.09    6.27    3.95    4.41    22.92    0.12    10

Russell 2000 Growth Index

   13.35    10.51    6.93    4.88    5.26    25.90    0.17    10

Inception Date: August 5, 1996

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

17 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

18 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,137.70    $ 4.45    0.84 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.63    $ 4.21    0.84 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,137.51    $ 5.78    1.09 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.39    $ 5.46    1.09 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

SPX Corp.

   $ 8,482,446      1.7 %

Celanese Corp.—Series A

     8,329,944      1.6  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.

     8,284,068      1.6  

Kennametal, Inc.

     7,956,910      1.6  

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

     7,476,490      1.5  

Lubrizol Corp.

     7,461,980      1.5  

Reliant Energy, Inc.

     7,397,775      1.5  

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.

     7,397,720      1.5  

ArvinMeritor, Inc.

     7,397,040      1.4  

Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd.

     6,915,250      1.4  
                 
     $   77,099,623      15.3 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Industrials

   $ 119,525,082      23.4 %

Financials

     106,616,857      20.9  

Materials

     57,348,483      11.2  

Information Technology

     51,339,495      10.0  

Consumer Discretionary

     42,760,180      8.4  

Consumer Staples

     37,114,754      7.3  

Utilities

     27,913,133      5.5  

Health Care

     24,312,348      4.8  

Energy

     14,831,502      2.9  

Short-Term Investments

     28,390,000      5.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   510,151,834      100.0 %

 

 


 

   Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–95.8%

   
   

INDUSTRIALS–23.8%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.1%

   

Goodrich Corp.

  89,275   $ 5,317,219
       

AIRLINES–1.7%

   

Alaska Air Group, Inc.(a)

  109,700     3,056,242

Continental Airlines, Inc.—
Class B(a)

  94,700     3,207,489

Skywest, Inc.

  93,000     2,216,190
       
      8,479,921
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–3.4%

   

IKON Office Solutions, Inc.

  414,000     6,462,540

Kelly Services, Inc.—Class A

  83,000     2,279,180

Quebecor World, Inc.

  168,000     2,041,200

United Stationers, Inc.(a)

  94,595     6,303,811
       
      17,086,731
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–3.1%

   

Acuity Brands, Inc.

  70,600     4,255,768

Cooper Industries, Ltd.—
Class A

  84,400     4,818,396

Regal-Beloit Corp.

  140,300     6,529,562
       
      15,603,726
       

MACHINERY–6.9%

   

AGCO Corp.(a)

  60,000     2,604,600

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

  170,900     5,393,604

Kennametal, Inc.

  97,000     7,956,910

Mueller Industries, Inc.

  131,000     4,511,640

SPX Corp.

  96,600     8,482,446

Terex Corp.(a)

  71,000     5,772,300
       
      34,721,500
       

ROAD & RAIL–6.3%

   

Arkansas Best Corp.

  127,000     4,949,190

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  215,000     6,112,450

Con-way, Inc.

  115,625     5,809,000

Laidlaw International, Inc.

  126,600     4,374,030

Ryder System, Inc.

  99,000     5,326,200

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

  245,100     4,938,765
       
      31,509,635
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.3%

   

GATX Corp.

  138,200     6,806,350
       
      119,525,082
       

FINANCIALS–21.2%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.1%

   

A.G. Edwards, Inc.

  66,900     5,656,395
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–4.6%

   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

  133,900     4,420,039

The South Financial Group, Inc.

  164,000     3,712,960

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

  218,600     4,890,082

Trustmark Corp.

  139,806     3,615,383

UnionBanCal Corp.

  45,900     2,740,230

Whitney Holding Corp.

  130,900     3,940,090
       
      23,318,784
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INSURANCE–8.4%

   

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a)

  114,200   $ 8,284,068

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.

  208,000     5,838,560

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.—Class A

  231,000     5,474,700

Old Republic International Corp.

  286,875     6,098,963

PartnerRe, Ltd.

  17,700     1,371,750

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

  199,000     6,915,250

RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.

  33,600     2,082,864

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

  112,000     5,877,760
       
      41,943,915
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–3.4%

   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  211,000     2,481,360

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  55,800     2,102,544

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

  189,600     4,935,288

Highland Hospitality Corp.

  138,000     2,649,600

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  60,000     3,148,800

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  85,500     1,922,895
       
      17,240,487
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–3.7%

   

Astoria Financial Corp.

  175,900     4,404,536

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

  247,000     3,892,720

Radian Group, Inc.

  83,800     4,525,200

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

  42,500     898,450

Webster Financial Corp.

  111,000     4,736,370
       
      18,457,276
       
      106,616,857
       

MATERIALS–11.4%

   

CHEMICALS–6.9%

   

Ashland, Inc.

  80,825     5,168,759

Celanese Corp.—Series A

  214,800     8,329,944

Cytec Industries, Inc.

  97,300     6,204,821

Lubrizol Corp.

  115,600     7,461,980

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.(a)

  202,400     7,397,720
       
      34,563,224
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–1.8%

   

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  109,100     3,818,500

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

  93,480     5,167,574
       
      8,986,074
       

METALS & MINING–2.7%

   

Chaparral Steel Co.

  20,600     1,480,522

Commercial Metals Co.

  73,800     2,492,226

Metal Management, Inc.

  104,100     4,587,687

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

  125,000     5,238,750
       
      13,799,185
       
      57,348,483
       


 

3


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–10.2%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.3%

   

Andrew Corp.(a)

  385,800   $ 5,570,952

CommScope, Inc.(a)

  104,700     6,109,245
       
      11,680,197
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–3.8%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  121,500     4,669,245

AVX Corp.

  63,400     1,061,316

Celestica, Inc.(a)

  167,005     1,043,781

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.(a)

  121,500     3,067,875

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  411,679     1,288,555

Solectron Corp.(a)

  107,400     395,232

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  49,500     1,903,770

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

  351,000     5,552,820
       
      18,982,594
       

IT SERVICES–0.9%

   

Covansys Corp.(a)

  85,000     2,884,050

CSG Systems International, Inc.(a)

  71,200     1,887,512
       
      4,771,562
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.2%

   

Amkor Technology, Inc.(a)

  170,000     2,677,500

Siliconware Precision Industries Co. (ADR)

  239,058     2,629,638

Spansion, Inc.—Class A(a)

  240,000     2,664,000

Teradyne, Inc.(a)

  159,600     2,805,768

Zoran Corp.(a)

  255,900     5,128,236
       
      15,905,142
       
      51,339,495
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–8.5%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–3.4%

   

ArvinMeritor, Inc.

  333,200     7,397,040

Autoliv, Inc.

  38,500     2,189,495

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

  203,000     7,476,490
       
      17,063,025
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.0%

   

Jack in the Box, Inc.(a)

  47,700     3,383,838

Papa John’s International, Inc.(a)

  137,654     3,958,929

Vail Resorts, Inc.(a)

  44,200     2,690,454
       
      10,033,221
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.9%

   

Furniture Brands International, Inc.

  186,000     2,641,200

KB Home

  52,000     2,047,240
       
      4,688,440
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.5%

   

Dillard’s, Inc.—Class A

  70,000   $ 2,515,100
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.9%

   

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

  121,149     2,718,584

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  55,000     1,666,500
       
      4,385,084
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.8%

   

VF Corp.

  44,500     4,075,310
       
      42,760,180
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–7.4%

   

BEVERAGES–1.3%

   

Molson Coors Brewing Co.—Class B

  68,600     6,342,756
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–3.6%

   

Performance Food Group Co.(a)

  211,100     6,858,639

Ruddick Corp.

  196,000     5,903,520

SUPERVALU, Inc.

  113,700     5,266,584
       
      18,028,743
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.2%

   

Corn Products International, Inc.

  138,300     6,285,735
       

TOBACCO–1.3%

   

Universal Corp.

  106,000     6,457,520
       
      37,114,754
       

UTILITIES–5.6%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–3.0%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.(a)

  44,000     2,276,560

Northeast Utilities

  192,200     5,450,792

Reliant Energy, Inc.(a)

  274,500     7,397,775
       
      15,125,127
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.7%

   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

  41,000     3,573,970
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.9%

   

Puget Energy, Inc.

  171,800     4,154,124

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

  114,400     5,059,912
       
      9,214,036
       
      27,913,133
       

HEALTH CARE–4.8%

   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.7%

   

Genesis HealthCare Corp.(a)

  66,000     4,515,720

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.(a)

  130,000     3,993,600

Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a)

  92,925     2,836,071

Universal Health Services, Inc.—Class B

  37,800     2,324,700
       
      13,670,091
       

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.4%

   

PerkinElmer, Inc.

  262,300     6,835,538
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

PHARMACEUTICALS–0.7%

   

Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.(a)

  61,375   $ 2,100,866

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  83,375     1,705,853
       
      3,806,719
       
      24,312,348
       

ENERGY–2.9%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.3%

   

Hanover Compressor Co.(a)

  248,233     5,920,357

Oil States International, Inc.(a)

  62,000     2,563,080

Rowan Cos., Inc.

  52,900     2,167,842

Todco(a)

  27,100     1,279,391
       
      11,930,670
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–0.6%

   

Hess Corp.

  49,200     2,900,832
       
      14,831,502
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $387,594,640)

      481,761,834
       

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–5.7%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–5.7%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $28,390,000)

  $ 28,390   $ 28,390,000  
         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.5%
(cost $415,984,640)

      510,151,834  

Other assets less liabilities–(1.5)%

      (7,453,908 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 502,697,926  
         


 

 

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $415,984,640)

   $ 510,151,834

Cash

     1,579

Receivable for capital stock sold

     505,628

Dividends and interest receivable

     396,109

Receivable for investment securities sold

     28,636
      

Total assets

     511,083,786
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     7,277,171

Payable for investment securities purchased

     607,825

Advisory fee payable

     322,440

Distribution fee payable

     67,760

Administrative fee payable

     11,760

Transfer Agent fee payable

     66

Accrued expenses

     98,838
      

Total liabilities

     8,385,860
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 502,697,926
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 26,319

Additional paid-in capital

     384,849,879

Undistributed net investment income

     1,056,689

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     22,597,845

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     94,167,194
      
   $ 502,697,926
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

   $ 181,175,864      9,463,614      $ 19.14

B

   $ 321,522,062      16,855,677      $ 19.08

 

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

   $ 2,941,869

Interest

     418,378
      

Total investment income

     3,360,247
      

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     1,708,815

Distribution fee—Class B

     352,964

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,155

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,886

Custodian

     74,512

Administrative

     47,000

Printing

     38,881

Audit

     19,122

Legal

     9,693

Directors’ fees

     757

Miscellaneous

     8,075
      

Total expenses

     2,262,860
      

Net investment income

     1,097,387
      

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     22,785,945

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     33,320,983
      

Net gain on investment transactions

     56,106,928
      

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 57,204,315
      

 

 

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,097,387     $ 3,641,634  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     22,785,945       30,916,131  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     33,320,983       14,815,682  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     57,204,315       49,373,447  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (1,546,634 )     (603,339 )

Class B

     (2,098,492 )     (500,061 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (11,437,901 )     (9,975,197 )

Class B

     (19,627,077 )     (14,763,715 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     68,987,497       67,035,082  
                

Total increase

     91,481,708       90,566,217  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     411,216,218       320,650,001  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,056,689 and $3,604,428, respectively)

   $ 502,697,926     $ 411,216,218  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), formerly AllianceBernstein Small Cap Value Portfolio, is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio commenced operations on May 1, 2001. 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

9


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $130,910, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 101,819,678     $ 75,361,350  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  

$

106,065,953

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

  

 

(11,898,759

)

        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 94,167,194  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as net unrealized appreciation or depreciation by the Portfolio.

 

11


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 currency exchange 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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
       

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  1,852,782     2,333,093       $ 36,130,325     $ 40,439,189  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  671,730     640,735         12,984,535       10,578,536  

Shares redeemed

  (1,901,170 )   (2,003,188 )       (36,622,545 )     (34,746,319 )
                             

Net increase

  623,342     970,640       $ 12,492,315     $ 16,271,406  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  2,852,789     3,705,438       $ 55,563,066     $ 63,976,712  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  1,128,015     927,889         21,725,569       15,263,776  

Shares redeemed

  (1,092,940 )   (1,639,985 )       (20,793,453 )     (28,476,812 )
                             

Net increase

 

2,887,864

 

  2,993,342       $ 56,495,182     $ 50,763,676  
                             

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 5,332,956    $ 5,220,753

Net long-term capital gains

     20,509,356      8,787,944
             

Total taxable distributions

     25,842,312      14,008,697
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 25,842,312    $ 14,008,697
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 6,907,312  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     27,638,326  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     60,781,879 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 95,327,517  
        

 

(a) The differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i)

The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on

 

13


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

(i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and
(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after

 

15


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $18.08     $17.06     $16.84     $14.49     $10.46     $11.18  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .06     .20     .09 (b)   .14 (b)   .04 (b)   .12 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investment transactions

  2.44     2.14     1.02     2.60     4.23     (.81 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations

  2.50     2.34     1.11     2.74     4.27     (.69 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (0.17 )   (.08 )   (.13 )   (.03 )   (.07 )   (.02 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.27 )   (1.24 )   (.76 )   (.36 )   (.17 )   (.01 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.44 )   (1.32 )   (.89 )   (.39 )   (.24 )   (.03 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $19.14     $18.08     $17.06     $16.84     $14.49     $10.46  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net
asset value (c)

  13.77 %   14.42 %   6.91 %   19.30 %   41.26 %   (6.20 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

 

$181,176

 

  $159,804     $134,235     $118,981     $90,949     $55,592  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .84 %(d)   .86 %(e)   .87 %   .86 %   1.20 %   1.13 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .84 %(d)   .86 %(e)   .87 %   1.09 %   1.28 %   1.41 %

Net investment income

  .63 %(d)   1.15 %(e)   .53 %(b)   .96 %(b)   .34 %(b)   1.04 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  17 %   46 %   33 %   30 %   21 %   28 %

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $18.00     $16.99     $16.79     $14.46     $10.46     $11.20  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .04     .16     .05 (b)   .11 (b)   .01 (b)   .08 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investment transactions

  2.45     2.13     1.01     2.59     4.22     (.79 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations

  2.49     2.29     1.06     2.70     4.23     (.71 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (0.14 )   (.04 )   (.10 )   (.01 )   (.06 )   (.02 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.27 )   (1.24 )   (.76 )   (.36 )   (.17 )   (.01 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.41 )   (1.28 )   (.86 )   (.37 )   (.23 )   (.03 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $19.08     $18.00     $16.99     $16.79     $14.46     $10.46  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  13.75 %   14.20 %   6.63 %   19.08 %   40.89 %   (6.37 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period
(000’s omitted)

 

$321,522

 

  $251,412     $186,415     $142,516     $82,954     $22,832  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.09 %(d)   1.11 %(e)   1.12 %   1.12 %   1.45 %   1.43 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.09 %(d)   1.11 %(e)   1.12 %   1.34 %   1.53 %   1.70 %

Net investment income

  .39 %(d)   .91 %(e)   .29 %(b)   .75 %(b)   .05 %(b)   .74 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  17 %   46 %   33 %   30 %   21 %   28 %

 


 

(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

18


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

19


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 2500 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile in the 1-year period, 5th quintile in the 3-year period and 1st quintile in the 5-year period, and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile in the 1-year period, 4th quintile in the 3-year period and 1st quintile in the 5-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 5-year and since inception periods and underperformed the Index in the 1- and 3-year periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 75 basis points was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 2 basis points, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap) was the same as the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

21


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE CAPS & REIMBURSEMENTS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Specialty

   75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

   $ 434.2    Small/Mid Cap Value
Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.02% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Fund    Expense Cap Pursuant to
Expense Limitation
Undertaking
     Gross
Expense
Ratio
     Fiscal Year
End

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   Class A

Class B

   1.20

1.45

%

%

   0.86

1.11

%

%

   December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule5

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Fund

Advisory Fee6

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   $ 434.2   

Small & Mid Cap

Value Schedule

95 bp on 1st $25m

75 bp on next $25m

65 bp on next $50m

55 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $10m

   0.596 %    0.750 %

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 With respect to the Portfolios listed as “N/A,” the Adviser has represented that there are no categories in the Form ADV for institutional products with substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolios.

 

6 Fund advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets.

 

23


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Fund:7

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund
(“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule    Effective
ABMF Adv. Fee
 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  

Small/Mid Cap

Value Fund

  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

   0.75 %

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Fund    Sub-advised Fund    Fee Schedule

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   Client #1   

0.50% on 1st $250 million

0.45% thereafter

   Client #2   

0.72% on 1st $25 million

0.54% on next $250 million

0.50% thereafter

   Client #3   

0.80% on 1st $25 million

0.60% thereafter

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   0.750    0.750    9/17

 


 

7 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

8 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively Small average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

9 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee would not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense reimbursements related to expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU11 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)12

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   0.866    0.866    8/17    0.866    11/23

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a total expense ratio basis than it does on a management fee basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $548,107 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $402,299 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

 


 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

25


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, and 5 year performance rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)15 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.16

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
     PG
Median
     PU
Median
     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank

1 year

   14.42      14.42      14.24      9/17      15/30

3 year

   13.43      14.55      14.45      13/16      20/27

5 year

   14.10      13.42      13.12      2/11      2/18

 


 

13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

14 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

15 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

16 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmark.18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.19

 

      Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
      1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
   Since Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk Period
(Year)
              Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   14.42    13.43    14.10    14.58   14.55   0.81   5

Russell 2500 Value Index

   17.80    14.02    13.16    11.99   13.81   0.94   5

Russell 2500 Index

   16.17    14.10    12.19    10.62   15.04   0.68   5

Inception Date: May 2, 2001

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

 


 

17 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

18 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

27


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Utility Income Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,106.22    $ 4.70    0.90 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.33    $ 4.51    0.90 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,104.78    $ 6.00    1.15 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.09    $ 5.76    1.15 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Entergy Corp. (Common & Preferred)

   $ 3,580,870      4.3 %

AT&T, Inc.

     3,228,907      3.8  

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

     2,660,513      3.2  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     2,492,952      3.0  

Oneok, Inc.

     2,409,598      2.9  

Equitable Resources, Inc.

     2,314,452      2.7  

NRG Energy, Inc.

     2,253,094      2.7  

FPL Group, Inc.

     2,144,772      2.5  

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

     2,100,644      2.5  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     2,087,319      2.5  
                 
     $   25,273,121      30.1 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Utilities

   $ 62,410,405      74.3 %

Telecommunication Services

     13,230,093      15.8  

Energy

     5,275,034      6.3  

Consumer Discretionary

     1,104,400      1.3  

Industrials

     1,013,467      1.2  

Other Instruments

     846,600      1.0  

Materials

     118,827      0.1  
                 

Total Investments

   $   83,998,826      100.0 %

 


 

   Please Note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–93.5%

   
   

UTILITIES–70.8%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–33.3%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.(a)

  40,600   $ 2,100,644

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

  29,583     1,332,418

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (ADR)

  84,900     1,791,390

CLP Holdings Ltd.

  163,000     1,094,177

CPFL Energia, SA (ADR)

  9,400     570,862

Duke Energy Corp.

  83,448     1,527,098

Edison International

  35,100     1,969,812

Enel SpA (ADR)

  23,050     1,237,785

Entergy Corp.

  20,200     2,168,470

Exelon Corp.

  21,200     1,539,120

FirstEnergy Corp.

  26,300     1,702,399

Fortum Oyj

  28,000     874,930

FPL Group, Inc.

  37,800     2,144,772

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

  22,162     645,358

ITC Holdings Corp.

  40,100     1,629,263

Northeast Utilities

  22,400     635,264

PPL Corp.

  44,500     2,082,155

Progress Energy, Inc.

  16,000     729,440

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC

  42,584     1,234,691

The Southern Co.

  27,200     932,688
       
      27,942,736
       

GAS UTILITIES–10.3%

   

AGL Resources, Inc.

  31,100     1,258,928

Equitable Resources, Inc.

  46,700     2,314,452

Hong Kong & China Gas Co.

  467,500     985,138

New Jersey Resources Corp.

  13,100     668,362

Oneok, Inc.

  47,800     2,409,598

Piedmont Natural Gas Co.

  10,200     251,430

Questar Corp.

  14,000     739,900
       
      8,627,808
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–10.5%

   

The AES Corp.(a)

  75,600     1,654,128

AES Tiete SA

  46,593,600     1,775,339

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

  9,000     784,530

Dynegy, Inc.—Class A(a)

  154,863     1,461,907

International Power PLC (ADR)

  6,957     599,501

NRG Energy, Inc.(a)

  54,200     2,253,094

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

  9,000     339,120
       
      8,867,619
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–16.7%

   

Centerpoint Energy, Inc.

  92,300     1,606,020

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

  21,400     965,568

Dominion Resources, Inc./VA

  10,300     888,993

KeySpan Corp.

  16,000     671,680

National Grid PLC (ADR)

  11,220     827,811
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

NSTAR

  45,100   $ 1,463,495

PG&E Corp.

  41,800     1,893,540

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

  28,400     2,492,952

Sempra Energy

  26,674     1,579,901

Xcel Energy, Inc.

  80,600     1,649,882
       
      14,039,842
       
      59,478,005
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–15.8%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–9.0%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  77,805     3,228,907

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. (ADR)

  34,100     643,126

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  50,700     2,087,319

Windstream Corp.

  109,400     1,614,744
       
      7,574,096
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.8%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  42,960     2,660,513

MTN Group Ltd.

  62,500     849,556

Orascom Telecom Holding SAE (GDR)(b)

  11,718     760,498

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  9,000     948,240

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  13,000     437,190
       
      5,655,997
       
      13,230,093
       

ENERGY–4.3%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.3%

   

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.—Class H

  236,000     823,490

TransCanada Corp.

  23,175     797,452

Williams Cos, Inc.

  62,500     1,976,250
       
      3,597,192
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–1.3%

   

MEDIA–1.3%

   

Grupo Televisa SA (ADR)

  40,000     1,104,400
       

INDUSTRIALS–1.2%

   

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.2%

   

Fluor Corp.

  9,100     1,013,467
       

MATERIALS–0.1%

   

METALS & MINING–0.1%

   

Sterlite Industries India Ltd. (ADR)(a)

  8,100     118,827
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $55,524,437)

      78,541,984
       


 

3


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONVERTIBLE–PREFERRED STOCKS–3.5%

   

UTILITIES–3.5%

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.7%

   

Entergy Corp. 7.625%

  21,400   $ 1,412,400
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.8%

   

PNM Resources, Inc. 6.75%

  30,400     1,520,000
       

Total Convertible—Preferred Stocks
(cost $2,585,400)

      2,932,400
       

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–2.0%

   

ENERGY–2.0%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.0%

   

Tortoise Energy Capital Corp.
(cost $1,418,438)

  55,835     1,677,842
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value  
   

NON-CONVERTIBLE–
PREFERRED STOCKS–1.0%

   

OTHER INSTRUMENTS–1.0%

   

Georgia Power Co.
6.00% (cost $861,200)

  34,000   $ 846,600  
         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.0%
(cost $60,389,475)

      83,998,826  

Other assets less liabilities–0.0%

      (5,727 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 83,993,099  
         

 


 

 

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $760,498 or 0.9% of net assets.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt
   GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $60,389,475)

   $ 83,998,826

Receivable for investment securities sold

     731,080

Dividends receivable

     188,494

Receivable for capital stock sold

     48,517
      

Total assets

     84,966,917
      

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     372,335

Payable for investment securities purchased

     439,790

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     41,184

Advisory fee payable

     40,368

Administrative fee payable

     19,260

Distribution fee payable

     3,429

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses

  

 

57,393

      

Total liabilities

     973,818
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 83,993,099
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,128

Additional paid-in capital

     55,595,728

Undistributed net investment income

     1,036,887

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,748,023

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     23,609,333
      
   $ 83,993,099
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 67,302,641      2,503,721      $ 26.88

B

     $ 16,690,458      623,937      $ 26.75

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $28,319)

   $ 1,405,107  

Interest

     43,589  
        

Total investment income

     1,448,696  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     229,247  

Distribution fee—Class B

     18,918  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,299  

Transfer agency—Class B

     290  

Custodian

     60,129  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,121  

Printing

     8,816  

Legal

     5,026  

Directors’ fees

     776  

Miscellaneous

     2,594  
        

Total expenses

     393,216  
        

Net investment income

     1,055,480  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     3,998,967  

Foreign currency transactions

     (8,596 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     3,120,291  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (21 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     7,110,641  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 8,166,121  
        

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,055,480     $ 1,860,551  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,990,371       7,740,434  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     3,120,270       5,644,710  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     8,166,121       15,245,695  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (1,533,201 )     (1,462,511 )

Class B

     (318,889 )     (265,556 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (51,536 )     –0–  

Class B

     (11,702 )     –0–  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (1,643,922 )     (2,365,169 )
                

Total increase

     4,606,871       11,152,459  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     79,386,228       68,233,769  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,036,887 and $1,833,497, respectively)

   $ 83,993,099     $ 79,386,228  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is current income and long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the utilities industry. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

 

9


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007 amounted to $33,762, of which $7,840 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 16,620,877     $ 15,502,983  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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

   $ 23,921,855  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (312,504 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 23,609,351  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  332,462     658,467       $ 8,978,337     $ 14,693,371  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  58,456     70,483         1,584,737       1,462,511  

Shares redeemed

  (522,449 )   (926,754 )       (13,859,712 )     (20,387,388 )
                             

Net decrease

  (131,531 )   (197,804 )     $ (3,296,638 )   $ (4,231,506 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  119,654     273,184       $ 3,192,224     $ 5,950,203  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  12,249     12,847         330,591       265,556  

Shares redeemed

  (70,141 )   (199,217 )       (1,870,099 )     (4,349,422 )
                             

Net increase

  61,762     86,814       $ 1,652,716     $ 1,866,337  
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

 

11


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 1,728,067    $ 1,328,187
             

Total taxable distributions

     1,728,067      1,328,187
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 1,728,067    $ 1,328,187
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,845,050  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     56,246  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (11,553 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     20,253,707 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 22,143,450  
        

 

(a) During the current fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized capital loss carryforwards of $7,658,594. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2007, post-October foreign currency losses of $11,553.

 

(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 I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and

 

13


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

15


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.85     $20.64     $18.17     $14.95     $12.86     $16.82  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .34     .59     .53     .43 (b)   .35     .36  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.31     4.20     2.35     3.13     2.18     (4.06 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  2.65     4.79     2.88     3.56     2.53     (3.70 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.60 )   (.58 )   (.41 )   (.34 )   (.44 )   (.26 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.02 )   –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.62 )   (.58 )   (.41 )   (.34 )   (.44 )   (.26 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.88     $24.85     $20.64     $18.17     $14.95     $12.86  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.62 %   23.76 %   16.05 %   24.33 %   19.88 %   (22.12 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $67,303     $65,490     $58,468     $52,391     $43,323     $40,140  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .90 %(d)   .95 %(e)   .97 %   1.08 %   1.48 %   1.22 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .90 %(d)   .95 %(e)   .97 %   1.21 %   1.48 %   1.22 %

Net investment income

  2.58 %(d)   2.67 %(e)   2.72 %   2.69 %(b)   2.60 %   2.60 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  19 %   48 %   52 %   48 %   76 %   90 %

 


See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 22, 2002(f) to
December 31,
2002
 
      2006     2005     2004     2003    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.72     $20.54     $18.10     $14.92     $12.86     $11.40  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .31     .53     .48     .38 (b)   .28     .07  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  2.29     4.19     2.34     3.13     2.21     1.39  
                                   

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  2.60     4.72     2.82     3.51     2.49     1.46  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.55 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.33 )   (.43 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.02 )   –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.57 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.33 )   (.43 )   –0
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.75     $24.72     $20.54     $18.10     $14.92     $12.86  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.48 %   23.49 %   15.76 %   24.01 %   19.64 %   12.81 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $16,690     $13,896     $9,766     $6,517     $2,802     $39  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.15 %(d)   1.20 %(e)   1.22 %   1.30 %   1.73 %   1.45 %(d)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.15 %(d)   1.20 %(e)   1.22 %   1.43 %   1.73 %   1.45 %(d)

Net investment income

  2.34 %(d)   2.41 %(e)   2.45 %   2.41 %(b)   2.07 %   1.92 %(d)

Portfolio turnover rate

  19 %   48 %   52 %   48 %   76 %   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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(f) Commencement of distribution.

 

17


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Standard & Poor’s 500 GICS Utilities Composite (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (May 1994 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group and Performance Universe comparisons the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile in the 1-year period, 4th quintile in the 3- and 5-year periods and 3rd quintile in the 10-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in all periods reviewed except in the since inception period when it underperformed the Index. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser concerning the Portfolio’s performance, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The Adviser informed the directors that there are no institutional products managed by it which have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and noted that it charged institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized accounts using strategies that differ from those of the Portfolio but which involve investments in securities of the same type that the Portfolio invests in (i.e., equity securities). The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the

 

19


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 12 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (less than $85 million as of February 28, 2007) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable in the Portfolio’s particular circumstances.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

20


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Net Assets
02/28/07
($MIL)
   Portfolio

Value

   55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion 45 bp on next $2.5 billion 40 bp on the balance    $ 81.5    Utility Income
Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.12% of the Fund’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s total expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Utility Income Portfolio

   Class A 0.95

Class B 1.20

%

%

   December 31

 


1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

21


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Utility Income Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Fund, Inc.:4

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)
  Fee Schedule    Effective ABMF
Adv. Fee
 

Utility Income Portfolio

  Utility Income Fund, Inc.  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

   0.55 %

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)5 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.6

 


 

4 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

5 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized funds that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

6 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser. Consequently, at the request of the Adviser and the Senior Officer, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that do not have the same load type.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee7
   Lipper
Group
Median
   Rank

Utility Income Portfolio8

   0.550    0.700    1/10

The Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Universe’s (“EU”) was not expanded to include all funds with no 12b-1 or non 12b-1 service fees, aside from the two funds that were added to the Portfolio’s EG, since expanding the Portfolio’s EU with funds or different load types would have caused the EU to have multiple classes of the same funds. Note that a “normal” EU will include funds that have the same load type as the subject Portfolio.9 Since two of the Portfolio’s EG peers are funds with a 12b-1/non 12b-1 service fee, supplemental information showing the EG’s total expense ratio excluding 12b-1/non 12b-1 service fee is also presented.10

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)11
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

Utility Income Portfolio12

   0.973    0.836    8/10    0.836    10/12

(excluding 12b-1/ non 12b-1 service fee)

   0.973    0.836    8/10    0.836    10/12

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

 


 

7 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.

 

8 The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, nine other variable insurance product (“VIP”) Utility funds (“UT”). However, it should be noted that two of the nine UT funds have a 12b-1 or non 12b-1 service fee.

 

9 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

10 Note that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio ranking and the medians of the Portfolio’s EG & EU are the same before and after 12b-1/non 12b-1 service fees.

 

11 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

12 The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP UT funds with no 12b-1 or non 12b-1 service fees, excluding outliers.

 

23


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $29,195 in Rule 12b-1 fees. The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $68,652 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 


 

13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)15 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.16

 

Utility Income
Portfolio
   Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   23.76      29.16      31.00      9/10      11/13

3 year

   21.32      21.58      21.58      6/9      7/11

5 year

   10.76      10.84      10.84      6/9      7/11

10 year

   10.35      10.15      10.15      3/6      4/8

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmark.18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.19

 

      Periods Ending December 31, 2006
Annualized Performance
    

1 Year
(%)

  

3 Year
(%)

  

5 Year
(%)

  

10 Year
(%)

  

Since
Inception
(%)

   Annualized   

Risk
Period
(Year)

                     Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

Utility Income Portfolio

   23.76    21.32    10.76    10.35    10.40    13.29    0.53    10

S&P 500 GICS Utility Composite

   20.99    20.66    9.20    8.24    11.38    17.53    0.33    10

Inception Date: May 10, 1994

                       

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


14 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

15 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including in or excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

16 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

17 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

18 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

25


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each classes’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each classes’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each classes’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Value Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,058.46    $ 3.37    0.66 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,021.52    $ 3.31    0.66 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,057.05    $ 4.64    0.91 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.28    $ 4.56    0.91 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $ 18,671,688      5.4 %

Citigroup, Inc.

     13,048,176      3.8  

General Electric Co.

     12,142,416      3.5  

Bank of America Corp.

     11,938,938      3.4  

Chevron Corp.

     10,454,184      3.0  

Pfizer, Inc.

     10,376,306      3.0  

AT&T, Inc.

     9,715,150      2.8  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     8,880,885      2.5  

American International Group, Inc.

     7,878,375      2.3  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     7,175,931      2.1  
                 
     $   110,282,049      31.8 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 113,259,541      32.7 %

Energy

     42,834,338      12.4  

Consumer Discretionary

     41,348,071      12.0  

Consumer Staples

     31,597,797      9.1  

Industrials

     26,249,304      7.6  

Telecommunication Services

     23,378,713      6.7  

Health Care

     22,380,650      6.5  

Materials

     15,878,147      4.6  

Information Technology

     13,343,830      3.9  

Utilities

     5,619,954      1.6  

Short-Term Investments

     10,090,000      2.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $   345,980,345      100.0 %

 


 

* Long-term investments.

 

   Please Note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–96.9%

   
   

FINANCIALS–32.7%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–2.5%

   

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  3,600   $ 780,300

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

  53,000     1,475,520

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  49,000     4,095,420

Morgan Stanley

  20,400     1,711,152

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.—Class A

  20,600     535,806
       
      8,598,198
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–5.2%

   

BB&T Corp.

  13,500     549,180

Comerica, Inc.

  33,800     2,010,086

Fifth Third Bancorp

  35,900     1,427,743

Keycorp

  37,200     1,277,076

National City Corp.

  67,300     2,242,436

Regions Financial Corp.

  11,500     380,650

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  28,200     2,417,868

U.S. Bancorp

  73,200     2,411,940

Wachovia Corp.

  46,100     2,362,625

Wells Fargo & Co.

  85,300     3,000,001
       
      18,079,605
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–9.8%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  244,200     11,938,938

Citigroup, Inc.

  254,400     13,048,176

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  183,300     8,880,885
       
      33,867,999
       

INSURANCE–10.8%

   

ACE Ltd.

  25,900     1,619,268

Allstate Corp.

  38,100     2,343,531

AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.

  23,200     2,022,808

American International Group, Inc.

  112,500     7,878,375

Chubb Corp.

  36,000     1,949,040

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.—Class A

  62,700     1,485,990

Genworth Financial, Inc.—Class A

  64,800     2,229,120

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  22,900     2,255,879

MBIA, Inc.

  28,400     1,767,048

MetLife, Inc.

  46,000     2,966,080

Old Republic International Corp.

  70,300     1,494,578

PartnerRe, Ltd.

  4,300     333,250

Prudential Financial, Inc.

  13,000     1,263,990

RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.

  16,300     1,010,437

Torchmark Corp.

  12,700     850,900

The Travelers Cos, Inc.

  63,600     3,402,600

UnumProvident Corp.

  44,100     1,151,451

XL Capital Ltd.—Class A

  14,900     1,255,921
       
      37,280,266
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–4.4%

   

Astoria Financial Corp.

  33,000     826,320

Countrywide Financial Corp.

  73,100     2,657,185

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  41,900   $ 2,543,330

Federal National Mortgage Association

  70,600     4,612,298

MGIC Investment Corp.

  27,400     1,557,964

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  75,900     3,236,376
       
      15,433,473
       
      113,259,541
       

ENERGY–12.4%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–12.4%

   

BP PLC (ADR)

  24,800     1,789,072

Chevron Corp.

  124,100     10,454,184

ConocoPhillips

  45,800     3,595,300

El Paso Corp.

  23,000     396,290

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  222,600     18,671,688

Marathon Oil Corp.

  64,200     3,849,432

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  7,000     405,160

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (ADR)

  21,900     1,778,280

Total SA (ADR)

  23,400     1,894,932
       
      42,834,338
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–11.9%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–1.2%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  27,900     1,586,673

BorgWarner, Inc.

  16,200     1,393,848

Magna International, Inc.—Class A

  14,500     1,319,355
       
      4,299,876
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.3%

   

General Motors Corp.

  26,200     990,360
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.2%

   

McDonald’s Corp.

  80,100     4,065,876
       

HOUSEHOLD
DURABLES–1.0%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  13,500     1,192,185

Centex Corp.

  17,900     717,790

KB Home

  31,200     1,228,344

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

  13,100     385,533
       
      3,523,852
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Mattel, Inc.

  49,200     1,244,268
       

MEDIA–3.6%

   

CBS Corp.—Class B

  83,300     2,775,556

Citadel Broadcasting Corp.

  2,111     13,616

Comcast Corp.—Class A(a)

  75,600     2,125,872

Gannett Co., Inc.

  18,500     1,016,575

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.(a)

  76,900     876,660

Time Warner, Inc.

  172,600     3,631,504

Viacom, Inc.—Class B(a)

  41,300     1,719,319

The Walt Disney Co.

  13,500     460,890
       
      12,619,992
       


 

3


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.9%

   

Dillard’s, Inc.—Class A

  24,700   $ 887,471

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.(a)

  20,100     875,355

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  48,800     1,674,816

Macy’s, Inc.

  58,500     2,327,130

Saks, Inc.

  42,300     903,105
       
      6,667,877
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.4%

   

The Gap, Inc.

  89,200     1,703,720

Home Depot, Inc.

  18,500     727,975

Ltd. Brands, Inc.

  39,500     1,084,275

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  43,000     1,302,900
       
      4,818,870
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.9%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  37,400     1,056,550

VF Corp.

  22,500     2,060,550
       
      3,117,100
       
      41,348,071
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.1%

   

BEVERAGES–0.7%

   

Molson Coors Brewing Co.—Class B

  21,400     1,978,644

PepsiCo, Inc.

  7,400     479,890
       
      2,458,534
       

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–1.3%

   

The Kroger Co.

  59,500     1,673,735

Safeway, Inc.

  63,200     2,150,696

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  14,500     697,595
       
      4,522,026
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–2.5%

   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

  53,000     1,423,580

General Mills, Inc.

  26,200     1,530,604

Kellogg Co.

  27,800     1,439,762

Kraft Foods, Inc.—Class A

  62,103     2,189,131

Sara Lee Corp.

  119,800     2,084,520
       
      8,667,597
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.7%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  24,500     1,588,825

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

  29,000     1,939,810

Procter & Gamble Co.

  97,200     5,947,668
       
      9,476,303
       

TOBACCO–1.9%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  76,900     5,393,766

UST, Inc.

  20,100     1,079,571
       
      6,473,337
       
      31,597,797
       

INDUSTRIALS–7.6%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.2%

   

Boeing Co.

  16,300     1,567,408

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  5,700     536,541

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  25,000   $ 1,946,750
       
      4,050,699
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.6%

   

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

  41,100     1,924,302
       

INDUSTRIAL
CONGLOMERATES–4.0%

   

General Electric Co.

  317,200     12,142,416

Tyco International, Ltd.

  52,000     1,757,080
       
      13,899,496
       

MACHINERY–1.8%

   

Cummins, Inc.

  23,800     2,408,798

Eaton Corp.

  24,800     2,306,400

SPX Corp.

  18,900     1,659,609
       
      6,374,807
       
      26,249,304
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.7%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.9%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  234,100     9,715,150

Embarq Corp.

  4,950     313,681

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  174,300     7,175,931
       
      17,204,762
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.8%

   

American Tower Corp.—
Class A(a)

  11,000     462,000

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  178,700     3,700,877

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  59,800     2,011,074
       
      6,173,951
       
      23,378,713
       

HEALTH CARE–6.5%

   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.8%

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.—
Class A

  16,600     821,202

McKesson Corp.

  31,800     1,896,552
       
      2,717,754
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.7%

   

Eli Lilly & Co.

  40,600     2,268,728

Johnson & Johnson

  26,500     1,632,930

Merck & Co., Inc.

  67,300     3,351,540

Pfizer, Inc.

  405,800     10,376,306

Schering-Plough Corp.

  66,800     2,033,392
       
      19,662,896
       
      22,380,650
       

MATERIALS–4.6%

   

CHEMICALS–1.9%

   

Ashland, Inc.

  22,300     1,426,085

Dow Chemical Co.

  13,600     601,392


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  55,400   $ 2,816,536

Lubrizol Corp.

  21,600     1,394,280

PPG Industries, Inc.

  4,500     342,495
       
      6,580,788
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–2.1%

   

Crown Holdings, Inc.(a)

  54,200     1,353,374

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  34,900     1,221,500

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  82,700     1,100,737

Sonoco Products Co.

  28,700     1,228,647

Temple-Inland, Inc.

  35,700     2,196,621
       
      7,100,879
       

METALS & MINING–0.6%

   

Arcelor Mittal—Class A

  35,200     2,196,480
       
      15,878,147
       

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–3.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  35,800     997,030

Nokia OYJ (ADR)

  63,700     1,790,607
       
      2,787,637
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–1.3%

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  22,800     1,017,336

International Business Machines Corp.

  23,100     2,431,275

Lexmark International, Inc.—Class A(a)

  24,100     1,188,371
       
      4,636,982
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.0%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  11,600     445,788

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  135,700     1,465,560

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  111,000     347,430

Solectron Corp.(a)

  247,210     909,733

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  10,650     409,599
       
      3,578,110
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

IT SERVICES–0.3%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

    31,500   $ 873,495
       

SOFTWARE–0.4%

   

Microsoft Corp.

    49,800     1,467,606
       
      13,343,830
       

UTILITIES–1.6%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.1%

   

Entergy Corp.

    18,900     2,028,915

Northeast Utilities

    30,700     870,652

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    26,600     1,060,010
       
      3,959,577
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.5%

   

Dominion Resources, Inc./VA

    17,700     1,527,687

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    3,000     132,690
       
      1,660,377
       
      5,619,954
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $267,304,367)

      335,890,345
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.9%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.9%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $10,090,000)

  $ 10,090     10,090,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.8%
(cost $277,394,367)

      345,980,345

Other assets less liabilities–0.2%

      605,677
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 346,586,022
       


 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $277,394,367)

   $ 345,980,345

Cash

     3,945

Dividends and interest receivable

     458,414

Receivable for capital stock sold

     347,996

Receivable for investment securities sold .

     224,760
      

Total assets

     347,015,460
      

LIABILITIES

  

Advisory fee payable

     162,336

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     93,432

Distribution fee payable

     72,998

Printing fee payable

     32,874

Administrative fee payable

     19,260

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses

     48,479
      

Total liabilities

     429,438
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 346,586,022
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par .

   $ 22,786

Additional paid-in capital

     265,251,443

Undistributed net investment income

     2,564,237

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     10,161,578

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     68,585,978
      
   $ 346,586,022
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 3,700,265      241,230      $ 15.34

B

     $ 342,885,757      22,544,808      $ 15.21

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $26,517)

   $ 3,879,509

Interest .

     190,599
      

Total investment income

     4,070,108
      

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     894,561

Distribution fee—Class B

     404,181

Transfer agency—Class A

     10

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,681

Custodian

     63,281

Administrative

     47,000

Printing

     30,279

Audit

     19,121

Legal

     7,403

Directors’ fees

     761

Miscellaneous

     4,108
      

Total expenses

     1,472,386
      

Net investment income

     2,597,722
      

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     10,251,654

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     5,268,262
      

Net gain on investment transactions

     15,519,916
      

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 18,117,638
      

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,597,722     $ 3,991,270  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     10,251,654       9,043,721  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     5,268,262       35,162,198  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     18,117,638       48,197,189  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (49,063 )     (5,912 )

Class B

     (3,942,894 )     (2,258,458 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (96,737 )     (14,248 )

Class B

     (9,006,172 )     (6,433,182 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     31,884,634       78,319,096  
                

Total increase

     36,907,406       117,804,485  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     309,678,616       191,874,131  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,564,237 and $3,958,472, respectively)

   $ 346,586,022     $ 309,678,616  
                

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio commenced operations on May 1, 2001. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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. Pur-

 

9


VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

chases 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .55% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007 there were no such expenses waived by the Adviser.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $38,411, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investment Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 52,936,954     $ 35,088,220  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 71,772,913  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (3,186,935 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 68,585,978  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation by the Portfolio.

 

11


VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     SHARES          AMOUNT  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
         Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

           

Shares sold .

   182,387     66,255        $ 2,872,189     $ 941,875  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   9,376     1,554          145,800       20,160  

Shares redeemed

   (19,739 )   (21,070 )        (294,350 )     (300,332 )
                               

Net increase

   172,024     46,739        $ 2,723,639     $ 661,703  
                               

Class B

           

Shares sold .

   2,902,051     7,859,179        $ 44,276,867     $ 107,213,399  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   839,758     675,341          12,949,066       8,691,640  

Shares redeemed

   (1,843,633 )   (2,812,503 )        (28,064,938 )     (38,247,646 )
                               

Net increase

   1,898,176     5,722,017        $ 29,160,995     $ 77,657,393  
                               

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 2,470,139    $ 2,208,016

Net long-term capital gains

     6,241,661      2,382,637
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 8,711,800    $ 4,590,653
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 4,384,623  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     8,590,918  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     63,313,480 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 76,289,021  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

13


VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities

 

15


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 22,
2002(b) to
December 31,
2002
 
      2006     2005     2004(a)     2003    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 15.08     $ 12.94     $ 12.63     $ 11.20     $ 8.76     $ 8.00  
                                               
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (c)

    .14       .26       .22 (d)     .25 (d)     .16 (d)     .07 (d)

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

    .75       2.42       .49       1.18       2.36       .69  
                                               

Net increase in net asset value from operations

    .89       2.68       .71       1.43       2.52       .76  
                                               
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    (.21 )     (.16 )     (.18 )     –0     (.08 )     –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    (.42 )     (.38 )     (.22 )     –0     –0     –0
                                               

Total dividends and distributions

    (.63 )     (.54 )     (.40 )     –0     (.08 )     –0
                                               

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 15.34     $ 15.08     $ 12.94     $ 12.63     $ 11.20     $ 8.76  
                                               
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (e)

    5.85 %     21.32 %     5.74 %     12.77 %     28.94 %     9.50 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period

  $ 3,700,265     $ 1,043,677     $ 290,673     $ 5,699     $ 239     $ 187  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

    .66 %(f)     .69 %(g)     .73 %     .79 %(f)     .99 %     1.20 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

    .66 %(f)     .69 %(g)     .74 %     .98 %(f)     1.06 %     2.28 %(f)

Net investment income

    1.99 %(f)     1.89 %(g)     1.74 %(d)     2.02 %(d)(f)     1.51 %(d)     4.22 %(d)(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

    11 %     17 %     21 %     27 %     27 %     12 %

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.95     $ 12.84     $ 12.54     $ 11.16     $ 8.75     $ 10.07  
                                               
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (c)

    .12       .22       .17 (d)     .17 (d)     .12 (d)     .12 (d)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    .74       2.40       .50       1.31       2.36       (1.42 )
                                               

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .86       2.62       .67       1.48       2.48       (1.30 )
                                               
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    (.18 )     (.13 )     (.15 )     (.10 )     (.07 )     (.02 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    (.42 )     (.38 )     (.22 )     –0     –0     –0
                                               

Total dividends and distributions

    (.60 )     (.51 )     (.37 )     (.10 )     (.07 )     (.02 )
                                               

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 15.21     $ 14.95     $ 12.84     $ 12.54     $ 11.16     $ 8.75  
                                               
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (e)

    5.71 %     21.03 %     5.48 %     13.37 %     28.46 %     (12.95 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $ 342,886     $ 308,635     $ 191,583     $ 151,793     $ 117,561     $ 68,366  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

    .91 %(f)     .94 %(g)     .98 %     .97 %     1.24 %     1.21 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

    .91 %(f)     .94 %(g)     .99 %     1.15 %     1.33 %     1.43 %

Net investment income

    1.59 %(f)     1.64 %(g)     1.38 %(d)     1.45 %(d)     1.29 %(d)     1.27 %(d)

Portfolio turnover rate

    11 %     17 %     21 %     27 %     27 %     12 %

 

 


 

(a) There were no Class A shares outstanding for the period May 11, 2004 through October 3, 2004.

 

(b) Commencement of distribution.

 

(c) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(d) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(e) 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.

 

(f) Annualized.

 

(g) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

18


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PORTFOLIO’S ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed an independent evaluation prepared by the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer) of the reasonableness of the advisory fees in the Advisory Agreement wherein the Senior Officer concluded that the contractual fees for the Portfolio were reasonable. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer.

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they receive presentations from the Adviser on the investment results of the Portfolio and review extensive materials and information presented by the Adviser.

The directors also considered all other factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. In their deliberations, the directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Portfolio and the overall arrangements between the Portfolio and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and (to the extent requested and paid) result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rates stated in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the methodology used to determine the reimbursement amounts had been reviewed by an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Portfolio’s other service providers, also were considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Portfolio under the Advisory Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues, expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Portfolio to the Adviser for calendar years 2005 and 2006 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

19


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio other than the fees and expense reimbursements payable under the Advisory Agreement, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from many of the brokers and dealers that execute purchases and sales of securities on behalf of its clients on an agency basis), 12b-1 fees and sales charges received by the Fund’s principal underwriter (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser) in respect of the Portfolio’s Class B shares, transfer agency fees paid by the Portfolio to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio to brokers affiliated with the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed comparative performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended December 31, 2006 over the 1- and 3-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (July 2002 inception). The directors noted that in the Performance Group comparison the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile in the 1- and 3-year periods, and in the Performance Universe comparison the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile in the 1-year period and 2nd quintile in the 3-year period. The comparative information showed that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in the 1- and 3-year periods and outperformed the Index in the since inception period. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the advisory fee rate paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser and information prepared by Lipper concerning fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that since mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets are relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

 

20


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors recognized that the expense ratio information for the Portfolio potentially reflected on the Adviser’s provision of services, as the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases were voluntary and perhaps temporary.

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual advisory effective fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 4 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap) was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors believe that economies of scale may be realized (if at all) by the Adviser across a variety of products and services, and not only in respect of a single fund. The directors noted that there is no established methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to fund-specific services provided by a fund’s adviser and to the economies of scale that an adviser may realize in its overall mutual fund business or those components of it which directly or indirectly affect a fund’s operations. The directors observed that in the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Portfolio, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. The directors also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all. Having taken these factors into account, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s breakpoint arrangements would result in a sharing of economies of scale in the event of a very significant increase in the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

21


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE CAPS & REIMBURSEMENTS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Value

  

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

   $ 311.3    Value Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.04% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2007.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 The AllianceBernstein Mutual Portfolios, which the Adviser manages, were also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

22


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Fund    Expense Cap Pursuant
to Expense Limitation
Undertaking
   Gross
Expense
Ratio
     Fiscal Year
End

Value Portfolio

   Class A 1.20%

Class B 1.45%

   0.69

0.94

%

%

   December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than managing that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if a fund is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different and legal and reputational risks are greater, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/28/07

($MIL)

   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee5

 

Value Portfolio

   $ 311.3   

Diversified Value Schedule

65 bp on 1st $25m

50 bp on next 25m

40 bp on next $50m

30 bp on next $100m

25 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $2m

   0.342 %    0.550 %

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 Portfolio advisory fee based on February 28, 2007 net assets.

 

23


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Value Fund, a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Value Fund:6

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

Value Portfolio

   Value Fund   

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

   0.55 %

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio    Sub-advised Fund        Fee Schedule

Value Portfolio

   Client  #1     

0.25% on 1st $500 million

0.20% thereafter

   Client  #27     

0.50% on 1st $1 billion

0.40% on next $1 billion

0.30% on next $1 billion

0.20% thereafter

   Client  #3     

0.23% on 1st $300 million

0.20% thereafter

   Client  #4     

0.35% on 1st $200 million

0.30% thereafter

   Client  #5     

0.60% on 1st $10 million

0.50% on next $15 million

0.40% on next $25 million

0.30% on next $50 million

0.25% on next $50 million

0.225% on next $50 million

0.20% thereafter

   Client  #6     

0.27% on 1st $300 million

0.16% on next $700 million

0.13% thereafter

   Client  #7     

0.15% on 1st $1 billion

0.14% on next $2 billion

0.12% on next $2 billion

0.10% thereafter

+/- Performance Fee

   Client  #8      0.35%
   Client  #9      0.20%
   Client  #10     

0.60% on 1st $10 million

0.50% on next $15 million

0.40% on next $25 million

0.30% on next $50 million

0.25% on next $50 million

0.225% on next $50 million

0.20% on next $50 million

0.175% on next $50 million

0.150% thereafter

 


 

6 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Portfolio was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Portfolio.

 

7 This is the fee schedule of a Portfolio managed by an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

24


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that certain of these sub-advisory relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Value Portfolio

   0.550    0.750    3/12

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU11 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)12

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Value Portfolio

   0.730    0.804    3/12    0.817    10/28

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has an equally favorable ranking on a management fee basis and a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

The Adviser utilizes two profitability reporting systems, which operate independently but are aligned with each other, to estimate the Adviser’s profitability in connection with investment advisory services provided to the Portfolio. The Senior Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2006, relative to 2005.

 


 

8 It should be noted that Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Portfolios with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratios than comparable sized Portfolios that have relatively large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different Portfolios categorize expenses differently.

 

9 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee would not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense reimbursements related to expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one Portfolio.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

25


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship provided the affiliates’ charges and services are competitive. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, and brokerage commissions. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $607,705 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection with Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $481,135 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, recordkeeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the relevant intermediary over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability decreased in 2006 in comparison to 2005. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $783 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio may effect brokerage transactions in the future through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from any future business conducted with the Portfolio would be comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients. These credits and charges are not being passed onto any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for its clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding economies of scale and/or scope. Based on the independent consultant’s initial survey, there was a consensus that fund management companies benefited from economies of scale. However, due to the lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders.

The independent consultant conducted further studies of the Adviser’s operations to determine the existence of economies of scale and/or scope within the Adviser. The independent consultant also analyzed patterns related to advisory fees at the industry level. In a recent presentation to the Board of Directors, the independent consultant noted the potential for economies of scale and/or scope through the use of “pooling portfolios” and blend products. The independent consultant also remarked that there may be diseconomies as assets grow in less liquid and active markets. It was also observed that various factors, including fund size, family size, asset class, and investment style, had an impact on advisory fees.

 


 

13 The Portfolio (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Portfolio) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2006.

 

26


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $742 billion as of March 31, 2007, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1 and 3 year performance rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)15 for the periods ended December 31, 2006.16

 

Value Portfolio    Portfolio Return    PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   21.32    17.51    17.12    1/12    4/40

3 year

   13.10    12.78    12.65    2/11    10/36

Set forth below are the 1, 3 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmark.18 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.19

 

    Periods Ending December 31, 2006
     Annualized Performance
            Since
Inception (%)
 

Annualized

 

  Risk Period
(Year)
     1 Year (%)   3 Year (%)     Volatility (%)   Sharpe (%)  

Value Portfolio

  21.32   13.10   17.43   6.99   1.36   3

Russell 1000 Value Index

  22.25   15.09   16.17   6.68   1.68   3

Inception Date: July 22, 2002

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: June 4, 2007

 


 

14 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio shown were provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. Rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s Portfolio returns to be one or two basis points different from Lipper’s own Portfolio returns. To maintain consistency, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

15 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including or excluding a Portfolio from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

16 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

17 The performance returns and risk measures shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

18 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2006. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be seen as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

27


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,058.83    $ 6.13    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.84    $ 6.01    1.20 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,056.94    $ 7.40    1.45 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.60    $ 7.25    1.45 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.—Class A

   $ 507,679      3.2 %

Apple, Inc.

     494,262      3.1  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     436,176      2.7  

WellPoint, Inc.

     348,857      2.2  

Boeing Co.

     345,214      2.1  

Citigroup, Inc.

     323,127      2.0  

Comcast Corp.—Special—Class A

     314,550      2.0  

Procter & Gamble Co.

     314,517      2.0  

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.—Class A

     299,242      1.8  

Bank of America Corp.

     298,229      1.8  
                 
     $   3,681,853      22.9 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 4,186,682      26.4 %

Information Technology

     2,676,488      16.9  

Health Care

     1,905,964      12.0  

Consumer Discretionary

     1,784,765      11.3  

Energy

     1,404,364      8.9  

Industrials

     1,386,105      8.8  

Consumer Staples

     1,030,304      6.5  

Telecommunication Services

     705,182      4.4  

Materials

     659,803      4.2  

Utilities

     94,511      0.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   15,834,168      100.0 %

 


 

   Please Note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.7%

   

FINANCIALS–26.1%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–7.1%

   

The Blackstone Group LP(a)

  3,200   $ 93,664

Credit Suisse Group (New York) (ADR)

  1,995     141,565

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  1,825     241,758

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  530     114,877

Lazard Ltd.—Class A

  100     4,503

Legg Mason, Inc.

  1,975     194,301

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  3,440     287,515

Morgan Stanley

  500     41,940

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.—Class A

  1,000     26,010
       
      1,146,133
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.7%

   

Comerica, Inc.

  900     53,523

Fifth Third Bancorp

  1,700     67,609

Keycorp

  600     20,598

National City Corp.

  2,000     66,640

U.S. Bancorp

  1,700     56,015

Wachovia Corp.

  1,300     66,625

Wells Fargo & Co.

  2,800     98,476
       
      429,486
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–8.3%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  6,100     298,229

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.—Class A

  560     299,242

Citigroup, Inc.

  6,300     323,127

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  5,150     249,517

Moody’s Corp.

  1,300     80,860

NYSE Euronext

  1,060     78,037
       
      1,329,012
       

INSURANCE–5.5%

   

ACE Ltd.

  650     40,638

Allstate Corp.

  250     15,377

American International Group, Inc.

  3,100     217,093

Chubb Corp.

  275     14,889

Genworth Financial, Inc.—Class A

  1,700     58,480

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  900     88,659

MBIA, Inc.

  500     31,110

MetLife, Inc.

  1,500     96,720

Old Republic International Corp.

  1,800     38,268

RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.

  800     49,592

Torchmark Corp.

  600     40,200

The Travelers Cos, Inc.

  2,000     107,000

UnumProvident Corp.

  1,100     28,721

XL Capital Ltd.—Class A

  600     50,574
       
      877,321
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–2.5%

   

Countrywide Financial Corp.

  1,800     65,430

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  1,400     84,980
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Federal National Mortgage Association

  2,000   $ 130,660

MGIC Investment Corp.

  600     34,116

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  2,100     89,544
       
      404,730
       
      4,186,682
       

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–16.7%

   

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT–2.8%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  10,700     297,995

Nokia OYJ (ADR)

  600     16,866

Qualcomm, Inc.

  3,075     133,424
       
      448,285
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–6.1%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  4,050     494,262

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  5,645     251,880

International Business Machines Corp.

  700     73,675

Lexmark International, Inc.—
Class A(a)

  250     12,327

Network Appliance, Inc.(a)

  3,600     105,120

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  8,000     42,080
       
      979,344
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.7%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  400     15,372

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  3,900     42,120

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  3,000     9,390

Solectron Corp.(a)

  11,800     43,424
       
      110,306
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–3.8%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  1,150     55,936

eBay, Inc.(a)

  1,550     49,879

Google, Inc.—Class A(a)

  970     507,679
       
      613,494
       

IT SERVICES–0.1%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  500     13,865
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

Broadcom Corp.—Class A(a)

  4,662     136,363

NVIDIA Corp.(a)

  1,750     72,293

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  1,300     48,919
       
      257,575
       

SOFTWARE–1.6%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  2,500     100,375

Microsoft Corp.

  5,200     153,244
       
      253,619
       
      2,676,488
       


 

3


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE–11.9%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–3.0%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  1,750   $ 100,327

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  2,250     170,235

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  5,300     205,481
       
      476,043
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.1%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  1,275     172,010
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.8%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  1,050     81,890

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

  2,200     14,322

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  4,370     348,857
       
      445,069
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.0%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  3,500     187,425

Johnson & Johnson

  600     36,972

Merck & Co., Inc.

  3,100     154,380

Pfizer, Inc.

  10,500     268,485

Schering-Plough Corp.

  1,700     51,748

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)

  1,300     53,625

Wyeth

  1,050     60,207
       
      812,842
       
      1,905,964
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–11.1%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.8%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  850     48,339

BorgWarner, Inc.

  700     60,228

Magna International, Inc.—Class A

  250     22,748
       
      131,315
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.5%

   

Hilton Hotels Corp.

  2,300     76,981

McDonald’s Corp.

  3,625     184,005

MGM Mirage(a)

  200     16,496

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  1,900     127,433
       
      404,915
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.3%

   

KB Home

  800     31,496

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  900     20,205
       
      51,701
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Mattel, Inc.

  2,800     70,812
       

MEDIA–3.6%

   

CBS Corp.—Class B

  2,375     79,135

Citadel Broadcasting Corp.

  24     155

Comcast Corp.-Special—
Class A(a)

  11,250     314,550

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.(a)

  3,200     36,480
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Time Warner, Inc.

  6,600   $ 138,864

Viacom, Inc.—Class B(a)

  175     7,285
       
      576,469
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–2.6%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  1,100     37,752

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  2,310     164,080

Macy’s, Inc.

  1,500     59,670

Saks, Inc.

  1,400     29,890

Target Corp.

  1,975     125,610
       
      417,002
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.6%

   

The Gap, Inc.

  1,700     32,470

Home Depot, Inc.

  400     15,740

Ltd. Brands, Inc.

  425     11,666

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  1,000     30,300
       
      90,176
       

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.3%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  1,500     42,375
       
      1,784,765
       

ENERGY–8.8%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT &
SERVICES–2.4%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  1,525     128,298

Halliburton Co.

  1,750     60,375

Schlumberger, Ltd.

  2,250     191,115
       
      379,788
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–6.4%

   

BP PLC (ADR)

  600     43,284

Chevron Corp.

  3,300     277,992

ConocoPhillips

  1,400     109,900

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  5,200     436,176

Marathon Oil Corp.

  1,800     107,928

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  200     11,576

Petro-Canada

  100     5,328

Total SA (ADR)

  400     32,392
       
      1,024,576
       
      1,404,364
       

INDUSTRIALS–8.6%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–4.2%

   

Boeing Co.

  3,590     345,214

Honeywell International, Inc.

  2,400     135,072

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  600     46,722

Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc.—Class A(a)

  3,250     117,162

United Technologies Corp.

  550     39,012
       
      683,182
       

CONSTRUCTION &
ENGINEERING–0.6%

   

Fluor Corp.

  850     94,665
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.3%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  900     42,120
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIAL
CONGLOMERATES–2.0%

   

General Electric Co.

  7,400   $ 283,272

Tyco International, Ltd.

  1,200     40,548
       
      323,820
       

MACHINERY–1.5%

   

Deere & Co.

  450     54,333

Eaton Corp.

  700     65,100

Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd.—Class A

  800     43,856

SPX Corp.

  900     79,029
       
      242,318
       
      1,386,105
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–6.4%

   

BEVERAGES–0.4%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  1,150     74,577
       

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–0.9%

   

The Kroger Co.

  2,700     75,951

Safeway, Inc.

  1,600     54,448

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  300     14,433
       
      144,832
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.5%

   

General Mills, Inc.

  500     29,210

Kellogg Co.

  1,000     51,790

Kraft Foods, Inc.—Class A

  1,797     63,344

Sara Lee Corp.

  3,000     52,200

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  700     38,717
       
      235,261
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.5%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  800     51,880

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

  500     33,445

Procter & Gamble Co.

  5,140     314,517
       
      399,842
       

TOBACCO–1.1%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  2,200     154,308

UST, Inc.

  400     21,484
       
      175,792
       
      1,030,304
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.8%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  5,500     228,250

Embarq Corp.

  235     14,892
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  4,900   $ 201,733
       
      444,875
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6%

   

America Movil SAB de CV
Series L (ADR)

  1,600     99,088

American Tower Corp.—Class A(a)

  400     16,800

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  4,700     97,337

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  1,400     47,082
       
      260,307
       
      705,182
       

MATERIALS–4.1%

   

CHEMICALS–2.7%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  900     72,333

Dow Chemical Co.

  1,600     70,752

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  825     41,943

Lubrizol Corp.

  700     45,185

Monsanto Co.

  2,750     185,735

PPG Industries, Inc.

  150     11,417
       
      427,365
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–1.0%

   

Crown Holdings, Inc.(a)

  700     17,479

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  1,700     59,500

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  1,900     25,289

Temple-Inland, Inc.

  1,000     61,530
       
      163,798
       

METALS & MINING–0.4%

   

Arcelor Mittal—Class A

  1,100     68,640
       
      659,803
       

UTILITIES–0.6%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.5%

   

Entergy Corp.

  800     85,880
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.1%

   

Dominion Resources, Inc./VA

  100     8,631
       
      94,511
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.7% (cost $12,366,366)

      15,834,168

Other assets less liabilities–1.3%

      212,532
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 16,046,700
       

 


 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $12,366,366)

   $ 15,834,168

Cash

     94,353

Receivable for investment securities sold

     319,020

Dividends receivable

     17,156

Receivable due from Adviser

     3,080
      

Total assets

     16,267,777
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     149,272

Custodian fee payable

     19,039

Audit fee payable

     18,101

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     17,899

Distribution fee payable

     3,447

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses

     13,260
      

Total liabilities

     221,077
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 16,046,700
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 1,173

Additional paid-in capital

     11,726,397

Undistributed net investment income

     11,434

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     840,218

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     3,467,478
      
   $ 16,046,700
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 12,299      887.306      $ 13.86

B

     $ 16,034,401      1,171,759      $ 13.68

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,886)

   $ 133,695  

Interest

     986  
        

Total investment income

     134,681  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     54,115  

Distribution fee—Class B

     20,798  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,034  

Custodian

     61,831  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,101  

Printing

     5,432  

Legal

     3,312  

Directors’ fees

     764  

Miscellaneous

     1,238  
        

Total expenses

     214,625  

Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B)

     (93,932 )
        

Net expenses

     120,693  
        

Net investment income

     13,988  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     874,996  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     53,523  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (324 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     928,195  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 942,183  
        

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


 
U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 13,988     $ 27,694  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     874,996       789,026  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     53,199       792,654  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     942,183       1,609,374  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (54 )     –0–  

Class B

     (30,194 )     –0–  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (596 )     (473 )

Class B

     (792,875 )     (719,255 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (1,329,531 )     (369,831 )
                

Total increase (decrease) .

     (1,211,067 )     519,815  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     17,257,767       16,737,952  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $11,434 and $27,694, respectively)

   $ 16,046,700     $ 17,257,767  
                

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

9


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.

7. Repurchase Agreements

It is the policy of the Portfolio that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .65% of the first $2.5 billion, .55% of the next $2.5 billion and .50% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .95% of the first $5 billion, .90% of the next $2.5 billion, .85% of the next $2.5 billion and .80% of the excess over $10 billion of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Adviser waived fees in the amount of $46,932.

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. Due to the Adviser’s agreement to limit total operating expenses as described above, the Adviser waived reimbursement for such services in the amount of $47,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $6,777, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 4,481,826     $ 6,756,137  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

 

11


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

   $ 3,634,549  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (166,747 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,467,802  
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as net unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

`   SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  46     38       $ 650     $ 473  
                             

Net increase

  46     38       $ 650     $ 473  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  32,351     154,319       $ 451,522     $ 1,985,872  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  59,342     59,247         823,069       719,255  

Shares redeemed

  (185,533 )   (235,279 )       (2,604,772 )     (3,075,431 )
                             

Net decrease

  (93,840 )   (21,713 )     $ (1,330,181 )   $ (370,304 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 155,188    $ 49,331  

Net long-term capital gains

     564,540      –0
               

Total taxable distributions

     719,728      49,331  
               

Total distributions paid

   $ 719,728    $ 49,331  
               

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 215,511  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     601,115  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     3,384,040 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 4,200,666  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

13


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a

 

15


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


 
U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     June 6,
2003(a) to
December 31,
2003
 
      2006     2005     2004    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.81     $13.13     $11.98     $10.96     $10.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .03     .06     .02     .06     .03  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  .79     1.21     1.19     .97     .93  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .82     1.27     1.21     1.03     .96  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.06 )   –0   (.06 )   (.01 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.71 )   (.59 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.77 )   (.59 )   (.06 )   (.01 )   –0
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.86     $13.81     $13.13     $11.98     $10.96  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  5.88 %   10.22 %   10.13 %   9.43 %   9.60 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $12     $12     $11     $1,200     $1,096  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %(e)   1.20 %(f)   1.19 %   1.20 %   1.20 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.34 %(e)   2.28 %(f)   2.29 %   2.67 %   6.65 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  .43 %(e)   .42 %(f)   .15 %   .55 %   .45 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  27 %   53 %   80 %   42 %   13 %

 

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     May 2,
2003(g) to
December 31,
2003
 
      2006     2005     2004    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.63     $12.99     $11.89     $10.90     $10.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (loss) (b)(c)

  .01     .02     (.01 )   .04     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  .78     1.21     1.14     .96     .89  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .79     1.23     1.13     1.00     .90  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.03 )   –0   (.03 )   (.01 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.71 )   (.59 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.74 )   (.59 )   (.03 )   (.01 )   –0
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.68     $13.63     $12.99     $11.89     $10.90  
                             

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  5.69 %   10.02 %   9.57 %   9.16 %   9.00 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $16,035     $17,246     $16,727     $15,485     $6,600  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %(e)   1.45 %(f)   1.45 %   1.45 %   1.43 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.58 %(e)   2.53 %(f)   2.59 %   2.95 %   8.25 %(e)

Net investment income (loss) (c)

  .17 %(e)   .17 %(f)   (.10 )%   .37 %   .27 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  27 %   53 %   80 %   42 %   13 %

 


 

(a) Commencement of distribution.

 

(b) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) Net of expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(d) 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 redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

(f) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(g) Commencement of operations.

 

18


 
U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio (the “Portfolio”),2 prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003 is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Net Assets
06/30/06
($MIL)
   Portfolio

Blend

   65 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    $ 15.7    U.S. Large Cap Blended
   55 bp on next $2.5 billion       Style Portfolio
   50 bp on the balance      

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. Indicated below is the reimbursement amount, which the Adviser received from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, expressed in dollars and as a percentage of average daily net assets:

 

Portfolio    Amount      As a % of Average
Daily Net Assets
 

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio4

   $ 75,250      0.46 %

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on June 24, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on August 1, 2006 in accordance with the September 1, 2004 Assurance of Discontinuance between the NYAG and the Adviser. It also should be noted that references in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.”

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the New York State Attorney General.

 

4 The Adviser waived this expense reimbursement made by the Portfolio.

 

19


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expenses to the amounts set forth below during the Portfolio’s first fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon 60 days written notice.

 

Portfolio    Expense Cap Pursuant
to Expense Limitation
Undertaking
     Gross
Expense
Ratio
     Fiscal Year
End

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   Class A 1.20 %    2.29 %    December 31
   Class B 1.45 %    2.59 %   

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses is reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the Portfolio is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that the Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300, it will negotiate a fee schedule. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship. To the extent that certain of these institutional relationships are with affiliates of the Adviser, the fee schedules may not reflect arms-length bargaining or negotiations. In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applied to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee:

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
06/30/06
($MIL)
     AllianceBernstein
Institutional
Fee Schedule
     Effective AB
Institutional
Advisory Fee
       Fund
Advisory
Fee5
 

U.S. Large Cap
Blended Style Portfolio

   $ 15.7      U.S. Style Blend Schedule      0.800 %      0.650 %
        80 bp on the first $25 million          
        60 bp on the next $25 million          
        50 bp on the next $50 million          
        40 bp on the next $100 million          
        30 bp on the balance          
        Minimum account size $50m          

 


 

5 Fund advisory information was provided by Lipper. See Section II for additional discussion.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series, Inc.—U.S. Large Cap Portfolio, a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series, Inc.—U.S. Large Cap Portfolio:

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Advisory Fee
Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   Blended Style Series, Inc.–
U.S. Large Cap Portfolio
     65 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

55 bp on next $2.5 billion

50 bp on the balance

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following “all-in” fee6 for the Luxembourg fund that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee  

Equity Blend

   1.50 %

The adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the Lipper group median at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7

 

Portfolio    Effective
Management
Fee8
     Lipper
Group
Median
     Rank

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   0.650      0.750      3/13

Lipper also analyzed the total expense ratio of the Portfolio in comparison to its Lipper Expense Group9 and Lipper Expense Universe.10 Lipper describes a Lipper Expense Group as a representative sample of comparable funds and a Lipper Expense

 


 

6 The “all-in” fee shown is for the Class A shares of Equity Blend. This fee covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

7 The effective management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

8 The effective management fee rate for the Portfolio would not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services. As previously mentioned, for the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser waived such payment. In addition, the effective management fee does not reflect any waivers or expense reimbursements for expense caps that effectively reduced the contractual fee rate.

 

9 Lipper uses the following criteria in screening funds to be included in the Portfolios expense group: variable product, fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes. A Lipper Expense Group will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

10 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting a Lipper Expense Group when selecting a Lipper Expense Universe. Unlike the Lipper Expense Group, the Lipper Expense Universe allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

21


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the same investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the subject Portfolio. The result of that analysis is set forth below:

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)11
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   1.190    0.955    13/13    0.839    80/81

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE MANAGEMENT FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer. Based on the information provided, the Adviser did not earn a profit during calendar 2005 and 2004 primarily as a result of the Adviser having to reimburse the Portfolio for additional expenses incurred above the Portfolio’s expense cap limitation.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that they should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution, and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, front-end sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) and commissions for providing brokerage services. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur. Additional information regarding distribution related fees can be found in the prospectus of the Portfolio.

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, ABI received the amount set forth below in Rule 12b-1 fees:

 

Portfolio    12b-1 Fees Received

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   $ 38,890

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection to Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it made the following payment on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI:

 

Portfolio    Adviser Payment to ABI

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   $ 264,340

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year.

 


 

11 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.12

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed on to any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule in the Investment Advisory Agreement reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent the breakpoints are reached. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant made a presentation to the Board of Directors and the Senior Officer regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets exceeds its initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO.

With assets under management of $625 billion as June 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, which was prepared by Lipper, shows the 1 year performance ranking of the Portfolio13 relative to its Lipper Performance Group14 and Lipper Performance Universe15 for the periods ended April 30, 2006:

 

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio    Group      Universe

1 year

   4/13      16/95

 


 

12 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

13 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

14 The Lipper Performance Group is identical to the Lipper Expense Group.

 

15 For the Lipper Performance Universe, Lipper included the Portfolio and all of the funds of the same Lipper Classification/Objective and load type, regardless of asset size.

 

23


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)16 versus its benchmarks:17

 

      Periods Ending April 30, 2006
Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year      Since
Inception

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   19.80      12.17

S&P 500 Stock Index

   11.72      12.88

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: September 7, 2006

 


 

16 The performance returns shown are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

17 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through April 30, 2006 in order to maintain consistency with Lipper’s performance rankings in the analysis.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s website at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees of other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees of other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,062.03    $ 4.96    0.97 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.98    $ 4.86    0.97 %

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,061.34    $ 6.24    1.22 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.74    $ 6.11    1.22 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $ 740,241      2.0 %

Google, Inc.-Class A

     724,881      2.0  

Apple, Inc.

     720,036      2.0  

Credit Suisse Group

     528,297      1.5  

Boeing Co.

     521,668      1.4  

WellPoint, Inc.

     498,938      1.4  

Citigroup, Inc.

     492,384      1.4  

Comcast Corp. (Class A and Special Class A)

     446,202      1.2  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     441,423      1.2  

Bank of America Corp.

     430,232      1.2  
                 
     $ 5,544,302      15.3 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 12,713,353      35.1 %

Information Technology

     4,588,848      12.7  

Consumer Discretionary

     3,767,730      10.4  

Health Care

     3,203,659      8.8  

Industrials

     3,023,013      8.3  

Energy

     2,864,708      7.9  

Materials

     2,269,760      6.3  

Consumer Staples

     2,020,720      5.6  

Telecommunication Services

     1,426,573      3.9  

Utilities

     369,496      1.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 36,247,860      100.0  

 


 

  Please note: The sector classifications presented herein are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) which was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International and Standard and Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the Broad Market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

 

2


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.9%

   
   

FINANCIALS–35.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–7.2%

   

3i Group PLC

  4,026   $ 93,716

The Blackstone Group LP(a)

  4,600     134,642

Credit Suisse Group

  4,568     324,287

Credit Suisse Group (New York) (ADR)

  2,875     204,010

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  2,700     357,669

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  895     193,991

Lazard Ltd.—Class A

  250     11,258

Legg Mason, Inc.

  2,900     285,302

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

  1,549     111,257

Man Group PLC

  12,891     156,805

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  4,900     409,542

Morgan Stanley

  700     58,716

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

  4,700     91,290

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  2,720     162,668

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.—Class A

  900     23,409
       
      2,618,562
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–5.0%

   

Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC (London Exchange)

  6,059     123,217

Barclays PLC

  8,200     114,086

BNP Paribas SA

  900     106,905

China Construction Bank Corp.—Class H

  38,000     26,131

Comerica, Inc.

  1,325     78,798

Credit Agricole SA

  2,486     100,877

Fifth Third Bancorp

  2,100     83,517

HBOS PLC

  5,730     112,705

Keycorp

  500     17,165

Kookmin Bank

  800     70,167

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

  3     33,062

National City Corp.

  2,700     89,964

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

  9,741     123,258

Societe Generale

  630     116,725

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  11     102,546

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  1,425     122,179

U.S. Bancorp

  2,000     65,900

UniCredito Italiano SpA

  15,431     137,824

Wachovia Corp.

  1,800     92,250

Wells Fargo & Co.

  3,200     112,544
       
      1,829,820
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.3%

   

ORIX Corp.

  430     113,343
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–6.1%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  8,800     430,232

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings, Inc.—Class A(a)

  775     414,129

Citigroup, Inc.

  9,600     492,384
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

Fortis

  1,400   $ 59,337

ING Groep NV

  3,600     158,450

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  8,800     426,360

Moody's Corp.

  1,800     111,960

NYSE Euronext

  1,550     114,111
       
      2,206,963
       

INSURANCE–5.2%

   

ACE Ltd.

  700     43,764

Allianz SE

  700     163,238

Allstate Corp.

  875     53,821

AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.

  900     78,471

American International Group, Inc.

  4,100     287,123

AON Corp.

  700     29,827

Aviva PLC

  6,000     89,068

Chubb Corp.

  700     37,898

Fondiaria-Sai SpA

  800     38,677

Genworth Financial, Inc.—Class A

  2,500     86,000

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  1,175     115,749

MBIA, Inc.

  700     43,554

MetLife, Inc.

  1,825     117,676

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  700     128,374

Old Republic International Corp.

  3,000     63,780

Prudential Financial, Inc.

  150     14,585

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  3,848     101,529

Swiss Reinsurance

  994     90,653

Torchmark Corp.

  1,225     82,075

The Travelers Cos., Inc.

  2,600     139,100

UnumProvident Corp.

  2,700     70,497
       
      1,875,459
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–6.5%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  420     40,664

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

  907     18,358

Apartment Investment & Management Co.—Class A

  775     39,076

Archstone-Smith Trust

  375     22,166

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

  12,000     23,087

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  1,600     18,816

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

  450     53,496

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

  480     21,901

Boston Properties, Inc.

  425     43,405

British Land Co. PLC

  3,226     86,326

Brixton PLC

  1,100     9,631

Camden Property Trust

  400     26,788

Canadian Apartment Properties REI

  2     34

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

  957     26,166

CapitaMall Trust

  16,800     46,388

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

  855     17,295


 

3


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

DB RREEF Trust

  34,838   $ 57,836

Developers Diversified Realty Corp.

  430     22,665

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  1,225     46,158

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust

  806     34,792

Equity Residential

  825     37,645

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  125     14,537

Federal Realty Investment Trust

  225     17,383

Felcor Lodging Trust, Inc.

  1,000     26,030

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

  150     5,814

Fonciere Des Regions

  287     41,864

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  1,200     63,540

General Property Group

  8,217     32,389

Great Portland Estates PLC

  2,700     35,814

H&R Real Estate Investment

  300     6,460

Hammerson PLC

  800     22,909

Health Care Property Investors, Inc.

  725     20,974

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  1,916     44,298

ING Office Fund

  26,400     39,059

Japan Real Estate Investment—Class A

  4     47,009

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.—Class A

  6     52,004

Kimco Realty Corp.

  1,100     41,877

Klepierre

  350     59,268

Land Securities Group PLC

  2,245     78,183

LaSalle Hotel Properties

  250     10,855

Macerich Co.

  100     8,242

Macquarie Goodman Group

  5,220     29,625

Maguire Properties, Inc.

  800     27,464

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  400     20,992

Mirvac Group

  7,965     38,419

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  1,250     34,000

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.—Class A

  2     27,744

Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.—Class A

  3     32,342

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  1,000     15,830

Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust

  660     12,074

Prologis

  1,675     95,308

Public Storage

  250     19,205

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,879     41,723

Segro PLC

  1,000     12,473

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  1,125     104,670

SL Green Realty Corp.

  300     37,167

Stockland

  2,652     18,270

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  1,100     24,739

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  650     24,343

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  650     32,247

UDR, Inc.

  425     11,178

Unibail

  500     127,867

Ventas, Inc.

  1,600     58,000

Vornado Realty Trust

  650     71,396

Westfield Group

  5,119     86,374
       
      2,364,652
       
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–3.0%

   

Beni Stabili SpA

  26,700   $ 38,853

Brookfield Properties Corp.

  1,275     30,995

Citycon OYJ

  6,000     38,456

Derwent Valley Holdings PLC

  1,200     44,002

Deutsche Wohnen AG

  350     18,140

Eurocastle Investment Ltd.

  850     39,276

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.—
Class A

  675     41,499

Hang Lung Properties, Ltd.

  16,000     55,247

IVG Immobilien AG

  1,050     41,221

Keppel Land Ltd.

  6,000     34,387

Kerry Properties Ltd.

  14,891     93,524

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

  3,000     81,392

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

  3,900     109,310

New World Development Co., Ltd.

  33,370     83,511

Norwegian Property ASA

  2,100     26,144

NTT Urban Development Corp.

  44     85,199

Sino Land Co.

  29,478     61,373

Sponda OYJ

  2,600     37,629

Sumitomo Realty & Development

  2,000     65,133

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

  5,700     68,586
       
      1,093,877
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.7%

   

Astoria Financial Corp.

  1,200     30,048

Countrywide Financial Corp.

  2,800     101,780

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  1,700     103,190

Federal National Mortgage Association

  2,900     189,457

MGIC Investment Corp.

  1,100     62,546

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  2,900     123,656
       
      610,677
       
      12,713,353
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–12.7%

   
   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.1%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  15,850     441,423

Nokia OYJ

  4,625     129,894

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  4,350     188,747
       
      760,064
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–4.2%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  5,900     720,036

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  8,200     365,884

International Business Machines Corp.

  950     99,987

Lexmark International, Inc.—Class A(a)

  1,000     49,310

Network Appliance, Inc.(a)

  5,150     150,380

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  11,400     59,964

Toshiba Corp.

  10,000     87,128
       
      1,532,689
       


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.7%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  1,350   $ 51,881

AU Optronics Corp.

  23,690     40,469

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  2,100     22,680

HON HAI Precision Industry Co., Ltd.

  2,000     17,275

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  7,800     24,414

Solectron Corp.(a)

  11,500     42,320

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  1,300     49,998
       
      249,037
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–2.4%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  1,600     77,824

eBay, Inc.(a)

  2,000     64,360

Google, Inc.—Class A(a)

  1,385     724,881
       
      867,065
       

IT SERVICES–0.3%

   

Cap Gemini SA

  758     55,417

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  700     19,411

Infosys Technologies, Ltd.

  537     25,414
       
      100,242
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.4%

   

Canon, Inc.

  2,450     143,675
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

Broadcom Corp.—Class A(a)

  6,600     193,050

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(a)

  1,500     53,967

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  2,400     99,144

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  80     48,908

Siliconware Precision Industries Co.

  13,000     27,746

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  1,900     71,497

United Microelectronics Corp.

  150,378     89,920
       
      584,232
       

SOFTWARE–1.0%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  3,350     134,503

Microsoft Corp.

  7,375     217,341
       
      351,844
       
      4,588,848
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.4%

   
   

AUTO COMPONENTS–1.0%

 

Autoliv, Inc.

  1,225     69,665

BorgWarner, Inc.

  800     68,832

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin—Class B

  700     97,821

Denso Corp.

  1,200     46,933

Hyundai Mobis

  770     73,052
       
      356,303
       
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

AUTOMOBILES–1.2%

   

Fiat SpA

  4,770   $ 141,683

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

  4,700     50,317

Renault SA

  1,000     160,389

Suzuki Motor Corp.

  500     14,199

Toyota Motor Corp.

  900     56,760
       
      423,348
       

HOTELS RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.0%

   

Accor SA

  895     79,119

Hilton Hotels Corp.

  4,350     145,594

McDonald's Corp.

  5,100     258,876

MGM Mirage(a)

  200     16,496

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  3,175     212,947
       
      713,032
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.8%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  800     70,648

Centex Corp.

  600     24,060

KB Home

  1,100     43,307

Persimmon PLC

  2,000     46,249

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  1,300     29,185

Sharp Corp.

  4,000     75,830
       
      289,279
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

Mattel, Inc.

  3,100     78,399
       

MEDIA–2.4%

   

CBS Corp.—Class B

  3,075     102,459

Citadel Broadcasting Corp.

  38     245

Comcast Corp.—Class A(a)

  1,500     42,180

Comcast Corp. Special—
Class A(a)

  14,450     404,022

Grupo Televisa SA (ADR)

  1,400     38,654

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.(a)

  1,800     20,520

Pearson PLC

  2,206     37,161

Time Warner, Inc.

  9,300     195,672

Viacom, Inc.—Class B(a)

  700     29,141
       
      870,054
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.6%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  1,900     65,208

Kohl's Corp.(a)

  3,300     234,399

Macy's, Inc.

  2,200     87,516

Saks, Inc.(a)

  1,800     38,430

Target Corp.

  2,750     174,900
       
      600,453
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.9%

   

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  5,200     66,068

The Gap, Inc.

  3,500     66,850

Home Depot, Inc.

  700     27,545

Inditex SA

  1,239     72,927

Ltd. Brands, Inc.

  1,100     30,195

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  1,600     48,480
       
      312,065
       


 

5


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.3%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  1,500   $ 42,375

VF Corp.

  900     82,422
       
      124,797
       
      3,767,730
       

HEALTH CARE–8.8%

   
   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.8%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  2,400     137,592

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  3,100     234,546

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  7,500     290,775
       
      662,913
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.3%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  2,325     313,666

Essilor International SA

  606     72,178

Nobel Biocare Holding AG

  228     74,426
       
      460,270
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.7%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  1,500     116,985

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

  1,900     12,369

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  6,250     498,938
       
      628,292
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.0%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  4,900     262,395

AstraZeneca PLC

  1,300     69,668

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

  1,300     33,865

Johnson & Johnson

  900     55,458

Merck & Co., Inc.

  4,600     229,080

Merck KGaA

  557     76,209

Pfizer, Inc.

  14,500     370,765

Roche Holding AG

  546     96,744

Sanofi-Aventis

  1,000     80,787

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR)

  2,350     96,937

Wyeth

  1,400     80,276
       
      1,452,184
       
      3,203,659
       

INDUSTRIALS–8.3%

   
   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–3.1%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  7,200     58,100

Boeing Co.

  5,425     521,668

European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., NV

  630     20,446

Honeywell International, Inc.

  3,450     194,166

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  1,100     85,657

Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc.—Class A(a)

  4,800     173,040

United Technologies Corp.

  800     56,744
       
      1,109,821
       

 

Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

AIRLINES–0.3%

   

Air France-KLM

  1,400   $ 65,141

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  1,200     33,471
       
      98,612
       

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Cie de Saint-Gobain

  238     26,661
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.1%

   

Capita Group PLC

  3,850     55,890
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.7%

   

Fluor Corp.

  1,100     122,507

Vinci SA

  1,704     127,182
       
      249,689
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

ABB Ltd.

  5,803     130,845

Emerson Electric Co.

  1,300     60,840

Renewable Energy Corp. AS(a)

  797     30,866
       
      222,551
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.2%

   

General Electric Co.

  10,100     386,628

Tyco International, Ltd.(a)

  1,800     60,822
       
      447,450
       

MACHINERY–1.5%

   

Atlas Copco AB(a)

  4,195     69,873

Cummins, Inc.

  450     45,545

Deere & Co.

  700     84,518

Eaton Corp.

  800     74,400

NGK Insulators Ltd.

  4,000     98,236

PACCAR, Inc.

  1,000     87,040

SPX Corp.

  800     70,248
       
      529,860
       

MARINE–0.3%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  5,000     67,795

Nippon Yusen KK

  6,000     55,028
       
      122,823
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.4%

   

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

  8,000     159,656
       
      3,023,013
       

ENERGY–7.9%

   
   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.6%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  2,150     180,879

Halliburton Co.

  2,530     87,285

Schlumberger Ltd.

  3,200     271,808

Technip SA

  389     32,152
       
      572,124
       


 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–6.3%

   

BP PLC

  3,200   $ 38,504

Chevron Corp.

  4,700     395,928

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.—Class H

  48,000     53,552

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.,—Class H

  17,500     61,064

ConocoPhillips

  2,300     180,550

ENI SpA

  4,000     145,030

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  8,825     740,241

Marathon Oil Corp.

  2,600     155,896

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  400     23,152

Petro-Canada

  100     5,327

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NY) (ADR)

  1,000     106,680

Repsol YPF SA

  1,500     59,383

Royal Dutch Shell PLC—Class A

  2,154     87,691

Total SA

  2,955     239,586
       
      2,292,584
       
      2,864,708
       

MATERIALS–6.3%

   
   

CHEMICALS–2.9%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  1,300     104,481

BASF AG

  1,100     143,899

Bayer AG

  1,689     127,226

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  1,900     96,596

Lubrizol Corp.

  800     51,640

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  6,500     59,669

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

  8,500     64,559

Monsanto Co.

  4,010     270,835

Nitto Denko Corp.

  1,900     95,767

PPG Industries, Inc.

  625     47,569
       
      1,062,241
       

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.4%

   

Buzzi Unicem SpA

  1,700     58,535

CRH PLC

  1,453     71,540
       
      130,075
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.6%

   

Crown Holdings, Inc.(a)

  1,700     42,449

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  1,900     66,500

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  2,800     37,268

Temple-Inland, Inc.

  1,400     86,142
       
      232,359
       

METALS & MINING–2.2%

   

Antofagasta PLC

  3,700     45,347

Arcelor Mittal (Euronext Amsterdam)

  1,378     86,060

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  2,100     93,555

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  2,200     136,744

Kazakhmys PLC

  1,100     27,694

MMC Norilsk Nickel (ADR)

  168     35,112
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

POSCO

  120   $ 57,610

Rio Tinto PLC

  1,094     83,695

Xstrata PLC

  3,764     224,082
       
      789,899
       

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

Sca Ab B Free(a)

  3,300     55,186
       
      2,269,760
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–5.6%

   
   

BEVERAGES–0.7%

   

Cia de Bebidas das Americas (ADR)

  400     28,000

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  2,300     55,200

Molson Coors Brewing Co.—Class B

  800     73,968

PepsiCo, Inc.

  1,700     110,245
       
      267,413
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–0.6%

   

The Kroger Co.

  3,000     84,390

Safeway, Inc.

  2,300     78,269

Tesco PLC

  4,542     38,002

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  500     24,055
       
      224,716
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.7%

   

General Mills, Inc.

  1,200     70,104

Kellogg Co.

  1,500     77,685

Kraft Foods, Inc.—Class A

  4,600     162,150

Nestle SA

  401     152,369

Sara Lee Corp.

  4,500     78,300

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  1,000     55,310
       
      595,918
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.7%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  1,100     71,335

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

  800     53,512

Procter & Gamble Co.

  6,850     419,151

Reckitt Benckiser PLC

  1,325     72,538
       
      616,536
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

L'Oreal SA

  529     62,528
       

TOBACCO–0.7%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  2,850     199,899

UST, Inc.

  1,000     53,710
       
      253,609
       
      2,020,720
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.9%

   
   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.3%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  8,100     336,150

China Netcom Group Corp., Ltd.

  21,500     59,351

Embarq Corp.

  290     18,377


 

7


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

  12   $ 53,104

Telefonica SA

  2,127     47,334

Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk PT

  22,500     24,408

TeliaSonera AB

  5,586     40,980

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  6,600     271,722
       
      851,426
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  3,850     238,431

American Tower Corp.—
Class A(a)

  700     29,400

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  6,800     140,828

Vodafone Group PLC

  49,686     166,488
       
      575,147
       
      1,426,573
       
Company  

    
Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

UTILITIES–1.0%

   
   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.5%

   

E.ON AG

  900   $ 150,266

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

  1,200     47,820
       
      198,086
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.2%

   

International Power PLC

  6,362     54,686
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.3%

   

RWE AG

  600     63,648

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

  1,200     53,076
       
      116,724
       
      369,496
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.9%
(cost $29,617,745)

      36,247,860

Other assets less liabilities–0.1%

      22,721
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 36,270,581
       


 

 

 


 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $29,617,745)

   $ 36,247,860  

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts

     785,643  

Dividends receivable

     56,110  

Receivable due from Adviser

     4,561  
        

Total assets

     37,094,174  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     278,379  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     359,552  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     109,514  

Custodian fee payable

     44,947  

Distribution fee payable

     6,299  

Foreign capital gain tax payable

     148  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     24,695  
        

Total liabilities

     823,593  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 36,270,581  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par .

   $ 2,754  

Additional paid-in capital

     28,082,075  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (332,378 )

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,887,137  

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     6,630,993  
        
   $ 36,270,581  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 7,231,153      547,305      $ 13.21

B

     $ 29,039,428      2,206,334      $ 13.16

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $24,756)

   $ 384,389  

Interest

     7,559  
        

Total investment income

     391,948  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     122,410  

Distribution fee—Class B

     37,181  

Transfer agency—Class A

     217  

Transfer agency—Class B

     817  

Custodian

     124,106  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     21,704  

Printing

  

 

9,827

 

Legal

  

 

2,849

 

Directors’ fees

     890  

Miscellaneous

     3,910  
        

Total expenses

     370,911  

Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B)

     (151,248 )
        

Net expenses

     219,663  
        

Net investment income

     172,285  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     2,007,834  

Futures

     5,506  

Foreign currency transactions

     4,807  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     57,071 (a)

Futures

     (1,040 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (4,303 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,069,875  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 2,242,160  
        

 


 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $289.

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10


 
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 172,285     $ 174,605  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,018,147       2,501,612  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     51,728       2,835,758  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     2,242,160       5,511,975  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (158,013 )     (10,538 )

Class B

     (507,869 )     -0-  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (509,847 )     (150,309 )

Class B

     (1,867,042 )     (636,285 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     (148,054 )     546,573  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (948,665 )     5,261,416  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     37,219,246       31,957,830  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income/undistributed net investment income of ($332,378) and $161,219, respectively)

   $ 36,270,581     $ 37,219,246  
                

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio commenced operations on July 1, 2004. 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.

7. Repurchase Agreements

It is the policy of the Portfolio that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

 

13


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .65% of the first $2.5 billion, .55% of the next $2.5 billion and .50% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .90% and 1.15% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. Prior to February 12, 2007, the Portfolio’s total operating expenses on an annual basis were limited to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007 the Adviser waived fees and reimbursed expenses in the amount of $104,248.

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. Due to the Adviser’s agreement to limit total operating expenses as described above, the Adviser waived reimbursement for such services in the amount of $47,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $22,497, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 10,885,991     $ 13,553,066  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

   $ 6,998,793  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (368,678 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 6,630,115  
        

1. Financial Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse affects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these financial instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover.

At the time the Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.

2. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as net unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

3. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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

 

15


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  49,878     13,748       $ 667,860     $ 160,847  

Shares redeemed

    (70,965 )   –0       (933,676 )     –0
                             

Net increase (decrease)

    (21,087 )   13,748       $ (265,816 )   $ 160,847  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  42,379     471,770       $ 576,832     $ 5,885,347  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  178,029     54,570         2,374,911       636,285  

Shares redeemed

  (207,317 )   (497,454 )       (2,833,981 )     (6,135,906 )
                             

Net increase

     13,091     28,886       $ 117,762     $ 385,726  
                             

NOTE F: Risk Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification of Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 521,389    $ 193,961

Net long-term capital gains

     275,743      6,951
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 797,132    $ 200,912
             

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 846,460  

Undistributed long-term capital gain

     2,182,042  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (1,772 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     5,959,633 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 8,986,363  
        

 

(a) Passive foreign investment company 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, 2006, the Portfolio deferred until January 1, 2007, post-October passive foreign investment company losses of $1,772.

 

(b) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee with respect to certain AllianceBernstein funds.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by

 

17


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

19


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
      2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.53     $11.79     $10.69     $10.00  
                       
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .08     .09     .04     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .78     1.94     1.15     .68  
                       

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .86     2.03     1.19     .69  
                       
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

  (.28 )   (.02 )   (.05 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.90 )   (.27 )   (.04 )   –0
                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.18 )   (.29 )   (.09 )   –0
                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.21     $13.53     $11.79     $10.69  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  6.20 %   17.60 %   11.22 %   6.90 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $7,231     $7,688     $6,538     $5,877  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .97 %(e)   1.20 %(f)   1.20 %   1.20 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.77 %(e)   1.99 %(f)   2.45 %   4.33 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  1.13 %(e)   .69 %(f)   .42 %   .25 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  29 %   63 %   61 %   14 %

 


See footnote summary on page 21.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
    2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.46     $11.74     $10.67     $10.00  
                       
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .06     .06     .02     .03  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .78     1.93     1.13     .64  
                       

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .84     1.99     1.15     .67  
                       
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

  (.24 )   –0   (.04 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.90 )   (.27 )   (.04 )   –0
                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.14 )   (.27 )   (.08 )   –0
                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.16     $13.46     $11.74     $10.67  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  6.13 %   17.32 %   10.93 %   6.70 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $29,040     $29,531     $25,420     $10,416  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.22 %(e)   1.45 %(f)   1.45 %   1.45 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.02 %(e)   2.25 %(f)   2.70 %   4.78 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  .86 %(e)   .46 %(f)   .15 %   .71 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  29 %   63 %   61 %   14 %

 


 

(a) Commencement of operations.

 

(b) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) Net of expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser.
(d) 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 redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

(f) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

21


 
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”),2 prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in consideration of the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003 is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory schedule.3

 

Category    Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Net Assets
06/30/06
($MIL)
   Portfolio

Blend

   65 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    $ 34.5    Wealth Appreciation
   55 bp on next $2.5 billion       Strategy Portfolio
   50 bp on the balance      

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. Indicated below is the reimbursement amount, which the Adviser received from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, expressed in dollars and as a percentage of average daily net assets:

 

Portfolio    Amount      As a % of Average
Daily Net Assets
 

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio4

   $ 75,250      0.29 %

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on June 24, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on August 1, 2006 in accordance with the September 1, 2004 Assurance of Discontinuance between the NYAG and the Adviser. It also should be noted that references in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.”

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the New York State Attorney General.

 

4 The Adviser waived this expense reimbursement made by the Portfolio.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expenses to the amounts set forth below during the Portfolio’s first fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon 60 days written notice. The gross expense ratios of the Portfolio during the most recently completed fiscal year are also listed below.

 

Portfolio    Expense Cap Pursuant
to Expense Limitation
Undertaking
   Gross
Expense
Ratio
     Fiscal Year
End

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

  

Class A 1.20%

Class B 1.45%

   2.45
2.70
%
%
   December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses is reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the Portfolio is in net redemption and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there are no institutional products which have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy, a retail mutual fund, which has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy:

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Advisory Fee
Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   Wealth Appreciation
Strategy
     65 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
55 bp on next $2.5 billion
50 bp on the balance

The adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis

 

23


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the Lipper group median at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.5

 

Portfolio    Effective
Management
Fee6
   Lipper
Group
Median
   Rank

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   0.650    0.909    2/10

Lipper also analyzed the total expense ratio of the Portfolio in comparison to its Lipper Expense Group7 and Lipper Expense Universe.8 Lipper describes a Lipper Expense Group as a representative sample of comparable funds and a Lipper Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the same investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the subject Portfolio. The result of that analysis is set forth below:

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)9
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   1.200    1.119    8/10    0.990    14/17

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE MANAGEMENT FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer. Based on the information provided, the Adviser did not earn a profit during calendar years 2005 and 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that they should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, distribution, and brokerage related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments, front-end sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) and commissions for providing brokerage services. In addition, the Adviser benefits from soft dollar arrangements which offset expenses the Adviser would otherwise incur. Additional information regarding distribution related fees can be found in the prospectus of the Portfolio.

 


 

5 The effective management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

6 The effective management fee rate for the Portfolio would not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services. As previously mentioned, for the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser waived such payment. In addition, the effective management fee does not reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements for expense caps that effectively reduced the contractual fee rate.

 

7 Lipper uses the following criteria in screening funds to be included in the Portfolios expense group: variable product, fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes. A Lipper Expense Group will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

8 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting a Lipper Expense Group when selecting a Lipper Expense Universe. Unlike the Lipper Expense Group, the Lipper Expense Universe allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

9 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received the amount set forth below in Rule 12b-1 fees:

 

Portfolio    12b-1 Fees Received

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   $ 49,066

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI to brokers for registration fees and services related to printing, distribution and advertising in connection to Class B shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it made the following payment on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI:

 

Portfolio    Adviser Payment to ABI

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   $ 52,275

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder recordkeeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.10

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions for such transactions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted with the Portfolio is comparable to the profitability of SCB’s dealings with other similar third party clients. In the ordinary course of business, SCB receives and pays liquidity rebates from electronic communications networks (“ECNs”) derived from trading for its clients, including the Portfolio. These credits and charges are not being passed on to any SCB client. The Adviser also receives certain soft dollar benefits from brokers that execute agency trades for the Portfolio and other clients. These soft dollar benefits reduce the Adviser’s cost of doing business and increase its profitability.

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule in the Investment Advisory Agreement reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent the breakpoints are reached. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant made a presentation to the Board of Directors and the Senior Officer regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, researchers had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among researchers as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets exceeds its initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

 


 

10 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

25


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO.

With assets under management of $625 billion as June 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, which was prepared by Lipper, shows the 1 year performance ranking of the Portfolio11 relative to its Lipper Performance Group12 and Lipper Performance Universe13 for the periods ended April 30, 2006:

 

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio    Group      Universe

1 year

   7/10      15/19

Set forth below are the 1 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)14 versus its benchmarks:15

 

      Periods Ending April 30, 2006
Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year      Since
Inception

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   22.20      17.15

S&P 500 Stock Index

   11.72      12.22

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

   24.41      26.33

70% S&P 500 Index / 30% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

   15.53      16.45

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: September 7, 2006

 


 

11 The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

12 The Lipper Performance Group is identical to the Lipper Expense Group.

 

13 For the Lipper Performance Universe, Lipper included the Portfolio and all of the funds of the same Lipper Classification/Objective and load type, regardless of asset size.

 

14 The performance returns shown are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

15 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through April 30, 2006 in order to maintain consistency with Lipper’s performance rankings in the analysis.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Americas Government Income Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
    January 1, 2007    
   Ending
Account Value
      June 30, 2007      
   Expenses Paid
    During Period*    
   Annualized
    Expense Ratio*    
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $ 998.48    $   12.34    2.49 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,012.45    $ 12.42    2.49 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 997.60    $ 13.57    2.74 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,011.21    $ 13.66    2.74 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

U.S. Treasury Securities

   $   21,680,035      44.6 %

Sovereigns

     14,837,023      30.5  

Agency Debentures

     11,656,092      24.0  

Short-Term Investments

     442,000      0.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 48,615,150      100.0 %

COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $   33,336,127      68.6 %

Canada

     7,835,659      16.1  

Mexico

     7,001,364      14.4  

Short-Term Investments

     442,000      0.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 48,615,150      100.0 %

 

2


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
   

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

U.S. TREASURIES–55.1%

   

U.S. TREASURY
STRIPS–25.5%

   

Zero Coupon, 5/15/13(a)

  US$   3,500   $     2,628,293

Zero Coupon, 2/15/16(a)

    2,500     1,621,012

Zero Coupon, 11/15/21(a)

    11,700     5,509,776
       
      9,759,081
       

U.S. TREASURY BONDS–15.5%

 

6.25%, 5/15/30(b)

    5,200     5,943,439
       

U.S. TREASURY
NOTES–14.1%

   

3.50%, 11/15/09(b)

    4,915     4,762,173

4.25%, 11/15/13(b)

    500     481,367

4.25%, 8/15/15(a)

    145     137,580
       
      5,381,120
       

Total U.S. Treasuries (cost $21,186,548)

      21,083,640
       

SOVEREIGNS–30.2%

   

CANADA–11.9%

   

Government of Canada 5.00%, 6/01/14–6/01/37(a)

    CAD      816     795,830

5.75%, 6/01/33(a)

    1,973     2,207,760

Series VW17
8.00%, 6/01/27(a)

    1,132     1,540,104
       
      4,543,694
       

MEXICO–18.3%

   

Mexican Bonos Series M 20

   

8.00%, 12/07/23(a)

    MXN 15,500     1,475,610

10.00%, 12/05/24(a)

    16,205     1,828,515

Series M7 7.999%, 12/24/08(a)

    39,657     3,697,239
       
      7,001,364
       

Total Sovereigns
(cost $9,918,663)

      11,545,058
       

AGENCY DEBENTURES–18.0%

 

FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION–18.0%

   

Series 2001 5.375%, 11/15/11(a)

  US$ 5,000     5,025,175

Series 2004 4.125%, 4/15/14(a)

    2,000     1,859,172
       

Total Agency Debentures
(cost $6,807,237)

      6,884,347
       

FIXED RATE
30-YEARS–12.5%

   

GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION–12.3%

   

Series 1994 9.00%, 9/15/24(a)

    7     7,690

Series 2006 6.00%, 7/15/36(a)

    4,731     4,708,174
       
      4,715,864
       
   

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value  
   

FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE
ASSOCIATION–0.2%

   

Series 2002
7.00%, 3/01/32(a)

  US$ 54   $ 55,881  
         

Total Fixed Rate 30-Years
(cost $4,761,612)

      4,771,745  
         

AGENCIES–4.7%

   

CANADA–4.7%

   

Canada Housing Trust No 1 3.55%, 9/15/10(a) (cost $1,741,071)

    CAD   2,000     1,813,884  
         

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–3.1%

   

U.S. TREASURY
NOTES–1.6%

   

1.625%, 1/15/15 (TIPS)(a)

  US$      642     596,395  
         

CANADA–1.5%

   

Government of Canada 3.00%, 12/01/36(a)

    CAD        66     74,407  

Province of Ontario 2.00%, 12/01/36(a)

    599     508,132  
         
      582,539  
         

Total Inflation-Linked Securities (cost $1,212,218)

      1,178,934  
         

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—
PROVINCIALS–2.3%

   

CANADA–2.3%

   

Province of Ontario 5.60%, 6/02/35(a)

    300     309,618  

Province of Quebec 5.50%, 12/01/14(a)

    600     585,924  
         

Total Government-Related—Provincials
(cost $770,028)

      895,542  
         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.2%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.2%

   

The Bank of New York 4.25%, 7/02/07 (cost $442,000)

  US$ 442     442,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–127.1%

(cost $46,839,377)

      48,615,150  

Other assets less liabilities–(27.1)%

      (10,352,654 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $   38,262,496  
         


 

3


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

      Contract
Amount
(000)
   U.S. $
Value on
Origination
Date
   U.S. $
Value at
June 30,
2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

           

Mexican Nuevo Peso settling 7/27/07

   5,038    $ 466,380    $ 465,718    $ (662 )

Sale Contracts:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/07

   3,887        3,638,796        3,653,279      (14,483 )

Mexican Nuevo Peso settling 8/03/07

   77,154        7,099,883        7,129,017      (29,134 )

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (see Note D)

 

Broker    Interest Rate      Maturity    Amount

Greenwich Capital

   4.95 %    7/10/07    $ 4,775,662

Greenwich Capital

   4.95      7/10/07      483,324

Greenwich Capital

   4.95      7/10/07      5,969,462
            
         $ 11,228,448
            

 

 

 


 

(a) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize forward currency exchange contracts. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $36,986,171.

 

(b) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $11,254,580.

 

   Currency Abbreviations:

 

   CAD—Canadian Dollar

 

   MXN—Mexican Peso

 

   Glossary:

 

   TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $46,839,377)

   $ 48,615,150  

Cash

     909  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $300,085)

     300,085  

Receivable for foreign currency contracts

     1,233,871  

Interest receivable

     202,182  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     51,414  
        

Total assets

     50,403,611  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     44,279  

Reverse repurchase agreements

     11,228,448  

Payable for foreign currency contracts

     767,396  

Administrative fee payable

     19,223  

Advisory fee payable

     16,214  

Distribution fee payable

     1,405  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     27  

Accrued expenses

     64,064  
        

Total liabilities

     12,141,115  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 38,262,496  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,302  

Additional paid-in capital

     37,766,347  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (1,006,294 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (232,987 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     1,732,128  
        
   $ 38,262,496  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   31,568,524      2,724,717      $   11.59

B

     $ 6,693,972      577,278      $ 11.60

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,457,940  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     100,798  

Distribution fee—Class B

     8,537  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,010  

Transfer agency—Class B

     205  

Custodian

     57,831  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,111  

Printing

     2,877  

Legal

     3,808  

Directors’ fees

     766  

Miscellaneous

     4,843  
        

Total expenses before interest expense

     246,786  

Interest expense

     263,965  
        

Total expenses

     510,751  
        

Net investment income

     947,189  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     10,455  

Foreign currency transactions

     (238,071 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (687,151 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (84,623 )
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (999,390 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (52,201 )
        

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 947,189     $ 2,266,904  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (227,616 )     473,442  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (771,774 )     (1,635,176 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (52,201 )     1,105,170  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (1,991,188 )     (2,741,951 )

Class B

     (392,904 )     (499,544 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (282,985 )     (121,729 )

Class B

     (58,962 )     (23,343 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (1,854,843 )     (13,863,016 )
                

Total decrease

     (4,633,083 )     (16,144,413 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     42,895,579       59,039,992  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income and undistributed net investment income of ($1,006,294) and $430,609, respectively)

   $ 38,262,496     $ 42,895,579  
                

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Interest received

   $ 1,790,162    

Interest expense paid

     (274,842 )  

Operating expenses paid

     (251,131 )  
          

Net increase in cash from operating activities

     $ 1,264,189  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of long-term investments

     (1,173,098 )  

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     (5,323,374 )  

Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments

     2,265,239    

Increase in foreign currency, at value

     (17,012 )  
          

Net decrease in cash from investing activities

       (4,248,245 )

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Increase in reverse repurchase agreements

     2,964,819    
          

Net increase in cash from financing activities

       2,964,819  
          

Net decrease in cash

       (19,237 )

Cash at beginning of period

       320,231  
          

Cash at end of period

     $ 300,994  
          
                  

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS TO NET INCREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net decrease in net assets from operations

     $ (52,201 )

ADJUSTMENTS:

    

Increase in interest receivable

   $ (4,323 )  

Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     227,616    

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     771,774    

Accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium

     336,544    

Decrease in interest payable

     (10,877 )  

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (4,344 )  
          

Total adjustments

       1,316,390  
          

NET INCREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     $ 1,264,189  
          

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek the highest level of current income, consistent with what AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) considers to be prudent investment risk, that is available from a portfolio of debt securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, their political subdivisions (including Canadian provinces, but excluding States of the United States), agencies, instrumentalities or authorities. The Portfolio is non-diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, The Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.

 

9


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, foreign currency exchange contracts, holdings 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 interest, dividends 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.

7. Repurchase Agreements

It is the policy of the Portfolio that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

 

10


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .50% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .65% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 1,173,098     $ 2,069,458

U.S. government securities

     –0     178,769

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

   $ 2,119,172  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (343,399 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,775,773  
        

1. Financial Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse affects of anticipated movements in the market. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these financial instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities hedged or used for cover.

At the time the Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts

 

11


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.

2. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the 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.

3. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

4. Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Portfolio sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Portfolio enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value at least equal to the repurchase price.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $10,046,365 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 5.18%.

5. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities

 

12


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in dollar rolls.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  37,520     221,868       $ 464,299     $ 2,804,100  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  195,544     244,133         2,274,173       2,863,680  

Shares redeemed

  (373,124 )   (1,103,995 )       (4,626,778 )     (13,773,648 )
                               

Net decrease

  (140,060 )   (637,994 )     $ (1,888,306 )   $ (8,105,868 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  15,137     77,581       $ 185,158     $ 969,445  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  38,820     44,577         451,866       522,887  

Shares redeemed

  (48,346 )   (572,336 )       (603,561 )     (7,249,480 )
                               

Net increase (decrease)

  5,611     (450,178 )     $ 33,463     $ (5,757,148 )
                               

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

Leverage Risk—The Portfolio may use significant borrowings for leverage or may otherwise leverage its assets through, for example, the use of reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls. When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverage its portfolio, it may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls also involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in

 

13


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 3,241,495    $ 3,965,227  

Long term capital gains

     145,072      –0
               

Total taxable distributions

     3,386,567      3,965,227  
               

Total distributions paid

   $ 3,386,567    $ 3,965,227  
               

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,377,508  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     336,846  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (1,902,729 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     2,459,462 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 3,271,087  
        

 

(a) For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Portfolio deferred losses on straddles of $1,902,459. The Portfolio deferred until January 1, 2007, post October losses of $270.

 

(b) The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA

 

15


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $12.49     $13.06     $12.91     $13.01     $12.65     $12.17  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .29     .59     .70     .65 (b)   .61     .67 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.31 )   (.22 )   .38     (.06 )   .34     .61  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (.02 )   .37     1.08     .59     .95     1.28  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.77 )   (.90 )   (.93 )   (.69 )   (.59 )   (.73 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.11 )   (.04 )   –0   –0   –0   (.07 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.88 )   (.94 )   (.93 )   (.69 )   (.59 )   (.80 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.59     $12.49     $13.06     $12.91     $13.01     $12.65  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (.15 )%   3.31 %   8.67 %   4.89 %   7.35 %   10.99 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $31,568     $35,767     $45,730     $47,776     $60,550     $72,307  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  2.49 %(d)   1.50 %(e)   1.28 %   1.00 %   1.04 %   .93 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.49 %(d)   1.50 %(e)   1.28 %   1.11 %   1.04 %   1.05 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements, excluding interest expense

  1.18 %(d)   1.08 %(e)   1.02 %   .98 %   1.04 %   .93 %

Net investment income

  4.74 %(d)   4.74 %(e)   5.42 %   5.07 %(b)   4.75 %   5.45 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  2 %   43 %   75 %   69 %   73 %   60 %

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 22, 2002(f)
to
December 31,
2002
 
    2006     2005     2004     2003    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $12.47     $13.03     $12.90     $13.01     $12.67     $12.04  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .28     .55     .66     .62 (b)   .57     .42 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.31 )   (.21 )   .38     (.06 )   .36     .21  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (.03 )   .34     1.04     .56     .93     .63  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.73 )   (.86 )   (.91 )   (.67 )   (.59 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.11 )   (.04 )   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.84 )   (.90 )   (.91 )   (.67 )   (.59 )   –0
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.60     $12.47     $13.03     $12.90     $13.01     $12.67  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (.24 )%   3.01 %   8.33 %   4.67 %   7.18 %   5.23 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $6,694     $7,129     $13,310     $9,393     $5,698     $236  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  2.74 %(d)   1.69 %(e)   1.53 %   1.27 %   1.30 %   1.36 %(d)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.74 %(d)   1.69 %(e)   1.53 %   1.37 %   1.30 %   1.48 %(d)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements, excluding interest expense

  1.43 %(d)   1.31 %(e)   1.27 %   1.24 %   1.30 %   1.36 %(d)

Net investment income

  4.48 %(d)   4.50 %(e)   5.17 %   4.88 %(b)   4.42 %   4.72 %(b)(d)

Portfolio turnover rate

  2 %   43 %   75 %   69 %   73 %   60 %

 


 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed 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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(f) Commencement of distribution.

 

18


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund (the “Fund”) in respect of AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Fund, which is available through variable annuity and variable life contracts offered by other financial institutions, offers policyholders the option to utilize the Portfolio as the investment option underlying their insurance contracts.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in connection with the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Net Assets
09/30/06
(million)
   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Portfolio

High Income

   $ 44.7    50 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    Americas Government
      45 bp on next $2.5 billion    Income Portfolio
      40 bp on the balance   

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $75,250 (0.13% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on October 23, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on October 31-November 2, 2006.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

19


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year end total expense ratios:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Americas Government

   Class A    1.28 %    December 31

Income Portfolio4

   Class B    1.53 %   

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of the costs are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the fund is in net redemption, and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product in the Form ADV that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein Global Government Income Trust, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Government Income Trust:

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Fee Schedule

Americas Government
Income Portfolio5

   Global Government
    Income Trust
    

0.50% on first $2.5 billion 0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed advisory fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.6

 


 

4 Includes interest expense of 0.26%, relating to the short-term credit facility used by the Portfolio.

 

5 The fund is a clone of the Portfolio.

 

6 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

20


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes.7 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio      Contractual
Management
Fee8
     Lipper
Expense Group
Median
     Rank

Americas Government
Income Portfolio

     0.500      0.759      1/10

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.9

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)10
   Lipper
Expense Group
Median (%)
   Rank    Lipper
Expense Universe
Median (%)
   Rank

Americas Government Income Portfolio

   1.024    0.985    7/10    0.970    10/14

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees and Rule 12b-1 payments.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Portfolio’s principal underwriter. The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the ‘40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, ABI received $26,630 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI for distribution related services. ABI may in turn compensate brokers for their distribution assistance. ABI will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or reports and advertising in connection with the offering of Class B shares to the public as well as fees and expenses in connection with its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state laws. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it paid $95,950 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

 


 

7 Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

8 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

9 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting a Lipper Expense Group when selecting a Lipper Expense Universe. Unlike the Lipper Expense Group, the Lipper Expense Universe allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

10 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

21


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,11 ABI paid approximately $125,000 in 2005 and expects to pay approximately $150,000 in 2006 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”).12 ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.13

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule being proposed reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent they exist. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, economists, who have written on this subject, had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among economists as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets were to exceed the initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $659 billion as of September 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to the Portfolio’s Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)15 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended June 30, 2006.16 It should be noted that the Portfolio, which invests primarily in fixed income securities issued

 


 

11 Includes other Portfolios (Equity and Blend) of the Fund that are not discussed in this evaluation.

 

12 It should be noted that the insurance companies to which the variable products are linked to provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolio, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

14 The performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio that is shown was provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be one or two basis points different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

15 The Portfolio’s PG is not identical to the Portfolio’s EG. No performance information was available for one of the Portfolio’s peers. The Portfolio’s PU is identical to the Portfolio’s EU.

 

16 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

22


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

by federal or provincial governments of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, is classified by Lipper as a Global Income fund. As a result, some of the Portfolios’ peers may have investment guidelines that would allow them to invest in other foreign markets that are restricted for the Portfolio, which would impact performance.

 

Americas Government
Income Portfolio
   Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   -0.51    0.96    0.68    7/9    11/14

3 year

   2.97    4.97    3.84    9/9    13/14

5 year

   5.13    9.72    8.23    9/9    11/14

10 year

   7.56    6.02    6.02    2/7    3/11

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark:17

 

      Periods Ending June 30, 2006
Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year    3 Year    5 Year    10 Year    Since
Inception

Americas Government Income Portfolio

   -0.51    2.97    5.13    7.56    7.56

Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index

   -0.81    2.05    4.97    6.22    6.56

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: December 1, 2006

 


 

17 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through June 30, 2006.

 

23


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q.The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov.The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Global Bond Government Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
    January 1, 2007    
   Ending
Account Value
      June 30, 2007      
   Expenses Paid
    During Period*    
   Annualized
    Expense Ratio*    
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $ 999.13    $    6.25    1.26 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,018.55    $ 6.31    1.26 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 998.96    $ 7.48    1.51 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.31    $ 7.55    1.51 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Government-Related Sovereigns

   $ 22,958,992      59.8 %

U.S. Treasuries

     4,045,495      10.5  

Government-Related Agencies

     3,984,040      10.4  

Corporates Investment Grades

     2,217,566      5.8  

Government-Related U.S. Agencies

     1,726,392      4.5  

Short-Term Investments

     3,469,247      9.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   38,401,732      100.0 %

COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Germany

   $ 7,859,059      20.5 %

United States

     7,740,114      20.2  

Japan

     6,648,527      17.3  

Norway

     2,943,490      7.7  

United Kingdom

     1,770,478      4.6  

Australia

     1,585,912      4.1  

Belgium

     1,499,273      3.9  

Canada

     1,375,318      3.6  

Mexico

     1,001,601      2.6  

Singapore

     965,278      2.5  

New Zealand

     922,204      2.4  

Sweden

     621,231      1.6  

Short-Term Investments

     3,469,247      9.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 38,401,732      100.0 %
                 

 

2


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
   

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—SOVEREIGNS–56.6%

   

Australia

   

Series 909

   

7.50%, 9/15/09(a)

    AUD     1,832   $ 1,585,912

Bundesrepublik Deutschland

   

Series 03

   

4.75%, 7/04/34(a)

    EUR     1,865     2,537,218

Series 05

   

3.50%, 1/04/16(a)

        2,020     2,532,867

Canadian Government Bond

   

3.75%, 9/01/11(a)

    CAD     1,319     1,200,070

Germany (Federal Republic of)

   

Series 97

   

6.50%, 7/04/27(a)

    EUR        577     957,491

Government of Canada

   

5.00%, 6/01/14(a)

    CAD        182     175,248

Government of Japan

   

Series 48

   

2.50%, 12/21/20(a)

    JPY 125,000     1,068,410

Government of Japan Ten Year Bond Series 252

   

1.00%, 6/20/13(a)

      68,550     539,050

Government of Japan Twenty Year Bond Series 41

   

1.50%, 3/20/19(a)

    190,000     1,466,559

Government of Norway

   

5.50%, 5/15/09

    NOK   16,800     2,856,625

6.00%, 5/16/11(a)

           500     86,865

Government of Sweden

   

Series 1043

   

5.00%, 1/28/09(a)

    SEK     4,200     621,231

Japan Government Ten Year Bond Series 268

   

1.50%, 3/20/15(a)

    JPY 178,000     1,421,950

Kingdom of Belgium

   

Series 31

   

5.50%, 3/28/28(a)

    EUR     1,010     1,499,273

New Zealand Government Bond Series 708

   

6.00%, 7/15/08(a)

    NZD     1,214     922,204

Singapore Government Bond

   

3.75%, 9/01/16(a)

    SGD     1,379     965,278

United Kingdom Gilt

   

4.00%, 3/07/09(a)

    GBP        233     455,024

7.25%, 12/07/07(a)

    528     1,066,115
       

Total Government-Related—Sovereigns
(cost $21,996,750)

      21,957,390
       

U.S. TREASURIES–10.4%

   

U.S. Treasury Notes

   

4.00%, 3/15/10(a)

  US$         343     335,363

4.125%, 8/15/10(a)

    1,483     1,450,095

4.625%, 11/15/16(a)

    2,332     2,260,037
       

Total U.S. Treasuries
(cost $4,096,141)

      4,045,495
       
   

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—
AGENCIES–10.3%

   

Development Bank of Japan

   

2.30%, 3/19/26(a)

    JPY 120,000   $ 976,634

Finance Corp. for Municipal Enterprises

   

1.35%, 11/26/13(a)

    147,000     1,175,923

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank

   

1.375%, 4/25/13(a)

    229,000     1,831,483
       

Total Government-Related—Agencies
(cost $4,322,255)

      3,984,040
       

CORPORATES—
INVESTMENT GRADES–5.7%

   
   

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–4.4%

   

BANKING–1.5%

   

Barclays Bank PLC

   

5.75%, 9/14/26(a)

    GBP          75     145,861

Citigroup, Inc.

   

4.625%, 8/03/10(a)

  US$         107     104,738

National Westminster Bank

   

6.50%, 9/07/21(a)

    GBP          50     103,478

Suntrust Bank

   

5.48%, 6/02/09(a)(b)

  US$         250     250,375
       
      604,452
       

FINANCE–2.6%

   

International Lease Finance Corp.

   

3.50%, 4/01/09(a)

    350     339,031

Pershing Road Development Co. LLC

   

5.76%, 9/01/26(a)(b)(c)

    656     655,511
       
      994,542
       

INSURANCE–0.3%

   

Genworth Financial, Inc.

   

1.60%, 6/20/11(a)

    JPY   15,000     120,503
       
      1,719,497
       

INDUSTRIAL–1.3%

   

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—OTHER–0.5%

   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

   

7.375%, 11/15/15(a)

  US$ 200     197,892
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—RETAILERS–0.4%

   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   

4.55%, 5/01/13(a)

    150     142,099
       

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.4%

   

Pfizer, Inc.

   

1.80%, 2/22/16(a)

    JPY   20,000     158,078
       
      498,069
       

Total Corporates—Investment Grades
(cost $2,262,477)

      2,217,566
       


 

3


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
   

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—U.S. AGENCIES–4.5%

   

AGENCY DEBENTURES–4.5%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

4.75%, 1/19/16(a)

(cost $1,781,991)

  US$      1,810   $ 1,726,393
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—SUPRANATIONALS–2.6%

   

Inter-American Development Bank

   

9.50%, 6/16/15(a)

(cost $900,669)

    MXN   10,000     1,001,601
       
   

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–8.9%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–5.3%

   

The Bank of New York

   

4.25%, 7/02/07

  US$        569   $ 569,000

Societe Generale

   

5.33%, 7/02/07

    1,500     1,500,000
       
      2,069,000
       

AGENCY DISCOUNT NOTES–3.6%

   

Federal Home Loan Bank

   

Zero Coupon, 7/26/07(a)

    1,405     1,400,247
       

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $3,468,405)

      3,469,247
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.0%
(cost $38,828,688)

      38,401,732

Other assets less liabilities–1.0%

      400,045
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 38,801,777
       

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

      Contract
Amount
(000)
   U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
   U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/07

   375    $ 352,332    $ 352,211    $ (121 )

Danish Krone settling 8/23/07

   1,916      345,744      348,944      3,200  

Euro settling 7/30/07

   7,136      9,606,695        9,667,965      61,270  

Great British Pound settling 7/26/07

   839      1,664,291      1,683,992      19,701  

Japanese Yen settling 7/17/07

   180,306      1,459,083      1,467,173      8,090  

Japanese Yen settling 7/17/07

   38,257      312,410      311,305      (1,105 )

Japanese Yen settling 7/17/07

   12,308      101,562      100,153      (1,409 )

Japanese Yen settling 7/17/07

   47,182      395,792      383,929      (11,863 )

Mexican Nuevo Peso settling 8/03/07

   218      20,147      20,137      (10 )

New Zealand Dollar settling 7/17/07

   146      106,826      112,514      5,688  

Singapore Dollar settling 8/27/07

   155      101,328      101,702      374  

Swedish Krona settling 7/25/07

   20,831        2,947,743      3,049,240        101,497  

Sale Contracts:

           

Australian Dollar settling 7/23/07

   32      26,840      27,271      (431 )

Australian Dollar settling 7/23/07

   236      198,683      200,327      (1,644 )

Australian Dollar settling 7/23/07

   218      179,494      184,579      (5,085 )

Canadian Dollar settling 8/17/07

   648      606,294      608,707      (2,413 )

Euro settling 7/30/07

   167      225,038      226,847      (1,809 )

Euro settling 8/28/07

   928      1,249,125      1,258,521      (9,396 )

Great British Pound settling 7/26/07

   56      109,578      111,425      (1,847 )

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/07

   72,497      600,549      592,151      8,398  

Mexican Nuevo Peso settling 7/27/07

   10,927      1,005,943      1,010,085      (4,142 )

New Zealand Dollar settling 7/17/07

   313      235,300      240,826      (5,526 )

Norwegian Krone settling 7/11/07

   16,970      2,785,895      2,878,220      (92,325 )

Singapore Dollar settling 8/27/07

   1,437      939,846      943,378      (3,532 )

Swedish Krona settling 7/25/07

   23,152      3,389,342      3,388,885      457  

 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 


 

(a) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize forward currency exchange contracts. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $34,932,485.

 

(b) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

(c) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $655,511 or 1.7% of net assets.

 

   Currency Abbreviations:

 

   AUD—Australian Dollar

 

   CAD—Canadian Dollar

 

   EUR—Euro Dollar

 

   GBP—Great British Pound

 

   JPY—Japanese Yen

 

   MXN—Mexican Peso

 

   NOK—Norwegian Krone

 

   NZD—New Zealand Dollar

 

   SEK—Swedish Krona

 

   SGD—Singapore Dollar

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $38,828,688)

   $ 38,401,732  

Cash

     497  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $1,922)

     1,974  

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     208,675  

Interest receivable

     501,710  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     100,333  
        

Total assets

     39,214,921  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     142,658  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     160,068  

Printing fee payable

     24,608  

Custodian fee payable

     21,285  

Administrative fee payable

     19,223  

Advisory fee payable

     14,828  

Distribution fee payable

     2,420  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     27,995  
        

Total liabilities

     413,144  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 38,801,777  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,473  

Additional paid-in capital

     40,803,255  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (517,353 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (1,135,081 )

Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (352,517 )
        
   $ 38,801,777  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   27,468,642      2,452,203      $   11.20

B

     $ 11,333,135      1,020,427      $ 11.11

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 788,783  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     90,894  

Distribution fee—Class B

     15,037  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,270  

Transfer agency—Class B

     539  

Custodian

     70,334  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,486  

Printing

     14,192  

Legal

     8,397  

Directors’ fees

     766  

Miscellaneous

     1,683  
        

Total expenses

     269,598  
        

Net investment income

     519,185  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     (39,523 )

Foreign currency transactions

     661,177  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (945,030 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (227,584 )
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (550,960 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (31,775 )
        

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 519,185     $ 1,245,413  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     621,654       212,771  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (1,172,614 )     885,775  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (31,775 )     2,343,959  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (906,463 )     (711,741 )

Class B

     (350,790 )     (169,417 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     –0     (394,552 )

Class B

     –0     (112,945 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (2,230,272 )     (19,063,133 )
                

Total decrease

     (3,519,300 )     (18,107,829 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     42,321,077       60,428,906  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income and undistributed net investment income of ($517,353) and $220,715, respectively)

   $ 38,801,777     $ 42,321,077  
                

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek a high level of return from a combination of current income and capital appreciation by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of high quality debt securities denominated in the U.S. dollar and a range of foreign currencies. The Portfolio is non-diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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.

 

9


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.

7. Repurchase Agreements

It is the policy of the Portfolio that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .45% of the first $2.5 billion, .40% of the next $2.5 billion and .35% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .65% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 37,817,394    $ 43,352,087

U.S. government securities

     5,491,853      3,443,107

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

   $ 393,672  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (820,628 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (426,956 )
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange 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.

 

11


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  137,595     208,380       $ 1,588,048     $ 2,372,017  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  80,503     97,643         906,463       1,106,293  

Shares redeemed

  (333,991 )   (1,929,242 )       (3,859,649 )     (21,814,154 )
                             

Net decrease

  (115,893 )   (1,623,219 )     $ (1,365,138 )   $ (18,335,844 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  71,976     200,013       $ 827,726     $ 2,252,518  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  31,405     25,144         350,790       282,362  

Shares redeemed

  (178,182 )   (288,503 )       (2,043,650 )     (3,262,169 )
                             

Net decrease

  (74,801 )   (63,346 )     $ (865,134 )   $ (727,289 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 1,258,130    $ 6,174,320

Net long-term capital gains

     130,525      657,350
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 1,388,655    $ 6,831,670
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,249,772  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (2,493,547 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     527,852 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (715,923 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $1,753,064, in which $1,265,121 expires in the year 2008, and $487,943 expires in the year 2014. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Based on certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code, various limitations regarding the future utilization of these carryforwards, brought forward as a result of the Fund’s merger with Brinson Series Trust Strategic Income Portfolio, may apply. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Portfolio deferred losses on straddles of $740,483.

 

(b) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i)

The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order.

 

13


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

 

15


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.59     $11.32     $13.63     $13.50     $12.63     $10.93  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .15     .29     .28     .25 (b)   .25     .25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.16 )   .26     (1.26 )   .93     1.40     1.58  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (.01 )   .55     (.98 )   1.18     1.65     1.83  
                                   
           

Less Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.38 )   (.18 )   (1.18 )   (.78 )   (.78 )   (.13 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  –0   (.10 )   (.15 )   (.27 )   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.38 )   (.28 )   (1.33 )   (1.05 )   (.78 )   (.13 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.20     $11.59     $11.32     $13.63     $13.50     $12.63  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (.09 )%   4.97 %   (7.65 )%   9.63 %   13.26 %   16.91 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $27,469     $29,755     $47,443     $56,043     $58,658     $56,137  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.26 %(d)   1.03 %(e)   .87 %   .88 %   1.15 %   1.17 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.26 %(d)   1.03 %(e)   .87 %   1.02 %   1.15 %   1.17 %

Net investment income

  2.65 %(d)   2.53 %(e)   2.30 %   1.93 %(b)   1.93 %   2.18 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  124 %   156 %   148 %   107 %   197 %   220 %

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.47     $11.21     $13.51     $13.40     $12.54     $10.86  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .14     .26     .25     .22 (b)   .21     .22  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.15 )   .25     (1.25 )   .91     1.41     1.57  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (.01 )   .51     (1.00 )   1.13     1.62     1.79  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.35 )   (.15 )   (1.15 )   (.75 )   (.76 )   (.11 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  –0   (.10 )   (.15 )   (.27 )   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.35 )   (.25 )   (1.30 )   (1.02 )   (.76 )   (.11 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.11     $11.47     $11.21     $13.51     $13.40     $12.54  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (.10 )%   4.64 %   (7.87 )%   9.33 %   13.08 %   16.59 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period, (000’s omitted)

  $11,333     $12,566     $12,986     $13,997     $11,399     $8,507  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.51 %(d)   1.30 %(e)   1.12 %   1.13 %   1.40 %   1.42 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.51 %(d)   1.30 %(e)   1.12 %   1.27 %   1.40 %   1.42 %

Net investment income

  2.39 %(d)   2.30 %(e)   2.05 %   1.72 %(b)   1.66 %   1.92 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  124 %   156 %   148 %   107 %   197 %   220 %

 


 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed 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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

18


 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund (the “Fund”) in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Fund, which is available through variable annuity and variable life contracts offered by other financial institutions, offers policyholders the option to utilize the Portfolio as the investment option underlying their insurance contracts.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in connection with the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Net Assets
09/30/06
(million)
   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Portfolio

Low Risk Income

   $ 43.1    45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    Global Bond Portfolio
      40 bp on next $2.5 billion   
      35 bp on the balance   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on October 23, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on October 31-November 2, 2006.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

19


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $75,250 (0.11% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year end total expense ratios:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Global Bond Portfolio

   Class A    0.87 %    December 31
   Class B    1.12 %   

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of the costs are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the fund is in net redemption, and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fees based on September 30, 2006 net assets.

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
09/30/06
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Global Bond Portfolio

   $ 43.1    Global Fixed Income Schedule    0.416 %    0.450 %
      50 bp on 1st $20 million      
      35 bp on next $20 million      
      30 bp on next $20 million      
      25 bp on the balance      
      Minimum Account Size: $20 m      

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule, although it should be noted that there were no such institutional accounts that are similar in investment style as the Portfolio, which opened in the last year. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Government Income Trust:5

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
   Fee Schedule

Global Bond Portfolio

   Global Strategic Income Trust    0.50% on first $2.5 billion
      0.40% on next $2.5 billion
      0.35% on the balance

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for the Luxembourg funds that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

 

Portfolio    Fee6  

Global Strategic Income/ Global Bond

  

Class A

   1.10 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.55 %

The Alliance Capital Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ACITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedules of the ACITM mutual funds that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio are as follows:

 

Portfolio    ACITM Mutual Fund    Fee

Global Bond Portfolio

   Global Income Fund    0.75%
   Global High Income    0.70% on first ¥30 billion7
   A / B    0.60% on next ¥20 billion
      0.50% on next ¥450 billion
      0.45% thereafter
   Global Bond Fund    0.54%

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed advisory fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8

 


 

5 AllianceBernstein Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc. was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the fund’s advisory fee schedule is identical to that of the Portfolio.

 

6 Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

7 The current Japanese Yen-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate is ¥118.15 per $1. At that currency exchange rate, ¥30 billion would be equivalent to approximately $254 million. ¥20 billion would be equivalent to approximately $169 million. ¥450 billion would be equivalent to approximately $3.808 billion.

 

8 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

21


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes.9 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio      Contractual
Management
Fee10
     Lipper
Expense
Group
Median
     Rank

Global Bond Portfolio

     0.450      0.750      1/9

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.11

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)12
   Lipper
Expense
Group
Median (%)
   Rank    Lipper
Expense
Universe
Median (%)
   Rank

Global Bond Portfolio

   0.868    0.969    3/9    0.966    5/12

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees and Rule 12b-1 payments.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Portfolio’s principal underwriter. The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the ‘40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, ABI received $34,646 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI for distribution related services. ABI may in turn compensate brokers for their distribution assistance. ABI will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or reports and advertising in connection with the offering of Class B shares to the public as well as fees and expenses in connection with its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state laws. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it paid $138,844 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

 


 

9 Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

22


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,13 ABI paid approximately $125,000 in 2005 and expects to pay approximately $150,000 in 2006 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”).14 ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.15

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule being proposed reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent they exist. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, economists, who have written on this subject, had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among economists as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets were to exceed the initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $659 billion as of September 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 


 

13 Includes other Portfolios (Equity and Blend) of the Fund that are not discussed in this evaluation.

 

14 It should be noted that the insurance companies to which the variable products are linked to provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolio, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

15 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

23


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio16 relative to the Portfolio’s Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)17 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended June 30, 2006.18

 

Global Bond
Portfolio
   Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   –1.16      0.96      0.68      8/9      13/14

3 year

   3.05      4.97      3.84      9/9      11/14

5 year

   7.45      9.72      8.23      8/9      9/14

10 year

   4.68      5.28      6.02      7/7      11/11

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark:19

 

      Periods Ending June 30, 2006
Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year      3 Year      5 Year      10 Year      Since
Inception

Global Bond Portfolio

   –1.16      3.05      7.45      4.68      6.09

S&P / Citigroup World Government Bond Index (unhedged in USD)

   –0.36      4.25      8.51      5.43      7.10

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: December 1, 2006

 


 

16 The performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio that is shown was provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be one or two basis points different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

17 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU. Outliers and funds with negative management fees are excluded from EUs but not necessarily from PUs.

 

18 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

19 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through June 30, 2006.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,007.16    $ 7.66    1.54 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.16    $ 7.70    1.54 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,006.07    $ 8.90    1.79 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,015.92    $ 8.95    1.79 %
           

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes' annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GLOBAL DOLLAR PORTFOLIO
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Sovereigns

   $   22,188,685      84.6 %

Corporates

     3,368,884      12.9  

Agency Debentures

     270,625      1.0  

Short-Term Investments

     388,000      1.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 26,216,194      100.0 %

COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Russia

   $ 5,306,633      20.2 %

Brazil

     4,272,826      16.3  

Mexico

     2,264,533      8.6  

Philippines

     2,110,254      8.1  

Argentina

     1,345,519      5.1  

Peru

     1,303,618      5.0  

Turkey

     1,292,921      4.9  

Panama

     1,247,550      4.8  

Malaysia

     1,072,731      4.1  

Colombia

     991,809      3.8  

Venezuela

     867,213      3.3  

Indonesia

     795,555      3.0  

Other *

     2,957,032      11.3  

Short-Term Investments

     388,000      1.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $   26,216,194      100.0 %

 

 


 

* The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 2.4% or less in the following countries: Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine and Uruguay.

 

2


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SOVEREIGNS–82.8%

   
   

ARGENTINA–5.0%

   

Republic of Argentina

   

8.28%, 12/31/33

  US$    553   $ 533,406

5.475%, 8/03/12(a)

    757     719,285

Series V

   

7.00%, 3/28/11

    95     92,828
       
      1,345,519
       

BRAZIL–15.6%

   

Republic of Brazil

   

6.00%, 1/17/17

    829     817,809

7.125%, 1/20/37

    1,152     1,244,160

8.00%, 1/15/18

    37     40,663

8.25%, 1/20/34

    717     880,476

8.875%, 10/14/19 - 4/15/24

    832     1,020,220

11.00%, 8/17/40

    141     185,062
       
      4,188,390
       

BULGARIA–0.4%

   

Republic of Bulgaria

   

8.25%, 1/15/15(b)

    94     108,241
       

COLOMBIA–3.7%

   

Republic of Colombia

   

7.375%, 9/18/37

    245     272,807

8.125%, 5/21/24

    25     29,375

10.75%, 1/15/13

    88     107,492

11.75%, 2/25/20

    394     582,135
       
      991,809
       

COSTA RICA–0.4%

   

Republic of Costa Rica

   

8.05%, 1/31/13(b)

    53     57,319

8.11%, 2/01/12(b)

    51     55,590
       
      112,909
       

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC–0.4%

   

Dominican Republic

   

8.625%, 4/20/27(b)

    100     116,000
       

ECUADOR–0.1%

   

Republic of Ecuador

   

10.00%, 8/15/30(b)(c)

    35     28,700
       

EL SALVADOR–1.2%

   

Republic of El Salvador

   

7.625%, 9/21/34(b)

    72     82,440

7.65%, 6/15/35(b)

    112     127,680

8.50%, 7/25/11(b)

    100     109,150
       
      319,270
       

INDONESIA–3.0%

   

Republic of Indonesia

   

6.625%, 2/17/37(b)

    100     96,125

6.75%, 3/10/14(b)

    260     266,500

7.25%, 4/20/15(b)

    59     62,097

7.50%, 1/15/16(b)

    100     106,750

8.50%, 10/12/35(b)

    222     264,083
       
      795,555
       
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

JAMAICA–0.4%

   

Government of Jamaica

   

10.625%, 6/20/17

  US$      95   $ 112,337
       

LEBANON–1.2%

   

Lebanese Republic

   

7.875%, 5/20/11(b)

    75     72,375

10.125%, 8/06/08(b)

    207     210,622

11.625%, 5/11/16(b)

    33     37,769
       
      320,766
       

MALAYSIA–2.3%

   

Malaysia

   

7.50%, 7/15/11

    303     323,946

8.75%, 6/01/09

    280     296,382
       
      620,328
       

MEXICO–7.3%

   

United Mexican States

   

8.125%, 12/30/19

    375     444,000

11.375%, 9/15/16

    364     505,050

Series A

   

8.00%, 9/24/22

    833     995,435
       
      1,944,485
       

PAKISTAN–0.5%

   

Republic of Pakistan

   

6.875%, 6/01/17(b)

    146     140,708
       

PANAMA–4.3%

   

Republic of Panama

   

6.70%, 1/26/36

    299     302,738

7.125%, 1/29/26

    173     184,245

7.25%, 3/15/15

    16     17,120

8.875%, 9/30/27

    97     122,123

9.375%, 7/23/12 - 4/01/29

    413     522,385
       
      1,148,611
       

PERU–4.5%

   

Republic of Peru

   

7.35%, 7/21/25

    317     353,455

8.375%, 5/03/16

    284     330,150

8.75%, 11/21/33

    393     508,935

9.875%, 2/06/15

    3     3,725
       
      1,196,265
       

PHILIPPINES–7.9%

   

Republic of Philippines

   

7.50%, 9/25/24

    105     113,400

7.75%, 1/14/31

    162     178,605

8.00%, 1/15/16

    100     109,870

8.25%, 1/15/14

    296     323,380

8.375%, 2/15/11

    11     11,770

8.875%, 3/17/15

    246     281,670

9.00%, 2/15/13

    177     198,240

9.50%, 10/21/24 - 2/02/30

    157     204,207

9.875%, 1/15/19

    237     299,212

10.625%, 3/16/25

    280     389,900
       
      2,110,254
       


 

3


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

RUSSIA–12.5%

   

Russian Federation

   

7.50%, 3/31/30(b)(c)

  US$  1,174   $ 1,288,575

11.00%, 7/24/18(b)

    240     333,000

Russian Ministry of Finance

   

Series V

   

3.00%, 5/14/08

    1,605     1,568,887

Series VII

   

3.00%, 5/14/11

    160     144,208
       
      3,334,670
       

SOUTH AFRICA–0.9%

   

Republic of South Africa

   

5.875%, 5/30/22

    100     97,875

7.375%, 4/25/12

    142     150,875
       
      248,750
       

TURKEY–4.8%

   

Republic of Turkey

   

6.875%, 3/17/36

    577     547,429

7.00%, 6/05/20

    450     451,125

7.375%, 2/05/25

    256     262,080

8.00%, 2/14/34

    30     32,287
       
      1,292,921
       

UKRAINE–0.9%

   

Government of Ukraine

   

6.58%, 11/21/16(b)

    144     142,920

7.65%, 6/11/13(b)

    80     84,600
       
      227,520
       

URUGUAY–2.3%

   

Republic of Uruguay

   

7.875%, 1/15/33(d)

    138     153,464

8.00%, 11/18/22

    200     225,000

9.25%, 5/17/17

    200     239,000
       
      617,464
       

VENEZUELA–3.2%

   

Republic of Venezuela

   

5.75%, 2/26/16

    88     74,140

6.00%, 12/09/20

    45     36,045

7.00%, 12/01/18(b)

    404     365,620

7.65%, 4/21/25

    197     178,778

9.25%, 9/15/27

    16     16,720

13.625%, 8/15/18

    143     195,910
       
      867,213
       

Total Sovereigns
(cost $20,952,423)

      22,188,685
       

CORPORATES–12.6%

   
   

BRAZIL–0.3%

   

Vale Overseas Ltd.

   

6.875%, 11/21/36

    84     84,436
       

CHINA–0.4%

   

Chaoda Modern Agriculture

   

7.75%, 2/08/10(b)

    115     106,950
       
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

HONG KONG–0.3%

   

Noble Group Ltd.

   

6.625%, 3/17/15(b)

  US$    100   $ 91,735
       

JAMAICA–0.4%

   

Digicel Ltd.

   

9.25%, 9/01/12(b)

    100     105,375
       

KAZAKHSTAN–1.1%

   

ALB Finance BV

   

9.25%, 9/25/13(b)

    100     99,926

Kazkommerts International BV

   

8.50%, 4/16/13(b)

    100     102,250

Tengizchevroil Finance Co.

   

6.124%, 11/15/14(b)

    100     98,130
       
      300,306
       

MALAYSIA–1.7%

   

Petronas Capital Ltd.

   

7.00%, 5/22/12(b)

    426     452,403
       

MEXICO–0.2%

   

Monterrey Power SA de CV

   

9.625%, 11/15/09(b)

    45     49,423
       

PANAMA–0.4%

   

MMG Fiduciary
(AES El Salvador)

   

6.75%, 2/01/16(b)

    100     98,939
       

PERU–0.4%

   

Southern Copper Corp.

   

7.50%, 7/27/35

    100     107,354
       

RUSSIA–7.4%

   

Alfa Bond Issuance PLC

   

8.625%, 12/09/15

    100     101,100

Citigroup (JSC Severstal)

   

9.25%, 4/19/14(b)

    68     74,386

Evraz Group SA

   

8.25%, 11/10/15(b)

    100     102,140

Gallery Capital SA

   

10.125%, 5/15/13(b)

    100     100,100

Gazprom

   

6.51%, 3/07/22(b)

    300     296,100

Gazprom OAO

   

9.625%, 3/01/13(b)

    560     647,472

Gazstream SA

   

5.625%, 7/22/13(b)

    126     124,184

Mobile Telesystems Finance

   

9.75%, 1/30/08(b)

    125     127,227

Russia Agriculture Bank RSHB Capital

   

6.299%, 5/15/17(b)

    147     143,884

Russian Standard Finance

   

7.50%, 10/07/10(b)

    100     96,500

TNK-BP Finance SA

   

7.50%, 7/18/16(b)

    100     103,100

Tyumen Oil Co.

   

11.00%, 11/06/07(b)

    55     55,770
       
      1,971,963
       

Total Corporates
(cost $3,394,714)

      3,368,884
       

 


 

4


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

AGENCY
DEBENTURES–1.0%

   

MEXICO–1.0%

   

Pemex Project Funding Master Trust 8.00%, 11/15/11
(cost $249,418)

  US$    250   $ 270,625
       
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.4%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $388,000)

  US$    388   $ 388,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–97.8%
(cost $24,984,555)

      26,216,194

Other assets less liabilities–2.2%

      589,237
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 26,805,431
       


 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation    Notional
Amount
(000)
   Interest
Rate
     Termination
Date
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

           

Lehman Brothers (Republic of Venezuela
9.25% 9/15/27)

   $   280    1.26 %    4/20/10    $   6,147  

Sale Contracts:

           

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (Federal Republic of Brazil 12.25% 3/6/30)

     600    3.09      8/20/10      52,039  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (Republic of Philippines 10.625% 3/16/25)

     130    4.95      3/20/09      9,852  

JPMorgan Chase (OAO Gazprom 10.50% 10/21/09)

     360    1.04      10/20/10      7,155  

Lehman Brothers (Republic of Venezuela
9.25% 9/15/27)

     280    0.69      4/20/08      (1,591 )

 

 


 

(a) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $7,232,858 or 27.0% of net assets.

 

(c) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

(d) Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK).

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $24,984,555)

   $ 26,216,194

Cash

     523

Unrealized appreciation of swap contracts

     75,193

Interest receivable

     546,079

Receivable for investment securities sold

     100,415

Receivable for capital stock sold

     37,744
      

Total assets

     26,976,148
      

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of swap contracts

     1,591

Custodian fee payable

     43,675

Payable for investment securities purchased

     37,046

Administrative fee payable

     19,223

Audit fee payable

     19,111

Printing fee payable

     17,029

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     13,278

Advisory fee payable

     11,707

Distribution fee payable

     1,159

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59

Accrued expenses .

     6,839
      

Total liabilities

     170,717
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 26,805,431
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 2,073

Additional paid-in capital

     24,584,185

Undistributed net investment income

     590,147

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     323,785

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     1,305,241
      
   $ 26,805,431
      

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

Class      Net Assets     

Shares

Outstanding

    

Net Asset

Value

A

     $   21,371,915      1,651,307      $   12.94

B

     $ 5,433,516      421,201      $ 12.90

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 955,109  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     70,866  

Distribution fee—Class B

     6,987  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,134  

Transfer agency—Class B

     279  

Custodian

     60,222  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,111  

Printing

     7,234  

Legal

     5,847  

Directors’ fees

  

 

789

 

Miscellaneous

  

 

1,184

 

        

Total expenses before interest expense

     220,653  

Interest expense

     4,856  
        

Total expenses

     225,509  
        

Net investment income

     729,600  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     297,345  

Swap contracts

     65,643  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (818,863 )

Swap contracts

     (62,762 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (518,637 )
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 210,963  
        

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2007

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2006

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 729,600     $ 1,523,687  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     362,988       1,050,646  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (881,625 )     91,357  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     210,963       2,665,690  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (1,322,649 )     (1,319,149 )

Class B

     (310,854 )     (305,782 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (865,109 )     (1,040,768 )

Class B

     (212,347 )     (251,506 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     270,649       831,292  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (2,229,347 )     579,777  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     29,034,778       28,455,001  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $590,147 and $1,494,050, respectively)

   $ 26,805,431     $ 29,034,778  
                

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation. The Portfolio is non-diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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.

 

9


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investments 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.

7. Repurchase Agreements

It is the policy of the Portfolio that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .50% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 6,042,565     $ 7,297,630  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 swap contracts) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  

$

1,464,955

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (233,316 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,231,639  
        

1. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign 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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio

 

11


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

2. Swap Agreements

The Portfolio may enter into swaps on sovereign debt obligations to protect itself from interest rate fluctuations on the underlying debt instruments and for investment purposes. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential credit risk. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the underlying value of the securities.

The Portfolio accrues for the interim payments on swap contracts on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/loss on swaps, in addition to realized gain/loss recorded upon the termination of swap contracts on the statements of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments.

The Portfolio may enter into credit default swaps. The Portfolio may purchase credit protection on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap (“Sale Contract”). A sale/(buy) in a credit default swap provides upon the occurrence of a credit event, as defined in the swap agreement, for the Portfolio to buy/(sell) from/(to) the counterparty at the notional amount (the “Notional Amount”) and receive/(deliver) the principal amount of the referenced obligation. If a credit event occurs, the maximum payout amount for a Sale Contract is limited to the Notional Amount of the swap contract (“Maximum Payout Amount”). During the term of the swap agreement, the Portfolio receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon interest rate applied to the Notional Amount. These interim payments are recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities.

Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Portfolio had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Portfolio is a buyer and no credit event occurs, it will lose its investment. In addition, if the Portfolio is a seller and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Portfolio coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss to the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had Sale Contracts outstanding with Maximum Payout Amounts aggregating $1,370,000, with net unrealized appreciation of $67,455 and terms ranging from 10 months to 3 years, as reflected in the portfolio of investments.

In certain circumstances, the Portfolio may hold Sale Contracts on the same referenced obligation and with the same counterparty from which it has purchased credit protection, which may reduce its obligation to make payments on Sale Contracts, if a credit event occurs. The Portfolio had a buy contract with a Notional Amount of $280,000 with respect to the same referenced obligations and same counterparties of certain Sale Contracts outstanding which reduced its obligation to make payments on Sale Contracts to $1,090,000 as of June 30, 2007.

3. Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Portfolio sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Portfolio enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value at least equal to the repurchase price.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $843,690 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 1.86%.

 

12


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consist of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  115,041     392,040       $ 1,658,110     $ 5,571,863  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  166,750     182,798         2,187,758       2,359,917  

Shares redeemed

  (267,788 )   (538,135 )       (3,740,101 )     (7,514,108 )
                             

Net increase

  14,003     36,703       $ 105,767     $ 417,672  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  28,106     51,188       $ 405,404     $ 719,330  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  40,000     43,267         523,201       557,288  

Shares redeemed

  (53,470 )   (62,681 )       (763,723 )     (862,998 )
                             

Net increase

  14,636     31,774       $ 164,882     $ 413,620  
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

Leverage Risk—The Portfolio may use significant borrowings for leverage or may otherwise leverage its assets through, for example, the use of reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls. When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverage its portfolio, it may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls also involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

 

13


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 1,862,568    $ 1,800,375

Net long-term capital gains

     1,054,637      1,181,282
             

Total taxable distributions

     2,917,205      2,981,657
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 2,917,205    $ 2,981,657
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,881,061  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     817,979  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     2,020,129 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 4,719,169  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the difference between the book and tax treatment of swap income.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

 

14


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges,

 

15


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

16


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004(a)     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $14.22     $14.42     $14.79     $14.53     $11.43     $10.63  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (b)

  .37     .76     .84     .86 (c)   .95     .94 (c)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (.25 )   .53     .46     .45     2.83     .70  
                                   

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .12     1.29     1.30     1.31     3.78     1.64  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.85 )   (.83 )   (.95 )   (1.05 )   (.68 )   (.84 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.55 )   (.66 )   (.72 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.40 )   (1.49 )   (1.67 )   (1.05 )   (.68 )   (.84 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.94     $14.22     $14.42     $14.79     $14.53     $11.43  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  .72 %   10.01 %   9.62 %   10.12 %   33.41 %   16.14 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $21,372     $23,279     $23,073     $22,932     $26,433     $22,198  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.54 %(e)   1.76 %(f)   1.69 %   1.76 %   1.90 %   1.40 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.54 %(e)   1.76 %(f)   1.69 %   1.93 %   1.90 %   2.00 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements excluding interest expense

  1.51 %(e)   1.69 %(f)   1.68 %   1.92 %   1.88 %   2.00 %

Net investment income

  5.20 %(e)   5.41 %(f)   5.83 %   6.07 %(c)   7.20 %   8.83 %(c)

Portfolio turnover rate

  22 %   50 %   91 %   188 %   150 %   142 %

 


See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
   

Six Months

Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,    

July 22,

2002(g) to

December 31,

2002

 
      2006     2005     2004(a)     2003    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $14.16     $14.36     $14.74     $14.51     $11.42     $10.20  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (b)

  .35     .72     .80     .82 (c)   .88     .35 (c)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (.25 )   .54     .46     .45     2.89     .87  
                                   

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .10     1.26     1.26     1.27     3.77     1.22  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.81 )   (.80 )   (.92 )   (1.04 )   (.68 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.55 )   (.66 )   (.72 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.36 )   (1.46 )   (1.64 )   (1.04 )   (.68 )   –0
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.90     $14.16     $14.36     $14.74     $14.51     $11.42  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  .61 %   9.77 %   9.35 %   9.81 %   33.34 %   11.96 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $5,433     $5,756     $5,382     $4,979     $3,162     $226  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.79 %(e)   2.01 %(f)   1.93 %   2.07 %   2.14 %   1.63 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.79 %(e)   2.01 %(f)   1.93 %   2.24 %   2.14 %   1.99 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements excluding interest expense

  1.76 %(e)   1.94 %(f)   1.93 %   2.23 %   2.12 %   1.99 %(e)

Net investment income

  4.94 %(e)   5.16 %(f)   5.60 %   5.74 %(c)   6.67 %   9.12 %(c)(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  22 %   50 %   91 %   188 %   150 %   142 %

 


 

(a) As of January 1, 2004, the Portfolio has adopted the method of accounting for interim payments on swap contracts in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 133. These interim payments are reflected within net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on swap contracts, however, prior to January 1, 2004, these interim payments were reflected within interest income/expense on the statement of operations. The effect of this change for the year ended December 31, 2004, was to decrease net investment income per share by $.02 and increase net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions per share by $.02 for Class A and B. Consequently, the ratios of net investment income to average net assets were decreased by .17% for Class A and B respectively.

 

(b) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(d) 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.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

(f) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(g) Commencement of distribution.

 

18


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund (the “Fund”) in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Fund, which is available through variable annuity and variable life contracts offered by other financial institutions, offers policyholders the option to utilize the Portfolio as the investment option underlying their insurance contracts.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in connection with the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Net Assets
09/30/06
(million)
   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Portfolio

High Income

   $ 28.2    50 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    Global Dollar
      45 bp on next $2.5 billion    Government Portfolio
      40 bp on the balance   

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $75,250 (0.27% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year end total expense ratios:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense
Ratio
     Fiscal Year

Global Dollar Government Portfolio4

   Class A 1.69 %    December 31
   Class B 1.93 %   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on October 23, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on October 31-November 2, 2006.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

4 Includes interest expense of 0.01%, relating to the short-term credit facility used by the Portfolio.

 

19


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of the costs are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the fund is in net redemption, and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.5 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fees based on September 30, 2006 net assets.

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
09/30/06
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
     Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
       Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   $ 28.2    Emerging Market Debt Schedule
65 bp on 1st $20 million
50 bp on next $20 million
40 bp on next $20 million
35 bp on the balance
Minimum Account  Size: $20 m
     0.606 %      0.500 %

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc.6

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Fee Schedule

Global Dollar Government Portfolio7

   Emerging Market Debt
Fund, Inc.
     0.50% on first $2.5 billion 0.40% on next $2.5 billion 0.35% on the balance

 


 

5 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule, although it should be noted that there were no such institutional accounts that are similar in investment style as the Portfolio, which opened in the last year. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

6 The advisory fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc. was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the fund’s advisory fee schedule is identical to that of the Portfolio.

 

7 The fund is a clone of the Portfolio.

 

20


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fee for Emerging Market Debt, a Luxembourg fund, which has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

 

Portfolio    Fee8  

Emerging Market Debt

  

Class A

   1.10 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.55 %

The Alliance Capital Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ACITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ACITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio    ACITM Mutual Fund      Fee  

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   Emerging Market Bond Fund     
   FC / FD9      0.75 %
   P-H9      0.10 %10

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed advisory fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.11

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes.12 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee13
   Lipper
Expense Group
Median
   Rank

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   0.500    0.759    1/8

 


 

8 Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

9 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

10 In addition to the 0.10%, the Adviser charges the institutional account 0.485% for the first Y3 billion, 0.215% thereafter. The current Japanese yen—U.S. dollar currency exchange rate is Y118.15 per $1. At that currency exchange rate, Y3 billion would be equivalent to approximately $25.4 million.

 

11 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

12 Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

13 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

21


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.14

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)15
   Lipper
Expense Group
Median (%)
   Rank    Lipper
Expense Universe
Median (%)
   Rank

Global Dollar Government Portfolio16

   1.682    0.985    8/8    0.970    14/14

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees and Rule 12b-1 payments.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Portfolio’s principal underwriter. The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the ‘40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, ABI received $13,316 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI for distribution related services. ABI may in turn compensate brokers for their distribution assistance. ABI will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or reports and advertising in connection with the offering of Class B shares to the public as well as fees and expenses in connection with its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state laws. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it paid $141,347 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of

 


 

14 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

15 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

16 Note that the Portfolio is classified by Lipper as a Global Income fund, which Lipper considers as a fund that invests primarily in U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar debt securities of issuers located in at least three countries, one of which may be the United States. The Portfolio has an investment style that meets Lipper’s criteria for Global Income funds, but also focuses on emerging market debt securities. Emerging market debt funds, on average, have relatively higher expenses ratios, including custodian expense ratios, than general global income funds.

 

22


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,17 ABI paid approximately $125,000 in 2005 and expects to pay approximately $150,000 in 2006 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”).18 ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.19

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule being proposed reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent they exist. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, economists, who have written on this subject, had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among economists as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets were to exceed the initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $659 billion as of September 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to the Portfolio’s Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)21 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended June 30, 2006.22

 

Global Dollar
Government Portfolio23
   Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   4.63      0.96      0.68      2/7      3/14

3 year

   9.44      4.97      3.84      1/7      2/14

5 year

   13.82      9.72      8.23      1/7      1/14

10 year

   11.67      6.06      6.02      1/6      1/11

 


 

17 Includes other Portfolios (Equity and Blend) of the Fund that are not discussed in this evaluation.

 

18 It should be noted that the insurance companies to which the variable products are linked to provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolio, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

19 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

20 The performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio that is shown was provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be one or two basis points different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

21 The Portfolio’s PG is not identical to the Portfolio’s EG. Performance information was unavailable in Lipper’s database for one of the Portfolio’s peers. The Portfolio’s PU is identical to the Portfolio’s EU.

 

22 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

23 As previously disclosed, the Portfolio, which invests a substantial portion of its assets in emerging market debt securities, is classified by Lipper as a general Global Income fund. Global Income funds have a much broader investment mandate and risk profile than funds that invest primarily in emerging market debt securities, which may significantly impact performance.

 

23


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark:24

 

      Periods Ending June 30, 2006 Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year      3 Year      5 Year      10 Year      Since
Inception

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   4.63      9.44      13.82      11.67      11.88

J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Index

   4.62      9.58      10.84      11.39      12.44

J.P. Morgan EMBI Plus Index

   5.25      10.21      11.42      11.92      13.06

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: December 1, 2006

 


 

24 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through June 30, 2006.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

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June 30, 2007

 

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Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

High Yield

   Beginning
Account Value
    January 1, 2007    
   Ending
Account Value
      June 30, 2007      
   Expenses Paid
    During Period*    
   Annualized
    Expense Ratio*    
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $     1,000    $   1,022.04    $     6.22    1.24 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.65    $ 6.21    1.24 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.80    $ 7.47    1.49 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.41    $ 7.45    1.49 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Corporate—Non-Investment Grade

   $ 34,545,419      92.6 %

Corporate—Investment Grade

     1,475,865      4.0  

Emerging Markets—Non-Investment Grade

     151,247      0.4  

Non-Convertible Preferred Stock

     133,455      0.4  

Equities

     1      0.0  

Short-Term Investments

     977,000      2.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   37,282,987      100.0 %

 

2


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

CORPORATES—NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–88.2%

   
   

INDUSTRIAL–68.6%

   

BASIC–7.2%

   

AK Steel Corp.
7.875%, 2/15/09

  $     64   $ 63,840

Arch Western Finance LLC
6.75%, 7/01/13

    90     86,400

Citigroup (JSC Severstal) Series REGS
9.25%, 4/19/14(a)

    220     240,660

Equistar Chemicals Funding LP
10.125%, 9/01/08

    47     48,880

10.625%, 5/01/11

    65     68,412

Evraz Group, SA
8.25%, 11/10/15(a)

    123     125,767

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
8.375%, 4/01/17

    325     346,938

Georgia-Pacific Corp.
7.00%, 1/15/15(a)

    85     81,813

7.125%, 1/15/17(a)

    95     91,200

Hexion US Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance ULC
9.75%, 11/15/14

    60     62,100

9.86%, 11/15/14(b)

    60     61,800

Huntsman International LLC
7.875%, 11/15/14

    105     112,481

Huntsman LLC
11.50%, 7/15/12

    143     158,730

Ineos Group Holdings PLC
8.50%, 2/15/16(a)

    179     174,973

Lyondell Chemical Co.
8.00%, 9/15/14

    80     82,200

8.25%, 9/15/16

    285     297,825

The Mosaic Co.
7.625%, 12/01/16(a)

    290     296,525

Nell AF S.a.r.l.
8.375%, 8/15/15(a)

    110     105,325

NewPage Corp.
10.00%, 5/01/12

    100     108,000

Peabody Energy Corp.
Series B
6.875%, 3/15/13

    190     189,050
       
      2,802,919
       

CAPITAL GOODS–8.0%

   

Allied Waste North America, Inc.
6.375%, 4/15/11

    174     169,215

6.875%, 6/01/17

    85     82,237

Series B

   

7.125%, 5/15/16

    80     78,200

7.375%, 4/15/14

    90     88,875

Associated Materials, Inc.
11.25%, 3/01/14(c)

    235     175,075

Berry Plastics Holding Corp.
8.875%, 9/15/14

    120     121,500

10.25%, 3/01/16

    65     65,000
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Bombardier, Inc.
6.30%, 5/01/14(a)

  $   270   $ 256,500

8.00%, 11/15/14(a)

    225     236,531

Case Corp.
7.25%, 1/15/16

    170     172,550

Case New Holland, Inc.
7.125%, 3/01/14

    245     248,063

9.25%, 8/01/11

    150     157,230

Crown Americas
7.625%, 11/15/13

    155     156,550

Goodman Global Holdings, Inc.
7.875%, 12/15/12

    110     108,900

L-3 Communications Corp.
5.875%, 1/15/15

    130     120,575

Owens Brockway Glass Container, Inc.
8.875%, 2/15/09

    176     179,080

Series $

   

6.75%, 12/01/14

    205     199,875

Russell-Stanley Holdings, Inc.
9.00%, 11/30/08(d)(e)(f)

    36     4,566

Trinity Industries, Inc.
6.50%, 3/15/14

    230     224,825

United Rentals North America, Inc.
7.75%, 11/15/13

    270     270,337
       
      3,115,684
       

COMMUNICATIONS—
MEDIA–12.0%

 

Allbritton Communications Co.
7.75%, 12/15/12

    165     165,825

Cablevision Systems Corp. Series B
8.00%, 4/15/12

    220     217,250

CCH I Holdings LLC
11.75%, 5/15/14

    630     618,975

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
5.50%, 9/15/14

    238     203,386

5.75%, 1/15/13

    157     141,362

CSC Holdings, Inc.
7.625%, 7/15/18

    125     118,750

7.875%, 2/15/18

    45     43,425

Series WI

   

6.75%, 4/15/12

    190     180,500

Dex Media West LLC
Series B
8.50%, 8/15/10

    60     62,175

DIRECTV Holdings LLC
6.375%, 6/15/15

    291     273,540

EchoStar DBS Corp.
6.375%, 10/01/11

    89     87,220

6.625%, 10/01/14

    305     291,275

7.125%, 2/01/16

    85     83,088

Idearc, Inc.
8.00%, 11/15/16

    185     186,850

Insight Communications Co., Inc.
12.25%, 2/15/11

    181     189,145

Insight Midwest LP
9.75%, 10/01/09

    81     81,608


 

3


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Intelsat Bermuda Ltd.
11.25%, 6/15/16

  $   299   $ 334,880

Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Co. Ltd.
8.625%, 1/15/15

    135     138,375

Liberty Media Corp.
5.70%, 5/15/13

    50     46,996

7.875%, 7/15/09

    58     60,163

8.25%, 2/01/30

    50     48,491

Quebecor Media, Inc.
7.75%, 3/15/16

    305     309,575

Rainbow National Services LLC
8.75%, 9/01/12(a)

    55     57,200

10.375%, 9/01/14(a)

    50     54,875

RH Donnelley Corp.
Series A-2
6.875%, 1/15/13

    128     121,280

Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc.
9.625%, 8/01/13

    70     68,600

Univision Communications, Inc.
7.85%, 7/15/11

    115     118,450

WDAC Subsidiary Corp.
8.375%, 12/01/14(a)

    70     73,500

WMG Holdings Corp.
9.50%, 12/15/14(c)

    333     253,080

XM Satellite Radio, Inc.
9.75%, 5/01/14

    60     58,800
       
      4,688,639
       

COMMUNICATIONS—
TELECOMMUNICATION–6.2%

   

Citizens Communications Co.
6.25%, 1/15/13

    210     201,337

Cricket Communications, Inc.
9.375%, 11/01/14

    215     221,988

Digicel Ltd.
9.25%, 9/01/12(a)

    161     169,654

Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. Series B
8.375%, 11/01/11

    76     79,420

Dobson Communications Corp.
8.875%, 10/01/13

    75     78,375

Inmarsat Finance PLC
7.625%, 6/30/12

    145     149,894

10.375%, 11/15/12(c)

    205     195,519

Level 3 Financing, Inc.
9.25%, 11/01/14

    295     297,950

12.25%, 3/15/13

    118     135,405

Mobile Telesystems Finance SA
8.00%, 1/28/12(a)

    231     237,653

PanAmSat Corp.
9.00%, 8/15/14

    143     149,077

Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
7.25%, 2/15/11

    300     298,500

Time Warner Telecom Holdings, Inc.
9.25%, 2/15/14

    50     53,000

Windstream Corp.
8.125%, 8/01/13

    88     91,960
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

8.625%, 8/01/16

  $     77   $ 81,427
       
      2,441,159
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL— AUTOMOTIVE–7.6%

   

Affinia Group, Inc.
9.00%, 11/30/14

    85     83,300

Ford Motor Co.
7.45%, 7/16/31

    414     330,683

Ford Motor Credit Co.
4.95%, 1/15/08

    165     163,764

7.00%, 10/01/13

    204     189,005

8.105%, 1/13/12(b)

    240     239,391

General Motors Acceptance Corp.
6.875%, 9/15/11

    371     364,936

8.00%, 11/01/31

    95     97,145

General Motors Corp.
8.25%, 7/15/23

    400     364,500

8.375%, 7/15/33

    415     378,688

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
9.00%, 7/01/15

    130     140,075

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc.
9.75%, 11/01/13

    108     93,960

Lear Corp.
Series B
5.75%, 8/01/14

    70     58,800

8.50%, 12/01/13

    45     43,200

8.75%, 12/01/16

    295     280,987

Visteon Corp.
7.00%, 3/10/14

    165     142,313
       
      2,970,747
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—OTHER–8.6%

   

Broder Brothers Co.
Series B
11.25%, 10/15/10

    77     75,941

Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
7.875%, 3/15/10

    90     92,142

Greektown Holdings LLC
10.75%, 12/01/13(a)

    90     95,400

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc
5.625%, 6/01/15

    375     305,625

6.50%, 6/01/16

    180     150,300

Host Hotels & Resorts LP
6.875%, 11/01/14

    45     44,494

Host Marriott LP
Series Q
6.75%, 6/01/16

    300     294,000

KB Home
7.75%, 2/01/10

    125     124,375

Levi Strauss & Co.
8.875%, 4/01/16

    63     64,575

MGM Mirage
6.625%, 7/15/15

    327     297,161

7.625%, 1/15/17

    55     52,319

8.375%, 2/01/11

    280     286,300


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority
7.125%, 8/15/14

  $   135   $ 133,650

NCL Corp.
10.625%, 7/15/14

    90     86,850

Penn National Gaming, Inc.
6.875%, 12/01/11

    160     162,600

Riviera Holdings Corp.
11.00%, 6/15/10

    210     217,701

Six Flags, Inc.
9.625%, 6/01/14

    115     106,662

Station Casinos, Inc.
6.625%, 3/15/18

    45     38,700

Turning Stone Resort Casino Enterprise
9.125%, 12/15/10(a)

    140     142,450

Universal City Development Partners
11.75%, 4/01/10

    120     127,200

Universal City Florida Holding Co.
8.375%, 5/01/10

    60     61,350

William Lyon Homes, Inc.
10.75%, 4/01/13

    112     105,280

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Corp.
6.625%, 12/01/14

    310     298,763
       
      3,363,838
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—RETAILERS–2.0%

   

The Bon-Ton Dept Stores, Inc.
10.25%, 3/15/14

    125     126,563

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp.
11.125%, 4/15/14

    55     53,625

Couche-Tard, Inc.
7.50%, 12/15/13

    144     145,080

GSC Holdings Corp.
8.00%, 10/01/12

    215     224,675

Rite Aid Corp.
6.875%, 8/15/13

    160     140,800

9.25%, 6/01/13

    85     84,362

9.375%, 12/15/15(a)

    10     9,600

9.50%, 6/15/17(a)

    15     14,400
       
      799,105
       

CONSUMER
NON-CYCLICAL–7.2%

   

Albertson’s, Inc.
7.45%, 8/01/29

    335     326,735

Aramark Corp.
8.50%, 2/01/15(a)

    205     208,587

Community Health Systems, Inc.
8.875%, 7/15/15(a)

    191     193,626

DaVita, Inc.
7.25%, 3/15/15

    75     74,063

Dole Food Company, Inc.
8.625%, 5/01/09

    60     59,850

8.875%, 3/15/11

    38     37,430
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Elan Finance PLC/Elan Finance Corp.
7.75%, 11/15/11

  $   315   $ 315,394

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.
10.25%, 6/01/14

    80     86,000

HCA, Inc.
6.375%, 1/15/15

    215     182,750

6.50%, 2/15/16

    155     131,169

6.75%, 7/15/13

    170     154,700

9.625%, 11/15/16(a)(g)

    250     268,750

IASIS Healthcare Corp.
8.75%, 6/15/14

    145     145,000

Select Medical Corp.
7.625%, 2/01/15

    117     104,715

Stater Brothers Holdings
8.125%, 6/15/12

    65     65,487

Tenet Healthcare Corp.
7.375%, 2/01/13

    140     126,525

9.875%, 7/01/14

    80     79,200

Ventas Realty LP/CAP CRP
6.75%, 4/01/17

    84     82,950

Viant Holdings, Inc.
10.125%, 7/15/17(a)

    85     85,425

Visant Corp.
7.625%, 10/01/12

    80     79,600
       
      2,807,956
       

ENERGY–2.4%

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.
7.50%, 9/15/13

    75     76,312

7.75%, 1/15/15

    260     264,550

Compagnie Generale de Geophysique-Veritas
7.50%, 5/15/15

    85     85,000

7.75%, 5/15/17

    15     15,188

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.
7.75%, 11/01/15(a)

    55     53,350

PetroHawk Energy Corp.
Series WI
9.125%, 7/15/13

    107     113,152

Range Resources Corp.
7.50%, 5/15/16

    110     111,375

Tesoro Corp.
6.25%, 11/01/12

    140     138,950

6.50%, 6/01/17(a)

    100     97,750
       
      955,627
       

OTHER INDUSTRIAL–1.0%

   

FastenTech, Inc.
11.50%, 5/01/11

    85     89,887

RBS Global, Inc. and Rexnord Corp.
9.50%, 8/01/14

    110     112,750

11.75%, 8/01/16

    60     64,500

Sensus Metering Systems, Inc.
8.625%, 12/15/13

    125     126,875
       
      394,012
       


 

5


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SERVICES–0.3%

   

Horizon Lines LLC
9.00%, 11/01/12

  $     88   $ 93,060

West Corp.
9.50%, 10/15/14

    40     41,000
       
      134,060
       

TECHNOLOGY–4.4%

   

Amkor Technology, Inc.
9.25%, 6/01/16

    180     185,400

Avago Technologies Finance
10.125%, 12/01/13

    110     117,150

CA, Inc.
4.75%, 12/01/09(a)

    110     107,349

Flextronics International Ltd.
6.50%, 5/15/13

    175     164,938

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
8.875%, 12/15/14(a)

    290     276,950

10.125%, 12/15/16(a)

    80     75,200

Iron Mountain, Inc.
6.625%, 1/01/16

    145     133,037

Nortel Networks Ltd.
10.125%, 7/15/13(a)

    125     134,063

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC
8.106%, 10/15/13(b)

    90     90,112

9.50%, 10/15/15

    40     39,400

Seagate Technology HDD Holding
6.375%, 10/01/11

    119     116,025

Sungard Data Systems, Inc.
9.125%, 8/15/13

    260     266,175
       
      1,705,799
       

TRANSPORTATION—
AIRLINES–0.8%

   

AMR Corp.
9.00%, 8/01/12

    131     134,275

Continental Airlines, Inc.
7.875%, 7/02/18

    44     45,231

8.75%, 12/01/11

    145     142,100
       
      321,606
       

TRANSPORTATION—
SERVICES–0.9%

   

Avis Budget Car Rental
7.75%, 5/15/16

    145     147,900

Hertz Corp.
8.875%, 1/01/14

    105     109,463

10.50%, 1/01/16

    100     110,500
       
      367,863
       
      26,869,014
       

UTILITY–12.9%

   

ELECTRIC–10.1%

   

The AES Corp.
7.75%, 3/01/14

    300     300,750

8.75%, 5/15/13(a)

    55     58,025
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Allegheny Energy Supply
7.80%, 3/15/11

  $   140   $ 145,250

8.25%, 4/15/12(a)

    250     266,250

CMS Energy Corp.
8.50%, 4/15/11

    105     111,680

Dynegy Holdings, Inc.
7.75%, 6/01/19(a)

    105     97,650

8.375%, 5/01/16

    285     278,588

Dynegy-Roseton Danskammer Series B
7.67%, 11/08/16

    195     201,825

Edison Mission Energy
7.00%, 5/15/17(a)

    255     240,338

7.50%, 6/15/13

    250     247,500

7.75%, 6/15/16

    80     79,600

Mirant Americas Generation LLC
8.50%, 10/01/21

    275     287,375

NRG Energy, Inc.
7.25%, 2/01/14

    45     45,112

7.375%, 2/01/16-1/15/17

    505     506,637

Reliant Energy, Inc.
7.625%, 6/15/14

    120     117,000

7.875%, 6/15/17

    155     150,737

Sierra Pacific Power Co.
Series M
6.00%, 5/15/16

    85     83,365

Sierra Pacific Resources
8.625%, 3/15/14

    130     139,531

TECO Energy, Inc.
7.00%, 5/01/12

    180     186,007

TXU Corp.
5.55%, 11/15/14

    235     199,498

Series Q

6.50%, 11/15/24

    234     193,485
       
      3,936,203
       

NATURAL GAS–2.8%

   

El Paso Corp.
7.375%, 12/15/12

    145     149,177

Enterprise Products Operating LP
8.375%, 8/01/66(h)

    305     325,512

Regency Energy Partners
8.375%, 12/15/13(a)

    75     77,250

Williams Cos, Inc.
7.625%, 7/15/19

    257     271,135

7.875%, 9/01/21

    255     274,125
       
      1,097,199
       
      5,033,402
       

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–5.2%

   

Derivatives—RACERS–5.2%

   

Racers SER 06-6
5.296%, 7/01/08(a)(b)

    1,950     2,041,028
       

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–1.5%

 

BROKERAGE–1.1%

   

E*Trade Financial Corp.
7.375%, 9/15/13

    95     96,425

7.875%, 12/01/15

    324     337,365
       
      433,790
       


 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

INSURANCE–0.4%

   

Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.
7.75%, 5/01/17(a)

  $     95   $ 92,863

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.
7.80%, 3/15/37(a)

    80     75,322
       
      168,185
       
      601,975
       

Total Corporates—
Non-Investment Grades
(cost $35,045,570)

      34,545,419
       

CORPORATES— INVESTMENT
GRADES–3.8%

   
   

INDUSTRIAL–3.4%

   

COMMUNICATIONS—
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.7%

   

Mobifon Holdings BV
12.50%, 7/31/10

    220     234,850

Qwest Corp.
6.875%, 9/15/33

    240     225,000

8.875%, 3/15/12

    165     177,787
       
      637,637
       

CONSUMER
NON-CYCLICAL–1.7%

   

Cadbury Schweppes US Finance LLC
5.125%, 10/01/13(a)

    105     100,871

Reynolds American, Inc.
7.25%, 6/01/12-6/01/13

    365     378,598

7.625%, 6/01/16

    185     195,876
       
      675,345
       
      1,312,982
       

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.4%

   

FINANCE–0.4%

   

SLM Corp.
4.50%, 7/26/10

    90     83,215

5.125%, 8/27/12

    90     79,668
       
      162,883
       

Total Corporates—
Investment Grades
(cost $1,425,780)

      1,475,865
       
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

EMERGING MARKETS—
NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–0.4%

   
   

INDUSTRIAL–0.4%

   

CONSUMER
CYCLICAL—OTHER–0.4%

   

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
8.75%, 2/02/11
(cost $132,836)

  $   140   $ 151,247
       
   

Shares

 

   

PREFERRED STOCKS–0.3%

   
   

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.3%

 

REITS–0.3%

   

Sovereign REIT
12.00%(a)
(cost $87,659)

    93     133,455
       

WARRANTS–0.0%

   

Pliant Corp., expiring
6/01/10(d)(e)(i)
(cost $1,820)

    50     1
       
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

 

   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.5%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.5%

   

The Bank of New York
4.25%, 7/02/07
(cost $977,000)

  $ 977     977,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–95.2%

(cost $37,670,665)

      37,282,987

Other assets less
liabilities–4.8%

      1,886,177
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 39,169,164
       


 

7


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(a) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $7,148,128 or 18.2% of net assets.

 

(b) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

(c) Indicates a security that has a zero coupon that remains in effect until a predetermined date at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective until final maturity.

 

(d) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 0.01% of net assets as of June 30, 2007, are considered illiquid and restricted.

 

Restricted Securities    Acquisition
Date
   Acquisition
Cost
   Market
Value
   Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Russell-Stanley Holdings, Inc.
9.00%, 11/30/08
   11/09/01-6/06/05    $   463,798    $   4,566    0.01 %
Pliant Corp.—Warrants
expiring 6/01/10
   12/01/00      1,820      0    0.00  

 

(e) Illiquid security, valued at fair value. (See note A)

 

(f) Security is in default and is non-income producing.

 

(g) Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK).

 

(h) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2007.

 

(i) Non-income producing security.

 

 

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $37,670,665)

   $ 37,282,987  

Cash

     76  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,428,802  

Interest receivable

     723,644  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     103,550  
        

Total assets

     39,539,059  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     268,969  

Custodian fee payable

     22,419  

Administrative fee payable

     19,260  

Audit fee payable

     19,121  

Advisory fee payable

     16,776  

Distribution fee payable

     2,209  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     4  

Accrued expenses

     21,078  
        

Total liabilities

     369,895  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 39,169,164  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 5,607  

Additional paid-in capital

     53,086,127  

Undistributed net investment income

     1,344,318  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (14,879,210 )

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (387,678 )
        
   $ 39,169,164  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   28,933,790      4,140,394      $   6.99

B

     $   10,235,374      1,466,329      $   6.98

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,603,038  

Dividends

     18,300  
        

Total investment income

     1,621,338  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     102,451  

Distribution fee—Class B

     13,386  

Transfer agency—Class A

     900  

Transfer agency—Class B

     318  

Custodian

     65,853  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,121  

Printing

     8,947  

Legal

     5,832  

Directors’ fees

     789  

Miscellaneous

     1,896  
        

Total expenses

     266,493  
        

Net investment income

     1,354,845  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     601,158  

Foreign currency transactions

     (3 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (1,039,493 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     2  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (438,336 )
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 916,509  
        

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,354,845     $ 3,005,496  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     601,155       62,081  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (1,039,491 )     629,809  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     916,509       3,697,386  

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (2,229,347 )     (2,871,248 )

Class B

     (775,329 )     (898,607 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (1,266,532 )     (3,457,134 )
                

Total decrease

     (3,354,699 )     (3,529,603 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     42,523,863       46,053,466  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,344,318 and $2,994,149, respectively)

   $ 39,169,164     $ 42,523,863  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek to earn the highest level of current income without assuming undue risk by investing principally in high-yielding, fixed-income securities rated Baa or lower by Moody’s or BBB or lower by S&P or Fitch or, if unrated, of comparable quantity as determined by the Adviser. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .50% of the first $2.5 billion, .45% of the next $2.5 billion and .40% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .75% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

13


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 11,326,295     $ 15,519,339  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

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 are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 748,319  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,135,997 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (387,678 )
        

1. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order 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 currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation 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 currency exchange 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.

2. Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets.

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. 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. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. 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’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  118,627     349,149       $ 877,562     $ 2,548,855  

Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividends

  313,551     415,521         2,229,347       2,871,248  

Shares redeemed

  (575,350 )   (1,189,723 )       (4,335,372 )     (8,617,635 )
                             

Net decrease

  (143,172 )   (425,053 )     $ (1,228,463 )   $ (3,197,532 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  26,743     238,934       $ 201,139     $ 1,751,148  

Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividends

  109,201     130,233         775,329       898,607  

Shares redeemed

  (135,600 )   (399,441 )       (1,014,537 )     (2,909,357 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  344     (30,274 )     $ (38,069 )   $ (259,602 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

 

15


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 3,769,855    $ 4,142,420
             

Total taxable distributions

     3,769,855      4,142,420
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 3,769,855    $ 4,142,420
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,994,149  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (15,467,665 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     639,113 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (11,834,403 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $15,461,228 of which $2,200,265 expires in the year 2007, $5,774,960 expires in the year 2008, $2,890,265 expires in the year 2009, $4,208,388 expires in the year 2010, $125,778 expires in the year 2013, and $261,572 expires in the year 2014. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. Based on certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code, various limitations regarding the future utilization of these carryforwards, brought forward as a result of the Portfolio’s merger with Brinson Series Trust High Income Portfolio, may apply. During the current fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized no capital loss carryforwards. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2007 post-October loss of $6,437.

 

(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 I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

 

17


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

19


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $7.40     $7.43     $7.97     $7.91     $6.83     $7.51  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .25     .51     .58     .60 (b)   .55     .54 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.08 )   .12     (.45 )   (.01 )   .95     (.76 )
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  .17     .63     .13     .59     1.50     (.22 )
                                   
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.58 )   (.66 )   (.67 )   (.53 )   (.42 )   (.46 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $6.99     $7.40     $7.43     $7.97     $7.91     $6.83  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  2.20 %   9.05 %   1.78 %   7.98 %   22.44 %   (3.03 )%
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $28,934     $31,701     $34,968     $42,842     $48,076     $34,765  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.24 %(d)   1.20 %(e)   1.09 %   1.04 %   1.46 %   1.18 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.24 %(d)   1.20 %(e)   1.09 %   1.21 %   1.46 %   1.45 %

Net investment income

  6.68 %(d)   6.98 %(e)   7.58 %   7.74 %(b)   7.48 %   7.78 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  29 %   57 %   54 %   80 %   105 %   83 %

 


See footnote summary on page 21.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,    

July 22,
2002(f) to
December 31,

2002

 
      2006     2005     2004     2003    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $7.38     $7.41     $7.95     $7.91     $6.84     $6.45  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .24     .49     .56     .58 (b)   .52     .15 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.08 )   .12     (.45 )   (.02 )   .97     .24  
                                   

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .16     .61     .11     .56     1.49     .39  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.56 )   (.64 )   (.65 )   (.52 )   (.42 )   –0
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $6.98     $7.38     $7.41     $7.95     $7.91     $6.84  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  2.08 %   8.76 %   1.54 %   7.62 %   22.24 %   6.05 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $10,235     $10,823     $11,085     $12,558     $7,962     $366  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.49 %(d)   1.45 %(e)   1.34 %   1.30 %   1.70 %   1.42 %(d)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.49 %(d)   1.45 %(e)   1.34 %   1.47 %   1.70 %   1.63 %(d)

Net investment income

  6.43 %(d)   6.72 %(e)   7.33 %   7.51 %(b)   7.19 %   8.39 %(b)(d)

Portfolio turnover rate

  29 %   57 %   54 %   80 %   105 %   83 %

 


 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed 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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(f) Commencement of distribution.

 

21


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund (the “Fund”) in respect of AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Fund, which is available through variable annuity and variable life contracts offered by other financial institutions, offers policyholders the option to utilize the Portfolio as the investment option underlying their insurance contracts.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in connection with the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Net Assets
09/30/06
(million)
   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Portfolio

High Income

   $ 41.9    50 bp on1st $2.5 billion
45 bp on next $2.5 billion
40 bp on the balance
   High Yield Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $75,250 (0.15% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year end total expense ratios:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

High Yield Portfolio

   Class A    1.09 %    December 31
   Class B    1.34 %   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on October 23, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on October 31-November 2, 2006.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of the costs are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the fund is in net redemption, and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fees based on September 30, 2006 net assets.

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
09/30/06
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory Fee
 

High Yield Portfolio

   $ 41.9    High Yield Schedule    0.567 %    0.500 %
      65 bp on 1st $20 million      
      50 bp on next $20 million      
      40 bp on next $20 million      
      35 bp on the balance      
      Minimum Account Size: $20 m      

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, Inc.5

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Fee Schedule

High Yield Portfolio6

   High Yield Fund, Inc.      0.50% on first $2.5 billion
        0.45% on next $2.5 billion
        0.40% on the balance

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule, although it should be noted that there were no such institutional accounts that are similar in investment style as the Portfolio, which opened in the last year. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, Inc. was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the fund’s advisory fee schedule is identical to that of the Portfolio.

 

6 The fund is a clone of the Portfolio.

 

23


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

for Global High Yield and U.S. High Yield, which are Luxembourg funds that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee7  

Global High Yield

  

Class A

   1.70 %

Class I (Institutional)

   1.15 %

U.S. High Yield

  

Class A

   1.55 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.75 %

The Alliance Capital Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ACITM”), which are offered to investors in Japan, have an “all-in” fee to compensate the Adviser for investment advisory as well as fund accounting and administrative related services. The fee schedule of the ACITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio    ACITM Mutual Fund      Fee  

High Yield Portfolio

   High Yield Open Fund      1.00 %

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed advisory fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes.9 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
   Lipper
Expense
Group
Median
   Rank

High Yield Portfolio

   0.500    0.670    3/15

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.11

 


 

7 Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

8 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

9 Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the Lipper EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio   Expense
Ratio
(%)12
   Lipper
Expense Group
Median (%)
   Rank    Lipper
Expense Universe
Median (%)
   Rank

High Yield Portfolio

  1.095    0.884    14/15    0.759    48/49

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees and Rule 12b-1 payments.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Portfolio’s principal underwriter. The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, ABI received $29,535 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI for distribution related services. ABI may in turn compensate brokers for their distribution assistance. ABI will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or reports and advertising in connection with the offering of Class B shares to the public as well as fees and expenses in connection with its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state laws. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it paid $58,282 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,13 ABI paid approximately $125,000 in 2005 and expects to pay approximately $150,000 in 2006 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), an affiliate of the Adviser.14 ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.15

 


 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

13 Includes other Portfolios (Equity and Blend) of the Fund that are not discussed in this evaluation.

 

14 It should be noted that the insurance companies to which the variable products are linked to provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolio, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

15 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

25


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule being proposed reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent they exist. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, economists, who have written on this subject, had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among economists as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets were to exceed the initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $659 billion as of September 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3 and 5 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio16 relative to the Portfolio’s Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)17 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended June 30, 2006.18

 

High Yield Portfolio   Portfolio Return    PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

  2.34    4.33    4.53    14/15    51/52

3 year

  6.27    6.98    7.60    13/14    45/47

5 year

  5.98    6.96    7.63    11/13    39/45

Set forth below are the 1, 3, and 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark:19

 

     Periods Ending June 30, 2006 Annualized Performance
Portfolio   1 Year    3 Year    5 Year    Since Inception

High Yield Portfolio

  2.34    6.27    5.98    2.62

Lehman Brothers U.S. High Yield—2% Issuer Cap Index

  4.37    8.41    8.79    5.49

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: December 1, 2006

 


 

16 The performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio that is shown was provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be one or two basis points different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

17 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU. Outliers and funds with negative management fees are excluded from EUs but not necessarily from PUs.

 

18 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

19 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through June 30, 2006.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/
High Grade Securities Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenes you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenes you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,009.34    $   3.84    0.77 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.98    $   3.86    0.77 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,008.33    $   5.08    1.02 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.74    $   5.11    1.02 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

   $   38,410,941      40.0 %

Corporate-Investment Grade

     16,290,252      17.0  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     12,685,463      13.2  

U.S. Treasuries

     6,790,387      7.1  

Asset-Backed Securities

     5,298,331      5.5  

Government Related

     4,248,610      4.4  

Mortgage CMO’s

     2,301,709      2.4  

Corporate-Non-Investment Grade

     150,097      0.1  

Short-Term Investments

     9,899,330      10.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 96,075,120      100.0 %

 

2


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

MORTGAGE PASS-
THRU’S–42.8%

   

FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–31.4%

   

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

6.00%, TBA

  $   2,325   $ 2,301,025

Series 2005

   

4.50%, 8/01/35–10/01/35

    1,375     1,251,664

Series 2007

   

7.00%, 2/01/37

    1,176     1,206,565

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

4.50%, TBA

    460     418,169

6.00%, TBA

    955     943,958

6.50%, TBA

    3,100     3,129,062

Series 2003

   

5.50%, 4/01/33–7/01/33

    3,694     3,578,809

Series 2004

   

5.50%, 4/01/34–11/01/34

    1,186     1,148,732

Series 2005

   

5.50%, 2/01/35–7/01/35

    2,815     2,725,633

Series 2006

   

5.00%, 2/01/36

    2,487     2,336,503

5.50%, 1/01/36–5/01/36

    5,443     5,263,148

6.50%, 8/01/36–11/01/36

    2,799     2,826,510

Series 2007

   

5.50%, 5/01/36

    1,131     1,093,462
       
      28,223,240
       

FIXED RATE 15-YEAR–4.6%

   

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2006

   

5.00%, 4/01/21

    1,032     997,303

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2005

   

5.00%, 4/01/19

    1,749     1,696,392

Series 2006

   

5.00%, 4/01/21

    1,443     1,394,811
       
      4,088,506
       

NON-AGENCY ARMS–3.4%

   

Banc of America Funding Corp.

   

Series 2007-C, Class 1A3

   

5.763%, 5/20/47(a)

    430     424,439

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust

   

Series 2006-3, Class 22A1

   

6.219%, 5/25/36(b)

    193     193,236

Series 2007-1, Class 21A1

   

5.74%, 1/25/47(b)

    275     274,174

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.

   

Series 2005-2, Class 1A4

   

5.107%, 5/25/35(b)

    491     481,101

Series 2006-AR1, Class 3A1

   

5.50%, 3/25/36(a)

    591     593,196
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust

   

Series 2006-AR7, Class 4A1

   

6.237%, 5/25/36(b)

  $   253   $ 253,599

JPMorgan Alternative Loan Trust

   

Series 2006-A3, Class 2A1

   

6.067%, 7/25/36(b)

    517     516,859

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005-SA3, Class 3A

   

5.235%, 8/25/35(b)

    323     317,841
       
      3,054,445
       

AGENCY ARMS–3.4%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2007

   

6.05%, 4/01/37(a)

    462     462,948

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2005

   

4.182%, 9/01/35(a)

    369     371,551

Series 2006

   

5.802%, 3/01/36(a)

    486     488,061

5.862%, 11/01/36(a)

    726     734,611

Series 2007

   

5.776%, 1/01/37(a)

    520     521,448

6.056%, 2/01/37(a)

    463     466,131
       
      3,044,750
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $39,035,314)

      38,410,941
       

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–18.1%

   

INDUSTRIAL–10.2%

   

BASIC–0.6%

   

The Dow Chemical Co.

   

7.375%, 11/01/29

    20     21,647

International Paper Co.

   

5.30%, 4/01/15

    190     179,423

Lubrizol Corp.

   

4.625%, 10/01/09

    120     117,646

Westvaco Corp.

   

8.20%, 1/15/30

    50     52,900

Weyerhaeuser Co.

   

5.95%, 11/01/08

    175     176,285
       
      547,901
       

CAPITAL GOODS–1.1%

   

Hutchison Whampoa International, Ltd.

   

7.45%, 11/24/33(c)

    185     204,189

Textron Financial Corp.

   

4.125%, 3/03/08

    315     312,448

Textron, Inc.

   

6.375%, 11/15/08

    125     126,810


 

3


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Tyco International Group, SA

   

6.00%, 11/15/13

  $   155   $ 159,159

Waste Management, Inc.

   

6.875%, 5/15/09

    205     209,659
       
      1,012,265
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA – 1.7%

   

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

   

6.875%, 2/23/09

    100     102,048

BSKYB Finance UK PLC

   

5.625%, 10/15/15(c)

    170     163,886

Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc.

   

9.455%, 11/15/22

    125     158,644

Comcast Cable Communications LLC

   

6.875%, 6/15/09

    250     255,969

Comcast Corp.

   

5.30%, 1/15/14

    155     149,410

5.50%, 3/15/11

    185     184,069

News America, Inc.

   

6.55%, 3/15/33

    100     97,528

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.

   

4.95%, 4/01/14

    65     59,382

Time Warner Entertainment Co.

   

8.375%, 3/15/23

    235     269,765

WPP Finance Corp.

   

5.875%, 6/15/14

    120     119,034
       
      1,559,735
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–3.1%

   

AT&T Corp.

   

8.00%, 11/15/31

    20     23,772

British Telecommunications PLC

   

8.625%, 12/15/10

    310     338,758

Embarq Corp.

   

6.738%, 6/01/13

    20     20,381

7.082%, 6/01/16

    355     356,989

New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc.

   

7.875%, 3/01/11

    180     193,532

8.75%, 3/01/31

    105     130,895

Pacific Bell

   

6.625%, 10/15/34

    280     277,971

Sprint Capital Corp.

   

8.375%, 3/15/12

    365     397,628

Telecom Italia Capital SA

   

4.00%, 11/15/08–1/15/10

    500     482,753

6.375%, 11/15/33

    40     37,678

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

4.90%, 9/15/15

    115     107,642

Verizon New Jersey, Inc.

   

Series A

   

5.875%, 1/17/12

    170     170,632
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Vodafone Group PLC

   

5.50%, 6/15/11

  $   200   $ 198,389
       
      2,737,020
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

   

DaimlerChrysler North America

   

4.875%, 6/15/10

    110     107,904
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER –0.5%

   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

   

7.375%, 11/15/15

    179     177,114

7.875%, 5/01/12

    187     194,732

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.

   

6.875%, 11/15/12

    95     96,828
       
      468,674
       

CONSUMER NON-
CYCLICAL –2.0%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

   

7.75%, 1/15/27

    155     181,274

Cadbury Schweppes US Finance LLC

   

5.125%, 10/01/13(c)

    245     235,364

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

   

7.875%, 9/15/10

    102     108,807

Fisher Scientific International, Inc.

   

6.125%, 7/01/15

    230     225,839

6.75%, 8/15/14

    45     45,156

Kraft Foods, Inc.

   

4.125%, 11/12/09

    415     402,033

5.25%, 10/01/13

    220     211,546

The Kroger Co.

   

6.80%, 12/15/18

    75     76,007

Safeway, Inc.

   

4.125%, 11/01/08

    73     71,868

4.80%, 7/16/07

    85     84,954

Wyeth

   

5.50%, 2/01/14

    141     138,968
       
      1,781,816
       

ENERGY–0.4%

   

Amerada Hess Corp.

   

7.875%, 10/01/29

    165     185,984

Valero Energy Corp.

   

6.875%, 4/15/12

    180     188,501
       
      374,485
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.7%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

   

7.45%, 10/15/29

    90     91,660

Series B

   

6.50%, 8/01/13

    281     277,727

IBM Corp.

   

4.375%, 6/01/09

    90     88,588

Motorola, Inc.

   

6.50%, 9/01/25

    125     119,567

7.50%, 5/15/25

    25     26,305


 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

7.625%, 11/15/10

  $   22   $   23,187
       
      627,034
       
      9,216,834
       

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–6.0%

   

BANKING–3.0%

   

Barclays Bank PLC

   

8.55%, 6/15/11(b)(c)

    365     401,954

Huntington National Bank

   

4.375%, 1/15/10

    250     243,505

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

6.75%, 2/01/11

    285     296,103

MUFG Capital Finance 1 Ltd.

   

6.346%, 7/25/16(b)

    105     103,170

RBS Capital Trust III

   

5.512%, 9/29/49(b)

    335     321,972

Resona Preferred Global Securities

   

7.191%, 7/30/15(b)(c)

    135     138,039

UBS Preferred Funding Trust I

   

8.622%, 10/01/10(b)

    180     195,634

UFJ Finance Aruba AEC

   

6.75%, 7/15/13

    240     253,415

Wachovia Capital Trust III

   

5.80%, 3/15/11(b)

    180     179,216

Washington Mutual, Inc.

   

4.00%, 1/15/09

    310     303,283

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

4.20%, 1/15/10

    195     190,062

Zions Bancorporation

   

5.50%, 11/16/15

    105     100,917
       
   

 

2,727,270

       

BROKERAGE–0.2%

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

   

4.75%, 7/15/13

    125     118,315

5.125%, 1/15/15

    105     99,775
       
      218,090
       

FINANCE–1.3%

   

American General Finance Corp.

   

4.625%, 5/15/09

    340     335,306

Capital One Bank

   

6.50%, 6/13/13

    140     143,786

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.

   

4.00%, 3/22/11

    105     98,421

4.25%, 12/19/07

    265     263,433

General Electric Capital Corp.

   

4.375%, 11/21/11

    35     33,465

6.75%, 3/15/32

    20     21,699

HSBC Finance Inc.

   

7.00%, 5/15/12

    115     121,081

iStar Financial, Inc.

   

5.15%, 3/01/12

    125     120,287
       
      1,137,478
       
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

INSURANCE–1.3%

   

Assurant, Inc.

   

5.625%, 2/15/14

  $   70   $   68,506

Humana, Inc.

   

6.30%, 8/01/18

    215     212,463

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.

   

5.75%, 3/15/14(c)

    145     140,279

Marsh & McLennan Cos, Inc.

   

5.75%, 9/15/15

    430     406,322

WellPoint, Inc.

   

4.25%, 12/15/09

    320     309,970
       
      1,137,540
       

REITS–0.2%

   

Simon Property Group LP

   

6.375%, 11/15/07

    145     145,406
       
      5,365,784
       

UTILITY–1.9%

   

ELECTRIC–1.7%

   

Carolina Power & Light Co.

   

6.50%, 7/15/12

    215     222,897

Consumers Energy Co.

   

Series C

   

4.25%, 4/15/08

    130     128,683

Exelon Corp.

   

6.75%, 5/01/11

    95     97,962

FirstEnergy Corp.

   

Series B

   

6.45%, 11/15/11

    95     97,414

Series C

   

7.375%, 11/15/31

    105     113,668

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.

   

5.875%, 10/01/12

    135     136,165

Nisource Finance Corp.

   

7.875%, 11/15/10

    110     117,126

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

   

4.80%, 3/01/14

    215     203,195

Progress Energy, Inc.

   

7.10%, 3/01/11

    73     76,494

Public Service Company of Colorado

   

7.875%, 10/01/12

    100     109,718

SPI Electricity & Gas Australia Holdings Pty Ltd.

   

6.15%, 11/15/13(c)

    235     237,623
       
      1,540,945
       

NATURAL GAS–0.2%

   

Duke Energy Field Services Corp.

   

7.875%, 8/16/10

    70     74,337

Enterprise Products Operating L.P.

   

Series B

   

5.60%, 10/15/14

    95     92,352
       
      166,689
       
      1,707,634
       

Total Corporates–Investment Grades

(cost $16,328,675)

      16,290,252
       


 

5


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–14.1%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE
CMBS–14.0%

   

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc.

   

Series 2001-PB1, Class A2

   

5.787%, 5/11/35

  $   333   $ 333,999

Series 2004-4, Class A3

   

4.128%, 7/10/42

    410     398,519

Series 2004-6, Class A2

   

4.161%, 12/10/42

    525     509,185

Series 2005-6, Class A4

   

5.353%, 9/10/47 (b)

    680     653,680

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005-PWR7, Class A3

   

5.116%, 2/11/41

    505     484,514

Series 2005-T18, Class A4

   

4.933%, 2/13/42

    530     500,531

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.

   

Series 2003-CK2, Class A2

   

3.861%, 3/15/36

    360     353,560

Series 2005-C1, Class A4

   

5.014%, 2/15/38(b)

    450     426,678

GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2005-C3, Class A3FX

   

4.863%, 7/10/45

    455     445,596

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp.

   

Series 2003-C1, Class A4

   

4.111%, 7/05/35

    450     415,732

Series 2005-GG3, Class A2

   

4.305%, 8/10/42

    530     516,315

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II

   

Series 2004-GG2, Class A6

   

5.396%, 8/10/38(b)

    300     293,459

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.

   

Series 2004-C1, Class A2

   

4.302%, 1/15/38

    95     90,580

Series 2005-LDP1, Class A4

   

5.038%, 3/15/46(b)

    550     524,271

Series 2005-LDP3, Class A2

   

4.851%, 8/15/42

    405     395,764

Series 2005-LDP4, Class A2

   

4.79%, 10/15/42

    465     453,822

Series 2005-LDP5, Class A2

   

5.198%, 12/15/44

    360     354,627

Series 2006-CB14, Class A4

   

5.481%, 12/12/44

    195     190,224

Series 2006-CB15, Class A4

   

5.814%, 6/12/43

    290     288,074
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2003-C3, Class A4

   

4.166%, 5/15/32

  $   430   $ 397,451

Series 2004-C4, Class A4

   

5.132%, 6/15/29(b)

    830     816,423

Series 2004-C8, Class A2

   

4.201%, 12/15/29

    420     407,224

Series 2005–C1, Class A4

   

4.742%, 2/15/30

    365     341,620

Series 2005–C7, Class A4

   

5.197%, 11/15/30

    340     326,060

Series 2006–C1, Class A4

   

5.156%, 2/15/31

    485     463,581

Series 2006–C6, Class A4

   

5.372%, 9/15/39

    530     513,989

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2005–CKI1, Class A6

   

5.417%, 11/12/37(b)

    280     270,314

Series 2005–MKB2, Class A2

   

4.806%, 9/12/42

    655     642,906

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2006–2, Class A4

   

6.105%, 6/12/46(b)

    145     146,084

Morgan Stanley Capital I

   

Series 2005–T17, Class A5

   

4.78%, 12/13/41

    655     615,679
       
      12,570,461
       

NON–AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE CMBS–0.1%

   

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II

   

Series 2007–EOP, Class E

   

5.76%, 3/06/20(a)(c)

    115     115,002
       

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $13,070,402)

      12,685,463
       

ASSET–BACKED SECURITIES-5.9%

   

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE –3.1%

   

Asset Backed Funding Certificates

   

Series 2003–WF1, Class A2

   

6.07%, 12/25/32(a)

    136     136,159

Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005–SD1, Class 1A1

   

5.47%, 4/25/22(a)

    42     41,872

GE–WMC Mortgage Securities LLC

   

Series 2005–2, Class A2B

   

5.49%, 12/25/35(a)

    285     285,134

HFC Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Certificates

   

Series 2005–3, Class A1

   

5.58%, 1/20/35(a)

    192     192,220


 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Home Equity Asset Trust FRN

   

Series 2007–2, Class M1

   

5.75%, 7/25/37(a)

  $   475   $   477,147

Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust

   

Series 2006–D, Class 2A2

   

5.43%, 11/25/36(a)

    490     489,387

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust

   

Series 2007–2, Class M1

   

5.68%, 3/25/37(a)

    160     159,632

RAAC Series

   

Series 2006–SP3, Class A1

   

5.40%, 8/25/36(a)

    140     139,857

Residential Asset Mortgage Products , Inc.

   

Series 2005–RZ1, Class A2

   

5.52%, 4/25/35(a)

    264     263,532

Residential Asset Mortgage Products, Inc.

   

Series 2005–RS3, Class AIA2

   

5.49%, 3/25/35(a)

    136     136,019

Saxon Asset Securities Trust

   

Series 2005–4, Class A2B

   

5.50%, 11/25/37(a)

    234     234,477

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance

   

Series 2006–BC1, Class A2A

   

5.40%, 12/25/36(a)

    119     118,542

Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust

   

Series 2006–1, Class A1

   

5.40%, 1/25/36(a)

    63     63,215
       
      2,737,193
       

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–1.8%

   

Citifinancial Mortgage Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2003–1, Class AFPT

   

3.36%, 1/25/33(d)

    116     109,502

Countrywide Asset–Backed Certificates

   

Series 2007–S1, Class A3

   

5.81%, 2/25/37(b)

    475     465,794

Credit–Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2003–CB1, Class AF

   

3.45%, 1/25/33(d)

    252     241,376

Series 2005–CB7, Class AF2

   

5.147%, 11/25/35(d)

    260     258,419

Home Equity Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2005–4, Class A3

   

4.742%, 1/25/36(d)

    257     255,350

Series 2006–1, Class A2

   

5.30%, 5/25/36(d)

    120     117,206
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, Inc.

   

Series 2005–HI2, Class A3

   

4.46%, 5/25/35

  $   210   $   208,102
       
      1,655,749
       

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–0.5%

   

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust

   

Series 2005–SN1A, Class A3A

   

4.10%, 6/15/08

    82     82,403

Capital One Prime Auto Receivables Trust

   

Series 2005–1, Class A3

   

4.32%, 8/15/09

    365     363,627
       
      446,030
       

CREDIT CARDS–FIXED RATE –0.4%

   

Providian Gateway Master Trust

   

Series 2004–DA, Class A

   

3.35%, 9/15/11(c)

    360     358,594
       

OTHER–FIXED RATE–0.1%

   

DB Master Finance, LLC

   

Series 2006–1, Class A2

   

5.779%, 6/20/31(c)

    100     100,765
       

Total Asset–Backed Securities (cost $5,319,931)

      5,298,331
       

U.S. TREASURIES–5.6%

   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   

4.50%, 2/15/36

    4,130     3,739,587

8.75%, 5/15/17

    975     1,249,219
       

Total U.S. Treasuries

(cost $5,069,306)

      4,988,806
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–NON-U.S. ISSUER–4.7%

   

SOVEREIGNS–4.7%

   

United Mexican States

   

5.625%, 1/15/17

    1,490     1,458,710

7.50%, 1/14/12

    425     455,387

Russian Federation

   

7.5%, 3/31/30(c)(d)

    1,721     1,889,182

Republic of South Africa

   

5.875%, 5/30/22

    455     445,331
       

Total Government-Related–Non–U.S. Issuers

(cost $4,088,810)

      4,248,610
       

MORTGAGE CMO’S–2.6%

   

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE–1.4%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust

   

Series 2005-62, Class 2A1

   

6.029%, 12/25/35(a)

    181     181,701


 

7


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Series 2007-OA3, Class M1

   

5.63%, 4/25/47(a)

  $   145   $ 144,014

Washington Mutual, Inc.

   

Series 2005-AR2, Class 2A22

   

5.54%, 1/25/45(a)

    31     30,711

Series 2007-OA1, Class A1A

   

5.729%, 2/25/47(a)

    414     414,041

Series 2007-OA3, Class B1

   

5.77%, 4/25/47(a)

    449     449,267
       
      1,219,734
       

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–1.1%

   

Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust

   

Series 2006-11, Class 1A2

   

6.354%, 8/25/36(b)

    290     290,426

Residential Accredit Loans, Inc.

   

Series 2007-QS1, Class 1A1

   

6.00%, 1/25/37

    324     324,942

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust

   

Series 2006-AR11, Class A4

   

5.519%, 8/25/36(b)

    418     416,231
       
      1,031,599
       

AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE –0.1%

   

Fannie Mae Grantor Trust

   

Series 2004-T5, Class AB4

   

5.59%, 5/28/35(a)

    50     50,376
       

Total Mortgage CMO’s
(cost $2,301,673)

      2,301,709
       

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–2.0%

   

U.S. Treasury Notes

   

2.375%, 4/15/11 (TIPS)
(cost $1,795,661)

    1,822     1,801,581
       
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   
   

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT
GRADES–0.2%

   

INDUSTRIAL –0.2%

   

BASIC –0.2%

   

Packaging Corp. of America

   

5.75%, 8/01/13
(cost $152,245)

  $   155   $ 150,097  
         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS -11.0%

   

AGENCY DISCOUNT NOTES–7.7%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Zero Coupon, 7/09/07

    3,460     3,456,568  

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Zero Coupon, 7/27/07

    3,455     3,442,762  
         
      6,899,330  
         

TIME DEPOSIT –3.3%

   

The Bank of New York

   

4.25%, 7/02/07

    3,000     3,000,000  
         

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $9,899,332)

   

 

9,899,330

 

         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 107.0%

   

(cost $97,061,349)

      96,075,120  

Other assets less liabilities–(7.0)%

      (6,261,950 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 89,813,170  
         


 

8


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INTEREST RATE SWAP TRANSACTIONS (see Note D)

 

Swap Counterparty

  

Notional
Amount
(000)

  

Termination
Date

   Rate Type    

Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

        

Payments

made by

the Portfolio

  

Payments

received by
the Portfolio

   

Lehman Brothers

   $   3,505    11/02/07    3 month LIBOR    4.814 %   $   (12,809)

Lehman Brothers

     1,500    12/04/11    3 month LIBOR    4.850 %     (36,758)

Lehman Brothers

     1,000    3/02/16    3 month LIBOR    5.063 %     (26,361)

 

 


 

(a) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

(b) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2007.

 

(c) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $3,984,877 or 4.4% of net assets.

 

(d) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

   Glossary:

 

   LIBOR — London Interbank Offered Rates

 

   TBA—To Be Announced

 

   TIPS— Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $97,061,349)

   $ 96,075,120  

Cash

     2,754  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     2,483,347  

Interest receivable

     671,366  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     548,047  
        

Total assets

     99,780,634  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of interest rate swap contracts

     75,928  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     9,719,967  

Advisory fee payable

     34,221  

Administrative fee payable

     19,260  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     5,075  

Distribution fee payable

     4,399  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     59  

Accrued expenses

     108,555  
        

Total liabilities

     9,967,464  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 89,813,170  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 7,933  

Additional paid-in capital

     89,692,059  

Undistributed net investment income

     2,058,352  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (883,017 )

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (1,062,157 )
        
   $ 89,813,170  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—1 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   68,645,470      6,052,746      $   11.34

B

     $   21,167,700      1,880,740      $   11.25

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 2,441,392  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     208,677  

Distribution fee—Class B

     26,915  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,306  

Transfer agency—Class B

     394  

Custodian

     65,277  

Administrative

     47,000  

Audit

     19,122  

Printing

     11,470  

Legal

     4,090  

Directors’ fees

     751  

Miscellaneous

     730  
        

Total expenses

     385,732  
        

Net investment income

     2,055,660  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     46,121  

Swap contracts

     (16,645 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (1,138,106 )

Swap contracts

     (42,185 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (1,150,815 )
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 904,845  
        

 

 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11


 
U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,055,660     $ 4,179,465  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions

     29,476       (488,396 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (1,180,291 )     (107,606 )
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     904,845       3,583,463  

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (3,234,289 )     (3,081,304 )

Class B

     (911,329 )     (907,122 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (940,741 )     (13,645,101 )
                

Total decrease

     (4,181,514 )     (14,050,064 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     93,994,684       108,044,748  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,058,352 and $4,148,310, respectively)

   $ 89,813,170     $ 93,994,684  
                

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek high current income consistent with preservation of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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 are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In general, the market value of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows. Securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed put or call options are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day; open futures contracts and options thereon are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; securities traded in the over-the-counter market, (“OTC”) are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or other comparable sources; U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security; and OTC and other derivatives are valued on the basis of a quoted bid price or spread from a major broker/dealer in such security.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities.

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange 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.

 

13


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, 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 policy of the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

5. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .45% of the first $2.5 billion, .40% of the next $2.5 billion and .35% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .60% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

14


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, 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 limits 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 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 Portfolios to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 7,389,955    $ 9,994,919

U.S. government securities

  

 

19,469,178

  

 

19,371,576

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 swap contracts) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  

$

469,120

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,455,349 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (986,229 )
        

1. Swap Agreements

The Portfolio may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates and credit risk or for investment purposes. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interest payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential credit risk. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities.

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 133, the Portfolio accrues for the interim payments on swap contracts on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/loss on swaps, in addition to realized gain/loss recorded upon the termination of swap contracts on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a compontent of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments.

 

15


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Portfolio earned income of $3,721 from dollar rolls which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 500,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  388,121     550,917       $ 4,629,386     $ 6,425,976  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  284,709     273,408         3,234,289       3,081,304  

Shares redeemed

  (704,589 )   (1,788,599 )       (8,339,913 )     (20,867,204 )
                             

Net decrease

  (31,759 )   (964,274 )     $ (476,238 )   $ (11,359,924 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  166,051     249,876       $ 1,926,378     $ 2,910,537  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  80,863     81,065         911,329       907,122  

Shares redeemed

  (280,036 )   (526,368 )       (3,302,210 )     (6,102,836 )
                             

Net decrease

  (33,122 )   (195,427 )     $ (464,503 )   $ (2,285,177 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Portfolio’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency 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 U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 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, 2007.

 

16


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distribution to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006     2005

Distributions paid from:

    

Ordinary income

   $ 3,988,426     $ 5,187,497

Net long-term capital gains

     –0     1,607,841
              

Total taxable distributions

     3,988,426       6,795,338
              

Total distributions paid

   $ 3,988,426     $ 6,795,338
              

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 4,130,972  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (906,806 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     129,785 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 3,353,951  
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $904,187, all of which expires in the year 2013. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2007, post October long term capital losses of $2,619.

 

(b) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the recognition for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

 

17


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA

 

18


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

19


 
U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.78     $11.82     $12.28     $12.56     $12.54     $12.00  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .27     .50     .41     .32 (b)   .26     .42  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (.16 )   (.06 )   (.17 )   .12     .23     .49  
                                   

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .11     .44     .24     .44     .49     .91  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.55 )   (.48 )   (.36 )   (.36 )   (.37 )   (.37 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  –0   –0   (.34 )   (.36 )   (.10 )   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.55 )   (.48 )   (.70 )   (.72 )   (.47 )   (.37 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.34     $11.78     $11.82     $12.28     $12.56     $12.54  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  .93 %   3.93 %   1.98 %   3.77 %   3.88 %   7.79 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $68,645     $71,655     $83,329     $102,543     $129,194     $164,265  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .77 %(d)   .77 %(e)   .71 %   .68 %   .77 %   .82 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .77 %(d)   .77 %(e)   .71 %   .78 %   .77 %   .82 %

Net investment income

  4.49 %(d)   4.25 %(e)   3.37 %   2.46 %(b)   2.10 %   3.49 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  30 %   327 %   529 %   662 %   748 %   551 %

 


See footnote summary on page 21.

 

20


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.67     $11.72     $12.18     $12.47     $12.47     $11.94  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

 

.25

 

  .46     .38     .28 (b)   .24     .39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

 

(.15

)

  (.06 )   (.17 )   .13     .21     .49  
                                   

Net increase in net asset value from operations

 

.10

 

  .40     .21     .41     .45     .88  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

 

(.52

)

  (.45 )   (.33 )   (.34 )   (.35 )   (.35 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  –0   –0   (.34 )   (.36 )   (.10 )   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.52 )   (.45 )   (.67 )   (.70 )   (.45 )   (.35 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.25     $11.67     $11.72     $12.18     $12.47     $12.47  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  .83 %   3.59 %   1.75 %   3.52 %   3.61 %   7.54 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $21,168     $22,340     $24,716     $25,744     $21,982     $10,602  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.02 %(d)   1.02 %(e)   .96 %   .93 %   1.03 %   1.07 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.02 %(d)   1.02 %(e)   .96 %   1.03 %   1.03 %   1.07 %

Net investment income

  4.24 %(d)   4.01 %(e)   3.14 %   2.19 %(b)   1.89 %   3.25 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  30 %   327 %   529 %   662 %   748 %   551 %

 

 


 

(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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

21


 
U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund (the “Fund”) in respect of AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Fund, which is available through variable annuity and variable life contracts offered by other financial institutions, offers policyholders the option to utilize the Portfolio as the investment option underlying their insurance contracts.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in connection with the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Net Assets
09/30/06
(million)
   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Portfolio

Low Risk Income

   $ 96.9    45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion    U.S. Government/High Grade
      40 bp on next $2.5 billion    Securities Portfolio
      35 bp on the balance   

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $75,250 (0.06% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year end total expense ratios:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio

   Class A    0.71 %    December 31
   Class B    0.96 %   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on October 23, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on October 31-November 2, 2006.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

22


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of the costs are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the fund is in net redemption, and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fees based on September 30, 2006 net assets.

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
09/30/06
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio

  

$

96.9

  

U.S. Core High Grade Schedule

40 bp on 1st $20 million

25 bp on next $80 million

20 bp on next $100 million

15 bp on the balance

Minimum Account Size: $20m

  

0.281

%

  

0.450

%

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc.–U.S. Government Portfolio, a retail mutual fund, which has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities.5

 

Portfolio

   AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund      Fee Schedule

U.S. Government/High Grade
Securities Portfolio

  

AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc.–
U.S. Government Portfolio

    

0.45% on first $2.5 billion 0.40% on next $2.5 billion 0.35% on the balance

The Adviser represented that it does not sub-advise any registered investment company with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

 


 

4 The Adviser has indicated that with respect to institutional accounts with assets greater than $300 million, it will negotiate a fee schedule, although it should be noted that there were no such institutional accounts that are similar in investment style as the Portfolio, which opened in the last year. Discounts that are negotiated vary based upon each client relationship.

 

5 AllianceBernstein U.S. Government Portfolio/High Grade Securities was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the fund’s advisory fee schedule is identical to that of the Portfolio.

 

23


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed advisory fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.6

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes.7 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds. However, because the Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers, at the request of the Adviser and the Senior Officer, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment classification/objective.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee8
   Lipper
Expense Group
Median
   Rank

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio9

   0.450    0.500    2/12

Because Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s EG, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”) was also expanded to include universes of those peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification.10 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment objective/classification as the subject fund.11 Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s total expense ratio and the medians of the Portfolio’s EGs and EUs. The Portfolio’s total expense ratio rankings are also shown:

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)12
   Lipper Exp.
Group
Median (%)
   Lipper
Group
Rank
   Lipper Exp.
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio13

   0.707    0.661    11/12    0.612    30/36

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

 


 

6 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

7 Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

8 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

9 The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, six other A-rated Corporate Debt funds and five BBB-rated Corporate Debt funds.

 

10 The expansion of the Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Adviser or the Senior Officer. They requested that only the EGs be expanded.

 

11 Except for asset size comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

13 The Portfolio’s EU includes all other A-rated Corporate Debt funds and BBB-rated Corporate Debt funds, excluding outliers.

 

24


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees and Rule 12b-1 payments.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Portfolio’s principal underwriter. The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the ‘40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, ABI received $64,906 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI for distribution related services. ABI may in turn compensate brokers for their distribution assistance. ABI will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or reports and advertising in connection with the offering of Class B shares to the public as well as fees and expenses in connection with its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state laws. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it paid $152,981 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,14 ABI paid approximately $125,000 in 2005 and expects to pay approximately $150,000 in 2006 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), an affiliate of the Adviser.15 ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.16

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule being proposed reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent they exist. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, economists, who have written on this subject, had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among economists as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets were to exceed the initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

 


 

14 Includes other Portfolios (Equity and Blend) of the Fund that are not discussed in this evaluation.

 

15 It should be noted that the insurance companies to which the variable products are linked to provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolio, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

16 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

25


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $659 billion as of September 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5, and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to the Portfolio’s Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)18 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended June 30, 2006.19

 

U.S. Government /
High Grade Securities Portfolio
   Portfolio Return    PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   -1.00    -0.85    -0.76    7/7    19/21

3 year

   1.67    2.06    2.12    6/7    17/19

5 year

   4.23    4.62    4.71    6/7    17/19

10 year

   5.50    5.58    5.70    7/7    17/19

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, and 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark:20

 

      Periods Ending June 30,
2006 Annualized Performance
Portfolio    1 Year    3 Year    5 Year    10 Year    Since
Inception

U.S. Government/
High Grade Securities Portfolio

   -1.00    1.67    4.23    5.50    5.35

Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index

   -1.16    1.31    4.73    6.04    6.02

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: December 1, 2006

 


 

17 The performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio that is shown was provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be one or two basis points different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

18 The Portfolio’s PG and PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG and EU. Outliers and funds with negative management fees are excluded from EUs but not necessarily from PUs. In addition, the PG/PU only includes funds of the same Lipper investment classification/objective as the Portfolio, in contrast to the EG/EU, which may include funds of similar (but not the same) investment classification/objective.

 

19 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

20 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through June 30, 2006.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio

 

June 30, 2007

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Money Market Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,021.88    $ 4.86    0.97 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.98    $ 4.86    0.97 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.62    $ 6.11    1.22 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.74    $ 6.11    1.22 %

 


 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund
Company   Yield         
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–101.2%

     

COMMERCIAL
PAPER–83.5%

     

ABN-Amro N Amer Fin, Inc. 8/06/07

  5.23 %   $ 900   $ 895,424

Anglo Irish Bk Corp. PLC 7/18/07(a)

  5.24 %     750     748,253

ASB Finance Ltd. London 9/10/07(a)

  5.26 %     850     841,315

Bank of America 7/02/07

  5.25 %     1,600     1,600,000

Bank of Ireland 7/13/07(a)

  5.24 %     750     748,800

Banque Caisse Depargne Letat C 7/12/07

  5.24 %     1,600     1,597,673

Barclays Bank PLC 8/15/07

  5.24 %     1,900     1,887,843

BNP Paribas Finance 7/23/07

  5.25 %     1,650     1,644,952

Caisse Centrale Jardin 9/04/07(a)

  5.26 %     700     693,460

Calyon NY 7/06/07

  5.23 %     1,500     1,499,128

Citigroup Global Markets 8/02/07

  5.26 %     1,600     1,592,753

Credit Suisse New York 8/20/07

  5.25 %     700     694,998

Dexia 9/06/07

  5.23 %     900     891,371

DNB Nor Bank Asa 10/26/07

  5.16 %     800     786,699

Fortis Funding LLC 7/05/07(a)

  5.25 %     750     749,672

Fountain Square Funding 7/03/07(a)

  5.23 %     2,000     1,999,709

General Electric Corp. 8/01/07

  5.25 %     1,000     995,625

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 10/25/07

  5.16 %     1,000     983,517

HBOS Treasury 10/11/07

  5.18 %     1,900     1,872,388

HSBC Finance Corp. 7/19/07

  5.24 %     1,550     1,546,165

ING (US) Funding LLC 8/23/07

  5.22 %     900     893,214

MetLife, Inc. 9/17/07(a)

  5.24 %     850     840,473

Newport Funding Corp. 8/10/07(a)

  5.23 %     900     894,901

Northern Rock PLC 8/09/07(a)

  5.24 %     750     745,856

Old Line Funding
7/24/07(a)

  5.26 %     850     847,268

Park Avenue Receivables
7/17/07(a)

  5.26 %     1,600     1,596,493
Company   Yield         
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
     
     

Prudential PLC 7/11/07(a)

  5.24 %   $ 2,000   $ 1,997,380  

Rabobank USA Finance Corp. 7/02/07

  5.32 %     1,400     1,400,000  

Royal Bk of Scotland PLC 7/25/07

  5.25 %     1,500     1,494,974  

Society Generale 9/13/07

  5.25 %     850     840,951  

Swedbank 8/03/07

  5.22 %     750     746,520  

Toronto Dominion Hld USA 8/08/07(a)

  5.25 %     850     845,418  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp. 7/20/07

  5.25 %     1,500     1,496,062  

Unicred Ital Bk Ireland 8/07/07(a)

  5.23 %     750     746,077  

Westpac Banking Corp. 8/21/07(a)

  5.31 %     750     744,542  
           
        40,399,874  
           

CERTIFICATE OF
DEPOSIT–9.8%

     

Branch Banking & Trust 8/13/07

  5.34 %     800     800,004  

Depfa Bank PLC
8/24/07(a)

  5.30 %     900     900,000  

Lloyds Bank Yankee 7/10/07

  5.27 %     1,550     1,550,000  

Norinchukin Bank 7/09/07

  5.32 %     800     800,000  

Regions Bank 8/17/07

  5.28 %     700     700,000  
           
        4,750,004  
           

CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS–7.7%

     

K2 USA LLC
1/22/08(a)(b)

  5.30 %     700     699,998  

Series MTn 5/01/08(a)(b)

  5.31 %     1,000     1,000,000  

Sigma Finance, Inc. 4/30/08(a)(b)

  5.30 %     1,000     1,000,000  

World Savings Bank FSB 5/08/08(b)

  5.32 %     1,000     1,000,246  
           
        3,700,244  
           

TIME DEPOSIT–0.2%

     

The Bank of New York 7/02/07

  4.25 %     120     120,000  
           

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.2%
(cost $48,970,122)

        48,970,122  

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.2)%

        (590,490 )
           

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 48,379,632  
           

 


 


 

(a) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $18,639,615 or 38.5% of net assets.

 

(b) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2007.

 

   See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

2


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $48,970,122)

   $ 48,970,122  

Cash

     143  

Interest receivable

     68,631  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     36,279  
        

Total assets

     49,075,175  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     448,190  

Dividends payable

     162,217  

Administrative fee payable

     19,613  

Advisory fee payable

     19,277  

Distribution fee payable

     5,233  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     64  

Accrued expenses

     40,949  
        

Total liabilities

     695,543  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 48,379,632  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 48,396  

Additional paid-in capital

     48,331,718  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (31 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (451 )
        
   $ 48,379,632  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—2 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 25,477,137      25,483,764      $ 1.00

B

     $ 22,902,495      22,912,469      $ 1.00

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

3


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,388,277
      

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee

     116,962

Distribution fee—Class B

     30,330

Transfer agency—Class A

     834

Transfer agency—Class B

     734

Custodian

     56,159

Administrative

     47,000

Audit

     18,511

Printing

     7,684

Legal

     3,048

Directors’ fees

     739

Miscellaneous

     576
      

Total expenses

     282,577
      

Net investment income

     1,105,700
      

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 1,105,700
      

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,105,700     $ 2,343,758  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     –0–       8  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     1,105,700       2,343,766  

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (605,705 )     (1,343,672 )

Class B

     (500,026 )     (1,015,586 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (3,244,723 )     (4,508,069 )
                

Total decrease

     (3,244,754 )     (4,523,561 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     51,624,386       56,147,947  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($31) and $0, respectively)

   $ 48,379,632     $ 51,624,386  
                

 

 

 


See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2007 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek safety of principal, excellent liquidity and maximum current income to the extent consistent with the first two objectives. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers twenty-three 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, 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

Securities in which the Portfolio invests are valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value, under which method a portfolio instrument is valued at cost and any premium or discount is amortized on a constant basis to maturity.

2. 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.

3. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

4. Class Allocations

All income earned and expenses incurred by the Portfolio 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 for class specific expenses which are allocated to the respective class. Expenses of the Fund are charged to each Portfolio in proportion to net assets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated among the various share classes based on their respective net assets.

5. Dividends and Distributions

The Portfolio declares dividends daily from net investment income. The dividends are paid monthly. Net realized gains distributions, if any, will be made 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .45% of the first $2.5 billion, .40% of the next $2.5 billion and .35% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to September 7, 2004, the Portfolio paid AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) an advisory fee at an annual rate of .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $47,000 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, 2007.

 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein 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 $391 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

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 AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits 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 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.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

At June 30, 2007, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 1,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  11,225,580     27,295,967       $ 11,225,580     $ 27,295,967  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  605,705     1,343,672         605,705       1,343,672  

Shares redeemed

  (13,441,375 )   (31,914,301 )       (13,441,375 )     (31,914,301 )
                             

Net decrease

  (1,610,090 )   (3,274,662 )     $ (1,610,090 )   $ (3,274,662 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  14,272,945     32,590,916       $ 14,272,945     $ 32,590,916  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  500,026     1,015,586         500,026       1,015,586  

Shares redeemed

  (16,407,604 )   (34,839,909 )       (16,407,604 )     (34,839,909 )
                             

Net decrease

  (1,634,633 )   (1,233,407 )     $ (1,634,633 )   $ (1,233,407 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—The Portfolio’s primary risks are interest rate risk and credit risk. Because the Portfolio invests in short-term securities, a decline in interest rates will affect the Portfolio’s yield as the securities mature or are sold and the Portfolio purchases new short-term securities with a lower yield. Generally, an increase in interest rates causes the value of a debt instrument to decrease. The change in value for shorter-term securities is usually smaller than for securities with longer maturities. Because the Portfolio invests in securities with short maturities and seek to maintain stable net asset value of $1.00 per share, it is possible, though unlikely, that an increase in interest rates would change the value of your investment.

 

7


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Credit risk is the possibility that a security’s credit rating will be downgraded or that the issuer of the security will default (fail to make scheduled interest and principal payments). The Portfolio’s invests in highly-rated securities to minimize credit risk.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

NOTE G: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2007 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 2,359,258    $ 1,393,923
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 2,359,258    $ 1,393,923
             

As of December 31, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (451 )(a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (451 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2006, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $451, of which $242 expires in the year 2012, and $209 which expires in 2013. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Portfolio utilized $8 of capital loss carryforward.

NOTE H: Legal Proceedings

As has been previously reported, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Office of New York Attorney General (“NYAG”) have been investigating practices in the mutual fund industry identified as “market timing” and “late trading” of mutual fund shares. Certain other regulatory authorities have also been conducting investigations into these practices within the industry and have requested that the Adviser provide information to them. The Adviser has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with all of these authorities.

On December 18, 2003, the Adviser confirmed that it had reached terms with the SEC and the NYAG for the resolution of regulatory claims relating to the practice of “market timing” mutual fund shares in some of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. The agreement with the SEC is reflected in an Order of the Commission (“SEC Order”). The agreement with the NYAG is memorialized in an Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”). Among the key provisions of these agreements are the following:

 

(i) The Adviser agreed to establish a $250 million fund (the “Reimbursement Fund”) to compensate mutual fund shareholders for the adverse effects of market timing attributable to market timing relationships described in the SEC Order. According to the SEC Order, the Reimbursement Fund is to be paid, in order of priority, to fund investors based on (i) their aliquot share of losses suffered by the fund due to market timing, and (ii) a proportionate share of advisory fees paid by such fund during the period of such market timing;

 

(ii) The Adviser agreed to reduce the advisory fees it receives from some of the AllianceBernstein long-term, open-end retail funds until December 31, 2008; and

 

(iii) The Adviser agreed to implement changes to its governance and compliance procedures. Additionally, the SEC Order and the NYAG Order contemplate that the Adviser’s registered investment company clients, including the Fund, will introduce governance and compliance changes.

In anticipation of final, definitive documentation of the NYAG Order and effective January 1, 2004, the Adviser began waiving a portion of its advisory fee. On September 7, 2004, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement was amended to reflect the reduced advisory fee. For more information on this waiver and amendment to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, please see “Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates” above.

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

A special committee of the Adviser’s Board of Directors, comprised of the members of the Adviser’s Audit Committee and the other independent member of the Adviser’s Board, directed and oversaw an internal investigation and a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances relevant to the SEC’s and the NYAG’s investigations.

In addition, the Independent Directors of the Fund (“the Independent Directors”) have conducted an investigation of the above-mentioned matters with the advice of an independent economic consultant and independent counsel.

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. (“Alliance Holding”), Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA Financial, Inc., the AllianceBernstein Funds, certain officers of the Adviser (“Alliance defendants”), and certain other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser, as well as unnamed Doe defendants. The Hindo Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of two of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain of the Alliance defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of AllianceBernstein Fund securities, violating Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts.

Since October 2, 2003, 43 additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against the Adviser and certain other defendants. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the “Mutual Fund MDL”).

On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding; and claims brought under ERISA by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Adviser. All four complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the SEC Order and the NYAG Order.

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding remain pending.

On February 10, 2004, the Adviser received (i) a subpoena duces tecum from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia and (ii) a request for information from West Virginia’s Office of the State Auditor, Securities Commission (the “West Virginia Securities Commissioner”) (together, the “Information Requests”). Both Information Requests require the Adviser to produce documents concerning, among other things, any market timing or late trading in the Adviser’s sponsored mutual funds. The Adviser responded to the Information Requests and has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

On April 11, 2005, a complaint entitled The Attorney General of the State of West Virginia v. AIM Advisors, Inc., et al. (“WVAG Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, and various other defendants not affiliated with the Adviser. The WVAG Complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of Marshall County, West Virginia by the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia. The WVAG Complaint makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint. On October 19, 2005, the WVAG Complaint was transferred to the Mutual Fund MDL.

On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Securities Commissioner signed a Summary Order to Cease and Desist, and Notice of Right to Hearing addressed to the Adviser and Alliance Holding. The Summary Order claims that the Adviser and Alliance Holding violated the West Virginia Uniform Securities Act, and makes factual allegations generally similar to those in the Commission Order and the NYAG Order. On January 25, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding moved to vacate the Summary Order. In early September 2006, the court denied this motion, and the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia denied the defendants’ petition for appeal. On September 22, 2006, the Adviser and Alliance Holding filed an answer and moved to dismiss the Summary Order with the West Virginia Securities Commissioner.

On June 22, 2004, a purported class action complaint entitled Aucoin, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management L.P., et al. (“Aucoin Complaint”) was filed against the Adviser, Alliance Holding, Alliance Capital Management Corporation, AXA

 

9


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial, Inc., AllianceBernstein Investment Research & Management, Inc., certain current and former directors of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and unnamed Doe defendants. The Aucoin Complaint names certain of the AllianceBernstein mutual funds as nominal defendants. The Aucoin Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by alleged shareholders of an AllianceBernstein mutual fund. The Aucoin Complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that certain of the defendants improperly authorized the payment of excessive commissions and other fees from fund assets to broker-dealers in exchange for preferential marketing services, (ii) that certain of the defendants misrepresented and omitted from registration statements and other reports material facts concerning such payments, and (iii) that certain defendants caused such conduct as control persons of other defendants. The Aucoin Complaint asserts claims for violation of Sections 34(b), 36(b) and 48(a) of the Investment Company Act, Sections 206 and 215 of the Advisers Act, breach of common law fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting breaches of common law fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and punitive damages, rescission of their contracts with the Adviser, including recovery of all fees paid to the Adviser pursuant to such contracts, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, and restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and expenses.

Since June 22, 2004, nine additional lawsuits making factual allegations substantially similar to those in the Aucoin Complaint were filed against the Adviser and certain other defendants. All nine of the lawsuits (i) were brought as class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) assert claims substantially identical to the Aucoin Complaint, and (iii) are brought on behalf of shareholders of the Funds.

On February 2, 2005, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint (“Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint”) that asserts claims substantially similar to the Aucoin Complaint and the nine additional lawsuits referenced above. On October 19, 2005, the District Court dismissed each of the claims set forth in the Aucoin Consolidated Amended Complaint, except for plaintiffs’ claim under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. On January 11, 2006, the District Court granted defendants’ motion for reconsideration and dismissed the remaining Section 36(b) claim. On May 31, 2006 the District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On July 5, 2006, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal which was subsequently withdrawn subject to plaintiffs’ right to reinstate it at a later date. On June 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ time to file an appeal expired. On July 11, 2007 the parties submitted a fully executed Stipulation Withdrawing Appeal to the court.

It is possible that these matters and/or other developments resulting from these matters could result in increased redemptions of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shares or other adverse consequences to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. This may require the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to sell investments held by those funds to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. However, the Adviser believes that these matters are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform advisory services relating to the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds.

NOTE I: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On December 22, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission notified the industry that the implementation of FIN 48 by registered investment companies could be delayed until the last business day of the first required financial statement reporting period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and determined that there was no effect on the financial statements.

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

10


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  
                                               
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income

    .02       .04       .02       .01 (a)     .01       .01  
                                               
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    (.02 )     (.04 )     (.02 )     (.01 )     (.01 )     (.01 )
                                               

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  
                                               
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    2.19 %     4.22 %     2.35 %     .71 %     .53 %     1.10 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $ 25,477     $ 27,087     $ 30,370     $ 36,740     $ 54,847     $ 97,216  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

    .97 %(c)     .93 %(d)     .93 %     .69 %     .66 %     .68 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

    .97 %(c)     .93 %(d)     .93 %     .73 %     .66 %     .68 %

Net investment income

    4.37 %(c)     4.13 %(d)     2.30 %     .68 %(a)     .55 %     1.10 %

 

 


See footnote summary on page 12.

 

11


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2007
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income

  .02     .04     .02     –0 -(a)(e)   –0 –(e)   .01  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.02 )   (.04 )   (.02 )   –0 –(e)   –0 –(e)   (.01 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  2.06 %   3.96 %   2.10 %   .46 %   .28 %   .85 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $22,903     $24,537     $25,778     $28,287     $47,946     $52,316  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.22 %(c)   1.19 %(d)   1.19 %   .94 %   .91 %   .93 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.22 %(c)   1.19 %(d)   1.19 %   .98 %   .91 %   .93 %

Net investment income

  4.12 %(c)   3.89 %(d)   2.06 %   .41 %(a)   .29 %   .85 %

 

 


 

(a) Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser.

 

(b) 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.

 

(c) Annualized.

 

(d) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(e) Amount is less than $.01 per share.

 

12


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE SHAREHOLDER REPORT OR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund (the “Fund”) in respect of AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by an August 2004 agreement between the Adviser and the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”). The Fund, which is available through variable annuity and variable life contracts offered by other financial institutions, offers policyholders the option to utilize the Portfolio as the investment option underlying their insurance contracts.

The Senior Officer’s evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement is not meant to diminish the responsibility or authority of the Board of Directors of the Fund to perform its duties pursuant to Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and applicable state law. The purpose of the summary is to provide shareholders with a synopsis of the independent evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees proposed to be paid by the Portfolio which was provided to the Directors in connection with their review of the proposed approval of the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Senior Officer’s evaluation considered the following factors:

 

  1. Advisory fees charged to institutional and other clients of the Adviser for like services;

 

  2. Advisory fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services;

 

  3. Costs to the Adviser and its affiliates of supplying services pursuant to the advisory agreement, excluding any intra-corporate profit;

 

  4. Profit margins of the Adviser and its affiliates from supplying such services;

 

  5. Possible economies of scale as the Portfolio grows larger; and

 

  6. Nature and quality of the Adviser’s services including the performance of the Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposed that the Portfolio pay the advisory fee set forth in the table below for receiving the services to be provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The fee schedule below, implemented in January 2004 in connection with the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplates eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule.3

 

Category    Net Assets
09/30/06
(million)
   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
   Portfolio

Low Risk Income

   $ 59.6    45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
40 bp on next $2.5 billion
35 bp on the balance
   Money Market Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $75,250 (0.12% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

Set forth below are the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year end total expense ratios:

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year

Money Market Portfolio

   Class A 0.93 %    December 31
   Class B 1.19 %   

 


 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on October 23, 2006 and presented to the Board of Directors on October 31-November 2, 2006.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratios refer to the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

3 Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

13


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of the costs are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. In addition, managing the cash flow of an investment company may be more difficult than that of a stable pool of assets, such as an institutional account with little cash movement in either direction, particularly, if the fund is in net redemption, and the Adviser is frequently forced to sell securities to raise cash for redemptions. However, managing a fund with positive cash flow may be easier at times than managing a stable pool of assets. Finally, in recent years, investment advisers have been sued by institutional clients and have suffered reputational damage both by the attendant publicity and outcomes other than complete victories. Accordingly, the legal and reputational risks associated with institutional accounts are greater than previously thought, although still not equal to those related to the mutual fund industry.

Notwithstanding the Adviser’s view that managing an investment company is not comparable to managing other institutional accounts because the services provided are different, it is worth considering information regarding the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product in the Form ADV that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, a retail mutual fund, which has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves: 4

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
     Fee Schedule

Money Market Portfolio

   Exchange Reserves     

0.25% on first $1.25 billion 0.24% on next $0.25 billion

0.23% on next $0.25 billion 0.22% on next $0.25 billion

0.21% on next $1.0 billion

0.20% on the balance

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fee for Short Maturity Dollar, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee5

Short Maturity Dollar

  

Class A

  

1.05% on the 1st €100 million6

1.00% on the next €100 million

0.95% in excess of €200 million

Class I (Institutional)

  

0.50% on the 1st €100 million

0.45% on the next €100 million

0.40% in excess of €200 million

 


 

4 The advisory fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves was not affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG since the fund’s fee schedule already had lower breakpoints than the NYAG related fee schedule for AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds with a category of “Low Risk Income.”

 

5 Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services.

 

6 The current Euro-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate is €1 per $1.26. At that currency exchange rate, €100 million would be equivalent to approximately $126 million. €200 million would be equivalent to approximately $252 million.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser provides sub-advisory investment services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families. The Adviser charges the following fees for the following sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Fund    Sub-advised Fund      Fee Schedule

Money Market Portfolio

   Client No. 1 7   

0.125% on first $100 million

0.10% on next $ 150 million

0.05% thereafter

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser.

II. MANAGEMENT FEES CHARGED BY OTHER MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES FOR LIKE SERVICES.

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed advisory fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.8

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, and expense components and attributes.9 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
   Lipper
Expense Group
Median
   Rank

Money Market Portfolio

   0.450    0.450    6/12

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.11

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)12
   Lipper
Expense Group
Median (%)
   Rank    Lipper
Expense Universe
Median (%)
   Rank

Money Market Portfolio

   0.935    0.610    12/12    0.524    55/55

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a management fee basis than it does on a total expense ratio basis.

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ADVISORY FEE ARRANGEMENT, EXCLUDING ANY INTRA-CORPORATE PROFIT.

A consultant was retained by the Senior Officer to work with the Adviser’s personnel to align the Adviser’s two profitability reporting systems. The alignment, which now has been completed, allows the Adviser’s management and the Directors to

 


 

7 This sub-advised fund has a more restrictive investment style than the Money Market Portfolio; the fund invests primarily in high-quality municipal short-term securities.

 

8 The contractual management fee is calculated by Lipper using the Portfolio’s contractual management fee rate at a hypothetical asset level. The hypothetical asset level is based on the combined net assets of all classes of the Portfolio, rounded up to the next $25 million. Lipper’s total expense ratio information is based on the most recent annual report except as otherwise noted. A ranking of “1” means that the Portfolio has the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

9 Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

10 The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative, and other services.

 

11 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.

 

12 Most recently completed fiscal year Class A share total expense ratio.

 

15


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

receive consistent presentations of the financial results and profitability although the two profitability reporting systems operate independently. See Section IV for additional discussion.

IV. PROFIT MARGINS OF THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR SUPPLYING SUCH SERVICES.

The profitability information for the Portfolio prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio decreased during calendar year 2005 relative to 2004.

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution related services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees and Rule 12b-1 payments.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, is the Portfolio’s principal underwriter. The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the ‘40 Act. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, ABI received $65,764 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

The Adviser may compensate ABI for payments made by ABI for distribution related services. ABI may in turn compensate brokers for their distribution assistance. ABI will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or reports and advertising in connection with the offering of Class B shares to the public as well as fees and expenses in connection with its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state laws. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Adviser determined that it paid $148,295 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,13 ABI paid approximately $125,000 in 2005 and expects to pay approximately $150,000 in 2006 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), an affiliate of the adviser.14 ABIS’ after-tax profitability increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $794 from the Portfolio.15

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that the breakpoints in the fee schedule being proposed reflect a sharing of economies of scale to the extent they exist. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual fund industry, it is thought that to the extent economies of scale exist, they may more often exist across a fund family as opposed to a specific fund. This is because the costs incurred by the Adviser, such as investment research or technology for trading or compliance systems can be spread across a greater asset base as the fund family increases in size. It is also possible that as the level of services required to operate a successful investment company has increased over time, and advisory firms have made such investments in their business to provide improved services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, made a presentation to the Board of Directors regarding possible economies of scale or scope in the mutual fund industry. Based on the presentation, it was evident that fund management companies benefit from economies of scale. However, due to lack of cost data, economists, who have written on this subject,

 


 

13 Includes other Portfolios (Equity and Blend) of the Fund that are not discussed in this evaluation.

 

14 It should be noted that the insurance companies to which the variable products are linked to provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolio, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

15 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2005.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

had to infer facts about the costs from the behavior of fund expenses; there was a lack of consensus among economists as to whether economies of scale were being passed on to the shareholders. In the meantime, it is clear that to the extent a fund’s assets were to exceed the initial breakpoint its shareholders benefit from a lower fee rate.

VI. NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE ADVISER’S SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

With assets under management of approximately $659 billion as of September 30, 2006, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5, and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio16 relative to the Portfolio’s Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) 17 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended June 30, 2006.18

 

Money Market Portfolio (Net)    Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   3.30    3.68    3.80    12/12    65/66

3 year

   1.71    1.94    2.02    12/12    61/63

5 year

   1.56    1.76    1.84    12/12    61/63

10 year

   3.31    3.42    3.53    10/11    54/57
Money Market Portfolio (Gross)    Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   4.27    4.32    4.32    10/12    52/66

3 year

   2.53    2.53    2.55    6/12    38/63

5 year

   2.32    2.36    2.37    11/12    48/63

10 year

   4.02    4.06    4.06    8/11    39/56

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, and 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark:19

 

      Periods Ending June 30, 2006
Annualized Performance Returns (%)
Portfolio    1 Year      3 Year      5 Year      10 Year      Since
Inception

Money Market Portfolio

   3.30      1.71      1.56      3.31      3.38

Lipper VA Money Market Average of funds

   3.70      1.94      1.80      3.51      3.71

CONCLUSION:

Based on the factors discussed above the Senior Officer’s conclusion is that the proposed advisory fee for the Portfolio is reasonable and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arms-length in light of all the surrounding circumstances. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: December 1, 2006

 


 

16 The performance returns and rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns of the Portfolio that is shown was provided by the Adviser. Lipper maintains its own database that includes the Portfolio’s performance returns. However, differences in the distribution price (ex-date versus payable date) and rounding differences may cause the Adviser’s own performance returns of the Portfolio to be different from Lipper. To maintain consistency in this evaluation, the performance returns of the Portfolio, as reported by the Adviser, are provided instead of Lipper.

 

17 The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU. Outliers and funds with negative management fees are excluded from EUs but not necessarily from PUs.

 

18 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if a Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

19 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through June 30, 2006.

 

17


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.


ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:

 

EXHIBIT NO.  

DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

12 (b) (1)   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (b) (2)   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (c)   Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant): AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

By:   /s/ Marc O. Mayer
  Marc O. Mayer
  President
Date:   August 20, 2007

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:   /s/ Marc O. Mayer
  Marc O. Mayer
  President
Date:   August 20, 2007
By:   /s/Joseph J. Mantineo
  Joseph J. Mantineo
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Date:   August 20, 2007