N-CSR 1 dncsr.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

AllianceBernstein 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: December 31, 2007


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 11, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return consistent with reasonable risk, through a combination of income and long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities. The percentage of the Portfolio’s assets invested in each type of security will vary. Normally, the Portfolio’s investments will consist of about 60% in stocks, but stocks may comprise up to 75% of its investments. The Portfolio will not purchase a security if as a result less than 25% of its net assets will be in fixed-income securities. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its assets in high yield securities (securities rated below BBB- by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s or Fitch). As an operating policy, the Portfolio will invest no more than 25% of its investments in high-yield debt securities rated CCC- or below.

The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, loan participations, inflation-protected securities, structured securities, variable, floating and inverse floating rate investments, preferred stocks and may use other investment techniques. The Portfolio invests in short- and long-term debt securities in such proportions and of such type as the Adviser deems best adapted to the current economic and market outlooks. The Portfolio also may invest in equity and fixed-income securities of non-U.S. issuers located in emerging or developed countries. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the performance for the Portfolio compared to its composite benchmark (the “Composite”), a 60%/40% blend of the Russell 1000 Value Index and the Lehman Brothers (LB) Government/Credit Index, respectively, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio’s Class A shares outperformed the Composite for the annual period ended December 31, 2007. A description of both the equity and fixed-income portions of the Portfolio’s performance follows.

The equity allocation of the Portfolio outperformed its equity benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, for the one-year period ended December 31, 2007. Broad-based, strong stock selection drove the Portfolio’s premium versus the Russell 1000 Value Index. The strong fundamental performance of the Portfolio’s holdings, as measured by superior earnings revisions, also helped as the market rewarded stocks with positive revisions and more predictable business models. On the sector selection side, the Portfolio’s underweight position in financials, as well as an emphasis on health care, consumer staples and technology, contributed positively to performance.

A broad liquidity crunch stemming from the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis caused the Portfolio’s fixed-income allocation to underperform its fixed-income benchmark, the LB Government/Credit Index, for the one-year period ended December 31, 2007, as Treasury yields fell and spreads widened across the fixed-income markets. Detracting from relative performance on the fixed-income side were an underweight position in U.S. government debt and exposure to subprime-related asset-backed securities (ABS) and Alt-A mortgage securities, which underperformed. (Alt-A or “alternative” mortgages are home loans made with less than full documentation.) Exposure to collateralized mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), high yield and emerging market debt securities also detracted from performance, while an underweight position in longer maturity corporates helped performance.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

After an extended period of unusual calm, volatility returned to the global capital markets. The catalyst was heightened concern about rising defaults on U.S. subprime mortgages. Initially, this concern depressed valuations of mortgage lenders directly exposed to these mortgages, as well as a range of complex financial instruments backed by mortgages and other loans. But worry about losses on loan-backed financial instruments soon spread throughout the credit markets and radiated outward. Ultimately, very few segments of the capital markets worldwide were unaffected. As investors flocked to the safety of the highest-quality securities, government bond yields fell worldwide and yield spreads widened across the fixed-income markets.

Serious delinquencies on U.S. subprime mortgage loans began to climb early this year, with the most recent loans—those that originated in 2006 and 2007—experiencing delinquencies at an unprecedented rate. In turn, cumulative loan losses began to rise, as well. Many subprime lenders went bankrupt or otherwise closed their doors, making refinancing impossible for many subprime homeowners and all but ensuring losses. Securitizations of subprime debt—whether in the form of ABS or collateralized debt obligations (CDOs)—also dried up with

 

1


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

vanished investor demand, draining liquidity out of these markets. Subprime-backed ABS and Alt-A mortgage securities saw significant price deterioration, despite their AAA and AA ratings.

Central banks—including the European Central Bank, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Canada and the Reserve Bank of Australia—responded by injecting liquidity into the markets via cheap loans to banks; the Fed also cut its discount rate. These measures culminated in the Fed’s dramatic 50-basis-point ease in September and an additional cut of 25 basis points in October, which aimed to restore confidence in the financial markets and put the economy on firmer footing.

The fixed-income markets posted a positive return of 7.23% for the annual period, as represented by the LB Government/Credit Index, with most of that return earned in the final six months of the annual period. Among fixed-income sectors, government securities outperformed in the recent flight to quality. Treasury securities, according to Lehman Brothers, posted a strong return of 9.01%, followed by Agency securities at 7.92%. Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) returned 6.90% and CMBS returned 5.57%. ABS posted a more modest return of 2.21% due to subprime mortgage concerns and weakness in the real estate industry. The flight to quality also impacted investment-grade corporates, which returned 4.56%, and high yield corporates, which returned 1.87%, as subprime and global liquidity concerns led to spread widening. For the year, investment-grade corporate spreads widened 110 basis points to end the period at 198 basis points over neutral-duration Treasuries, while high yield spreads widened 294 basis points to end the period at 569 basis points over Treasuries. Finally, emerging market debt returned 5.16% for the reporting period, as growth in emerging market countries remained quite strong, aided by solid commodity prices.

The Portfolio’s equity Relative Value Investment Team (the “Team”) continued its year-long migration to greater emphasis on consumer staples and health care stocks, which the Team believed would likely do well, even if the U.S. economy were to slow down. The Portfolio continued to be overweight in technology and underweight in interest-rate sensitive financials, utilities, consumer discretionary and energy stocks.

During the annual reporting period, the fixed-income portion of the Portfolio continued to be underweight in Treasuries and Agencies. Exposure to non-benchmark opportunities (mortgages, CMBS, ABS, high yield and select emerging market debt) was maintained. As spreads have widened, more opportunities within the corporate sector, especially A-rated and AA-rated banks and brokers, were identified. The Portfolio’s overall risk positioning remained modest.

 

2


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.9654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged Russell 1000 Value Index nor the unmanaged Lehman Brothers (LB) Government/Credit Index reflects fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Russell 1000 Value Index contains those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a less-than-average growth orientation. The unmanaged Russell 1000 Index is composed of 1000 of the largest capitalized companies that are traded in the United States. The LB Government/Credit Index represents a combination of two indices: the LB Government Index, which is composed of the LB Treasury Index and the LB Agency Index, and the LB Credit Index, which includes investment-grade bonds issued by corporations and non-corporate entities. The composite benchmark represents a 60% / 40% blend of the Russell 1000 Value Index and the LB Government/Credit Index, respectively. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio is a “balanced” portfolio and must invest at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-income securities. The Portfolio has the risk that the allocation of the Portfolio’s investments between equity and fixed-income securities may have a more significant effect on the Portfolio’s net asset value when one of the asset classes is performing more poorly than the other. The value of fixed-income securities will change as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. The Portfolio may invest in high-yield bonds (i.e., “junk bonds”), which involves a greater risk of default and price volatility than investing in other bonds. Investing in below-investment grade bonds presents special risks, including credit risk. The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities, which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. In order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Portfolio’s prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

            
THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio Class A

   3.05%      9.22%      7.14%  

AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio Class B

   2.75%      8.95%      5.30% *

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

   2.90%      10.58%      7.32%  

Russell 1000 Value Index

   -0.17%      14.63%      7.68%  

Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Index

   7.23%      4.43%      6.01%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 10/26/01.

 

† Reflects the positive impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit: www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf

 

  

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.73% and 0.98% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s composite benchmark, a 60%/40% blend of the Russell 1000 Value Index and the Lehman Brothers (LB) Government/Credit Index, respectively, as well as the individual indices alone. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 995.01    $   3.47    0.69 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,021.73    $ 3.52    0.69 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 993.48    $ 4.77    0.95 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.42    $ 4.84    0.95 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

   $ 10,452,815      6.1 %

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Bonds & Common Stock)

     5,273,918      3.1  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     4,899,987      2.9  

Altria Group, Inc.

     4,867,352      2.9  

Emerson Electric Co

     4,385,484      2.6  

Wellpoint, Inc. (Bonds & Common Stock)

     4,160,831      2.4  

American International Group, Inc.

     3,935,250      2.3  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     3,503,640      2.1  

ACE Ltd.

     3,453,502      2.0  

Total SA

     3,130,540      1.8  
                 
     $   48,063,319      28.2 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 38,478,749      23.2 %

Industrials

     25,512,660      15.4  

Health Care

     17,547,687      10.6  

Energy

     16,080,573      9.7  

Information Technology

     15,018,064      9.0  

Consumer Staples

     12,711,083      7.7  

U.S. Treasuries

     8,955,219      5.4  

Consumer Discretionary

     5,396,231      3.2  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     4,072,754      2.4  

Telecommunication Services

     4,013,877      2.4  

Mortgage Pass Throughs

     3,457,002      2.1  

Government Related

     3,330,852      2.0  

Other**

     9,780,539      5.9  

Short-Term Investments

     1,678,000      1.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   166,033,290      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 2.0% weightings in the following sectors: Asset Backed Securities, Corporate Sector, Emerging Markets-Non-Investment Grades, Inflation-Linked, Materials, Mortgage CMOs, Non-Corporate Sectors and Utilities.

 

   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 Poors. The fund 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.

 

6


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–64.2%

   
   

FINANCIALS–15.8%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.9%

   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

  16,320   $ 795,763

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  11,700     1,338,831

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  1,600     344,080

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  9,900     647,856

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  22,400     1,202,432

Northern Trust Corp.

  29,300     2,243,794
       
      6,572,756
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.7%

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

  39,200     1,183,448
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–5.2%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  45,800     1,889,708

Citigroup, Inc.

  64,700     1,904,768

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  117,600     5,133,240
       
      8,927,716
       

INSURANCE–6.0%

   

ACE Ltd.

  55,900     3,453,502

American International Group, Inc.

  67,500     3,935,250

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

  52,700     2,053,719

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  6,200     540,578

Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

  5,900     224,023
       
      10,207,072
       
      26,890,992
       

HEALTH CARE–10.3%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.6%

   

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  13,100     1,094,898
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS &
SERVICES–5.4%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  27,400     1,581,802

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  60,200     3,503,640

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  46,600     4,088,218
       
      9,173,660
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.3%

   

Eli Lilly & Co.

  38,100     2,034,159

Forest Laboratories, Inc.(a)

  17,800     648,810

Merck & Co., Inc.

  28,100     1,632,891

Pfizer, Inc.

  59,600     1,354,708

Schering-Plough Corp.

  21,400     570,096

Wyeth

  23,500     1,038,465
       
      7,279,129
       
      17,547,687
       

ENERGY–9.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.2%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  11,310     917,241

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  6,200     298,406

Nabors Industries Ltd.(a)

  30,100     824,439
       
      2,040,086
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–8.2%

   

Chevron Corp.

  32,000   $ 2,986,560

ConocoPhillips

  9,100     803,530

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  52,300     4,899,987

Marathon Oil Corp.

  15,700     955,502

Noble Energy, Inc.

  15,900     1,264,368

Total SA (ADR)

  37,900     3,130,540
       
      14,040,487
       
      16,080,573
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–8.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  51,000     1,380,570
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.7%

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  8,400     424,032

International Business Machines Corp.

  15,200     1,643,120

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  141,325     2,562,223
       
      4,629,375
       

IT SERVICES–1.3%

   

Accenture Ltd.–Class A

  63,200     2,277,096
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.3%

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

  35,700     634,032

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  2,400     62,736

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a)

  42,900     485,199

Intel Corp.

  54,100     1,442,306

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  35,700     1,214,514
       
      3,838,787
       

SOFTWARE–1.7%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  9,200     393,116

Microsoft Corp.

  70,200     2,499,120
       
      2,892,236
       
      15,018,064
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–7.5%

   

BEVERAGES–0.4%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  8,100     614,790
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.3%

   

Safeway, Inc.

  65,300     2,233,913
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.9%

   

HJ Heinz Co.

  31,300     1,461,084
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.0%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  24,200     1,776,764
       

TOBACCO–3.9%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  64,400     4,867,352

Loews Corp.–Carolina Group

  20,600     1,757,180
       
      6,624,532
       
      12,711,083
       

 

 

7


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIALS–6.3%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.6%

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

    12,100   $ 744,997

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    8,200     863,132

United Technologies Corp.

    37,700     2,885,558
       
      4,493,687
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.3%

   

Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

    6,300     558,369
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–2.6%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

    77,400     4,385,484
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.8%

   

General Electric Co.

    35,640     1,321,175
       
      10,758,715
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–3.2%

   

MEDIA–2.4%

   

Comcast Corp.–Class A(a)

    14,070     256,918

News Corp.–Class A

    73,000     1,495,770

Time Warner, Inc.

    79,700     1,315,847

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

    23,800     1,045,296
       
      4,113,831
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.8%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

    28,000     1,282,400
       
      5,396,231
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.3%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.3%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    48,000     1,994,880

CenturyTel, Inc.

    17,400     721,404

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    29,700     1,297,593
       
      4,013,877
       

MATERIALS–0.6%

   

CHEMICALS–0.6%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    7,200     710,136

Dow Chemical Co.

    8,300     327,186
       
      1,037,322
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $90,864,744)

      109,454,544
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–15.4%

   

INDUSTRIAL–7.6%

   

BASIC–0.7%

   

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

  $ 15     16,499

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

    100     108,861
Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Inco Ltd.
7.75%, 5/15/12

  $ 325   $ 354,574

Lubrizol Corp.
5.50%, 10/01/14

    180     178,707

Noranda, Inc.
6.00%, 10/15/15

    205     207,850

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

    195     206,526

Weyerhaeuser Co.
7.375%, 3/15/32

    170     170,603
       
      1,243,620
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.5%

   

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

    90     88,019

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

    120     119,726

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

    100     114,047

Masco Corp.
7.75%, 8/01/29

    165     178,625

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

    115     118,202

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

    175     185,031
       
      803,650
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.9%

   

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

    85     83,633

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

    60     69,688

9.25%, 2/01/13

    65     75,978

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

    190     189,022

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.
5.50%, 5/15/15

    185     178,004

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

    460     459,876

Time Warner Cos, Inc.
7.57%, 2/01/24

    70     75,918

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

    250     294,474

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

    60     65,117

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

    125     133,030
       
      1,624,740
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.9%

   

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

    250     270,877

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

    360     376,225

BellSouth Corp.
5.20%, 9/15/14

    270     269,465

 

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Embarq Corp.
6.738%, 6/01/13

  $ 250   $ 258,594

7.082%, 6/01/16

    280     288,507

GTE Corp.
8.75%, 11/01/21

    270     330,870

New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc.
8.75%, 3/01/31

    155     200,877

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

    165     155,095

Qwest Corp.
7.50%, 10/01/14

    165     167,475

7.875%, 9/01/11

    115     119,600

Telefonos de Mexico SAB de CV
4.50%, 11/19/08

    139     138,319

Telus Corp.
8.00%, 6/01/11

    100     108,347

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

    365     352,558

Vodafone Group PLC
7.875%, 2/15/30

    155     182,617
       
      3,219,426
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.0%

   

DaimlerChrysler North America
4.875%, 6/15/10

    70     69,689
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
OTHER–0.2%

   

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

    141     145,564

7.875%, 5/01/12

    98     104,135

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.
5.15%, 5/15/15

    30     27,224
       
      276,923
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
RETAILERS–0.1%

   

CVS Corp.
6.125%, 8/15/16

    150     153,973
       

CONSUMER NON–CYCLICAL–1.6%

   

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

    145     186,817

Anheuser–Busch Cos, Inc.
6.50%, 2/01/43

    100     107,125

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

    425     448,722

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

    190     189,889

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

    410     407,267

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

    150     147,473
Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Reynolds American, Inc.
7.25%, 6/01/12

  $ 160   $ 168,906

7.625%, 6/01/16

    160     170,079

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

    400     402,100

5.80%, 8/15/12

    155     160,374

Wyeth
6.50%, 2/01/34

    285     302,477
       
      2,691,229
       

ENERGY–0.5%

   

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

    140     157,258

Gazprom
6.212%, 11/22/16(b)

    350     339,570

Norsk Hydro
6.36%, 1/15/09

    45     45,712

Transocean, Inc.
7.50%, 4/15/31

    155     170,273

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

    125     121,198

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

    100     109,315
       
      943,326
       

SERVICES–0.2%

   

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

    315     314,329
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.7%

   

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

    310     313,458

Hewlett–Packard Co.
3.625%, 3/15/08

    475     473,895

Motorola, Inc.

   

6.50%, 9/01/25

    105     101,966

7.50%, 5/15/25

    20     21,281

7.625%, 11/15/10

    64     68,552

Xerox Corp.

   

7.625%, 6/15/13

    35     36,524

9.75%, 1/15/09

    104     108,723
       
      1,124,399
       

TRANSPORTATION–
AIRLINES–0.2%

   

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

    415     404,449
       

TRANSPORTATION–
RAILROADS–0.1%

   

CSX Corp.
5.50%, 8/01/13

    50     49,835

Norfolk Southern Corp.
7.90%, 5/15/97

    45     52,103
       
      101,938
       
      12,971,691
       

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–6.5%

 

BANKING–3.7%

   

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

    200     216,309

 

 

9


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

 

Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 50   $ 52,665

BB&T Capital Trust IV
6.82%, 6/12/57(c)

    175     164,635

Chase Manhattan Corp.
6.00%, 2/15/09

    155     156,355

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

    300     275,847

Citicorp
Series MTNF
6.375%, 11/15/08

    30     30,407

Citigroup, Inc.
3.625%, 2/09/09

    160     157,855

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

    295     300,879

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

    240     242,192

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

    250     227,905

6.413%, 10/01/35(b)(c)

    400     325,462

HSBC Bank USA
5.875%, 11/01/34

    310     284,479

Morgan J P & Co., Inc.
6.25%, 1/15/09

    139     140,678

MUFG Capital Finance 1 Ltd.
6.346%, 7/25/16(c)

    170     161,013

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

    470     468,995

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

    230     214,286

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

    495     455,053

Regions Financing Trust II
6.625%, 5/15/47(c)

    170     140,485

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

    413     409,794

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

    250     257,934

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

    135     126,055

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

    250     262,454

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

    465     447,729

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

    335     363,934

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

    330     359,623

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

    85     75,952

Washington Mutual, Inc.
4.20%, 1/15/10

    13     11,614
       
      6,330,589
       
Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

BROKERAGE–0.5%

   

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
3.875%, 1/15/09

  $ 126   $ 124,710

5.70%, 9/01/12

    325     334,367

7.35%, 10/01/09

    34     35,536

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

    150     158,984

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc
Series MTNC
4.125%, 1/15/09

    47     46,387

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
Series MTNC
4.125%, 9/10/09

    160     157,434
       
      857,418
       

FINANCE–0.9%

   

Capital One Bank
6.50%, 6/13/13

    200     196,179

Capital One Financial Corp.
5.50%, 6/01/15

    23     21,214

CIT Group, Inc.
3.375%, 4/01/09

    150     144,539

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

    297     170,944

Series MTN
5.80%, 6/07/12

    86     62,823

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.
Series MTNL
4.00%, 3/22/11

    10     7,221

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

    285     296,943

International Lease Finance Corp.
6.375%, 3/15/09

    150     151,696

iStar Financial, Inc.
5.15%, 3/01/12

    30     25,926

6.00%, 12/15/10

    200     182,064

Series B
5.95%, 10/15/13

    65     56,640

SLM Corp.
5.375%, 1/15/13

    190     169,964
       
      1,486,153
       

INSURANCE–1.3%

   

The Allstate Corp.
6.125%, 5/15/37(c)

    160     154,371

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

    140     144,875

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

    85     85,140

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

    125     126,364

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

    470     433,523

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

    200     203,683

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

    345     346,388

 

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 500   $ 478,409

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

    110     111,231

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

    75     72,613
       
      2,156,597
       

REITS–0.1%

   

Regency Centers LP
5.25%, 8/01/15

    225     213,260
       
      11,044,017
       

UTILITY–1.2%

   

ELECTRIC–0.6%

   

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

    215     214,405

Dominion Resources, Inc./VA
7.50%, 6/30/66(c)

    305     301,543

FPL Group Capital, Inc.
6.35%, 10/01/66(c)

    55     52,018

6.65%, 6/15/67(c)

    170     163,729

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

    250     255,096
       
      986,791
       

NATURAL GAS–0.6%

   

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

    285     312,926

Enterprise Products Operating LP
Series B
5.60%, 10/15/14

    150     149,699

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

    350     375,188

TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.
6.35%, 5/15/67(c)

    180     168,710
       
      1,006,523
       
      1,993,314
       

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.1%

   

AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT
GUARANTEED–0.1%

   

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

    150     163,316
       

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $26,585,983)

      26,172,338
       

U.S. TREASURIES–5.3%

   

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

    3,385     3,402,189

8.75%, 5/15/17

    2,623     3,568,510
Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

U.S. Treasury Notes
4.25%, 11/15/17

  $ 1,935   $ 1,968,711

4.875%, 5/31/11

    15     15,809
       

Total U.S. Treasuries
(cost $8,723,761)

      8,955,219
       

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–2.4%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED
RATE CMBS–2.4%

   

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

    1,526     1,563,852

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

    600     604,080

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C6, Class A4
5.372%, 9/15/39

    235     234,357

Series 2007-C7, Class A3
5.866%, 9/15/45

    620     641,337

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

    1,035     1,029,128
       

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $4,046,251)

      4,072,754
       

MORTGAGE PASS–THRU’S–2.0%

 

AGENCY ARMS–1.0%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series 2006
6.029%, 9/01/36(d)

    514     522,667

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

    332     337,144

Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2007
5.925%, 2/01/37(d)

    527     536,241

6.027%, 2/01/37(d)

    326     332,401
       
      1,728,453
       

FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–0.9%

   

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series 2006
7.00%, 8/01/36

    928     964,232

Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2006
6.50%, 9/01/36

    525     539,491
       
      1,503,723
       

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.1%

   

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust
Series 2006-3, Class 22A1
6.218%, 5/25/36(c)

    230     224,826
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $3,442,539)

      3,457,002
       

 

 

11


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

 

Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

EMERGING MARKETS–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–1.3%

   

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–1.3%

   

SOVEREIGN–1.3%

   

Republic of Brazil
8.25%, 1/20/34

  $ 855   $ 1,081,575

Republic of Panama
9.375%, 4/01/29

    270     368,550

Republic of Peru
8.75%, 11/21/33

    395     523,375

Republic of Philippines
8.25%, 1/15/14

    231     258,720

8.875%, 3/17/15

    44     51,766
       

Total Emerging Markets–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $2,286,763)

      2,283,986
       

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–1.3%

   

INDUSTRIAL–0.9%

   

BASIC–0.2%

   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

   

8.25%, 4/01/15

    60     63,600

8.375%, 4/01/17

    60     64,350

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

    200     198,162
       
      326,112
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.0%

   

Bombardier, Inc.
6.75%, 5/01/12(b)

    100     101,250
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.2%

   

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

    150     114,335

Echostar DBS Corp.
6.625%, 10/01/14

    18     17,910

7.125%, 2/01/16

    47     47,940

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

    140     130,900
       
      311,085
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.2%

 

Mobile Telesystems Finance
9.75%, 1/30/08(b)

    230     230,000

Windstream Corp.
8.125%, 8/01/13

    149     154,215
       
      384,215
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

   

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

    135     134,910
       
Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER CYCLICAL– OTHER–0.2%

   

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

  $ 80   $ 69,410

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc
5.625%, 6/01/15

    116     84,680

5.75%, 10/01/17

    10     6,775

6.50%, 6/01/16

    39     29,055

MGM Mirage
6.75%, 9/01/12

    60     58,425

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

    45     44,212
       
      292,557
       
      1,550,129
       

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.2%

   

BANKING–0.2%

   

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

    445     275,900

INSURANCE–0.0%

   

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

    100     88,340
       
      364,240
       

UTILITY–0.2%

   

ELECTRIC–0.2%

   

Dynegy Holdings, Inc.
8.375%, 5/01/16

    70     68,425

Edison Mission Energy
7.00%, 5/15/17

    55     54,037

NRG Energy, Inc.
7.25%, 2/01/14

    65     63,375

Reliant Energy, Inc.
7.625%, 6/15/14

    65     64,350
       
      250,187
       

Total Corporates–
Non-investment Grades
(cost $2,408,853)

      2,164,556
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–
NON-U.S. ISSUERS–1.2%

   

SOVEREIGNS–1.1%

   

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

    955     1,086,711

United Mexican States
5.625%, 1/15/17

    680     689,180
       
      1,775,891
       

AGENCIES–0.1%

   

Korea Development Bank
5.75%, 9/10/13

    200     206,662
       

Total Government-Related–Non-U.S. Issuers
(cost $1,973,671)

      1,982,553
       

 

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–1.0%

   

HOME EQUITY LOANS–
FLOATING RATE–0.6%

   

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

  $ 83   $ 81,906

Household Home Equity Loan Trust Series 2007-1, Class M1
5.329%, 3/20/36(d)

    365     255,500

Newcastle Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2007-1, Class 2A1
4.919%, 4/25/37(d)

    301     287,611

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2007-2, Class M1
5.225%, 3/25/37(d)

    125     77,575

RAAC Series
Series 2006-SP3, Class A1
4.945%, 8/25/36(d)

    61     59,118

Soundview Home Equity Loan Trust Series 2007-OPT2, Class 2A2
4.919%, 7/25/37(d)

    300     287,766
       
      1,049,476
       

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.3%

   

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

    375     310,926

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.45%, 1/25/33(e)

    184     181,502

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

    69     54,890
       
      547,318
       

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–0.1%

   

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

    89     88,710
       

OTHER–FLOATING RATE–0.0%

   

Libertas Preferred Funding Ltd.
Series 2007-3A, Class 2
5.893%, 4/09/47(b)(d)(f)

    260     26,000
       

Total Asset-backed Securities
(cost $2,157,277)

      1,711,504
       

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–0.9%

   

U.S. Treasury Notes
2.375%, 4/15/11 (TIPS)
(cost $1,419,144)

    1,437     1,497,596
       

Company

 

Shares

 

U.S. $ Value

   

NON-CONVERTIBLE–
PREFERRED STOCKS–0.6%

 

UTILITY–0.3%

   

ELECTRIC–0.3%

   

DTE Energy Trust I
7.80%

    20,000   $ 499,000
       

INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

   

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1%

 

Centaur Funding Corp.
9.08%(b)

    200     232,125
       

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.1%

   

BANKING–0.1%

   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
5.75%

    10,000     179,500
       

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.1%

   

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.1%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
8.375%(a)

    2,225     58,184

Federal National Mortgage Association
8.25%(a)

    2,675     68,881
       
      127,065
       

Total Non-Convertible–Preferred Stocks
(cost $1,105,116)

      1,037,690
       
    Principal
Amount

(000)
   

GOVERNMENT-RELATED– U.S. AGENCIES–0.5%

   

AGENCY DEBENTURES–0.5%

   

Federal Home Loan Bank
5.00%, 11/17/17

  $ 655     679,128

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
5.125%, 11/17/17

    245     255,643
       

Total Government-Related–U.S. Agencies
(cost $919,607)

      934,771
       

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

   

TEXAS–0.2%

   

Dallas-Fort Worth Int’l Arpt Fac Impr Corp. MBIA FSA
7.07%, 11/01/24
(cost $409,203)

    400     413,528
       

MORTGAGE CMO’S–0.1%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.1%

   

Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2005-WF1, Class 1A1 5.054%, 6/26/35(b)

    146     144,874
       

 

 

13


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

 

Company  

Principal
Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE–0.0%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2007-OA3, Class M1 5.175%, 4/25/47(d)

  $ 110   $ 72,375
       

Total Mortgage CMO’S
(cost $253,735)

      217,249
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.0%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.0%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $1,678,000)

    1,678     1,678,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.4%
(cost $148,274,647)

      166,033,290

Other assets less liabilities–2.6%

      4,433,360
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 170,466,650
       

 

 

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $6,547,551 or 3.8% of net assets.

 

(c) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of December 31, 2007.

 

(d) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(e) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(f) Illiquid security, valued at fair value. (See note A)

 

   The Portfolio currently owns investments collateralized by subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are offered to homeowners who do not have a history of debt or who have had problems meeting their debt obligations. Because repayment is less certain, subprime borrowers pay a higher rate of interest than prime borrowers. As of December 31, 2007, the Portfolio’s total exposure to subprime investments was 0.95%. These investments are valued in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Policies (see Note A.1 for additional details).

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt
   FSA—Financial Security Assurance Inc.
   MBIA—Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
   TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

 

14


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $148,274,647)

   $ 166,033,290

Cash

     46

Receivable for investment securities sold

     3,984,426

Dividends and interest receivable

     845,189

Receivable for capital stock sold

     6,374
      

Total assets

     170,869,325
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     179,228

Advisory fee payable

     80,896

Printing fee payable

     53,466

Custody fee payable

     50,426

Administrative fee payable

     23,749

Distribution fee payable

     8,357

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116

Accrued expenses

     6,437
      

Total liabilities

     402,675
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 170,466,650
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 8,567

Additional paid-in capital

     133,507,905

Undistributed net investment income

     4,719,229

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,472,306

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     17,758,643
      
   $ 170,466,650
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   131,662,500      6,606,433      $   19.93

B

     $ 38,804,150      1,960,464      $ 19.79

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 3,830,074  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $3,185)

     2,421,960  
        

Total investment income

     6,252,034  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,059,633  

Distribution fee—Class B

     105,170  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,441  

Transfer agency—Class B

     397  

Custodian

     147,974  

Administrative

     94,000  

Printing

     41,161  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     14,727  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     5,674  
        

Total expenses

     1,512,827  
        

Net investment income

     4,739,207  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,787,087  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (13,736,973 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     1,050,114  
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     352,186  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 6,141,507  
        

 

 

 

  See notes to financial statements.

 

16


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

 

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 4,739,207     $ 5,203,090  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,787,087       4,453,419  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (13,736,973 )     13,257,971  

Contribution from Adviser

     352,186       –0
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     6,141,507       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

     (940,614 )     (1,194,218 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (34,292,453 )     (24,364,070 )
                

Total decrease

     (37,750,678 )     (12,280,172 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     208,217,328       220,497,500  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $4,719,229 and $5,184,692, respectively)

   $ 170,466,650     $ 208,217,328  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

18


 
 
    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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

During the year ended December 31, 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 $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

19


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

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $88,028, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 79,457,525    $ 102,111,586

U.S. government securities

     46,179,624      63,932,030

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 148,385,983  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 22,977,951  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (5,330,644 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,647,307  
        

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.

 

20


 
 
    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 year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio earned income of $3,615 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  225,484     249,152       $ 4,649,008     $ 4,829,243  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

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

Shares redeemed

  (2,052,043 )   (1,795,391 )       (41,503,596 )     (34,393,034 )
                             

Net decrease

  (1,447,975 )   (1,070,668 )     $ (29,222,342 )   $ (20,913,167 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  94,706     93,891       $ 1,901,488     $ 1,805,722  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  98,129     120,506         1,967,486       2,179,958  

Shares redeemed

  (443,051 )   (391,247 )       (8,939,085 )     (7,436,583 )
                             

Net decrease

  (250,216 )   (176,850 )     $ (5,070,111 )   $ (3,450,903 )
                             

 

21


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 5,614,509    $ 5,352,104

Long-term capital gains

     3,985,223      5,478,478
             

Total taxable distributions

     9,599,732      10,830,582
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 9,599,732    $ 10,830,582
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 5,062,699  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     14,240,172  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     17,647,307 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 36,950,178  
        

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of paydown gains/losses resulted in a net decrease in undistributed net investment income and a net increase in accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, as well as unnamed Doe defendants.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

23


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.31     $19.18     $18.94     $17.76     $15.30  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .51     .49     .43     .46 (b)   .42  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  .08     1.66     .30     1.12     2.47  

Contribution from Adviser

  .04     –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .63     2.15     .73     1.58     2.89  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

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

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

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

Total dividends and distributions

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

Net asset value, end of period

  $19.93     $20.31     $19.18     $18.94     $17.76  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  3.05 %*   11.79 %   3.91 %   9.07 %   19.05 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $131,663     $163,608     $175,005     $193,600     $197,334  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

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

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

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

Net investment income

  2.51 %   2.53 %(d)   2.29 %   2.57 %(b)   2.60 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  67 %   40 %   52 %   60 %   81 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 25.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.18     $19.05     $18.83     $17.69     $15.27  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .46     .44     .38     .43 (b)   .36  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  .07     1.66     .29     1.10     2.48  

Contribution from Adviser

  .04     –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .57     2.10     .67     1.53     2.84  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

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

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

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

Total dividends and distributions

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

Net asset value, end of period

  $19.79     $20.18     $19.05     $18.83     $17.69  
                             

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset
value (c)

  2.75 %*   11.56 %   3.61 %   8.79 %   18.78 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $38,804     $44,609     $45,493     $45,047     $23,417  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

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

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

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

Net investment income

  2.26 %   2.28 %(d)   2.04 %   2.35 %(b)   2.29 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  67 %   40 %   52 %   60 %   81 %

 

 

 

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

 

* Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio by the Adviser resulting from the Dynegy class action settlement, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.16% (see Note B).

 

25


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (one of the portfolio’s constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”), as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

26


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For corporate shareholders, 46.67% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

27


 
 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     

William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman

Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer

David H. Dievler(1)

John H. Dobkin(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)

    

D. James Guzy(1)

Nancy P. Jacklin(1)

Garry L. Moody(1)

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)

Earl D. Weiner(1)

    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

Frank V. Caruso(2), Vice President

Aryeh Glatter(2), Vice President

Shawn E. Keegan(2), Vice President

Joran Laird(2), Vice President

Alison M. Martier(2), Vice President

Douglas J. Peebles(2), Vice President

Jeffrey S. Phlegar(2), Vice President

Greg J. Wilensky(2), Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Balanced Shares Investment Team, comprised of senior members of the Relative Value Investment Team and senior members of the U.S. Core: Core Fixed-Income Investment Team. Messrs. Frank V. Caruso and Aryeh Glatter are responsible for the day-to-day management of the equity component of the Portfolio’s portfolio and Messrs. Shawn E. Keegan, Joran Laird, Douglas J. Peebles, Jeffrey S. Phlegar and Greg J. Wilensky and Ms. Alison M. Martier are responsible for the day-to-day management of the debt component of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

28


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
  

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR

   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR         
        
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation”) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)

 

29


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR

   OTHER DIRECTORSHIP HELD BY DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation
(semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55
(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995 – 2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993 – 1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975  –1993.    101    None
        
Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #
66
(2005)
  

Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc., (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005 – 2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting) 1993 – 2003.

   103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        
Earl D. Weiner, #
68
(2007)
   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Frank V. Caruso
51
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser* *, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Aryeh Glatter
40
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Shawn E. Keegan
36
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joran Laird
32
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Alison M. Martier
51
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Douglas J. Peebles
42
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Jeffrey S. Phlegar
41
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Greg J. Wilensky
40
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser* *, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
    

Treasurer and Chief

Financial Officer

     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

31


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%   December 31
  Class B 0.98%  

 

 

 

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.

 

32


 
 
    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.

 

33


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
Fee7
  

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.

 

34


 
 
    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.

 

35


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

 

36


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 6, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the Adviser’s determination of reasonable risk. The Portfolio invests in a portfolio of equity and debt securities that is designed as a solution for investors who seek a moderate tilt toward equity returns but also want the risk diversification offered by debt securities and the broad diversification of their equity risk across styles, capitalization ranges and geographic regions. The Portfolio targets a weighting of 60% equity securities and 40% debt securities with a goal of providing moderate upside potential without excessive volatility. In managing the Portfolio, the Adviser efficiently diversifies between the debt and equity components to produce the desired risk/return profile. Investments in real estate investment trusts, or REITs, are deemed to be 50% equity and 50% fixed-income for purposes of the overall target blend of the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s equity component is diversified between growth and value equity investment styles, and between U.S. and non-U.S. markets. The Adviser’s targeted blend for the non-REIT portion of the Portfolio’s equity component is an equal weighting of growth and value stocks. The Adviser will also allow the relative weightings of the growth and value subcomponents to vary in response to markets, but ordinarily only by +/-5% of the Portfolio. Beyond those ranges, the Adviser will generally rebalance the Portfolio’s equity component toward the targeted blend. However, under extraordinary circumstances, when the Adviser believes that conditions favoring one investment style are compelling, the range may expand to 10% of the Portfolio. In addition to blending growth and value styles, the Adviser blends each style-based portion of the Portfolio’s equity component across U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and various capitalization ranges. Within each of the value and growth portions of the Portfolio, the Adviser normally targets a blend of approximately 70% in equities of U.S. companies and the remaining 30% in equities of companies outside the United States. The Adviser will also allow the relative weightings of these geographical subcomponents to vary in response to markets, but ordinarily

only by +/-5% of the Portfolio. Beyond those ranges, the Adviser will generally rebalance the Portfolio toward the targeted blend. However, under extraordinary circumstances, when the Adviser believes that conditions favoring U.S. or non-U.S. issuers are compelling, the range may expand to 10% of the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s debt securities will primarily be investment-grade debt securities (including cash and money market instruments), but may also include preferred stock and, when the Adviser believes that conditions favoring them are compelling, lower-rated securities (“junk bonds”). The Portfolio will not invest more than 25% of its net assets in securities rated at the time of purchase below investment grade, that is, securities rated BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) or Ba or lower by Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s), or in unrated securities deemed to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase by the Adviser.

The Portfolio may invest in convertible securities, enter into repurchase agreements and forward commitments, and make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, but only if at all times when a short position is open not more than 33% of its net assets is held as collateral for such short sales. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its balanced benchmark, a 60% / 40% blend of the S&P 500 Stock Index and the Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. Aggregate Index, for the one-year period ended December 31, 2007 and since the Portfolio’s inception on July 1, 2004.

The Portfolio’s performance was positive for the annual period ended December 31, 2007; however, the Portfolio underperformed its balanced benchmark, mostly due to underperformance of its value investments.

The Portfolio invests in a portfolio of equity and debt securities that is designed as a solution for investors who seek a moderate tilt toward equity returns but also want the risk diversification offered by debt securities and the broad diversification of their equity risk across styles, capitalization ranges and geographic regions. The importance of this diversification among asset classes was illustrated by the positive performance of the underlying Intermediate Duration Portfolio, which helped to offset the weak returns by the underlying International Value and U.S. Value Portfolios, which were the largest detractors from the Portfolio’s performance during the period under review. Positive performance by the underlying International Growth Portfolio also helped offset this lackluster performance.

 

1


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio’s approach of seeking returns within both the U.S. and the international equity markets contributed to overall performance, as international stocks outperformed U.S. stocks during the annual period. International stocks, as represented by the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index, returned 11.17% for the one-year period, while U.S. stocks, as represented by the S&P 500 Stock Index, returned 5.49% for the same period.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The one-year period ended December 31, 2007 was volatile for the global capital markets. Returns in the global equity markets were generally more muted in 2007. In the first half of the year, the U.S. market benefited from high levels of merger & acquisition activity and record corporate profitability, although a sharp sell-off in Chinese stocks shook global markets during the first quarter. The second half of the year was dominated by problems in the U.S. housing and subprime mortgage markets. These problems set off a global credit crisis and large write-downs at major financial firms, intensifying worries about economic growth and corporate profits. Emerging markets were the exception, posting strong gains. Returns also varied significantly by currency due to the ongoing depreciation of the U.S. dollar.

Stocks fell sharply in the second half of the year, caused by severe distress in the U.S. subprime mortgage market. The rebounds and tumbles that followed pushed volatility back up from unusually low levels to about the long-term average and left most equity markets with negative returns for this time period. Growth stocks outperformed value in 2007, as measured by the MSCI World Growth and the MSCI World Value Indices. In the fixed-income market, Treasuries were among the strongest performers as investors flocked to the safety of the highest-quality assets and yield spreads widened for most fixed-income sectors.

As always, the Portfolio’s Blend Investment Policy Team remained focused on its strategy of combining low correlation asset classes, blending growth and value investment styles, globalizing the Portfolio’s holdings and ensuring the Portfolio is aligned with its strategic asset allocation targets over time through a disciplined rebalancing process.

 

2


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index and the unmanaged Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. Aggregate Index do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The S&P 500 Stock Index includes 500 U.S. stocks and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. The LB U.S. Aggregate Index covers the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including government and credit securities, agency mortgage pass through securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio allocates its investments among multiple asset classes which will include U.S. and foreign securities, as well as equity and fixed-income securities. Price fluctuations in the underlying Portfolio securities may be caused by changes in the general level of interest rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Please note, as interest rates rise, existing bond prices fall and can cause the value of an investment to decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. Investment in the Portfolio is not guaranteed because of fluctuation in the net asset value of the underlying fixed-income related investments. High yield bonds, otherwise known as “junk bonds”, involve a greater risk of default and price volatility than other bonds. Investing in below investment-grade securities presents special risks, including credit risk. Within each of these, the Portfolio will also allocate its investments in different types of securities, such as growth and value stocks, real estate investment trusts, and corporate and U.S. government bonds. International investing involves risks not associated with U.S. investments, including currency fluctuations and political and economic changes. The Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. The Portfolio systematically rebalances its allocations in these asset classes to maintain its target weightings. There can be no assurance that rebalancing will achieve its intended result, and the costs of rebalancing may be significant over time. The use of derivatives involves specific risks and is not suitable for all investors. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       
THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      Since Inception*

AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio Class A

   5.55%      9.62%

AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio Class B

   5.26%      9.34%

60% S&P 500 Stock Index / 40% LB U.S. Aggregate Index

   6.22%      7.91%

S&P 500 Stock Index

   5.49%      9.83%

LB U.S. Aggregate Index

   6.97%      5.04%

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A and Class B shares on 7/1/04.

       
       

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.07% and 1.31% for Class A and Class B, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Portfolio’s annual operating expense ratios to 0.75% and 1.00% for Class A and Class B, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements extend through the Portfolio’s current fiscal year and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

7/1/04* – 12/31/07

LOGO

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 7/1/04.

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio Class A shares (from 7/1/04* to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s balanced benchmark (60% S&P 500 Stock Index / 40% LB U.S. Aggregate Index), as well as the individual components of the balanced benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,011.62    $   3.75    0.74 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,021.48    $ 3.77    0.74 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,010.91    $ 5.07    1.00 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.16    $ 5.09    1.00 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

   $ 13,821,124      6.5 %

Federal National Mortgage Assoc. (Common Stock and Bonds)

     12,320,949      5.8  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Assoc.

     5,714,324      2.7  

Federal Home Loan Bank

     3,718,670      1.8  

JPMorgan Chase (Common Stock and Bonds)

     2,785,537      1.3  

Google, Inc.—Class A

     2,696,772      1.3  

Apple Computer, Inc.

     2,462,134      1.2  

General Electric Co. (Common Stock and Bonds)

     2,371,048      1.1  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     2,126,763      1.0  

Development Bank of Japan

     1,830,694      0.9  
                 
     $   49,848,015      23.6 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Finance

   $ 43,558,722      20.9 %

Information Technology

     16,120,819      7.7  

Mortgage Pass-Thru’s

     15,297,832      7.3  

U.S. Treasuries

     13,821,124      6.6  

Government Related

     13,275,136      6.4  

Energy

     12,199,189      5.9  

Corporates—Investment Grades

     10,935,266      5.2  

Industrials

     10,032,560      4.8  

Health Care

     9,078,524      4.4  

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities

     8,118,024      3.9  

Materials

     7,850,234      3.8  

Consumer Staples

     7,669,909      3.7  

Other**

     30,576,066      14.7  

Short-Term Investments

     9,830,000      4.7  
                 

Total Investments

   $   208,363,405      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 14.7% weightings in the following sectors: Asset Backed Securities, Capital Equipment, Construction & Housing, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, Consumer Cyclical, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Growth, Consumer Manufacturing, Corporates-Non-Investment Grades, Emerging Markets, Food & Drug Retailers, Home Building, Industrial Commodities, Medical, Mortgage CMO’s, Non-Convertible-Preferred Stocks, Technology/Electronics, Telecommunication Services and Utilities.

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 Poors. The fund 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.

 

6


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–62.1%

   
   

FINANCIALS–20.7%

   

BANKING–2.3%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  29,400   $ 1,213,044

Citigroup, Inc.

  28,400     836,096

Comerica, Inc.

  3,800     165,414

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  4,600     156,722

Federal National Mortgage Association

  6,800     271,864

Fifth Third Bancorp

  5,400     135,702

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  23,100     1,008,315

Keycorp

  4,100     96,145

National City Corp.

  2,200     36,212

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  2,150     134,354

U.S. Bancorp

  8,200     260,268

Wachovia Corp.

  4,500     171,135

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  6,600     89,826

Wells Fargo & Co.

  9,200     277,748
       
      4,852,845
       

CAPITAL MARKETS–2.1%

   

3i Group PLC

  10,223     202,409

The Blackstone Group LP

  19,400     429,322

Credit Suisse Group

  8,550     514,672

Deutsche Bank AG

  2,500     326,730

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  9,375     1,072,781

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  2,065     444,078

Julius Baer Holding AG

  5,574     457,376

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  3,800     248,672

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  4,716     315,535

Man Group PLC

  42,277     479,918
       
      4,491,493
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.8%

   

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

  2,247     48,531

Bank Leumi Le-Israel(a)

  14,400     69,842

Barclays PLC

  33,800     341,357

BNP Paribas SA

  3,100     336,350

China Construction Bank
Corp.–Class H

  157,000     131,477

Credit Agricole SA

  9,821     331,324

Hana Financial Group, Inc.(a)

  1,100     59,060

HBOS PLC

  29,920     435,068

Kookmin Bank(a)

  1,200     88,457

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

  42,800     403,601

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

  47,331     417,908

Societe Generale

  2,460     355,788

Standard Chartered PLC

  9,114     332,631

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  50     370,014
       
      3,721,408
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.2%

   

American Express Co.

  3,000     156,060

Discover Financial Services

  5,400     81,432

ORIX Corp.

  1,480     248,917
       
      486,409
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES–1.3%

 

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  1,675   $ 1,149,050

Deutsche Boerse AG

  2,970     582,934

Fortis (Euronext Brussels)

  9,666     253,044

ING Groep NV

  9,300     362,378

Moody’s Corp.

  2,400     85,680

NYSE Euronext

  3,700     324,749
       
      2,757,835
       

FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.6%

   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

  2,800     154,308

CIT Group, Inc.

  5,700     136,971

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

  1,300     42,705

MBIA, Inc.

  2,400     44,712

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  5,000     268,400

Morgan Stanley

  8,900     472,679
       
      1,119,775
       

INSURANCE–2.9%

   

ACE Ltd.

  4,600     284,188

Allianz SE

  1,900     409,695

Allstate Corp.

  6,600     344,718

AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.

  2,700     69,579

American International Group, Inc.

  14,900     868,670

AON Corp.

  2,900     138,301

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

  2,765     125,161

Aviva PLC

  15,154     201,964

Chubb Corp.

  5,900     322,022

Everest Re Group Ltd.

  1,900     190,760

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A

  6,200     90,582

Fondiaria-Sai SpA
(ordinary shares)

  2,300     94,349

Fondiaria-Sai SpA
(saving shares)

  700     19,679

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A

  10,600     269,770

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  2,600     226,694

Marsh & McLennan Cos, Inc.

  9,400     248,818

MetLife, Inc.

  5,700     351,234

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  1,700     329,931

Old Republic International Corp.

  7,900     121,739

PartnerRe Ltd.

  2,200     181,566

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  12,595     365,668

Safeco Corp.

  2,400     133,632

Torchmark Corp.

  1,875     113,494

The Travelers Cos, Inc.

  7,200     387,360

Unum Group

  9,900     235,521
       
      6,125,095
       

PROPERTY–CASUALTY INSURANCE–0.1%

   

The Progressive Corp.

  14,500     277,820
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–6.3%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  1,825     185,548

 

 

7


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

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

  9,740   $ 204,669

AMB Property Corp.

  2,300     132,388

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

  4,600     159,758

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

  84,000     142,205

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  9,300     66,867

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

  900     84,726

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

  5,888     265,773

Boston Properties, Inc.

  1,800     165,258

British Land Co. PLC

  10,644     199,603

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

  8,434     247,723

CapitaMall Trust

  146,600     347,602

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

  6,582     136,049

DB RREEF Trust(a)

  267,963     467,771

Derwent Valley Holdings PLC

  7,450     207,144

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

  5,500     82,390

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  8,300     318,471

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

  3,601     123,030

Entertainment Properties Trust

  3,100     145,700

Equity Residential

  5,500     200,585

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  425     41,433

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

  3,100     48,329

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

  2,900     100,340

Fonciere Des Murs

  2,800     93,092

Fonciere Des Regions

  475     60,227

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  9,700     399,446

General Property Group

  34,988     123,145

Great Portland Estates PLC

  15,400     143,491

H&R Real Estate Investment

  1     17

Hammerson PLC

  8,750     178,325

HCP, Inc.

  3,600     125,208

Health Care REIT, Inc.

  3,900     174,291

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

  4,400     129,272

Home Properties, Inc.

  3,100     139,035

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  11,829     201,566

ING Office Fund

  131,600     185,886

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.–Class A

  16     198,575

Kimco Realty Corp.

  4,250     154,700

Klepierre

  8,595     439,306

Land Securities Group PLC

  5,842     175,070

LaSalle Hotel Properties

  2,300     73,370

Liberty International PLC

  10,400     222,203

Macerich Co.

  2,300     163,438

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  2,250     96,187

Mirvac Group

  80,182     419,038

National Retail Properties

  3,700     86,506

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  6,700     210,179

Nippon Building Fund,
Inc.–Class A

  21     293,261

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.–Class A

  19   $ 178,797

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  5,500     88,275

Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

  7,149     132,559

Prologis

  6,775     429,399

Public Storage

  2,050     150,490

Rayonier, Inc.

  5,300     250,372

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

  7,491     165,609

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

  1,400     30,952

Segro PLC

  8,769     81,581

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  7,350     638,421

SL Green Realty Corp.

  550     51,403

Stockland

  19,479     142,973

Stockland-New

  422     3,027

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  4,400     73,612

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

  3,600     65,844

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  5,050     190,435

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  4,900     241,031

UDR, Inc.

  4,050     80,392

Unibail

  2,525     553,306

Ventas, Inc.

  6,950     314,487

Vornado Realty Trust

  4,000     351,800

Westfield Group

  33,589     614,092
       
      13,387,053
       

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–3.1%

   

Beni Stabili SpA

  76,800     83,325

Brookfield Properties Corp.

  2,225     42,831

Citycon Oyj

  33,942     181,072

Forest City Enterprises,
Inc.–Class A

  1,650     73,326

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

  141,000     629,996

Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.

  18,000     167,168

IVG Immobilien AG

  3,900     128,728

Keppel Land Ltd.

  44,000     220,151

Kerry Properties Ltd.

  86,131     684,864

Lend Lease Corp. Ltd.

  32,000     483,197

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

  15,000     357,374

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

  13,100     282,521

New World Development Co., Ltd.

  125,997     441,117

Norwegian Property ASA

  20,500     249,072

NTT Urban Development Corp.(a)

  390     624,363

Sino Land Co.

  79,950     279,968

Sponda OYJ

  10,300     122,463

Sumitomo Realty & Development

  8,000     195,649

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

  46,700     980,866

Tokyu Land Corp.

  31,000     265,246
       
      6,493,297
       
      43,713,030
       

 

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–7.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.9%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(b)

  60,450   $ 1,636,381

Nokia OYJ

  17,244     662,469

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored) (ADR)

  19,700     756,283

Research In Motion Ltd.(b)

  9,075     1,029,105
       
      4,084,238
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–2.3%

   

Apple, Inc.(b)

  12,430     2,462,134

Asustek Computer, Inc.(a)

  43,000     127,951

Compal Electronics, Inc.(a)

  56,280     61,282

EMC Corp.(b)

  15,500     287,215

Fujitsu Ltd.

  38,000     254,200

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  27,700     1,398,296

Toshiba Corp.

  26,000     191,879
       
      4,782,957
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.1%

   

AU Optronics Corp.(a)

  86,692     167,186

HON HAI Precision Industry Co. Ltd.(a)

  8,200     50,541

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  1,250     46,412
       
      264,139
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.3%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(b)

  3,900     2,696,772
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.0%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  5,500     96,421
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.2%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(b)

  25,000     653,500

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(a)(b)

  5,900     161,598

Intel Corp.

  18,850     502,541

Nvidia Corp.(b)

  24,425     830,938

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.(a)

  140     82,390

United Microelectronics Corp.(a)

  398,207     247,387
       
      2,478,354
       

SOFTWARE–0.8%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(b)

  14,700     628,131

Microsoft Corp.

  20,400     726,240

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

  400     234,861

Oracle Corp.(b)

  5,700     128,706
       
      1,717,938
       
      16,120,819
       

ENERGY–5.8%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT &
SERVICES–1.4%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  13,950     1,131,345

Cameron International Corp.(b)

  6,300     303,219

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Schlumberger Ltd.

  14,700   $ 1,446,039

Technip SA

  2,010     159,878
       
      3,040,481
       

ENERGY SOURCES–2.4%

   

Chevron Corp.

  14,400     1,343,952

ConocoPhillips

  11,300     997,790

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  22,700     2,126,763

Marathon Oil Corp.

  5,600     340,816

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  1,900     146,281
       
      4,955,602
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.0%

   

China Petroleum & Chemical
Corp.–Class H

  108,000     160,105

China Shenhua Energy Co.
Ltd.–Class H

  42,000     247,413

ENI SpA

  9,800     357,665

EOG Resources, Inc.

  7,150     638,137

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)

  4,476     253,789

LUKOIL (Sponsored) (ADR)

  2,000     169,000

Petro-Canada(a)

  1,200     64,745

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR)

  2,800     322,672

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  1,900     182,818

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

  12,600     531,172

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

  9,657     407,670

StatoilHydro ASA

  8,900     274,572

Total SA

  7,166     593,348
       
      4,203,106
       
      12,199,189
       

INDUSTRIALS–4.7%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.2%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  44,621     442,814

Boeing Co.

  2,350     205,531

Honeywell International, Inc.

  19,200     1,182,144

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

  14,300     493,350

United Technologies Corp.

  2,500     191,350
       
      2,515,189
       

AIRLINES–0.1%

   

Air France-KLM

  3,200     111,835

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  4,600     122,418
       
      234,253
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.(b)

  16,100     177,422

Capita Group PLC

  5,713     79,202

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

  3,800     144,552
       
      401,176
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.3%

   

Fluor Corp.

  5,000     728,600
       

 

 

9


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

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

ABB Ltd.

  19,079   $ 550,082

ABB Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  19,200     552,960

Emerson Electric Co.

  7,350     416,451

Renewable Energy Corp.(b)

  1,917     96,154
       
      1,615,647
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.6%

   

3M Co.

  1,800     151,776

McDermott Intl Inc.(b)

  2,200     129,866

Siemens AG

  3,108     492,182

Textron, Inc.

  7,250     516,925

Tyco International Ltd.

  1,250     49,563
       
      1,340,312
       

MACHINERY–1.1%

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

  2,900     210,424

Deere & Co.

  10,950     1,019,664

Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd.–Class A

  6,000     278,820

Komatsu Ltd.

  5,700     152,869

NGK Insulators Ltd.

  9,000     241,302

PACCAR, Inc.

  3,600     196,128

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

  800     7,294

Terex Corp.(b)

  2,100     137,697
       
      2,244,198
       

MARINE–0.1%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  10,000     126,423

Nippon Yusen KK(a)

  16,000     126,048
       
      252,471
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.0%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(b)

  3,600     46,800
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.3%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  4,100     110,965

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  26,000     542,949
       
      653,914
       
      10,032,560
       

HEALTH CARE–4.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.1%

   

Celgene Corp.(b)

  12,450     575,314

CSL Ltd./Australia

  3,038     96,243

Genentech, Inc.(b)

  7,650     513,086

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(b)

  26,850     1,235,369
       
      2,420,012
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.9%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  7,375     1,054,920

Covidien Ltd.

  1,250     55,363

Essilor International SA

  3,934     250,941

Hologic, Inc.(b)

  7,300     501,072
       
      1,862,296
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.8%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(b)

  6,750   $ 684,450

WellPoint, Inc.(b)

  11,300     991,349
       
      1,675,799
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–1.5%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  21,100     1,184,765

AstraZeneca PLC

  1,900     81,782

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

  6,400     162,538

Merck & Co., Inc.

  7,800     453,258

Roche Holding AG

  1,152     199,141

Sanofi-Aventis SA

  3,200     292,929

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  16,050     746,004
       
      3,120,417
       
      9,078,524
       

MATERIALS–3.7%

   

CHEMICALS–1.6%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  7,300     719,999

Ashland, Inc.

  2,600     123,318

BASF SE

  3,600     533,063

Bayer AG

  5,987     546,114

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  30,500     232,705

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.(a)

  12,400     80,499

Monsanto Co.

  10,450     1,167,160
       
      3,402,858
       

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS–0.0%

   

Buzzi Unicem SpA

  3,000     82,909
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–0.1%

   

Ball Corp.

  4,000     180,000

Crown Holdings, Inc.(b)

  4,600     117,990
       
      297,990
       

METALS & MINING–1.9%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  10,600     387,430

Anglo American PLC

  2,514     152,603

Antofagasta PLC

  11,100     157,366

ArcelorMittal

  4,068     327,120

BHP Billiton PLC

  6,854     209,002

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  9,000     294,030

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  6,100     170,678

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  8,900     446,283

Kazakhmys PLC

  2,800     75,756

Nippon Steel Corp.

  41,000     250,958

POSCO(a)

  200     120,836

Rio Tinto PLC

  5,848     615,458

Xstrata PLC

  9,837     690,272
       
      3,897,792
       

PAPER & FOREST
PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Stora Enso Oyj–Class R

  11,300     168,685
       
      7,850,234
       

 

 

10


 

 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER STAPLES–3.6%

   

BEVERAGES–0.4%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  3,300   $ 202,521

PepsiCo, Inc.

  8,500     645,150
       
      847,671
       

BEVERAGES &
TOBACCO–0.5%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  7,700     581,966

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  8,300     216,049

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  2,300     75,049

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

  3,800     196,156
       
      1,069,220
       

FOOD & HOUSEHOLD
PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

  4,100     97,539

General Mills, Inc.

  2,425     138,225

Kellogg Co.

  3,100     162,533

Sara Lee Corp.

  12,700     203,962

Supervalu, Inc.

  7,000     262,640
       
      864,899
       

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–0.2%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

  17,860     247,340

Tesco PLC

  20,213     192,277
       
      439,617
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.8%

   

Associated British Foods PLC

  9,400     167,680

Nestle SA

  1,291     592,815

Unilever PLC

  9,595     359,859

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  9,800     573,790
       
      1,694,144
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.1%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  6,650     518,434

Procter & Gamble Co.

  20,200     1,483,084

Reckitt Benckiser PLC

  5,205     302,463
       
      2,303,981
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

L’Oreal SA

  1,645     235,560
       

TOBACCO–0.1%

   

British American Tobacco PLC

  5,495     214,817
       
      7,669,909
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–2.6%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.2%

   

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

  1,700     194,359

Denso Corp.

  4,100     166,846

Hyundai Mobis(a)

  1,710     158,008
       
      519,213
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

AUTOMOBILES– 0.6%

   

Fiat SpA

  8,775   $ 225,825

General Motors Corp.

  9,800     243,922

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

  39,200     427,848

Renault SA

  3,000     425,468
       
      1,323,063
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.5%

   

Las Vegas Sands Corp.(b)

  1,400     144,270

Marriott International, Inc.–Class A

  3,800     129,884

McDonald’s Corp.

  9,400     553,754

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  625     27,519

Yum! Brands, Inc.

  7,750     296,592
       
      1,152,019
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.2%

   

Centex Corp.

  2,900     73,254

KB Home

  2,800     60,480

Sharp Corp.

  15,000     267,572
       
      401,306
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  3,200     54,560
       

MEDIA–0.2%

   

Comcast Corp.–Special–
Class A(b)

  7,950     144,054

Lagardere SCA

  2,200     164,759
       
      308,813
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.5%

   

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.(b)

  900     23,328

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  4,800     92,304

Kohl’s Corp.(b)

  7,125     326,325

Macy’s, Inc.

  7,500     194,025

New World Department Store China Ltd.(b)

  872     1,222

Target Corp.

  6,200     310,000
       
      947,204
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.4%

   

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  16,700     245,912

Home Depot, Inc.

  10,100     272,094

Inditex SA

  3,901     236,050
       
      754,056
       
      5,460,234
       

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.2%

   

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  1,000     105,260

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  3,900     306,696
       
      411,956
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.2%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  2,300     121,233

BorgWarner, Inc.

  2,750     133,128

 

 

11


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

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Johnson Controls, Inc.

  3,300   $ 118,932

Lear Corp.(b)

  3,100     85,746
       
      459,039
       

INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS–0.1%

   

Eaton Corp.

  2,900     281,155
       

MACHINERY & ENGINEERING–0.1%

   

Cummins, Inc.

  1,400     178,318
       

MULTI-INDUSTRY–1.0%

   

General Electric Co.

  49,500     1,834,965

SPX Corp.

  1,425     146,561
       
      1,981,526
       
      3,311,994
       

TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.4%

   

TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.4%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  39,800     1,654,088

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  30,700     403,091

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  20,300     886,907
       
      2,944,086
       

UTILITIES–1.3%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.3%

   

E.ON AG

  1,600     340,196

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc.

  9,900     256,274
       
      596,470
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.1%

   

Iberdrola Renovables(b)

  12,874     106,347

International Power PLC

  20,376     183,675
       
      290,022
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.5%

   

Ameren Corp.

  4,100     222,261

CMS Energy Corp.

  3,000     52,140

RWE AG

  1,380     194,398

Suez SA

  4,017     273,421

Veolia Environnement

  2,851     259,694
       
      1,001,914
       

UTILITY (ELECTRIC &
GAS)–0.4%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

  1,800     114,498

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

  5,300     246,768

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

  2,200     225,566

Entergy Corp.

  900     107,568

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

  3,600     152,676

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

  2,350     114,468
       
      961,544
       
      2,849,950
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–1.2%

   

APPLIANCES & HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.1%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  1,400     97,510

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

  1,900     49,172
       
      146,682
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

BROADCASTING & PUBLISHING–0.6%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  7,800   $ 212,550

Gannett Co., Inc.

  6,500     253,500

Idearc, Inc.

  5,800     101,848

Time Warner, Inc.

  13,600     224,536

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(b)

  4,700     206,424

The Walt Disney Co.

  11,400     367,992
       
      1,366,850
       

BUSINESS & PUBLIC
SERVICES–0.0%

   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.(b)

  5,500     44,605
       

MERCHANDISING–0.3%

   

The Gap, Inc.

  8,400     178,752

The Kroger Co.

  5,200     138,892

Lowe’s Cos, Inc.

  5,800     131,196

Office Depot, Inc.(b)

  3,300     45,903

Safeway, Inc.

  5,600     191,576

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  1,400     66,542
       
      752,861
       

RECREATION & OTHER CONSUMER–0.1%

   

Mattel, Inc.

  7,700     146,608
       

TEXTILES & APPAREL–0.1%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  9,600     153,504
       
      2,611,110
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.1%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5%

   

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  59,000     175,783

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.(a)

  31     154,099

Telefonica SA

  15,993     518,435

TeliaSonera AB(a)

  17,574     164,186
       
      1,012,503
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.6%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  6,800     417,452

Vodafone Group PLC

  251,545     944,280
       
      1,361,732
       
      2,374,235
       

MEDICAL–1.0%

   

HEALTH & PERSONAL
CARE–1.0%

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A

  5,000     224,350

Cardinal Health, Inc.

  3,300     190,575

Eli Lilly & Co.

  5,900     315,001

 

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

  1,550   $ 74,601

McKesson Corp.

  3,200     209,632

Pfizer, Inc.

  48,100     1,093,313
       
      2,107,472
       

INDUSTRIAL
COMMODITIES–0.6%

   

CHEMICALS–0.4%

   

Dow Chemical Co.

  9,300     366,606

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  8,700     383,583

Lubrizol Corp.

  1,525     82,594
       
      832,783
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–0.1%

   

Sonoco Products Co.

  3,500     114,380
       

FOREST & PAPER–0.0%

   

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(b)

  7,000     73,920
       

MISCELLANEOUS
MATERIALS–0.1%

   

Bemis, Inc.

  2,700     73,926

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(b)

  3,300     163,350
       
      237,276
       
      1,258,359
       

TECHNOLOGY/ELECTRONICS–0.6%

   

DATA PROCESSING–0.3%

   

Dell, Inc.(b)

  6,600     161,766

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  3,200     66,336

International Business Machines Corp.

  3,000     324,300

Sanmina-SCI Corp. (ADR)(b)

  9,400     17,108
       
      569,510
       

ELECTRICAL &
ELECTRONICS–0.1%

   

Lexmark International,
Inc.–Class A(b)

  4,100     142,926

Tech Data Corp.(b)

  1,400     52,808
       
      195,734
       

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS & INSTRUMENTS–0.2%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(b)

  4,400     172,832

Avnet, Inc.(b)

  6,100     213,317

Flextronics International Ltd.(b)

  1,300     15,678
       
      401,827
       
      1,167,071
       

CONSUMER GROWTH–0.2%

   

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Johnson & Johnson

  5,200     346,840
       

CONSUMER MANUFACTURING–0.1%

   

AUTO & RELATED–0.1%

   

AutoNation, Inc.(b)

  7,500     117,450
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

NON-FINANCIAL–0.0%

   

HOME BUILDING–0.0%

   

Pulte Homes, Inc.

    7,200   $ 75,888
       

CONSTRUCTION & HOUSING–0.0%

   
   

REAL ESTATE–0.0%

   

Canadian Apartment Properties

    1     16
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $119,471,268)

      131,288,970
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

MORTGAGE PASS-THRU’S–7.2%

   

FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–5.6%

   

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35

  $          239     225,592

Series 2007
7.00%, 2/01/37

    663     688,707

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series 2007
5.50%, 7/01/35

    252     252,418

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2003
5.00%, 11/01/33

    687     671,437

Series 2004
5.50%, 11/01/34

    498     497,878

6.00%, 9/01/34

    582     591,609

Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35

    725     686,249

Series 2006
5.00%, 2/01/36

    925     903,100

6.50%, 9/01/36

    2,449     2,517,625

Series 2007
4.50%, 9/01/35–8/01/37

    1,741     1,649,530

5.00%, 7/01/36

    279     272,857

5.50%, 8/01/37

    2,850     2,863,828
       
      11,820,830
       

AGENCY ARMS–1.2%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series 2006
5.829%, 12/01/36(c)

    1,202     1,221,655

Series 2007 6.037%, 10/01/37(c)

    312     317,213

Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2005
5.322%, 9/01/35(c)

    87     87,406

Series 2006
5.463%, 5/01/36(c)

    63     63,894

5.799%, 3/01/36(c)

    147     149,549

5.851%, 11/01/36(c)

    115     117,133

5.916%, 6/01/36(c)

    107     109,612

 

 

13


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

 

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Series 2007
5.769%, 1/01/37(c)

  $          161   $ 163,491

6.025%, 11/01/36(c)

    110     112,123

6.081%, 3/01/37(c)

    305     311,244
       
      2,653,320
       

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.4%

   

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust Series 2006-1, Class 22A1
5.40%, 2/25/36(d)

    208     201,643

Series 2006-3, Class 22A1 6.218%, 5/25/36(d)

    64     62,260

Series 2007-1, Class 21A1 5.728%, 1/25/47(d)

    67     64,567

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.
Series 2005-2, Class 1A4 5.11%, 5/25/35(d)

    131     128,047

Series 2006-AR1, Class 3A1 5.50%, 3/25/36(c)

    143     142,861

Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-AR7, Class 4A1
6.228%, 5/25/36(d)

    88     87,521

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-SA3, Class 3A 5.235%, 8/25/35(d)

    139     136,783
       
      823,682
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $15,105,871)

      15,297,832
       

U.S. TREASURIES–6.5%

   

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

    3,920     3,939,906

8.75%, 5/15/17

    3     4,081

U.S. Treasury Notes
4.25%, 11/15/17

    3,555     3,616,935

4.875%, 5/31/11

    5,940     6,260,202
       

Total U.S. Treasuries
(cost $13,369,047)

      13,821,124
       

CORPORATES-INVESTMENT GRADES–5.2%

   
   

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–2.4%

   

BANKING–0.9%

   

Bank of America Corp.
3.375%, 2/17/09

    70     69,094

4.50%, 8/01/10

    100     100,049

Chase Manhattan Corp.
6.00%, 2/15/09

    170     171,487

Citicorp
Series MTNF
6.375%, 11/15/08

    31     31,421

Citigroup, Inc.
3.625%, 2/09/09

    135     133,190

4.625%, 8/03/10

    75     74,591

5.286%, 6/09/09(c)

    20     19,846

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
6.75%, 2/01/11

  $            80   $ 83,999

JPMorgan Chase Capital XXV
6.80%, 10/01/37

    51     49,035

Morgan JP & Co., Inc.
6.25%, 1/15/09

    157     158,896

National City Bank of Ohio
6.25%, 3/15/11

    250     257,080

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
6.40%, 4/01/09

    108     109,969

SouthTrust Corp.
5.80%, 6/15/14

    175     180,713

UBS Preferred Funding Trust I
8.622%, 10/01/10(d)

    40     43,129

Union Bank of California
5.95%, 5/11/16

    250     239,977

Wachovia Corp.
5.625%, 12/15/08

    46     45,911

Washington Mutual, Inc.
4.20%, 1/15/10

    14     12,507

Wells Fargo & Co.
4.20%, 1/15/10

    35     34,779

Zions Bancorporation
5.50%, 11/16/15

    35     32,823
       
      1,848,496
       

BROKERAGE–0.5%

   

The Bear Stearns Co., Inc.
5.55%, 1/22/17

    165     147,875

5.70%, 11/15/14

    145     137,503

7.625%, 12/07/09

    98     100,742

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
3.875%, 1/15/09

    134     132,628

4.75%, 7/15/13

    35     34,282

7.35%, 10/01/09

    36     37,626

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
5.00%, 1/14/11

    60     59,118

6.20%, 9/26/14

    33     33,610

6.50%, 7/19/17

    54     54,640

7.875%, 11/01/09

    75     78,169

Series MTNG
4.80%, 3/13/14

    42     39,089

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
4.79%, 8/04/10

    105     104,042

6.00%, 2/17/09

    47     47,384

6.05%, 5/16/16

    145     142,473

Series MTNC
4.125%, 1/15/09

    52     51,322
       
      1,200,503
       

FINANCE–0.8%

   

Capital One Bank
4.25%, 12/01/08

    160     156,569

Capital One Financial Corp.
5.50%, 6/01/15

    20     18,447

6.75%, 9/15/17

    43     41,242

 

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

CIT Group, Inc.
5.00%, 2/01/15

  $            75   $ 65,195

5.125%, 9/30/14

    40     35,235

5.85%, 9/15/16

    150     132,432

7.625%, 11/30/12

    135     136,837

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

    58     33,383

Series MTN
5.80%, 6/07/12

    75     54,787

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.
Series MTNL
4.00%, 3/22/11

    69     49,822

General Electric Capital Corp.
4.375%, 11/21/11

    25     24,803

6.75%, 3/15/32

    135     153,277

Household Finance Corp.
4.125%, 12/15/08

    90     89,176

HSBC Finance Corp.
6.50%, 11/15/08

    80     80,878

7.00%, 5/15/12

    85     89,060

iStar Financial, Inc.
5.15%, 3/01/12

    50     43,211

5.65%, 9/15/11

    95     84,894

SLM Corp.
4.50%, 7/26/10

    55     50,446

5.375%, 1/15/13–5/15/14

    375     334,306
       
      1,674,000
       

INSURANCE–0.2%

   

Assurant, Inc.
5.625%, 2/15/14

    35     34,250

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.
4.20%, 12/15/10

    50     50,259

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

    35     35,644

UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 4.125%, 8/15/09

    67     66,603

5.25%, 3/15/11

    165     166,846

WellPoint, Inc. 4.25%, 12/15/09

    80     79,071
       
      432,673
       
      5,155,672
       

INDUSTRIAL–2.4%

   

BASIC–0.1%

   

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

    10     10,999

International Paper Co.
5.30%, 4/01/15

    55     53,681

International Steel Group, Inc.
6.50%, 4/15/14

    60     61,609

Lubrizol Corp.
4.625%, 10/01/09

    20     20,085

Westvaco Corp.
8.20%, 1/15/30

    15     16,038

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Weyerhaeuser Co.
5.95%, 11/01/08

  $            35   $ 35,284
       
      197,696
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.1%

   

Boeing Capital Corp.
4.75%, 8/25/08

    35     35,119

Caterpillar Financial Services
4.50%, 6/15/09

    46     46,017

Textron Financial Corp.
4.125%, 3/03/08

    80     79,922

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

    85     87,366

Waste Management, Inc.
6.875%, 5/15/09

    40     41,067
       
      289,491
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.3%

   

British Sky Broadcasting PLC
8.20%, 7/15/09

    20     20,924

Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc.

   

9.455%, 11/15/22

    55     69,940

Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
6.20%, 11/15/08

    66     66,537

6.875%, 6/15/09

    50     51,429

Comcast Corp.
5.30%, 1/15/14

    40     39,224

5.50%, 3/15/11

    50     50,478

Cox Enterprises, Inc.
4.375%, 5/01/08(e)

    40     39,872

News America, Inc.
6.55%, 3/15/33

    45     44,950

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.
4.95%, 4/01/14

    25     23,570

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

    130     153,126

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

    25     26,606
       
      586,656
       

COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–
0.8%

   

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

    40     43,340

8.00%, 11/15/31

    15     18,421

British Telecommunications PLC 8.625%, 12/15/10

    100     109,735

Embarq Corp.
6.738%, 6/01/13

    5     5,172

7.082%, 6/01/16

    240     247,291

New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc.
7.875%, 3/01/11

    95     102,882

8.75%, 3/01/31

    50     64,799

 

 

15


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

 

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Nextel Communications, Inc. Series E
6.875%, 10/31/13

  $            45   $ 44,332

Qwest Corp.
5.625%, 11/15/08

    110     109,450

7.875%, 9/01/11

    150     156,000

8.875%, 3/15/12

    110     117,700

Sprint Capital Corp.
8.375%, 3/15/12

    120     129,963

Telecom Italia Capital SA
4.00%, 1/15/10

    120     117,532

6.00%, 9/30/34

    65     63,206

Telefonos de Mexico SAB de CV 4.50%, 11/19/08

    157     156,231

Verizon Communications, Inc. 4.90%, 9/15/15

    35     34,049

Verizon New Jersey, Inc.
Series A
5.875%, 1/17/12

    45     46,341

Vodafone Group PLC
5.50%, 6/15/11

    60     60,637
       
      1,627,081
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL– AUTOMOTIVE–0.0%

   

DaimlerChrysler North America
4.875%, 6/15/10

    25     24,889
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL– OTHER–0.2%

   

Centex Corp.
5.45%, 8/15/12

    164     144,247

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

    81     83,622

7.875%, 5/01/12

    84     89,259

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.
5.15%, 5/15/15

    20     18,149

6.875%, 11/15/12

    40     39,071
       
      374,348
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL– RETAILERS–0.0%

   

Limited Brands, Inc.
6.90%, 7/15/17

    25     24,155
       

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.5%

   

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

    85     109,513

Bunge Ltd Finance Corp.
5.10%, 7/15/15

    69     65,352

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

    135     134,921

ConAgra Foods, Inc.
7.875%, 9/15/10

    19     20,394

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

    19     18,873

6.75%, 8/15/14

    29     29,724

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Kraft Foods, Inc.
4.125%, 11/12/09

  $          115   $ 114,008

Reynolds American, Inc.
7.25%, 6/01/13

    150     158,660

7.625%, 6/01/16

    145     154,134

Safeway, Inc.
4.125%, 11/01/08

    18     17,806

6.50%, 3/01/11

    15     15,693

Tyson Foods, Inc.
6.85%, 4/01/16

    150     153,923

Wyeth
5.50%, 2/01/14

    40     40,627
       
      1,033,628
       

ENERGY–0.2%

   

Amerada Hess Corp.
7.875%, 10/01/29

    55     65,099

Gazprom
6.212%, 11/22/16(e)

    315     305,613

Valero Energy Corp.
6.875%, 4/15/12

    45     48,017
       
      418,729
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.2%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

   

Series B
6.50%, 8/01/13

    145     146,617

International Business Machines Corp.
4.375%, 6/01/09

    20     20,183

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

    70     67,977

7.50%, 5/15/25

    15     15,961

7.625%, 11/15/10

    5     5,356

Xerox Corp.
7.625%, 6/15/13

    30     31,306

9.75%, 1/15/09

    111     116,041
       
      403,441
       
      4,980,114
       

UTILITY–0.4%

   

ELECTRIC–0.3%

   

Carolina Power & Light Co.
6.50%, 7/15/12

    65     69,181

Consumers Energy Co.

   

Series C
4.25%, 4/15/08

    25     24,916

Exelon Corp.
6.75%, 5/01/11

    25     26,148

FirstEnergy Corp.
Series B
6.45%, 11/15/11

    65     67,120

Series C
7.375%, 11/15/31

    85     93,265

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.
5.875%, 10/01/12

    30     31,094

Nisource Finance Corp.
7.875%, 11/15/10

    40     42,433

 

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
4.80%, 3/01/14

  $            65   $ 63,194

Progress Energy, Inc.
7.10%, 3/01/11

    19     20,220

Public Service Company of Colorado
7.875%, 10/01/12

    30     33,666

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

    238     242,852
       
      714,089
       

NATURAL GAS–0.1%

   

Duke Energy Field Services Corp.
7.875%, 8/16/10

    15     16,091

Enterprise Products Operating LP
Series B
5.60%, 10/15/14

    25     24,950

Williams Cos, Inc.
7.875%, 9/01/21

    40     44,350
       
      85,391
       
      799,480
       

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $11,025,886)

      10,935,266
       

COMMERCIAL
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–3.8%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–3.8%

   

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

    164     167,898

Series 2004-4, Class A3
4.128%, 7/10/42

    200     197,530

Series 2004-6, Class A2
4.161%, 12/10/42

    140     137,776

Series 2005-6, Class A4
5.181%, 9/10/47

    315     310,604

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

    355     355,201

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc.
5.70%, 6/11/50

    365     376,041

Series 2006-PW12, Class A4
5.711%, 9/11/38

    100     102,615

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2004-C1, Class A4
5.529%, 4/15/40(d)

    110     111,331

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.

   

Series 2003-CK2, Class A2
3.861%, 3/15/36

    32     32,065

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Series 2004-C1, Class A4
4.75%, 1/15/37(d)

  $            70   $ 68,342

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates
Series 2006-C3, Class A3
5.827%, 6/15/38(d)

    90     92,952

Series 2006-C4, Class A3
5.467%, 9/15/39

    235     235,629

GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp.
Series 2005-C3, Class A3FX
4.863%, 7/10/45

    360     358,003

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp.
Series 2007-GG9, Class A4
5.444%, 3/10/39

    215     216,269

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2001-ROCK, Class C
6.878%, 5/03/18(e)

    605     639,962

Series 2004-GG2, Class A6
5.396%, 8/10/38

    80     80,544

Series 2007-GG10, Class A2
5.778%, 8/10/45

    490     499,415

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.
Series 2004-C1, Class A2
4.302%, 1/15/38

    60     58,895

Series 2005-CB11, Class A4
5.335%, 8/12/37

    170     170,349

Series 2005-LDP3, Class A2
4.851%, 8/15/42

    100     99,324

Series 2005-LDP4, Class A2
4.79%, 10/15/42

    210     208,337

Series 2005-LDP5, Class A2
5.198%, 12/15/44

    60     60,043

Series 2006-CB14, Class A4
5.481%, 12/12/44(d)

    50     50,178

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

    110     112,971

Series 2006-CB16, Class A4
5.552%, 5/12/45

    200     201,766

Series 2006-CB17, Class A4
5.429%, 12/12/43

    350     351,943

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2003-C3, Class A4
4.166%, 5/15/32

    150     143,440

Series 2004-C4, Class A4
5.296%, 6/15/29

    40     40,520

Series 2004-C8, Class A2
4.201%, 12/15/29

    125     123,152

Series 2005-C1, Class A4
4.742%, 2/15/30

    120     116,572

Series 2005-C7, Class A4
5.197%, 11/15/30

    50     48,932

Series 2006-C3, Class A4
5.661%, 3/15/39(d)

    285     290,049

 

 

17


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

 

Company

      Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
     

Series 2006-C4, Class A4
5.883%, 6/15/38(d)

    $     275   $ 285,381

Series 2006-C6, Class A4
5.372%, 9/15/39

    330     329,097

Series 2007-C6, Class A4
5.858%, 7/15/40

    210     217,192

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust
Series 2005-CKI1, Class A6
5.244%, 11/12/37(d)

    40     39,871

Series 2005-MKB2, Class A2
4.806%, 9/12/42

    320     318,394

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-2, Class A4
6.105%, 6/12/46(d)

    110     114,209

Series 2006-3, Class A4
5.414%, 7/12/46(d)

    280     279,856

Morgan Stanley Capital I
Series 2004-HQ4, Class A5
4.59%, 4/14/40

    190     187,626

Series 2007-T27, Class A4
5.651%, 6/13/42

    210     215,469
         
        8,045,743
         

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE CMBS–0.0%

     

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2007-EOP, Class E
5.692%, 3/06/20(c)(e)

    75     72,281
         

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $8,007,866)

        8,118,024
         

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–U.S. AGENCIES–3.2%

     

AGENCY
DEBENTURES–3.2%

     

Federal Home Loan Bank 4.625%, 10/10/12

    470     483,739

5.00%, 11/17/17

    3,120     3,234,931

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
5.125%, 11/17/17

    2,670     2,785,988

Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2005
3.875%, 2/15/10

    200     201,339
         

Total Government-Related–
U.S. Agencies
(cost $6,639,440)

        6,705,997
         

Company

      Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
     

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–FOREIGN AGENCIES–1.6%

     

Development Bank of Japan
1.75%, 6/21/10

    JPY   200,000   $ 1,830,694

Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau
1.75%, 3/23/10(a)

    114,000     1,041,107

Series INTL
1.85%, 9/20/10(a)

    64,000     587,937
         

Total Government-Related–Foreign Agencies
(cost $3,315,964)

        3,459,738
         

EMERGING MARKETS–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–1.0%

     
     

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–1.0%

     

SOVEREIGN–1.0%

     

Republic of Brazil
8.25%, 1/20/34(a)

  $     725     917,125

Republic of Panama
9.375%, 4/01/29(a)

    200     273,000

Republic of Peru
7.35%, 7/21/25(a)

    215     245,100

8.75%, 11/21/33

    185     245,125

Republic of Philippines 8.25%, 1/15/14

    261     292,320

8.875%, 3/17/15

    46     54,119
         

Total Emerging Markets–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $1,913,602)

        2,026,789
         

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–SOVEREIGNS–0.9%

     

Government of Poland Series 1110
6.00%, 11/24/10(a)

    PLN   1,745     706,841

Mexican Bonos
Series MI10
8.00%, 12/19/13(a)

    MXN   14,185     1,296,569
         

Total Government-Related–Sovereigns
(cost $2,013,711)

        2,003,410
         

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–0.8%

     

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING
RATE–0.6%

     

Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-SD1, Class 1A1
5.015%, 4/25/22(c)

    2     2,214

Series 2007-HE3, Class M1
5.315%, 4/25/37(c)

    100     64,310

 

 

18


 

 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $            88   $ 87,025

Home Equity Asset Trust
Series 2007-3, Class M1
5.215%, 8/25/37(c)

    275     189,522

Home Equity Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-1, Class A2
5.367%, 5/25/36(f)

    30     15,019

HSI Asset Securitization Corp. Trust
Series 2006-OPT2, Class 2A1
4.945%, 1/25/36(c)

    15     14,774

Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust
Series 2006-D, Class 2A2
4.975%, 11/25/36(c)

    295     277,991

IXIS Real Estate Capital Trust Series 2006-HE3, Class A2
4.965%, 1/25/37(c)

    195     183,940

Lehman XS Trust
Series 2007-4N, Class M1
5.315%, 3/25/47(c)

    265     193,001

RAAC Series
Series 2006-SP3, Class A1
4.945%, 8/25/36(c)

    128     124,149

Residential Asset Securities Corp.
Series 2003-KS3, Class A2
5.465%, 5/25/33(c)

    2     2,214

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance
Series 2006-BC1, Class A2A
4.945%, 12/25/36(c)

    11     10,965

Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust
Series 2006-1, Class A1
4.945%, 1/25/36(c)

    20     20,378
       
      1,185,502
       

HOME EQUITY LOANS– FIXED RATE–0.2%

   

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

    275     228,013

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.45%, 1/25/33(f)

    35     35,034

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

    35     28,187

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, Inc.
Series 2005-HI2, Class A3 4.46%, 5/25/35

    71     70,101
       
      361,335
       

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

CREDIT CARDS-FIXED
RATE–0.0%

   

MBNA Credit Card Master Note Trust
Series 2003-A6, Class A6 2.75%, 10/15/10

  $          85   $ 84,388
       

AUTOS-FIXED RAT–0.0%

   

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

    26     25,701
       

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $1,943,188)

      1,656,926
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–NON-U.S. ISSUERS–0.5%

   

SOVEREIGNS–0.4%

   

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

    812     923,423
       

SUPRANATIONALS–0.1%

   

European Investment Bank
5.125%, 5/30/17

    175     182,568
       

Total Government-Related–Non-U.S. Issuers
(cost $1,077,608)

      1,105,991
       

CORPORATES-NON-INVESTMENT
GRADES–0.5%

   

INDUSTRIAL–0.4%

   

BASIC–0.1%

   

Ineos Group Holdings PLC
8.50%, 2/15/16(e)

    75     66,750

Packaging Corp. of America
5.75%, 8/01/13

    30     30,660
       
      97,410
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.1%

   

Cablevision Systems Corp.
Series B
8.00%, 4/15/12

    45     43,650

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

    85     64,790

DirecTV Holdings LLC
6.375%, 6/15/15

    40     38,400

Echostar DBS Corp.
6.625%, 10/01/14

    17     16,915

7.125%, 2/01/16

    48     48,960
       
      212,715
       

COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.0%

   

Qwest Communications International, Inc.
7.50%, 2/15/14

    25     24,937

Series B
7.50%, 2/15/14

    15     14,963
       
      39,900
       

 

 

19


 

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

 

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

   

Ford Motor Credit Co.
7.375%, 10/28/09

  $        160   $ 150,599

General Motors Corp.
8.25%, 7/15/23

    70     55,650
       
      206,249
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1%

   

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc
5.625%, 6/01/15

    30     21,900

5.75%, 10/01/17

    11     7,453

6.50%, 6/01/16

    39     29,055

MGM Mirage
8.375%, 2/01/11

    40     40,900
       
      99,308
       

TRANSPORTATION–
SERVICES–0.0%

   

Hertz Corp.
8.875%, 1/01/14

    35     35,481
       
      691,063
       

UTILITY–0.1%

   

ELECTRIC–0.1%

   

Dynegy Holdings, Inc.
8.375%, 5/01/16

    70     68,425

Edison Mission Energy
7.00%, 5/15/17

    60     58,950

NRG Energy, Inc.
7.25%, 2/01/14

    65     63,375

7.375%, 2/01/16

    35     34,125
       
      224,875
       

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.0%

   

REITS–0.0%

   

American Real Estate Partners LP 7.125%, 2/15/13(e)

    25     23,500

7.125%, 2/15/13

    20     18,800
       
      42,300
       

Total Corporates–Non-
Investment Grades
(cost $1,009,151)

      958,238
       

MORTGAGE CMO’S–0.3%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED
RATE–0.2%

   

Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-WF1, Class 1A1
5.054%, 6/26/35(e)

    143     142,418

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
Series 2005-A8, Class A1C1
5.25%, 8/25/36(d)

    106     101,573

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Residential Accredit Loans, Inc. Series 2007-QS1, Class 1A1
6.00%, 1/25/37

  $          145   $ 149,652
       
      393,643
       

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE–0.1%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2005-62, Class 2A1
5.788%, 12/25/35(c)

    60     56,345

Series 2006-OA14, Class 3A1 5.638%, 11/25/46(c)

    189     178,319

Series 2007-OA3, Class M1
5.175%, 4/25/47(c)

    75     49,347
       
      284,011
       

Total Mortgage CMO’s
(cost $717,141)

      677,654
       
    Shares    

PREFERRED
STOCKS–0.1%

   
   

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–0.1%

   

AUTOMOBILES–0.1%

   

Porsche Automobil Hldg-PDF Zero Coupon
(cost $226,034)

    120     241,495
       

NON-CONVERTIBLE–
PREFERRED
STOCKS–0.1%

   
   

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.1%

   

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.1%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 8.375%

    2,525     66,029

Federal National Mortgage Association 8.25%

    3,075     79,181
       
      145,210
       

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–0.0%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT–0.0%

   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.(a)

    200     90,741
       

Total Non-Convertible–Preferred Stocks
(cost $232,993)

      235,951
       

 

 

20


 

 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–4.7%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–4.7%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $9,830,000)

  $         9,830   $ 9,830,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–98.5%
(cost $195,898,770)

      208,363,405

Other assets less
liabilities–1.5%

      3,087,016
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 211,450,421
       

 

 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration
Month
   Original
Value
   Value at
December 31,
2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Purchased Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index

   8    March 2008    $   516,316    $   518,736    $   2,420

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

     

Contract

Amount

(000)

     U.S. $ Value
on
Origination
Date
     U.S. $ Value
at
December 31,
2007
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

                 

Swedish Krona
settling 1/17/08

   3,715      $   568,185      $   574,897      $   6,712  

Sale Contracts:

                 

Japanese Yen
settling 1/08/08

   385,336        3,517,796        3,451,649        66,147  

Mexican Nuevo Peso
settling 1/28/08

   14,654        1,334,696        1,340,135        (5,439 )

Polish Zloty
settling 3/06/08

   1,747        698,460        709,282        (10,822 )

Swedish Krona
settling 1/17/08

   3,715        580,101        574,897        5,204  

 

21


 

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

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize forward currency exchange contracts. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $8,156,332.

 

(b) Non-income producing security.

 

(c) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(d) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of December 31, 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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $2,627,236 or 1.2% of net assets.

 

(f) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio currently owns investments collateralized by subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are offered to homeowners who do not have a history of debt or who have had problems meeting their debt obligations. Because repayment is less certain, subprime borrowers pay a higher rate of interest than prime borrowers. As of December 31, 2007, the Portfolio’s total exposure to subprime investments was 0.64%. These investments are valued in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Policies (see Note A.1 for additional details).

Currency Abbreviations:

JPY—Japanese Yen

MXN—Mexican Peso

PLN—Polish Zloty

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $195,898,770)

   $ 208,363,405  

Cash

     1,040  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $665,922)

     713,326 (a)

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     78,063  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     3,032,531  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     997,136  

Dividends and interest receivable

     802,380  
        

Total assets

     213,987,881  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     16,261  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     2,255,160  

Advisory fee payable

     138,373  

Distribution fee payable

     44,055  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     13,637  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

     1,052  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     68,806  
        

Total liabilities

     2,537,460  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 211,450,421  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 16,309  

Additional paid-in capital

     191,255,093  

Undistributed net investment income

     2,682,853  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     4,957,255  

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

     12,538,911  
        
   $ 211,450,421  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 9,986      765      $ 13.05

B

     $   211,440,435      16,308,472      $   12.97

 

 

 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $38,598 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007.

 

  See notes to financial statements.

 

23


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  

Year Ended December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $95)

   $ 3,178,652  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $96,899)

     2,135,969  
        

Total investment income

     5,314,621  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     939,791  

Distribution fee—Class B

     409,112  

Transfer agency—Class A

     111  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,994  

Custodian

     266,655  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     46,600  

Printing

     28,685  

Legal

     11,913  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     17,242  
        

Total expenses

     1,817,653  

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

     (116,796 )
        

Net expenses

     1,700,857  
        

Net investment income

     3,613,764  
        

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

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     5,795,832  

Futures

     67,564  

Foreign currency transactions

     146,216  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (2,158,259 )(a)

Futures

     (2,781 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     1,513  
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,850,085  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 7,463,849  
        

 

 

 

 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital gain taxes of $1,104.

 

  See notes to financial statements.

 

24


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 3,613,764     $ 1,909,660  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     6,009,612       3,214,278  

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

     (2,159,527 )     9,012,991  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     7,463,849       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

     74,441,052       48,588,078  
                

Total increase

     75,346,997       62,032,569  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     136,103,424       74,070,855  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,682,853 and $2,033,529, respectively)

   $ 211,450,421     $ 136,103,424  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

25


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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 maximize total return consistent with the Adviser’s determination of reasonable risk. 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-two 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.

 

26


 
 
    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 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.

 

27


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 year ended December 31, 2007 the Adviser waived advisory fees in the amount of $22,796.

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 $94,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $143,014, of which $204 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 125,396,106    $ 74,222,868

U.S. government securities

     70,339,364      53,228,215

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 197,157,155  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 18,737,415  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (7,531,165 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 11,206,250  
        

 

28


 
 
    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 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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

29


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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio earned income of $16,178 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    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

  (897,608 )   –0       (11,568,083 )     –0
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (862,266 )   7,034       $ (11,107,224 )   $ 80,464  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  7,204,056     5,107,705       $ 94,036,364     $ 60,618,810  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

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

Shares redeemed

  (1,125,031 )   (1,074,226 )       (14,585,133 )     (12,723,170 )
                             

Net increase

  6,549,114     4,087,161       $ 85,548,276     $ 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE: H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 3,822,032    $ 692,438  

Net long-term capital gains

     2,735,872      –0
               

Total distributions paid

   $ 6,557,904    $ 692,438  
               

NOTE I: Component of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 3,672,316  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     5,287,377  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     11,219,326 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 20,179,019  
        

 

(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 tax treatment of certain derivative instruments.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to a tax treatment of foreign currency gains/losses, paydown gains/losses, capital gains tax reclassification, dividend redesignation, and passive foreign investment companies resulted in a net increase in undistributed net investment income, and a net decrease to accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE J: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

 

31


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   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 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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

32


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
  2007     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)

  .31     .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

  .72     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

  $13.05     $12.87     $11.39     $10.69  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  5.55 %   13.92 %   7.30 %   6.90 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

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

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

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

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

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .85 %   1.07 %(e)   1.54 %   2.87 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  2.33 %   2.08 %(e)   1.64 %   1.36 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  77 %   203 %   139 %   44 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 34.

 

33


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

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
  2007     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)

  .27     .22     .15     .06  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .41     1.33     .60     .61  
                       

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .68     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

  $12.97     $12.81     $11.34     $10.67  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  5.26 %   13.75 %   7.01 %   6.70 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

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

  $211,440     $124,992     $64,325     $17,866  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

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

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.07 %   1.31 %(e)   1.77 %   3.34 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  2.11 %   1.84 %(e)   1.31 %   1.49 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  77 %   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) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(f) Annualized.

 

34


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

35


 
TAX INFORMATION  
(unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For corporate shareholders, 20.02% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the current fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio designates from distribution’s paid $2,735,872 as capital gains dividends.

 

36


BALANCED WEALTH
STRATEGY PORTFOLIO

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

Daniel Grasman (2), Vice President

Mark A. Hamilton(2), Vice President

Joshua B. Lisser(2), Vice President

Seth J. Masters(2), Vice President

    

Christopher H. Nikolich(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial
Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Blend Investment Policy Team, comprised of senior Blend portfolio managers. Significant day-to-day responsibilities for coordinating the Portfolio’s investments resides with Daniel Grasman, Mark A. Hamilton, Joshua B. Lisser, Seth J. Masters and Christopher H. Nikolich.

 

37


 
BALANCED WEALTH  
STRATEGY PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR
        
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
   Executive Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)

 

38


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993–2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

39


 

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

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Daniel Grasman
43
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser **, and Senior Portfolio Manager of AllianceBernstein since 2004. Prior thereto, he was co-founder and COO of Xelector since prior to 2003.
         
Mark A. Hamilton
42
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joshua B. Lisser
41
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Seth J. Masters
48
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Christopher H. Nikolich
38
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

     The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

40


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY 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 Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 directors noted that the Adviser had waived reimbursement payments from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s last fiscal year. 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 or brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

41


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY 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 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. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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% Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index/40% Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index) (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended April 30, 2007 over the 1-year period and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (July 2004 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 1-year period and that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in both 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 advisory 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 also noted that the Adviser advises a portfolio of another AllianceBernstein fund with a similar investment style as the Portfolio for the same fee schedule as 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 expense ratio of the

 

42


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio reflected fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of an applicable expense limitation undertaking by the Adviser. The directors noted that the Adviser had recently reduced the Portfolio’s expense caps and that the Lipper information included the pro forma expense ratio provided by the Adviser assuming the reduced expense cap for Class A shares effective February 12, 2007 had been in effect throughout the Portfolio’s fiscal year ended December 31 2006. All references to expense ratios are to the pro forma 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 effective fee rate of 55 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 9 basis points had been waived by the Adviser. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s pro forma total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser, was lower than the Expense Group median and higher than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s pro forma 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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

43


 
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 the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy 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 the 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

06/30/07

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Balanced

  55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
45 bp on next $2.5 billion
40 bp on the balance
  $ 174.1   Balanced Wealth
Strategy 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 entitled to receive $86,750 (0.09% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services but waived the amount in its entirety.

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating expense to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s current fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days of written notice. It

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on July 17, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on July 31–August 2, 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. AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc., which the Adviser also manages, has lower breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule compared to the Balanced category: 60 bp on the first $200 million, 50 bp on the next $200 million, 40 bp on the balance.

 

44


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

should be noted that the Portfolio’s expense cap was reduced effective February 12, 2007. Set forth below is the Portfolio’s expense caps before and after February 12, 2007 and gross expense ratio as of December 31, 2006:

 

Portfolio   Expense Cap Pursuant to Expense
Limitation Undertaking
  Gross
Expense
Ratio
(12/31/06)
   Fiscal Year End
       Effective
02/12/07
    Prior to
02/12/07
    

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

  Class A   0.75 %   1.20%   1.07%    December 31
  Class B   1.00 %   1.45%   1.31%   

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 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 With respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, the Senior Officer noted that the portfolio composition of certain series of the AllianceBernstein Retirement Strategies, managed by the Adviser, were somewhat similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser has an institutional product, Target Date (All Active), which is managed similarly as the AllianceBernstein Retirement Strategies. Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the advisory fee of the Portfolio had the institutional advisory fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

06/30/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy

   $174.1   

Target Date–All Active

75 bp on 1st $25 million

60 bp on next $25 million

50 bp on next $50 million

40 bp on next $100 million

35 bp on the balance

+Other operating expenses (capped)

Minimum Account Size:

$100M or plan assets of $500M

   0.508 %    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.

 

45


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

 

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:5

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

  Balanced Wealth Strategy  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  0.55%

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 Balanced Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio   Luxembourg Fund      Fee

Balanced Wealth Strategy

  Global Balanced Portfolio     
  Class A6      1.40%
  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 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

Balanced Wealth Strategy

 

Alliance Global Balance

(50% Global Bond / 50% Global Equity)7

     0.70%
 

Alliance Global Balance

(30% Global Bond / 70% Global Equity)7

     0.75%

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”)8 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.9

 

 

 

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

 

7 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

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.

 

46


 
 
    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
Fee10
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   0.550    0.683    5/13

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. Since the Portfolio’s expense cap was reduced effective February 12, 2007, supplemental pro-forma information (shown in bold and italicized) is also provided.12

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   0.984    0.830    12/13    0.721    27/28

pro-forma

   0.750    0.820    5/13    0.722    17/28

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has equally favorable rankings on a management fee basis and pro-forma 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.

 

 

 

10 The contractual management fee would 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.

 

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 The Portfolios’ pro-forma expense medians and rankings were estimated by the Senior Officer using standard Lipper methodology.

 

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

 

47


 

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

 

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 $230,686 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 $136,326 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 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.

 

 

 

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

 

48


 
 
    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 $793 billion as of June 30, 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 performance rankings of the Portfolio15 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)16 for the periods ended April 30, 2007.17

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy    Portfolio
Return
   PG
Median
   PU
Median
   PG
Rank
   PU
Rank

1 year

   12.76    12.76    11.10    7/13    13/53

Set forth below is the 1 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)18 versus its benchmark.

 

     

Periods Ending April 30, 2007

Annualized Net Performance (%)

      1 Year (%)      Since
Inception (%)19

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   12.76      11.52

S&P 500 Stock Index

   15.23      13.46

Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index

   7.36      4.38

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

   12.08      9.83

Inception Date: July 1, 2004

       

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: August 22, 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 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 April 30, 2007. 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.

 

49


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 4, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in a global portfolio of equity securities of companies within various market sectors selected by the Adviser for their growth potential. Examples of the types of market sectors into which the Adviser may invest the Portfolio’s assets include, but are not limited to, communications and information technology, health care, financial services, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, and consumer growth. Within each sector, stock selection emphasizes investments in companies representing the research sector head groups’ top picks for their respective sectors.

The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, in the equity securities of companies located in at least three countries (and normally substantially more), one of which may be the United States. The Portfolio invests in securities of companies in both developed and emerging markets countries. The Portfolio also may invest in synthetic foreign equity securities. The Adviser expects that normally the Portfolio’s holdings will tend to emphasize investments in larger capitalization companies, although it may invest in smaller or medium market capitalization companies. The Portfolio normally invests in approximately 100-150 companies.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index, for the one-year period ended December 31, 2007, and since the Portfolio’s inception on May 2, 2005.

The Portfolio outperformed its benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007, with all of the outperformance occurring within the last six months of the annual period. The Portfolio’s outperformance can be attributed to favorable security selection in most sectors. Security selection in materials, financials, energy, health care and industrials was particularly meaningful for the one-year period. Metals and mining securities within the materials sector delivered exceptional relative performance for the annual period, fueled by the growing demand for raw materials by emerging countries. However, consumer discretionary stock selection detracted from Portfolio performance.

On a sector level, an underweight in consumer discretionary and an overweight in information technology contributed to the Portfolio’s relative performance. Overall sector selection was a modest drag on relative performance, led by an underweight in the telecommunication services and utilities sectors, and also an overweight in the financials sector.

On a country level, an underweight position in Japan made the most notable contribution to relative Portfolio performance, while an underweight position in Germany and an overweight position in Switzerland detracted from relative performance. Positive security selection within the United States and the United Kingdom was a significant contributor to relative performance. Security selection in Switzerland, Japan and Spain hindered the Portfolio’s relative performance for the annual period.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Global stock markets performed well during the annual period ended December 31, 2007, despite headlines that were dominated by a slowing U.S. housing market, a subprime mortgage crisis and a slowdown in U.S. economic growth. Along with these headlines came increased investor anxiety, which led to greater volatility in the global markets. Through this volatility, global growth stocks outperformed their global value style counterparts for the first time since 2002. Investors favored large capitalization stocks over small capitalization stocks. Regionally, international markets outpaced U.S. stocks with emerging markets posting the strongest growth. The Portfolio benefited from investors’ appetite for growth and emerging market stocks. In the middle of the year, volatility in the markets increased and stocks began to react negatively to news about subprime mortgages, as the scope of the subprime mortgage crisis surprised many market observers. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) responded with cuts to the Fed funds rate in September, October and December 2007. Stocks reacted positively after the initial cut in September; however, market strength proved temporary as investor anxiety increased about the state of the U.S. economy.

The Portfolio’s Global Research Growth Portfolio Oversight Group (the “Group”) made several notable changes in sector exposure during the year. The Group reduced the Portfolio’s exposure to the financial sector from an overweight to a modest underweight. Within the financial sector, exposure to commercial banks, diversified financial services and insurance stocks was also reduced. The Group reduced the Portfolio’s overall exposure to the financial

 

1


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

sector, but also invested some of the proceeds in companies with capital market exposure. A small reduction in the health care sector was made, although the Portfolio remains overweight relative to the benchmark. The Group increased the size of the technology sector overweight, most notably adding to computer hardware stocks. Several utility stocks were introduced to the Portfolio, bringing the utility weighting from zero at the beginning of the period to a modest underweight relative to the benchmark.

 

2


 
GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged MSCI World Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The MSCI World Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of stock markets in 23 countries. Investors cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

The MSCI World Index values are calculated using net returns. Net returns approximate the minimum possible dividend reinvestment—the dividend is reinvested after deduction of withholding tax, applying the highest rate possible to non-resident individuals who do not benefit from double taxation treaties.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio concentrates its investments in a limited number of industry sectors and issues, and an investment in the Portfolio is therefore subject to greater risk and volatility than investments in a more diversified portfolio. The Portfolio may invest a significant portion of its assets in foreign securities including those in emerging markets, which can be more volatile than U.S. securities due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. Growth investing does not guarantee a profit or eliminate risk. The stocks of these companies can have relatively high valuations. Because of these high valuations, an investment in a growth stock can be more risky than an investment in a company with more modest growth expectations. If a growth stock company should fail to meet these high earnings expectations, the price of these stocks can be severely negatively affected. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, it may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      Since Inception*

AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio Class A

   12.45%      18.34%

AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio Class B

   12.17%      18.04%

MSCI World Index

   9.04%      15.83%

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A and Class B shares on 5/2/05.

       
       

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 4.61% and 4.78% for Class A and Class B respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Portfolio’s annual operating expense ratios to 1.20% and 1.45% for Class A and Class B respectively. These waivers/reimbursements extend through the Portfolio’s current fiscal year and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

5/2/05* – 12/31/07

LOGO

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 5/2/05.

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio Class A shares (from 5/2/05* to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,054.13    $   6.21    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.16    $ 6.11    1.20 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,052.90    $ 7.50    1.45 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.90    $ 7.37    1.45 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

   $ 391,331      3.0 %

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     292,411      2.2  

Credit Suisse Group

     290,564      2.2  

Rio Tinto PLC

     287,312      2.2  

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

     250,226      1.9  

Baker Hughes, Inc.

     250,194      1.9  

The Blackstone Group LP

     224,620      1.7  

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)

     218,465      1.7  

Noble Energy, Inc.

     190,530      1.5  

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR & Sponsored ADR)

     188,953      1.5  
                 
     $   2,584,606      19.8 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 2,907,582      22.3 %

Information Technology

     1,943,334      14.9  

Energy

     1,435,329      11.0  

Health Care

     1,418,940      10.9  

Industrials

     1,362,112      10.4  

Consumer Staples

     1,177,517      9.0  

Materials

     1,038,244      8.0  

Consumer Discretionary

     694,435      5.3  

Utilities

     439,973      3.4  

Telecommunication Services

     256,174      2.0  

Short-Term Investments

     364,000      2.8  
                 

Total Investments

   $   13,037,640      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 Poors. The fund 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.

 

6


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 6,707,724      51.4 %

Switzerland

     1,103,251      8.5  

United Kingdom

     1,041,511      8.0  

Brazil

     373,554      2.9  

France

     366,502      2.8  

Japan

     335,975      2.6  

India

     297,757      2.3  

Russia

     260,065      2.0  

Germany

     244,022      1.9  

Spain

     241,679      1.8  

Australia

     207,619      1.6  

Bermuda

     171,465      1.3  

Short-Term Investments

     364,000      2.8  

Other*

     1,322,516      10.1  
                 

Total Investments

   $   13,037,640      100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

* All data are as of December 31, 2007. The fund’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: Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Finland, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan and Turkey.

 

7


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–95.0%

 
   

FINANCIALS–21.6%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–13.1%

   

3i Group PLC

  3,430   $ 67,912

The Blackstone Group LP

  10,150     224,620

Credit Suisse Group

  4,827     290,564

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  490     56,071

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

  3,400     111,690

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  5,980     391,331

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  1,672     111,869

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  2,515     135,005

MF Global Ltd.(a)

  2,300     72,381

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  5,427     250,226
       
      1,711,669
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–3.0%

   

Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA

  2,790     71,317

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

  5,972     128,983

Standard Chartered PLC

  3,679     134,271

Turkiye Is Bankasi–Class C

  10,172     63,540
       
      398,111
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–3.5%

   

Bolsa De Mercadorias E Futuros(a)

  1,900     26,686

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  102     69,972

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  6,699     292,411

NYSE Euronext

  800     70,216
       
      459,285
       

INSURANCE–2.0%

   

American International Group, Inc.

  2,770     161,491

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  3,298     95,750
       
      257,241
       
      2,826,306
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–14.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–3.0%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  4,945     133,861

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  1,405     46,646

Nokia OYJ

  3,807     146,255

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  600     68,040
       
      394,802
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–3.5%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  780     154,503

EMC Corp.(a)

  1,253     23,218

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  2,300     116,104

InnoLux Display Corp.

  7,159     23,866

International Business Machines Corp.

  1,050     113,505

SanDisk Corp.(a)

  300     9,951

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  633     11,476
       
      452,623
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.6%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

  300   $ 13,911

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

  2,197     27,366

Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd.

  1,000     16,267

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  675     25,063
       
      82,607
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–2.0%

   

Alibaba.com Ltd.(a)

  4,500     15,957

eBay, Inc.(a)

  2,820     93,596

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  221     152,817
       
      262,370
       

IT SERVICES–0.3%

   

Cap Gemini SA

  582     36,568

Genpact Ltd.(a)

  200     3,046
       
      39,614
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.2%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  1,300     22,790
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.1%

   

ASML Holding NV(a)

  551     17,397

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  1,230     32,152

Intel Corp.

  4,850     129,301

Lam Research Corp.(a)

  420     18,157

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  1,220     41,504

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (ADR)

  3,401     33,874
       
      272,385
       

SOFTWARE–2.9%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  1,675     71,573

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

  400     15,204

Microsoft Corp.

  4,200     149,520

Oracle Corp.(a)

  4,120     93,030

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  200     12,538

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)(a)

  430     14,336

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  300     25,497
       
      381,698
       
      1,908,889
       

ENERGY–11.0%

   
   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.6%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  3,085     250,194

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  1,600     77,008

Schlumberger Ltd.

  1,650     162,310

Technip SA

  1,355     107,779
       
      597,291
       

 

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–6.4%

   

Addax Petroleum Corp.

  2,188   $ 95,217

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.–Class H

  10,500     61,853

EOG Resources, Inc.

  1,760     157,080

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)

  3,853     218,465

Noble Energy, Inc.

  2,396     190,530

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  900     86,598

Sasol Ltd.

  571     28,295
       
      838,038
       
      1,435,329
       

HEALTH CARE–10.9%

   
   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.4%

   

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  300     11,100

Basilea Pharmaceutica(a)

  57     11,089

Celgene Corp.(a)

  300     13,863

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  900     60,363

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  1,850     85,118
       
      181,533
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.9%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  655     93,691

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  650     54,327

Hologic, Inc.(a)

  800     54,912

Nobel Biocare Holding AG

  183     48,737
       
      251,667
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.4%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  1,550     89,482

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  660     66,924

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  1,750     153,527
       
      309,933
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.2%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  1,350     75,803

Eli Lilly & Co.

  1,105     58,996

Merck & Co., Inc.

  2,575     149,633

Novartis AG

  755     41,289

Roche Holding AG

  614     106,140

Schering-Plough Corp.

  3,700     98,568

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

  400     23,368

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR)

  2,625     122,010
       
      675,807
       
      1,418,940
       

INDUSTRIALS–10.4%

   
   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–3.0%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  13,453     133,506

Honeywell International, Inc.

  800     49,256

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  940     98,945

United Technologies Corp.

  1,550     118,637
       
      400,344
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

AIRLINES–0.1%

   

Continental Airlines, Inc.–
Class B(a)

  450   $ 10,012
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.6%

   

Fluor Corp.

  400     58,288

Quanta Services, Inc.(a)

  600     15,744
       
      74,032
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.5%

   

ABB Ltd.

  3,082     88,860

Emerson Electric Co.

  1,955     110,770
       
      199,630
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.2%

   

General Electric Co.

  3,375     125,111

Siemens AG

  1,007     159,469
       
      284,580
       

MACHINERY–1.6%

   

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

  2,497     37,114

Danaher Corp.

  1,040     91,249

Deere & Co.

  600     55,872

Eaton Corp.

  300     29,085
       
      213,320
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.4%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  2,800     75,781

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  5,000     104,413
       
      180,194
       
      1,362,112
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.0%

   
   

BEVERAGES–0.2%

   

SABMiller PLC

  692     19,421
       

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–1.5%

   

Safeway, Inc.

  2,470     84,499

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV
Series V

  28,592     99,679

X 5 Retail Group NV (GDR)(a)

  234     8,490
       
      192,668
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–3.9%

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

  2,450     113,753

Bunge Ltd.

  825     96,038

Nestle SA

  376     172,656

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  2,245     131,445
       
      513,892
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  2,300     168,866
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.9%

   

The Estee Lauder Cos, Inc.–Class A

  100     4,361

L’Oreal SA

  669     95,799

Oriflame Cosmetics SA

  350     22,280
       
      122,440
       

 

 

9


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

TOBACCO–1.2%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  2,120   $ 160,230
       
      1,177,517
       

MATERIALS–7.9%

   
   

CHEMICALS–2.5%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  1,850     182,466

Monsanto Co.

  1,360     151,898
       
      334,364
       

METALS & MINING–5.4%

   

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  3,300     107,811

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  2,900     81,142

Rio Tinto PLC

  2,730     287,312

Sterlite Industries India Ltd. (ADR)(a)

  3,170     82,642

Xstrata PLC

  2,066     144,973
       
      703,880
       
      1,038,244
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–5.3%

   
   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.4%

   

Denso Corp.

  1,410     57,379
       

AUTOMOBILES–1.4%

   

Fiat SpA

  4,155     106,929

Porsche AG

  23     46,287

Suzuki Motor Corp.

  1,200     35,976
       
      189,192
       

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.8%

   

Apollo Group, Inc.–Class A(a)

  1,570     110,135
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.2%

   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)

  500     28,735

Ladbrokes PLC

  11,898     75,946

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

  2,100     49,476
       
      154,157
       

MEDIA–0.1%

   

Eutelsat Communications

  203     6,028

SES Global (FDR)

  225     5,940
       
      11,968
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.7%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  1,685     77,173

Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd.

  24     10,516
       
      87,689
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.4%

   

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  3,100     45,648
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.3%

   

Adidas Ag

  518     38,267
       
      694,435
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

UTILITIES–2.5%

   
   

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–1.6%

   

Iberdrola Renovables(a)

  11,080   $ 91,527

International Power PLC

  12,278     110,678
       
      202,205
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.9%

   

Veolia Environnement

  1,321     120,328
       
      322,533
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.8%

   
   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.7%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  500     20,780

Telefonica SA

  653     21,168

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  1,060     46,311
       
      88,259
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.1%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  490     30,081

MTN Group Ltd.

  659     12,343

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  1,000     41,600

Vodafone Group PLC

  17,979     67,492
       
      151,516
       
      239,775
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $10,485,918)

      12,424,080
       

WARRANTS–1.9%

   
   

UTILITIES–0.9%

   

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.9%

   
   

NTPC Ltd., expiring 2/06/17(a)(b)

  18,512     117,440
       

FINANCIALS–0.6%

   

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.6%

   
   

Housing Development Finance Corp., expiring 1/18/11(a)

  1,112     81,276
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.3%

   
   

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.2%

   

AU Optronics Corp., expiring 1/17/12(a)

  10,000     19,490
       

 

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.1%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc., expiring 1/17/12(b)

  15,000   $ 14,955
       
      34,445
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.1%

   
   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.1%

   

Bharti Airtel Ltd. (Merrill Lynch), expiring 3/17/11(a)(b)

  648     16,399
       

Total Warrants
(cost $181,806)

      249,560
       
    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.8%

   
   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.8%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $364,000)

  $        364   $ 364,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.7%
(cost $11,031,724)

      13,037,640

Other assets less
liabilities–0.3%

      34,378
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 13,072,018
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $176,160 or 1.3% of net assets.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

11


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $11,031,724)

   $ 13,037,640

Cash

     486

Foreign cash, at value (cost $114,369)

     115,175

Receivable for investment securities sold

     67,034

Receivable for capital stock sold

     65,577

Dividends and interest receivable

     13,286
      

Total assets

     13,299,198
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     173,880

Custodian fee payable

     33,728

Distribution fee payable

     2,718

Advisory fee payable

     1,757

Transfer Agent fee payable

     117

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     21

Accrued expenses

     14,959
      

Total liabilities

     227,180
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 13,072,018
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 887

Additional paid-in capital

     10,072,931

Undistributed net investment income

     14,410

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     978,195

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

     2,005,595
      
   $ 13,072,018
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 144,610      9,771      $ 14.80

B

     $   12,927,408      877,460      $   14.73

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $9,179)

   $ 156,419  

Interest

     12,679  
        

Total investment income

     169,098  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     86,902  

Distribution fee—Class B

     28,598  

Transfer agency—Class A

     25  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,825  

Custodian

     153,619  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Printing

     13,519  

Legal

     10,267  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     8,511  
        

Total expenses

     439,916  

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

     (272,270 )
        

Net expenses

     167,646  
        

Net investment income

     1,452  
        

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

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     996,829  

Foreign currency transactions

     15,392  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     70,087  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (4,371 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,077,937  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 1,079,389  
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

13


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,452     $ 14,313  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,012,221       359,268  

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

     65,716       977,503  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     1,079,389       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)

     (260,278 )     4,259,482  
                

Total increase

     428,109       5,459,420  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     12,643,909       7,184,489  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $14,410 and $12,955, respectively)

   $ 13,072,018     $ 12,643,909  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

15


GLOBAL RESEARCH 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 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 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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Adviser waived fees in the amount of $178,270.

 

16


 
 
    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 $94,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $25,532, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 13,018,432     $ 13,355,940  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 11,103,605  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 2,281,041  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (347,006 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,934,035  
        

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.

 

17


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

18


 
 
    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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    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  

Shares redeemed

  (814 )   –0–         (11,500 )     –0–  
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (398 )   169       $ (5,623 )   $ 2,078  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  433,686     361,383       $ 6,201,245     $ 4,621,694  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

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

Shares redeemed

  (500,330 )   (41,356 )       (6,841,025 )     (513,396 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (39,291 )   332,411       $ (254,655 )   $ 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

      2007          2006      

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 201,762    $ 151,146

Net long-term capital gains

     189,240      –0–
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 391,002    $ 151,146
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 195,103  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     869,277  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,933,820 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 2,998,200  
        

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of foreign currency resulted in a net decrease in distributions in excess of net investment income and a net decrease in accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

 

19


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

 

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

20


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,     May 2, 2005(a) to
December 31,
2005
 
    2007     2006    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.70     $12.11     $10.00  
                 
     

Income From Investment Operations

     

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .05     .05     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  1.62     1.74     2.10  
                 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  1.67     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

  $14.80     $13.70     $12.11  
                 
     

Total Return

     

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  12.45 %   15.04 %   21.10 %
     

Ratios/Supplemental Data

     

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

  $145     $139     $121  

Ratio to average net assets of:

     

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %   1.20 %(e)   1.20 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  3.62 %   4.61 %(e)   7.47 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  .33 %   .41 %(e)   .13 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  115 %   64 %   43 %

 

 

 


See footnote summary on page 22.

 

21


GLOBAL 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  
    Year Ended December 31,     May 2, 2005(a) to
December 31,
2005
 
    2007     2006    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.64     $12.09     $10.00  
                 
     

Income From Investment Operations

     

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

  .00 (g)   .02     (.01 )

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  1.63     1.73     2.10  
                 

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  1.63     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

  $14.73     $13.64     $12.09  
                 
     

Total Return

     

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  12.17 %   14.73 %   20.90 %
     

Ratios/Supplemental Data

     

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

  $12,927     $12,505     $7,063  

Ratio to average net assets of:

     

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %   1.45 %(e)   1.45 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  3.80 %   4.78 %(e)   7.73 %(f)

Net investment income (loss) (c)

  .01 %   .14 %(e)   (.14 )%(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  115 %   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) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(f) Annualized.

 

(g) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

22


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended and statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

23


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)    

 

The Portfolio designates $189,240 from distribution made in fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as a capital gain dividends.

For corporate shareholders, 38.68% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the current fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

24


 
GLOBAL RESEARCH  
GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

Norman M. Fidel(2), Vice President

Eric Hewitt(2), Vice President

Siobhan McManus, Vice President

Thomas A. Schmitt(2), Vice President

    

Jane E. Schneirov(2), Vice President

Francis X. Suozzo(2), Vice President

Paul Vogel(2), Vice President

Janet A. Walsh(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s Global Research Growth research sector heads with oversight by the Adviser’s Global Research Growth Portfolio Oversight Group. Mr. Norman M. Fidel, Mr. Eric Hewitt, Mr. Thomas A. Schmitt, Ms. Jane E. Schneirov, Mr. Francis X. Suozzo, Mr. Paul Vogel and Ms. Janet A. Walsh are the research sector heads with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

25


 
GLOBAL RESEARCH  
GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        

Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001, and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        
William H. Foulk, Jr., #,*** Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) formerly Alliance Capital Management Corporation responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation), from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund, and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)

 

26


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody,#

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995-2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993-1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975-1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005-2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993-2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Portfolio’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein LP, Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

27


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     POSITION(S) HELD
WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Norman M. Fidel
62
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Eric Hewitt

37

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Siobhan McManus
45
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas A. Schmitt,
50
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Jane E. Schneirov
37
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Francis X. Suozzo
50
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Paul Vogel
35
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Janet A. Walsh
46
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABIS, ABI and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

28


 
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

Class B 1.45

%

%

   4.61

4.78

%

%

   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.

 

29


 
    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.

 

30


GLOBAL RESEARCH 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 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

   1.70 %

Class I (Institutional)

   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.

 

31


 
    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.

 

32


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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.

 

33


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

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.

 

34


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 6, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities of companies expected to derive a substantial portion of their revenues from products and services in technology-related industries and/or to benefit from technological advances and improvements (i.e., companies principally engaged in the production, creation, marketing or distribution of technology products and services or that use technology extensively.) The Portfolio will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of these companies. The Portfolio invests in a global portfolio of securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies selected for their capital appreciation potential.

The Portfolio invests in both developed and emerging market countries and may invest without limit in securities of issuers in any one country. The percentage of the Portfolio’s assets invested in securities of companies in a particular country or denominated in a particular currency varies in accordance with the Adviser’s assessment of the appreciation potential of such securities. The Portfolio may also invest in synthetic foreign equity securities.

The Portfolio may invest in any company and industry and in any type of security, listed and unlisted, with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known, established companies as well as new or unseasoned companies. Investments in new, smaller and less-seasoned companies may offer more reward but also may entail more risk than is generally true of larger, established companies.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Information Technology Index, and the broader market, represented by the MSCI World Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio outperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. The Portfolio also outperformed the MSCI World Index during the period, as the potential for positive relative growth for technology companies reasserted itself.

 

The Portfolio’s relative outperformance compared to the MSCI World Information Technology Index was primarily driven by strong sector allocation within technology. In particular, an overweight allocation toward cellular and telecommunications services contributed positively to relative performance as those industries outperformed the broader technology group. To a lesser but still significant degree, stock selection contributed positively, particularly in the communication equipment and software segments. Holdings among information technology (IT) services companies also helped relative performance.

Currency movements, a by-product of the Portfolio’s stock-specific approach to global technology investing, had a negative impact on relative returns, as the Portfolio was underweight in European and Japanese stocks for fundamental reasons. For the one-year period, currency movements were more than offset by the positives in sector allocation and stock selection.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The year ended December 31, 2007, was a positive one for technology stocks, both in terms of solid absolute performance and, most importantly, in terms of establishing a new pattern of outperformance compared to the broader market. Global economic growth can be credited for the strength in technology, as sector fundamentals showed resiliency in the face of a slowing U.S. economy. Within the technology sector, hardware/storage, Internet and software names outperformed, while IT services, contract manufacturers and distributors, and semiconductor components and capital equipment underperformed.

During the one-year period under review, the Portfolio’s holdings in communication equipment, telecommunications and cellular services, semiconductors and software were increased, while electronic equipment, broadcast/cable/media, IT services and Internet holdings were reduced. As of December 31, 2007, the Portfolio’s largest overweights were in telecommunications, cellular services and Internet, while its largest underweights were in electronic equipment and components, IT services, communication equipment and semiconductor capital equipment companies.

The Portfolio’s manager continues to seek investments in companies where the Adviser’s growth research efforts have identified underestimated earnings growth potential. Within this framework, the Portfolio continues to diversify across multiple industries within the broad technology sector and to take a global perspective on the technology market. The Portfolio’s primary secular themes—next-generation Internet, mobility and global adoption—persist.

 

1


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Information Technology Index nor the unmanaged MSCI World Index reflects fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The MSCI World Information Technology Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure global developed market equity performance in the information technology sector as defined by the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). GICS is a joint Standard & Poor’s/Morgan Stanley Capital International product aimed at standardizing industry definitions. The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure global developed market equity performance. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

Both the MSCI World Index and the MSCI World Information Technology Index values are calculated using net returns. Net returns approximate the minimum possible dividend reinvestment—the dividend is reinvested after deduction of withholding tax, applying the highest rate possible to non-resident individuals who do not benefit from double taxation treaties.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio concentrates its investments in technology-related stocks and may therefore be subject to greater risks and volatility than a fund with a more diversified portfolio. Technology stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities, including those in emerging markets, which can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments. In addition, because the Portfolio will invest in foreign currency denominated securities, fluctuations in the value of the Portfolio’s investments may be magnified by changes in foreign exchange rates. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio Class A

   20.20%      15.56%      7.33%  

AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio Class B

   19.89%      15.27%      -0.18% *

MSCI World Information Technology Index

   15.10%      14.91%      5.46%  

MSCI World Index

   9.04%      16.96%      7.00%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 9/22/99.

 

 

† Reflects the positive impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit: www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf

  

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.92% and 1.18% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI World Information Technology Index, and the broad market, represented by the MSCI World Index. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,104.53    $   4.99    0.94 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.47    $   4.79    0.94 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,103.20    $   6.31    1.19 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.21    $   6.06    1.19 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Apple, Inc.

   $ 17,747,968      6.2 %

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     17,573,844      6.2  

Intel Corp.

     17,355,660      6.1  

Nokia OYJ

     17,319,467      6.1  

Google, Inc.—Class A

     16,941,260      5.9  

Microsoft Corp.

     16,578,920      5.8  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     14,896,648      5.2  

International Business Machines Corp.

     13,750,320      4.8  

Oracle Corp.

     11,545,154      4.1  

Research In Motion Ltd.

     8,663,760      3.0  
                 
     $   152,373,001      53.4 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

   $ 123,659,626      43.5 %

Software & Services

     83,773,924      29.5  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     38,466,776      13.5  

Telecommunication Services

     28,270,529      10.1  

Consumer Services

     3,149,356      1.1  

Media

     1,102,067      0.4  

Short-Term Investments

     5,424,000      1.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $   283,846,278      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 fund 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.

 

5


 
COUNTRY BREAKDOWN  

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 203,665,518      71.8 %

Finland

     17,319,467      6.1  

Taiwan

     13,584,931      4.8  

Canada

     8,663,760      3.1  

China

     5,526,898      1.9  

Russia

     4,942,080      1.7  

Japan

     4,860,764      1.7  

United Kingdom

     3,548,188      1.2  

Mexico

     3,536,064      1.2  

France

     3,435,656      1.2  

Spain

     2,995,205      1.1  

Netherlands

     1,999,258      0.7  

Others

     4,344,489      1.6  

Short-Term Investments

     5,424,000      1.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $   283,846,278      100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

* All data are as of December 31, 2007. The fund’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. ‘Other’ country weightings represents 0.7% or less in the following countries: Cayman Islands, India, Luxembourg and South Africa.

 

6


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–94.6%

   

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT–41.4%

   

COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT–18.4%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  649,200   $ 17,573,844

Foundry Networks, Inc.(a)

  120,700     2,114,664

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  181,100     6,012,520

Nokia OYJ

  450,824     17,319,467

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  76,400     8,663,760

Riverbed Technology, Inc.(a)

  25,200     673,848
       
      52,358,103
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–19.8%

   

3PAR, Inc.(a)

  69,700     892,160

Apple, Inc.(a)

  89,600     17,747,968

Data Domain, Inc.(a)

  20,000     526,800

EMC Corp.(a)

  150,200     2,783,206

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  295,100     14,896,648

InnoLux Display Corp.

  688,039     2,293,754

International Business Machines Corp.

  127,200     13,750,320

SanDisk Corp.(a)

  39,000     1,293,630

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  122,800     2,226,364
       
      56,410,850
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–2.3%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

  45,600     2,114,472

Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd.

  135,000     2,196,051

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  62,100     2,305,773
       
      6,616,296
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.9%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  152,000     2,664,713
       
      118,049,962
       

SOFTWARE & SERVICES–29.3%

   

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–8.2%

   

Alibaba.com Ltd.(a)

  222,000     787,224

eBay, Inc.(a)

  127,600     4,235,044

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  24,500     16,941,260

Omniture, Inc.(a)

  43,700     1,454,773
       
      23,418,301
       

IT SERVICES–1.8%

   

Cap Gemini SA

  49,607     3,116,844

Enernoc, Inc.(a)

  3,200     157,120

Genpact Ltd.(a)

  4,700     71,581

Global Payments, Inc.

  39,900     1,856,148
       
      5,201,693
       

SOFTWARE–19.3%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  181,300     7,746,949

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

  63,400     2,409,834

McAfee, Inc.(a)

  90,800     3,405,000
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

Microsoft Corp.

  465,700   $ 16,578,920

Oracle Corp.(a)

  511,300     11,545,154

Red Hat, Inc.(a)

  144,300     3,007,212

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  64,300     4,030,967

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)(a)

  47,700     1,590,318

Synopsys Inc.(a)

  51,600     1,337,988

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  41,200     3,501,588
       
      55,153,930
       
      83,773,924
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–13.0%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–13.0%

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

  125,200     2,223,552

ASML Holding NV(a)

  63,320     1,999,258

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  133,550     3,490,997

Intel Corp.

  651,000     17,355,660

Lam Research Corp.(a)

  33,400     1,443,882

Linear Technology Corp.

  44,900     1,429,167

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  142,350     4,842,747

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (ADR)

  437,800     4,360,488
       
      37,145,751
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–9.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.5%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  70,000     2,909,200

Telefonica SA

  92,398     2,995,205

Time Warner Telecom, Inc.–Class A(a)

  90,200     1,830,158

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  114,900     5,019,981
       
      12,754,544
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.9%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  57,600     3,536,064

MTN Group Ltd.

  103,871     1,945,470

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  118,800     4,942,080

Vodafone Group PLC

  945,195     3,548,188
       
      13,971,802
       
      26,726,346
       

CONSUMER SERVICES–1.1%

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.1%

   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)

  54,800     3,149,356
       

 

 

7


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  

(continued)

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MEDIA–0.4%

   

MEDIA–0.4%

   

Eutelsat Communications

  10,736   $ 318,811

SES Global (FDR)

  29,672     783,256
       
      1,102,067
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $223,691,302)

      269,947,406
       

WARRANTS–3.0%

   

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT–2.0%

   

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–0.5%

   

High Tech Company, Credit Suisse FB Nassau, maturity 9/18/08(a)

  79,000     1,454,864
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.5%

   

AU Optronics Corp., Citigroup Global Markets, expiring 1/17/12(b)

  686,000     1,337,014

HON HAI Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Citigroup Global Markets, expiring 1/17/12(b)

  454,555     2,817,786
       
      4,154,800
       
      5,609,664
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5%

   

Bharti Airtel Ltd., Merrill Lynch, expiring 3/17/11(a)(b)

  61,018     1,544,183
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.5%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.5%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets, expiring 1/17/12(b)

    1,325,000   $ 1,321,025
       

Total Warrants
(cost $7,737,151)

      8,474,872
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.9%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.9%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $5,424,000)

  $ 5,424     5,424,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.5% (cost $236,852,453)

      283,846,278

Other assets less liabilities–0.5%

      1,546,687
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 285,392,965
       

 

 

 

 

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $7,020,008 or 2.5% of net assets.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   FDR—Fiduciary Depository Receipt

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

8


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $236,852,453)

   $ 283,846,278  

Cash

     816  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $1,789,892)

     1,824,797  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     342,587  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     264,657  

Dividends and interest receivable

     73,584  
        

Total assets

     286,352,719  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     519,822  

Advisory fee payable

     183,178  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     120,901  

Distribution fee payable

     40,938  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     71,049  
        

Total liabilities

     959,754  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 285,392,965  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 13,963  

Additional paid-in capital

     449,877,465  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (17,917 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (211,507,561 )

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

     47,027,015  
        
   $ 285,392,965  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   93,919,259      4,534,626      $   20.71

B

     $   191,473,706      9,428,344      $   20.31

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  

Year Ended December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $97,010)

   $ 1,967,728  

Interest

     139,144  
        

Total investment income

     2,106,872  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     2,028,928  

Distribution fee—Class B

     457,877  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,369  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,885  

Custodian

     216,627  

Administrative

     94,000  

Printing

     88,233  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     18,489  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     8,929  
        

Total expenses

     2,959,987  
        

Net investment loss

     (853,115 )
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     49,106,967  

Foreign currency transactions

     (248,648 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     932,768  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (14,280 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     49,776,807  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 48,923,692  
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (853,115 )   $ (1,156,691 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     48,858,319       20,210,435  

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

     918,488       694,421  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     48,923,692       19,748,165  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (27,699,246 )     (3,435,670 )
                

Total increase

     21,224,446       16,312,495  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     264,168,519       247,856,024  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($17,917) and ($4,611), respectively)

   $ 285,392,965     $ 264,168,519  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

December 31, 2007

  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-two 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

 

12


 
 
    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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $747,977, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

13


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 346,060,881     $ 373,465,090  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 238,856,455  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 49,551,478  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (4,561,655 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 44,989,823  
        

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.

 

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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  885,992     471,249       $ 17,645,153     $ 7,606,999  

Shares redeemed

  (1,390,586 )   (1,721,643 )       (26,007,511 )     (27,726,186 )
                             

Net decrease

  (504,594 )   (1,250,394 )     $ (8,362,358 )   $ (20,119,187 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  4,572,785     3,850,328       $ 87,706,890     $ 61,419,683  

Shares redeemed

  (5,616,216 )   (2,850,110 )       (107,043,778 )     (44,736,166 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (1,043,431 )   1,000,218       $ (19,336,888 )   $ 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

 

15


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

 

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (209,521,476 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     45,023,013 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (164,498,463 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $209,503,559 of which $15,961,952 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 $49,209,557. 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, 2007, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2008, post October foreign currency losses of $17,917.

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of foreign currency and a net operating loss resulted in a net decrease in accumulated net investment loss, a net decrease in accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions and corresponding net decrease to additional paid in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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

 

16


 
 
    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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

17


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $17.23     $15.86     $15.27     $14.49     $10.05  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.03 )   (.05 )   (.05 )   (.03 )(b)   (.11 )

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  3.51     1.42     .64     .81     4.55  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  3.48     1.37     .59     .78     4.44  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $20.71     $17.23     $15.86     $15.27     $14.49  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  20.20 %   8.64 %   3.86 %   5.38 %   44.18 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $93,919     $86,819     $99,781     $117,145     $130,127  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .93 %   .92 %(d)   .92 %   .88 %   1.11 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .93 %   .92 %(d)   .92 %   1.06 %   1.11 %

Net investment loss

  (.15 )%   (.30 )%(d)   (.32 )%   (.22 )%(b)   (.86 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  132 %   117 %   98 %   86 %   90 %

 

 

 

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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $16.94     $15.63     $15.08     $14.35     $  9.98  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.07 )   (.09 )   (.08 )   (.07 )(b)   (.14 )

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  3.44     1.40     .63     .80     4.51  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  3.37     1.31     .55     .73     4.37  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $20.31     $16.94     $15.63     $15.08     $14.35  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  19.89 %   8.38 %   3.65 %   5.09 %   43.79 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $191,474     $177,350     $148,075     $164,721     $187,319  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.17 %   1.18 %(d)   1.17 %   1.13 %   1.37 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.17 %   1.18 %(d)   1.17 %   1.31 %   1.37 %

Net investment loss

  (.40 )%   (.55 )%(d)   (.57 )%   (.47 )%(b)   (1.11 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  132 %   117 %   98 %   86 %   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) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

19


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio, (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”), as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

20


 
 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)     

Garry L. Moody(1)

John H. Dobkin(1)     

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

    

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Janet A. Walsh(2), Vice President      Thomas R. Manley, Controller
Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary     
    
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL
The Bank of New York      Seward & Kissel LLP
One Wall Street      One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10286      New York, NY 10004
    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.      AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas      P.O. Box 786003
New York, NY 10105      San Antonio, TX 78278-6003
     Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672
    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC     
ACCOUNTING FIRM     
Ernst & Young LLP     
5 Times Square     
New York, NY 10036     

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The day-to-day management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by Ms. Janet Walsh, a member of the Adviser’s Global Technology Research Team.

 

21


 
 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR    
     

Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

  Executive Vice President of theAdviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.   103  

SCB Partners, Inc.

and SCB Inc.

     
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS    
     

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

  Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.   105   None
     

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

  Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.   104   None
     

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

  Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.   103   None
     

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

  Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.   103   Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
     

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995 – 2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993 – 1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975 – 1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc., (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005 – 2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting) 1993 – 2003.    103   

Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)

        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10105

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

23


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Janet A. Walsh
46
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

24


 
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

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 434.2   Global Technology 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 (0.03% 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%

Class B 1.18%

  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.

 

25


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

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

   0.75 %

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

Class I (Institutional)

   1.95

1.15

%

%

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

 

 

 

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.

 

26


 
 
    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”)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.

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 prac-

 

 

 

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.

 

27


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

 

tice 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.

 

28


 
 
    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.

 

29


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 1, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable earnings outlooks and whose long-term growth rates are expected to exceed that of the U.S. economy over time. Normally, the Portfolio emphasizes investments in large- and mid-capitalization companies; however, the Portfolio has the flexibility to invest across the capitalization spectrum. The Portfolio is designed for those seeking exposure to companies of various sizes. The Portfolio may invest in zero coupon securities and payment-in-kind bonds, depositary receipts and asset-backed securities. The Portfolio may also enter into forward commitments. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures or forward agreements.

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Index, and the broad market, as represented by the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

For the annual period under review, the Portfolio outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Index. The Portfolio benefited from favorable relative performance of a number of consumer, technology, health care, industrial and energy holdings. This was partially offset by negative relative performance and overexposure among financial services holdings. In the first six months of the period under review, relative performance of technology, industrial and health care holdings were particularly strong, along with favorable relative performance among consumer discretionary stocks. During this period, performance was partially offset by underperformance of financial services holdings and, to a lesser extent, underexposure to consumer staples stocks.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The annual period ended December 31, 2007 saw domestic equity markets produce reasonable overall returns with growth stocks, as a class, outperforming the broader market. The domestic economy has generally developed as anticipated with moderating overall growth, reflecting decelerating consumer spending and protracted weakness in residential construction. In contrast, a number of overseas economies have exhibited strong and, in some cases, accelerating rates of expansion. The combination of slowing domestic consumption, stronger overseas growth and a weaker U.S. dollar led to robust and accelerating export growth, which effectively offset the drag from residential housing on overall gross domestic product (GDP) growth. This benefited a number of the Portfolio’s holdings given its focus on companies with leading industry positions, many of which enjoy strong and increasing global presence.

Although the weakness of residential construction appeared reasonably contained through the first half of the annual period, recent months have seen growing evidence of its escalating adverse impact on both credit markets and consumer spending. This was initially manifest in the turmoil which enveloped the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and related structured-debt markets in July 2007. Subsequent disclosures regarding the breadth and extent of associated losses has since led to a dramatic and self-reinforcing risk aversion on the part of financial intermediaries and investors alike. Separately, the persistent escalation of energy costs has weighed on consumer disposable income. Reflecting this, there has recently been growing evidence of decelerating personal consumption. This has in turn led to an increasingly accommodative monetary policy stance on the part of the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”).

Considering the challenging economic setting, the Portfolio’s U.S. Growth Team (the “Team”) has generally sought to moderate the Portfolio’s exposure to cyclical growth companies in favor of fundamental sustainability. This has led to a modest reduction in holdings of technology and industrial stocks and an increase in more stable growth, particularly within the health care sector.

While recent months have seen growth stocks outperform the broader equity market, the relative valuation of many leading companies remains at historically compressed levels. While the Team has been encouraged by the recent shift toward a more accommodative monetary policy, the domestic consumer economy faces significant near-term challenges.

The Team continues to anticipate relative fundamental success—in particular earnings growth, rising consensus estimates and demonstrated capital strength—to become more pronounced determinants of relative investment performance than has been the case over recent years.

 

1


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performances and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged Russell 3000 Growth Index nor the unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index reflects fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Russell 3000 Growth Index contains those securities in the Russell 3000 Index with a greater-than-average growth orientation. The unmanaged Russell 3000 Index is compromised of 3000 of the largest capitalized companies that are traded in the United States. The S&P 500 Stock Index is compromised of 500 U.S. companies and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio can invest in small-cap and mid-cap companies. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap companies. Investments in small-cap companies tend to be more volatile than investments in large-cap or mid-cap companies. A portfolio’s investments in smaller capitalization stocks may have additional risks because these companies often have limited product lines, markets and financial resources. The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities. Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, market or economic developments. In addition, fluctuations in the value of investments in foreign currency denominated securities may be magnified by changes in foreign exchange rates. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investments objectives, it may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from and in certain cases, greater than the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products Prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent of financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

            
THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio Class A

   13.02%      14.17%      4.31%  

AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio Class B

   12.66%      13.89%      0.89% *

Russell 3000 Growth Index

   11.40%      12.42%      3.83%  

S&P 500 Stock Index

   5.49%      12.83%      5.91%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 6/1/99.

            
            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual expense ratios as 0.90% and 1.15% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Index, and the broad market, as represented by the S&P 500 Stock Index. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,053.33    $   4.61    0.89 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.72    $   4.53    0.89 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,051.59    $   5.90    1.14 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.46    $   5.80    1.14 %

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NETS ASSETS  

Apple, Inc.

   $   9,573,206      4.9 %

Google, Inc.—Class A

     9,507,850      4.8  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     8,010,269      4.1  

WellPoint, Inc.

     6,884,173      3.5  

Danaher Corp.

     6,352,376      3.2  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     6,190,645      3.1  

Intel Corp.

     5,885,995      3.0  

Alcon, Inc.

     5,645,789      2.9  

Amphenol Corp.—Class A

     5,566,718      2.8  

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

     5,200,228      2.6  
                 
     $   68,817,249      34.9 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 62,653,918      31.8 %

Health Care

     44,969,764      22.8  

Industrials

     27,087,396      13.7  

Financials

     22,958,423      11.6  

Consumer Discretionary

     17,720,959      9.0  

Energy

     12,520,050      6.4  

Consumer Staples

     3,557,576      1.8  

Materials

     2,465,247      1.3  

Short-Term Investments

     3,209,000      1.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   197,142,333      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 fund 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.

 

5


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.3%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–31.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–5.2%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  173,160   $ 4,687,441

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  44,800     1,487,360

Nokia OYJ (ADR)

  54,300     2,084,577

Qualcomm, Inc.

  50,370     1,982,060
       
      10,241,438
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–6.9%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  48,330     9,573,206

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  40,390     2,038,887

SanDisk Corp.(a)

  13,300     441,161

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  84,742     1,536,373
       
      13,589,627
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–3.4%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

  120,050     5,566,718

Dolby Laboratories, Inc.–
Class A(a)

  24,390     1,212,671
       
      6,779,389
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–6.5%

   

eBay, Inc.(a)

  72,290     2,399,305

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  13,750     9,507,850

VistaPrint Ltd.(a)

  19,700     844,145
       
      12,751,300
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–7.2%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  90,100     2,355,214

Intel Corp.

  220,780     5,885,995

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a)

  11,300     999,937

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  142,865     4,860,267
       
      14,101,413
       

SOFTWARE–2.6%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  88,180     3,767,931

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  8,800     551,672

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  10,250     871,148
       
      5,190,751
       
      62,653,918
       

HEALTH CARE–22.8%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–5.8%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  50,770     2,346,082

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  43,520     2,918,886

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  134,550     6,190,645
       
      11,455,613
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–4.9%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  39,470     5,645,789

Hologic, Inc.(a)

  57,950     3,977,688
       
      9,623,477
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–6.3%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  22,900   $ 1,322,017

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  40,970     4,154,358

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  78,470     6,884,173
       
      12,360,548
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.8%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  17,600     988,240

Merck & Co., Inc.

  65,870     3,827,706

Schering-Plough Corp.

  96,420     2,568,629

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
Ltd. (ADR)

  89,190     4,145,551
       
      11,530,126
       
      44,969,764
       

INDUSTRIALS–13.7%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.5%

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

  15,200     935,864
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–4.0%

   

Fluor Corp.

  18,050     2,630,246

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.(a)

  54,390     5,200,228
       
      7,830,474
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–3.8%

 

Ametek, Inc.

  67,110     3,143,432

Baldor Electric Co.

  46,530     1,566,200

Emerson Electric Co.

  49,950     2,830,167
       
      7,539,799
       

MACHINERY–5.4%

   

Actuant Corp.–Class A

  32,640     1,110,086

Danaher Corp.

  72,400     6,352,376

Deere & Co.

  35,640     3,318,797
       
      10,781,259
       
      27,087,396
       

FINANCIALS–11.6%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–5.4%

   

The Charles Schwab Corp.

  73,690     1,882,779

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  23,590     5,073,029

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

  23,760     1,579,565

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  32,465     2,124,510
       
      10,659,883
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–3.9%

   

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  5,613     3,850,518

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  87,200     3,806,280
       
      7,656,798
       

INSURANCE–1.8%

   

American International Group, Inc.

  62,892     3,666,604
       

REAL ESTATE–0.5%

   

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc.–
Class A(a)

  45,250     975,138
       
      22,958,423
       

 

 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–9.0%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.5%

   

Johnson Controls, Inc.

  26,450   $ 953,258
       

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.9%

   

Strayer Education, Inc.

  10,820     1,845,676
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.6%

   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.–
Class A(a)

  34,600     5,088,622
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.7%

   

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.(a)

  118,280     3,283,453
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–3.3%

   

Coach, Inc.(a)

  27,590     843,702

Nike, Inc.–Class B

  31,330     2,012,639

Under Armour, Inc.–Class A(a)

  84,580     3,693,609
       
      6,549,950
       
      17,720,959
       

ENERGY–6.3%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–6.3%

   

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  93,700     4,509,781

Schlumberger Ltd.

  81,430     8,010,269
       
      12,520,050
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–1.8%

   

BEVERAGES–0.5%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  12,900     979,110
       

HOUSEHOLD
PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  35,060     2,574,105
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

The Estee Lauder Cos, Inc.–Class A

  100     4,361
       
      3,557,576
       

MATERIALS–1.3%

   

CHEMICALS–1.3%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  10,500     1,035,615

Monsanto Co.

  12,800     1,429,632
       
      2,465,247
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $146,438,878)

      193,933,333
       
   

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS -1.6%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.6%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $3,209,000)

  $ 3,209   $ 3,209,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.9%
(cost $149,647,878)

      197,142,333

Other assets less
liabilities–0.1%

      213,095
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 197,355,428
       

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

7


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $149,647,878)

   $ 197,142,333  

Cash

     83  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     597,563  

Dividends and interest receivable

     137,470  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     6,225  
        

Total assets

     197,883,674  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     207,977  

Advisory fee payable

     127,679  

Printing fee payable

     90,521  

Custodian fee payable

     39,776  

Distribution fee payable

     26,215  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     12,212  
        

Total liabilities

     528,246  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 197,355,428  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 8,731  

Additional paid-in capital

     198,535,524  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (48,683,282 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     47,494,455  
        
   $ 197,355,428  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 75,834,622      3,310,832      $   22.91

B

     $   121,520,806      5,420,187      $ 22.42

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $18,179)

   $ 1,385,899  

Interest

     33,305  
        

Total investment income

     1,419,204  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,602,853  

Distribution fee—Class B

     320,421  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,519  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,242  

Custodian

     111,107  

Administrative

     94,000  

Printing

     42,536  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     16,658  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     10,011  
        

Total expenses

     2,243,997  
        

Net investment loss

     (824,793 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     31,363,050  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (4,569,779 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     26,793,271  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 25,968,478  
        

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (824,793 )   $ (907,564 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     31,363,050       30,221,262  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (4,569,779 )     (35,533,738 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     25,968,478       (6,220,040 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (53,409,240 )     (60,113,680 )
                

Total decrease

     (27,440,762 )     (66,333,720 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     224,796,190       291,129,910  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of $0 and $0, respectively)

   $ 197,355,428     $ 224,796,190  
                

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

December 31, 2007

  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-two 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.

 

11


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 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $171,183, of which $200 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

12


    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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 128,139,831     $ 183,790,502  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 150,358,952  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 49,824,860  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (3,041,479 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 46,783,381  
        

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.

 

13


GROWTH 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) 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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  185,625     269,283       $ 4,112,743     $ 5,345,370  

Shares redeemed

  (1,484,406 )   (1,689,477 )       (32,276,016 )     (33,240,111 )
                               

Net decrease

  (1,298,781 )   (1,420,194 )     $ (28,163,273 )   $ (27,894,741 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  261,088     496,149       $ 5,551,562     $ 9,823,717  

Shares redeemed

  (1,442,424 )   (2,210,469 )       (30,797,529 )     (42,042,656 )
                               

Net decrease

  (1,181,336 )   (1,714,320 )     $ (25,245,967 )   $ (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 year ended December 31, 2007.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (47,972,208 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     46,783,381 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (1,188,827 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $47,972,208 of which $33,056,736 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 $31,578,984.

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the net operating loss resulted in a net decrease in net investment loss, and a corresponding net decrease to additional paid in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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


GROWTH 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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

16


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.27     $20.49     $18.30     $15.95     $11.81  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.05 )   (.04 )   (.08 )   (.07 )   (.06 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  2.69     (.18 )   2.27     2.42     4.20  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  2.64     (.22 )   2.19     2.35     4.14  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $22.91     $20.27     $20.49     $18.30     $15.95  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  13.02 %   (1.07 )%   11.97 %   14.73 %   35.06 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $75,834     $93,459     $123,535     $137,345     $141,809  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses

  .90 %   .90 %(c)   .88 %   .88 %   .89 %

Net investment loss

  (.23 )%   (.22 )%(c)   (.43 )%   (.43 )%   (.43 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  60 %   55 %   49 %   56 %   49 %

 

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $19.90     $20.15     $18.05     $15.76     $11.70  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.10 )   (.09 )   (.12 )   (.11 )   (.09 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  2.62     (.16 )   2.22     2.40     4.15  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  2.52     (.25 )   2.10     2.29     4.06  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $22.42     $19.90     $20.15     $18.05     $15.76  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  12.66 %   (1.24 )%   11.64 %   14.53 %   34.70 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $121,521     $131,337     $167,595     $152,899     $120,460  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses

  1.15 %   1.15 %(c)   1.13 %   1.13 %   1.14 %

Net investment loss

  (.49 )%   (.47 )%(c)   (.68 )%   (.68 )%   (.68 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  60 %   55 %   49 %   56 %   49 %

 

 

 

 

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

 

18


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

19


 
 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

    

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

William D. Baird(2), Vice President

    

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

Robert H. Ginsberg(2), Vice President

    

Alan E. Levi(2), Vice President

    

Jack E. Plym(2), Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

    
    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by senior members of the U.S. Growth Team. Mr. William D. Baird, Mr. Robert H. Ginsberg, Mr. Alan E. Levi, and Mr. Jack E. Plym are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

20


 
 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE,
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***

Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)

 

21


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE,
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

     
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2002.    103    Intel Corporation
(semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        
Garry L. Moody, #
55
(2008)
   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.    101    None
        
Marshall C. Turner,
Jr., #
66
(2005)
   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993–2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        
Earl D. Weiner, #
68
(2007)
   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s distinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn; Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Alan E. Levi
58
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
William D. Baird
39
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Robert H. Ginsberg
35
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Jack E. Plym
42
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

23


 
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 %     

 

 

 

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.

 

24


 
 
    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 Portfolio

   $217.0      U.S. Growth Schedule
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
     0.400 %      0.750 %

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
0.65% 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.

 

25


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

 

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/B
6
     0.75 %

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.

 

 

 

6 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

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.

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 $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.

 

 

 

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

 

27


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

 

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 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.

 

28


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 5, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies that the Adviser believes are undervalued. The Adviser believes that, over time, a company’s stock price will come to reflect its intrinsic economic value. The Adviser uses a disciplined investment process to evaluate the investment opportunity of the companies in the Adviser’s extensive research universe. The Portfolio may invest in companies of any size and in any industry. The Portfolio also invests in high-quality securities of non-U.S. issuers. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

 

The Portfolio outperformed its benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. Stock selection drove the Portfolio’s premium to value, as an emphasis on companies with strong balance sheets and low earnings variability at unusually attractive relative valuations paid off. An underweight of credit-sensitive financials was also a major driver of the Portfolio’s premium. The Portfolio either did not own or underweighted many financial stocks that were pummeled in the recent crisis. This helped the Portfolio’s returns versus the benchmark. An underweight in energy was a detractor from performance at the sector level.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

After four years of subdued volatility, equity markets hit turbulence in mid-2007. Deepening problems in the U.S. housing and subprime mortgage markets led to a global credit crisis and massive losses at major financial firms, intensifying worries about the economy and corporate profits. Investors shocked out of complacency once again bid up stocks with superior earnings revisions, return on equity and very large market capitalizations, while bidding down deep-value stocks. These developments rewarded both the Portfolio’s recent strategy and its relative value style. The Portfolio’s Relative Value Investment Team has taken advantage of unusually compressed valuation spreads to emphasize high-quality, very large-capitalization companies trading at unusually low relative valuations.

 

1


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Russell 1000 Value Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Index contains those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a less-than-average growth orientation. The Russell 1000 Index is comprised of 1000 of the largest capitalized companies that are traded in the United States. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio’s assets can be invested in foreign securities which may magnify asset value fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio Class A

   5.12%      13.81%      8.64%  

AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio Class B

   4.86%      13.53%      6.37% *

Russell 1000 Value Index

   -0.17%      14.63%      7.68%  

*Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B Shares on 6/1/99.

            

†Reflects the positive impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit: www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf

  

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.61% and 0.86% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 990.76    $ 2.96    0.59 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,022.23    $ 3.01    0.59 %

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 989.57    $ 4.21    0.84 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.97    $ 4.28    0.84 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Total SA (ADR)

   $ 85,788,360      3.9 %

Emerson Electric Co.

     84,854,016      3.8  

Altria Group, Inc.

     84,574,020      3.8  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     78,150,960      3.5  

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

     70,009,448      3.2  

WellPoint, Inc.

     67,034,493      3.0  

AT&T, Inc.

     63,699,012      2.9  

ACE Ltd.

     62,280,418      2.8  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     62,001,128      2.8  

Safeway, Inc.

     61,112,744      2.8  
                 
     $   719,504,599      32.5 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 458,943,922      20.7 %

Health Care

     384,141,851      17.4  

Industrials

     290,909,240      13.1  

Information Technology

     287,778,527      13.0  

Energy

     280,499,120      12.7  

Consumer Staples

     249,995,884      11.3  

Telecommunication Services

     133,772,368      6.0  

Consumer Discretionary

     73,856,216      3.3  

Materials

     25,688,023      1.2  

Short-Term Investments

     28,588,000      1.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,214,173,151      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 fund 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.

 

5


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.7%

   
   

FINANCIALS–20.7%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.1%

   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

  308,500   $ 15,042,460

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  119,600     13,685,828

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  127,200     8,323,968

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  290,000     15,567,200

MF Global Ltd.(a)

  11,100     349,317

Morgan Stanley

  175,400     9,315,494

Northern Trust Corp.

  100,000     7,658,000
       
      69,942,267
       

COMMERCIAL
BANKS–0.9%

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

  666,000     20,106,540
       

CONSUMER
FINANCE–0.8%

   

American Express Co.

  341,800     17,780,436
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.6%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  665,900     27,475,034

Citigroup, Inc.

  606,700     17,861,248

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  1,278,700     55,815,255
       
      101,151,537
       

INSURANCE–11.3%

   

ACE Ltd.

  1,008,100     62,280,418

American International
Group, Inc.

  970,900     56,603,470

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

  1,423,600     55,477,692

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  404,400     35,259,636

Loews Corp.

  350,000     17,619,000

MetLife, Inc.

  253,900     15,645,318

Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

  186,400     7,077,608
       
      249,963,142
       
      458,943,922
       

HEALTH CARE–17.4%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.4%

   

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  102,000     8,525,160
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–8.4%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  691,100     39,897,203

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  1,342,800     78,150,960

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  764,100     67,034,493
       
      185,082,656
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.6%

   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

  283,300     7,513,116

Eli Lilly & Co.

  915,100     48,857,189

Merck & Co., Inc.

  612,200     35,574,942

Pfizer, Inc.

  740,300     16,827,019
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

Schering-Plough Corp.

  1,800,000   $ 47,952,000

Wyeth

  765,100     33,809,769
       
      190,534,035
       
      384,141,851
       

INDUSTRIALS–13.1%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–6.7%

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

  815,200     50,191,864

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  370,500     38,998,830

United Technologies Corp.

  768,900     58,851,606
       
      148,042,300
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–3.8%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  1,497,600     84,854,016
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.1%

   

3M Co.

  53,200     4,485,824

General Electric Co.

  1,150,000     42,630,500
       
      47,116,324
       

MACHINERY–0.5%

   

ITT Corp.

  165,000     10,896,600
       
      290,909,240
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–13.0%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.8%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  2,290,400     62,001,128
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–3.6%

   

International Business Machines Corp.

  101,500     10,972,150

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  3,861,525     70,009,448
       
      80,981,598
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.4%

   

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  241,200     8,955,756
       

IT SERVICES–2.0%

   

Accenture Ltd.–Class A

  1,206,500     43,470,195
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.3%

   

Broadcom Corp.–
Class A(a)

  252,200     6,592,508

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a)

  972,600     11,000,106

Intel Corp.

  510,300     13,604,598

International Rectifier Corp.(a)

  27,000     917,190

Lam Research Corp.(a)

  237,700     10,275,771

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  236,400     8,042,328
       
      50,432,501
       

 

 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

SOFTWARE–1.9%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  160,500   $ 6,858,165

Microsoft Corp.

  761,600     27,112,960

Oracle Corp.(a)

  352,800     7,966,224
       
      41,937,349
       
      287,778,527
       

ENERGY–12.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.0%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  135,600     10,997,160

Nabors Industries Ltd.(a)

  135,800     3,719,562

Schlumberger Ltd.

  76,700     7,544,979
       
      22,261,701
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–11.7%

   

Chevron Corp.

  390,600     36,454,698

ConocoPhillips

  509,300     44,971,190

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  514,800     48,231,612

Marathon Oil Corp.

  369,669     22,498,055

Noble Energy, Inc.

  255,200     20,293,504

Total SA (ADR)

  1,038,600     85,788,360
       
      258,237,419
       
      280,499,120
       

CONSUMER
STAPLES–11.3%

   

BEVERAGES–0.7%

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

  217,700     16,523,430
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–3.0%

   

Safeway, Inc.

  1,786,400     61,112,744

Walgreen Co.

  153,900     5,860,512
       
      66,973,256
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

HJ Heinz Co.

  36,500     1,703,820
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.7%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  509,600     37,414,832
       

TOBACCO–5.8%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  1,119,000     84,574,020

Loews Corp.–Carolina Group

  501,835     42,806,526
       
      127,380,546
       
      249,995,884
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.0%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  1,532,700     63,699,012
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

CenturyTel, Inc.

    990,640   $ 41,071,934

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    663,800     29,001,422
       
      133,772,368
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–3.3%

   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.6%

   

McDonald’s Corp.

    115,900     6,827,669

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    302,800     7,133,968
       
      13,961,637
       

MEDIA–2.0%

   

Comcast Corp.-Class A(a)

    350,000     6,391,000

News Corp.-Class A

    500,000     10,245,000

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    252,300     11,991,819

Time Warner, Inc.

    1,000,000     16,510,000
       
      45,137,819
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.7%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

    322,200     14,756,760
       
      73,856,216
       

MATERIALS–1.2%

   

CHEMICALS–1.2%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    75,400     7,436,702

Dow Chemical Co.

    75,000     2,956,500

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    346,900     15,294,821
       
      25,688,023
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $1,899,933,633)

      2,185,585,151
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.3%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.3%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $28,588,000)

  $   28,588     28,588,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.0%
(cost $1,928,521,633)

      2,214,173,151

Other assets less
liabilities–0.0%

      195,389
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 2,214,368,540
       

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

7


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $1,928,521,633)

   $ 2,214,173,151

Cash

     171

Receivable for capital stock sold

     10,307,641

Receivable for investment securities sold

     5,961,400

Dividends and interest receivable

     2,691,827
      

Total assets

     2,233,134,190
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     14,357,037

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     2,727,227

Advisory fee payable

     1,045,552

Distribution fee payable

     378,892

Administrative fee payable

     23,750

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116

Accrued expenses

     233,076
      

Total liabilities

     18,765,650
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 2,214,368,540
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 83,227

Additional paid-in capital

     1,613,718,688

Undistributed net investment income

     29,524,691

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     285,390,416

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     285,651,518
      
   $ 2,214,368,540
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets     

Shares

Outstanding

    

Net Asset

Value

A

     $   456,158,965      17,010,426      $   26.82

B

     $   1,758,209,575      66,216,577      $   26.55

 

 

 

  See notes to financial statements.

 

8


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $322,430)

   $ 46,322,903  

Interest

     2,552,605  
        

Total investment income

     48,875,508  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     13,297,832  

Distribution fee—Class B

     4,811,927  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,736  

Transfer agency—Class B

     6,714  

Printing

     551,934  

Custodian

     255,991  

Administrative

     94,000  

Legal

     47,285  

Audit

     41,100  

Directors’ fees

     1,551  

Miscellaneous

     67,347  
        

Total expenses

     19,177,417  
        

Net investment income

     29,698,091  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     290,992,505  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (204,861,762 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     86,130,743  
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     5,490,338  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 121,319,172  
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 29,698,091     $ 30,599,546  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     290,992,505       137,341,083  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (204,861,762 )     230,009,742  

Contribution from Adviser .

     5,490,338       –0–  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     121,319,172       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

     (299,607,323 )     (344,275,984 )

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

    

Proceeds from third party regulatory settlement (see Note E)

     99,405       -0-  
                

Total decrease .

     (329,327,094 )     (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 $29,524,691 and $30,398,818, respectively) .

   $ 2,214,368,540     $ 2,543,695,634  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

11


GROWTH & 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, 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

During the period ended December 31, 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.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $2,466,325, of which $93,488 and $2,550, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 1,752,735,724     $ 2,082,044,929  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 1,937,947,969  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 322,892,463  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (46,667,281 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 276,225,182  
        

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.

 

13


GROWTH & INCOME 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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  1,718,639     2,064,629       $ 46,751,786     $ 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

  (5,359,346 )   (7,031,345 )       (146,319,071 )     (177,773,452 )
                               

Net decrease

  (2,473,298 )   (3,485,294 )     $ (67,860,467 )   $ (91,682,904 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  1,665,190     5,483,289       $ 45,161,027     $ 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

  (14,662,672 )   (20,044,146 )       (396,339,413 )     (505,995,936 )
                               

Net decrease

  (8,562,594 )   (9,345,527 )     $ (231,746,856 )   $ (252,593,080 )
                               

During the period, the Portfolio received $99,405 related to a third-party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading. This amount is presented in the Portfolio’s statement of changes in net assets. Neither the Portfolio nor its affiliates were involved in the proceedings or the calculation of the payment.

 

14


    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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 38,271,652    $ 29,399,718

Net long-term capital gains

     112,866,696      125,643,690
             

Total taxable distributions

     151,138,348      155,043,408
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 151,138,348    $ 155,043,408
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 69,586,813  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     254,754,630  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     276,225,182 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 600,566,625  
        

 

(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

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. On

 

15


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

16


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $27.19     $24.88     $24.08     $21.80     $16.62  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .39     .36     .31     .36 (b)   .23  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .97     3.66     .85     2.12     5.15  

Contribution from Adviser

  .06     –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  1.42     4.02     1.16     2.48     5.38  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.41 )   (.37 )   (.36 )   (.20 )   (.20 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.38 )   (1.34 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.79 )   (1.71 )   (.36 )   (.20 )   (.20 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.82     $27.19     $24.88     $24.08     $21.80  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  5.12 %*   17.29 %   4.86 %   11.46 %   32.50 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $456,159     $529,732     $571,372     $627,689     $603,673  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .59 %   .61 %(d)   .59 %   .60 %   .66 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .59 %   .61 %(d)   .59 %   .65 %   .66 %

Net investment income

  1.43 %   1.42 %(d)   1.29 %   1.62 %(b)   1.25 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  74 %   60 %   72 %   50 %   57 %

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.93     $24.65     $23.87     $21.62     $16.49  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .32     .29     .25     .31 (b)   .18  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .96     3.63     .83     2.10     5.11  

Contribution from Adviser

  .06     –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  1.34     3.92     1.08     2.41     5.29  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.34 )   (.30 )   (.30 )   (.16 )   (.16 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.38 )   (1.34 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.72 )   (1.64 )   (.30 )   (.16 )   (.16 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.55     $26.93     $24.65     $23.87     $21.62  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  4.86 %*   16.98 %   4.60 %   11.22 %   32.18 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $1,758,210     $2,013,964     $2,073,693     $2,044,741     $1,671,671  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .84 %   .86 %(d)   .85 %   .85 %   .91 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .84 %   .86 %(d)   .85 %   .90 %   .91 %

Net investment income

  1.18 %   1.17 %(d)   1.05 %   1.39 %(b)   .99 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  74 %   60 %   72 %   50 %   57 %

 

 

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

 

* Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio by the Adviser resulting from the Dynegy class action settlement, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.19% (see Note B).

 

18


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”), as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

19


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For corporate shareholders, 99.73% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the current fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio designated from distributions made $112,866,696 as capital gain dividends.

 

20


 
 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman     

D. James Guzy(1)

Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer     

Nancy P. Jacklin(1)

David H. Dievler(1)     

Garry L. Moody(1)

John H. Dobkin(1)     

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)     

Earl D. Weiner(1)

    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

Frank V. Caruso(2), Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    
    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003
San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The day-to-day management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by Mr. Frank V. Caruso, a member of the Adviser’s Relative Value Investment Team.

 

21


 
 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***

Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

     
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund, and Prospected Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103   

Intel Corporation

(semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)

        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995-2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993-1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975-1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005-2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993-2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

23


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Frank V. Caruso
51
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABIS, ABI and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

24


 
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

Class B

   0.61

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.

 

25


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 Portfolio

   $ 2,480.1    Relative 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 $10m

   0.262 %    0.550 %

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.

 

26


 
 
    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 Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee  

American Value Portfolio Class A6

Class I (Institutional)

   1.50

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.

 

27


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.

 

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.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.

 

29


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

     

1

Year

(%)

  

3

Year

(%)

  

5

Year

(%)

  

10
Year

(%)

  

Since
Inception

(%)

   Annualized   

Risk
Period

(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.

 

30


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 6, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. On December 7, 2007, the Portfolio acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Portfolio, a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. This acquisition was approved by the Board of Directors of the AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Portfolio on September 25, 2007, and did not require shareholder approval.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in an international portfolio of equity securities of companies located in both developed and emerging countries. The Portfolio’s investment process relies upon comprehensive fundamental company research produced by the Adviser’s large research team of non-U.S. analysts covering both developed and emerging markets around the globe. The Portfolio consists of approximately 100-130 stocks. The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, in the equity securities of companies located in at least three countries (and normally substantially more) other than the United States.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmarks, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country (AC) World (ex-U.S.) Index (net and gross) and the MSCI World (ex-U.S.) Index (net), for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio outperformed the benchmarks for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. This outperformance was due almost entirely to stock selection. Sector positioning, a by-product of stock selection, detracted from overall performance. The Portfolio was underweight versus the benchmark in materials, a sector that performed well in 2007, and overweight in health care, which did not perform as well. This performance was partly offset by being underweight versus the benchmark in financials stocks that performed poorly, and overweight in telecommunications stocks that performed well.

From a country perspective, being overweight in Brazil added to performance, as this market did exceptionally well; being underweight in poorly performing Japan was also a benefit. Favorable stock selection in the United Kingdom and France had a positive impact on performance, while stock selection in Korea and Indonesia was less positive.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

After a stellar year in 2006, equity market returns, with the exception of emerging markets, were generally more muted in 2007. Returns also varied significantly by currency due to the ongoing depreciation of the U.S. dollar.

Although the first half of the year was relatively calm, the second half was dominated by anxiety about escalating losses among banks and insurers on mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Though originated in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, these securities had been repackaged and traded across the globe. Often, it was unclear who was left holding the paper or what its true value was.

The result was a dichotomy between “real” economies, which continued to experience muted but real growth, and credit markets, where widening spreads suggested deepening distress. Interest rates in the interbank market remained high as banks hoarded money to guard themselves against fund shortages despite central bank efforts to maintain liquidity.

Although the U.S. was the source of these global credit concerns, economic growth forecasts generally fall short of calling for a U.S. recession in 2008. Demand for U.S. exports, which stand to gain share because of the weak U.S. dollar, seems likely to mitigate the drag from the weak housing market. Growth is also expected to ratchet back in other large developed markets, including Canada, the United Kingdom, most large European countries and Japan. The same is true of Australia; its anticipated gross domestic product (GDP) growth of more than 3% still stands out among developed markets, thanks to the buoyancy of the country’s large resources industry. Still, capacity constraints and the strong Australian dollar stand to mute profit growth.

Growth in emerging markets, on the other hand, appears solid. Until recently, growth in emerging markets largely reflected rising demand from developed countries. However, currently industrialized economies increasingly benefit from orders from developing nations.

In aggregate, slowing global economic growth is a broadly positive trend for both growth and large-capitalization stocks. If upside becomes less plentiful, companies that continue to deliver it stand to be more rewarded. In times of uncertainty, investors also tend to gravitate toward larger companies thought to be more stable. Within developed markets, these are also the companies most likely to have emerging-markets exposure. Although small-caps as a style may be losing favor, the growth component within that segment also appears to be more attractive.

 

1


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio’s overall investment strategy, with a focus on research-driven stock selection, remains intact. During the period, the Portfolio’s International Growth Portfolio Oversight Group continued to place emphasis on compa-nies it expects will exhibit future growth rates that exceed the market’s expectations. The Portfolio remained well-diversified with strong representation in both developed and emerging markets, and in a wide array of economic sectors.

 

2


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World (ex-U.S.) Index (net), nor the unmanaged MSCI All Country (AC) World (ex-U.S.) Index (net and gross) reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The MSCI AC World (ex-U.S.) Index (net and gross) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. The MSCI World (ex-U.S.) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure global developed market equity performance in 23 developed market countries, excluding the U.S. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

The MSCI World (ex-U.S.) Index values are calculated using net returns. The MSCI AC World (ex-U.S.) Index values are calculated using net and gross returns. Net returns approximate the minimum possible dividend reinvestment—the dividend reinvested after deduction of withholding tax, applying the rate to non-resident individuals who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. In calculating gross returns, the amount of the dividend reinvested is the dividend distributed to individuals resident in the country of the company, but does not include tax credits.

A Word About Risk

Substantially all of the Portfolio’s assets will be invested in foreign securities which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. The Portfolio may invest in securities of emerging market nations. These investments have additional risks, such as illiquid or thinly traded markets, company management risk, heightened political instability and currency volatility. Accounting standards and market regulations in emerging market nations are not the same as those in the U.S. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARKS    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years    

AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio Class A

   18.13%      26.45%      13.26%  

AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio Class B

   17.78%      26.12%      10.13%*

MSCI All Country World (ex-U.S.) Index (net)

   16.65%      24.02%      n/a     

MSCI All Country World (ex-U.S.) Index (gross)

   17.12%      24.52%      10.09%  

MSCI World (ex-U.S.) Index (net)

   12.44%      22.12%      8.99%  

n/a: not available

 

            

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 7/3/00.

 

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.23% and 1.48% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmarks. Net return values for the MSCI AC World (ex-U.S.) Index are not available for the full 10-year time interval from 12/31/97–12/31/07. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,068.03    $   6.57    1.26 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,018.85    $   6.41    1.26 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,066.04    $   7.86    1.51 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,017.59    $   7.68    1.51 %

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Rio Tinto PLC

   $ 7,059,558      3.2 %

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

     6,344,757      2.8  

WorleyParsons Ltd.

     5,666,357      2.5  

Xstrata PLC

     5,344,150      2.4  

National Bank of Greece SA

     4,964,703      2.2  

Siemens AG

     4,960,939      2.2  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

     4,912,598      2.2  

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)

     4,653,539      2.1  

Julius Baer Holding AG

     4,584,835      2.1  

Cia Vale de Rio Doce (ADR and Sponsored ADR)

     4,493,424      2.0  
                 
     $   52,984,860      23.7 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 54,575,171      24.3 %

Energy

     31,377,334      14.0  

Materials

     24,923,331      11.1  

Industrials

     23,154,748      10.3  

Consumer Discretionary

     21,024,986      9.4  

Telecommunication Services

     15,648,862      7.0  

Information Technology

     15,328,865      6.8  

Health Care

     11,083,839      4.9  

Consumer Staples

     9,277,713      4.1  

Utilities

     5,616,626      2.5  

Short-Term Investments

     12,520,000      5.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   224,531,475      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 fund 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.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United Kingdom

   $ 39,102,328      17.4 %

Switzerland

     23,928,945      10.7  

Australia

     19,378,103      8.6  

Japan

     18,808,148      8.4  

France

     15,884,053      7.1  

Germany

     11,690,400      5.2  

Spain

     10,447,462      4.6  

Brazil

     10,164,617      4.5  

Russia

     9,256,679      4.1  

China

     7,554,046      3.4  

South Africa

     6,005,726      2.7  

Greece

     5,809,741      2.6  

Italy

     4,225,740      1.9  

Other*

     29,755,487      13.2  

Short-Term Investments

     12,520,000      5.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   224,531,475      100.0 %

 

 

 

* All data are as of December 31, 2007. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 1.5% or less in the following countries: Argentina, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Sweden, Taiwan and Turkey.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–93.8%

   
   

FINANCIALS–23.3%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–9.8%

   

Credit Suisse Group

  35,493   $ 2,136,521

Gottex Fund Management Holdings Ltd.(a)

  37,054     2,271,384

ICAP PLC

  91,966     1,325,288

Julius Baer Holding AG

  55,875     4,584,835

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  73,424     4,912,598

Man Group PLC

  216,222     2,454,500

Partners Group

  17,843     2,378,856

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  40,358     1,860,814
       
      21,924,796
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–9.6%

   

Banco Santander Central
Hispano SA

  293,766     6,344,757

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd.–Class H

  3,488,000     2,476,127

Investimentos Itau SA

  320,414     2,115,092

National Bank of Greece SA

  72,398     4,964,703

Standard Chartered PLC

  93,404     3,408,937

Turkiye Is Bankasi–Class C

  331,083     2,068,123
       
      21,377,739
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.6%

   

Bolsa De Mercadorias E Futuros(a)

  43,100     605,337

Deutsche Boerse AG

  8,093     1,588,446

IG Group Holdings PLC

  170,390     1,369,967
       
      3,563,750
       

INSURANCE–2.3%

   

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

  31,602     1,430,499

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  128,360     3,726,647
       
      5,157,146
       
      52,023,431
       

ENERGY–14.0%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT &
SERVICES–4.2%

   

Schlumberger Ltd.

  14,537     1,430,005

Tenaris SA (ADR)

  50,400     2,254,392

WorleyParsons Ltd.

  125,781     5,666,357
       
      9,350,754
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE
FUELS–9.8%

   

Addax Petroleum Corp.

  14,680     638,843

China Shenhua Energy Co.
Ltd.–Class H

  584,000     3,440,213

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)

  82,073     4,653,539

Oil Search Ltd.

  652,997     2,755,205

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  7,600     731,272

Royal Dutch Shell
PLC–Class B

  20,121     838,758

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

  34,872   $ 1,472,121

Sasol Ltd.

  66,813     3,310,818

Total SA

  50,553     4,185,811
       
      22,026,580
       
      31,377,334
       

MATERIALS–11.2%

   

CHEMICALS–1.5%

   

Bayer AG

  18,339     1,672,822

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

  15,078     1,539,460
       
      3,212,282
       

METALS & MINING–9.7%

   

BHP Billiton PLC

  104,628     3,190,461

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  41,404     1,352,669

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  112,250     3,140,755

Equinox Minerals Ltd.(a)

  293,456     1,623,456

Rio Tinto PLC

  67,079     7,059,558

Xstrata PLC

  76,159     5,344,150
       
      21,711,049
       
      24,923,331
       

INDUSTRIALS–10.4%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.3%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  301,217     2,989,249
       

AIRLINES–0.3%

   

easyJet PLC(a)

  56,504     686,310
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.4%

   

Michael Page International PLC

  174,920     995,855
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.7%

   

China Communications Construction Co. Ltd.–Class H

  382,000     987,576

Orascom Construction Industries (GDR)

  2,372     492,095
       
      1,479,671
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

ABB Ltd.

  57,875     1,668,640
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.2%

   

Siemens AG

  31,327     4,960,939
       

MACHINERY–2.2%

   

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

  163,692     2,433,006

Komatsu Ltd.

  64,700     1,735,200

NGK Insulators Ltd.

  24,000     643,472
       
      4,811,678
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–2.5%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  92,100     2,492,658

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  147,000     3,069,748
       
      5,562,406
       
      23,154,748
       

 

 

8


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–9.4%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.6%

   

Denso Corp.

  32,600   $ 1,326,632
       

AUTOMOBILES–2.2%

   

Fiat SpA

  108,616     2,795,240

Porsche Automobil Holding SE

  577     1,161,191

Suzuki Motor Corp.

  32,500     974,357
       
      4,930,788
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.3%

   

Accor SA

  14,997     1,198,872

Ladbrokes PLC

  132,265     844,260

OPAP, SA

  21,136     845,038
       
      2,888,170
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.0%

   

Gafisa SA (ADR)(a)

  18,600     696,570

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.

  57,000     1,167,980

Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de C.V.(a)

  115,900     400,340
       
      2,264,890
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Nikon Corp.

  23,000     782,421
       

MEDIA–2.5%

   

Eutelsat Communications

  61,650     1,830,730

Naspers Ltd.–Class N

  41,573     983,971

Pearson PLC

  52,639     762,312

SES Global (FDR)

  37,801     997,839

WPP Group PLC

  81,281     1,041,300
       
      5,616,152
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.6%

   

Don Quijote Co., Ltd.

  33,800     665,502

Takashimaya Co., Ltd.

  61,000     735,110
       
      1,400,612
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.8%

   

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  40,169     591,499

Inditex SA

  12,757     771,926

Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermaerkte AG

  15,590     451,896
       
      1,815,321
       
      21,024,986
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–7.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.2%

   

Global Village Telecom Holding SA(a)

  28,100     564,368

Iliad SA

  10,415     1,120,070

Telefonica SA

  102,750     3,330,779
       
      5,015,217
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.8%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  26,300   $ 1,614,557

Bharti Airtel Ltd.(a)

  34,904     873,039

China Mobile Ltd.

  48,271     840,615

MTN Group Ltd.

  91,349     1,710,942

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  39,075     1,625,520

Vodafone Group PLC

  1,057,287     3,968,972
       
      10,633,645
       
      15,648,862
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–6.9%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

Nokia OYJ

  72,033     2,767,318

Research In Motion(a)

  6,461     736,866
       
      3,504,184
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–0.5%

   

InnoLux Display Corp.

  93,000     310,039

InnoLux Display Corp. (GDR)(a)(b)

  126,127     857,664
       
      1,167,703
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.1%

   

HON HAI Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

  104,000     641,002

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

  11,300     648,898

Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd.

  69,000     1,122,426
       
      2,412,326
       

IT SERVICES–1.4%

   

Cap Gemini SA

  32,184     2,022,144

Infosys Technologies Ltd. (ADR)

  9,800     444,528

Infosys Technologies Ltd.

  16,949     755,979
       
      3,222,651
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–1.3%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  159,000     2,787,430
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.7%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.

  960,000     956,366

MediaTek, Inc.

  49,000     628,075
       
      1,584,441
       

SOFTWARE–0.3%

   

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)(a)

  19,500     650,130
       
      15,328,865
       

 

 

9


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE–5.0%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.4%

   

CSL Ltd./Australia

  24,553   $ 777,836
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.1%

   

Essilor International SA

  25,349     1,616,958

Nobel Biocare Holding AG

  3,114     829,321
       
      2,446,279
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.5%

   

Merck KGaA

  6,841     893,447

Novartis AG

  43,437     2,375,454

Roche Holding AG

  15,025     2,597,308

Stada Arzneimittel AG

  15,530     961,659

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR)

  22,200     1,031,856
       
      7,859,724
       
      11,083,839
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–4.1%

   

BEVERAGES–0.7%

   

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (ADR)

  20,668     788,897

Pernod-Ricard SA

  3,344     771,735
       
      1,560,632
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.6%

   

Nestle SA

  7,025     3,225,812

Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC (ADR)

  3,250     425,880
       
      3,651,692
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.8%

   

L’Oreal SA

  12,516     1,792,261
       

TOBACCO–1.0%

   

British American Tobacco PLC

  41,358     1,616,813

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

  111     656,315
       
      2,273,128
       
      9,277,713
       

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value  
   

UTILITIES–2.5%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.4%

   

CEZ

    28,346   $ 2,106,964  

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Sponsored) (ADR)

    51,926     958,554  
         
      3,065,518  
         

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.5%

   

International Power PLC

    133,747     1,205,636  
         

MULTI–UTILITIES–0.6%

   

Veolia Environnement

    14,771     1,345,472  
         
      5,616,626  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $170,826,609)

      209,459,735  
         

WARRANTS–1.2%

   

FINANCIALS–1.2%

   

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.2%

   

Sberbank-CLS, (Merrill Lynch),
expiring 2/23/10(a)
(cost $2,607,474)

    599     2,551,740  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–5.6%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–5.6%

   

The Bank of New York 3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $12,520,000)

  $   12,520     12,520,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.6%
(cost $185,954,083)

      224,531,475  

Other assets less liabilities–(0.6)%

      (1,256,751 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 223,274,724  
         

 

 

 

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $857,664 or 0.4% of net assets.

 

  Glossary:

 

  ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

  FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt

 

  GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $185,954,083)

   $ 224,531,475

Cash

     7,126

Foreign cash, at value (cost $1,295,711)

     1,297,090

Receivable for investment securities sold

     2,413,179

Dividends and interest receivable

     269,651

Receivable for capital stock sold

     211,546
      

Total assets

     228,730,067
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     4,227,245

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     657,630

Advisory fee payable

     134,591

Administrative fee payable

     40,250

Distribution fee payable

     11,618

Foreign capital gain tax payable

     3,055

Transfer Agent fee payable

     194

Accrued expenses

     380,760
      

Total liabilities

     5,455,343
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 223,274,724
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 8,986

Additional paid-in capital

     181,521,740

Undistributed net investment income

     5,276

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,183,609

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

     38,555,113
      
   $ 223,274,724
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   165,641,894      6,656,062      $   24.89

B

     $   57,632,830      2,330,263      $   24.73

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $307,601)

   $ 2,405,202  

Interest

     125,452  
        

Total investment income

     2,530,654  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,011,102  

Distribution fee—Class B

     101,122  

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,657  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,161  

Custodian

     227,513  

Printing

     184,535  

Administrative

     94,000  

Legal

     49,897  

Audit

     41,100  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     10,313  
        

Total expenses

     1,724,950  
        

Net investment income

     805,704  
        

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

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     33,462,391  

Foreign currency transactions

     41,251  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     7,107,555 (a)

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (62,705 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     40,548,492  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 41,354,196  
        

 

 

 

 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital gain taxes of $35,916.

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

12


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 805,704     $ 1,048,609  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     33,503,642       14,218,388  

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

     7,044,850       8,168,028  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     41,354,196       23,435,025  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (1,623,430 )     (654,473 )

Class B

     (541,864 )     (210,045 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (30,458,866 )     (436,315 )

Class B

     (13,413,214 )     (172,059 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     110,981,475       11,361,709  
                

Total increase

     106,298,297       33,323,842  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     116,976,427       83,652,585  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $5,276 and $1,111,843, respectively)

   $ 223,274,724     $ 116,976,427  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

13


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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-

 

14


    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 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $561,728, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

15


INTERNATIONAL 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 160,727,932     $ 158,927,265  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 186,296,655  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 42,164,537  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (3,929,717 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 38,234,820  
        

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.

 

16


 
    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 year ended December 31, 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

 
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  3,775,839     1,366,384       $ 81,927,665     $ 36,908,105  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  1,204,872     43,131         32,082,296       1,090,788  

Shares redeemed

  (1,013,182 )   (1,128,436 )       (30,677,501 )     (29,927,872 )
                               

Net increase

  3,967,529     281,079       $ 83,332,460     $ 8,071,021  
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  1,021,403     492,302       $ 25,475,402     $ 13,161,869  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  527,837     15,175         13,955,078       382,104  

Shares redeemed

  (388,549 )   (381,609 )       (11,781,465 )     (10,253,285 )
                               

Net increase

  1,160,691     125,868       $ 27,649,015     $ 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.

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 year ended December 31, 2007.

 

17


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

 

NOTE H: Acquisition of AllianceBernstein International Research Growth by AllianceBernstein International Growth (the “Portfolio”)

On December 7, 2007, the Portfolio acquired all the net assets and assumed all of the liabilities of AllianceBernstein International Research Growth, a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (“IRG”) in a tax free event, pursuant to a Plan of Acquisition and Liquidation. The acquisition did not require approval by IRG shareholders. As a result of the acquisition, each IRG shareholder received the number of full and fractional shares of an equivalent class of shares of the Portfolio having an aggregate net asset value (“NAV”) that, on December 7, 2007, was equal to the aggregate NAV of the shareholder’s shares of IRG. On December 7, 2007, the acquisition was accomplished by a tax free exchange of 3,257,231 shares of the Portfolio for 4,004,846 shares of IRG. The aggregate net assets of the Portfolio and IRG immediately before the acquisition were $146,224,062 and $83,552,067 (including $39,359,692 of net unrealized depreciation of investment and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities), respectively. Immediately after the acquisition, the combined net assets of the Portfolio amounted to $229,776,129.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 9,637,168    $ 864,518

Long-term capital gains

     36,400,206      608,374
             

Total taxable distributions

     46,037,374      1,472,892
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 46,037,374    $ 1,472,892
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,362,052  

Undistributed long term capital gain

     2,164,129  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     38,217,817 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 41,743,998  
        

 

(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 derivative investments.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to a tax treatment of foreign currency gains/losses, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies, merger related reclassifications, Indian capital gain tax reclassification, and distribution reclassification resulted in a net decrease in distributions in excess of net investment income, a net decrease to accumulated net realized gain on investment transaction and foreign currency transactions, and an increase to additional paid in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE J: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

19


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $30.37     $24.27     $20.18     $16.28     $11.48  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .20     .30     .25     .11 (b)   .04  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  5.16     6.18     3.94     3.83     4.91  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  5.36     6.48     4.19     3.94     4.95  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.56 )   (.23 )   (.10 )   (.04 )   (.15 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (10.28 )   (.15 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (10.84 )   (.38 )   (.10 )   (.04 )   (.15 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $24.89     $30.37     $24.27     $20.18     $16.28  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  18.13 %   27.04 %   20.84 %   24.27 %   43.46 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $165,642     $81,655     $58,438     $41,198     $34,302  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.21 %(d)   1.23 %(d)   1.41 %   1.65 %   2.17 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.21 %(d)   1.23 %(d)   1.41 %   1.81 %   2.17 %

Net investment income

  .66 %(d)   1.11 %(d)   1.16 %   .65 %(b)   .34 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  126 %   74 %   43 %   60 %   44 %

 

 

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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $30.20     $24.16     $20.11     $16.24     $11.47  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .13     .22     .21     .07 (b)   .02  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  5.11     6.16     3.91     3.82     4.88  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  5.24     6.38     4.12     3.89     4.90  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.43 )   (.19 )   (.07 )   (.02 )   (.13 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (10.28 )   (.15 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (10.71 )   (.34 )   (.07 )   (.02 )   (.13 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $24.73     $30.20     $24.16     $20.11     $16.24  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  17.78 %   26.70 %   20.55 %   23.97 %   43.07 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $57,633     $35,321     $25,215     $14,501     $7,376  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %(d)   1.48 %(d)   1.66 %   1.90 %   2.41 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %(d)   1.48 %(d)   1.66 %   2.06 %   2.41 %

Net investment income

  .45 %(d)   .81 %(d)   .95 %   .41 %(b)   .13 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  126 %   74 %   43 %   60 %   44 %

 

 

 

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

 

21


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

22


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 designates from distributions paid $36,400,206 as Capital Gain Dividends.

The Portfolio intends to make the election under Internal Revenue Code Section 853 to pass through foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio to their shareholders. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the total amount of foreign taxes that may be passed through to the shareholders was $355,309. The foreign sources of income for information reporting purposes was $2,711,893.

 

23


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH  
PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

Gregory Eckersley(2), Vice President

Siobhan F. McManus(2), Vice President

Robert W. Scheetz(2), Vice President

Hiromitsu Agata(2), Vice President

Isabel Buccellati(2), Vice President

William Johnston (2), Vice President

Michele Patri(2), Vice President

    

David Robinson(2), Vice President

Lisa A. Shalett(2), Vice President

Valli Srikanthapalan(2), Vice President

Ian Kirwan(2), Vice President

Michael Levy(2), Vice President

Thomas A. Schmitt(2), Vice President

Christopher M. Toub(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the International Growth Portfolio Oversight Group, comprised of senior members of the Global Emerging Markets Growth Investment Team and the International Large Cap Growth Investment Team. Mr. Gregory Eckersley, Mr. Robert W. Scheetz, Mr. Hiromitsu Agata, Ms. Isabel Buccellati, Mr. William Johnston, Mr. Michele Patri, Mr. David Robinson, Ms. Valli Srikanthapalan, Mr. Ian Kirwan, Mr. Michael Levy, and Mr. Christopher M. Toub are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

24


 
 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
        
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB&Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***
Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

25


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995-2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993-1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975-1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005-2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993-2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP., member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to 2002 until March 2003.
         

Gregory Eckersley

43

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Siobhan F. McManus

42

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Robert W. Scheetz

42

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Hiromitsu Agata

45

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Japan Ltd., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Isabel Buccellati

39

     Vice President      Vice President of ABL**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

William Johnston

47

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of ABL**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Michele Patri

44

     Vice President      Vice President of ABL**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

David Robinson

37

     Vice President      Vice President of AllianceBernstein Australia Ltd. (“AB Australia”) since March 2003.
         

Lisa A. Shalett

44

     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Valli Srikanthapalan

33

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of ABL**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Ian Kirwan

32

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of Adviser** and Team Leader for the Global Industrials Research team, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Michael Levy
36
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Limited (“ABL”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas A. Schmitt
50
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Christopher M. Toub
47
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

 

27


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABIS, ABI, ABL and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

28


 
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

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 120.5   International 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 (0.08% 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%

Class B 1.48%

  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.

 

29


INTERNATIONAL 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 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

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

   0.566 %    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.

 

6 Fees shown for the International Large Cap Growth Strategy, which is similar but more concentrated that the Portfolio’s strategy.

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

  0.75%

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.

 

31


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

 

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 $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.

 

 

 

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

 

32


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

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
                         Since
Inception
(%)
  

Annualized

Volatility
(%)

   Sharpe
(%)
   Risk
Period
(Year)
      1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
   10 Year
(%)
           

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

 

33


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 7, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio will invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of established companies selected from more than 40 industries and more than 40 developed and emerging-market countries. The Portfolio normally invests in companies in at least three countries other than the United States. These countries currently include the developed nations in Europe and the Far East, Canada, Australia and emerging-market countries worldwide. The Portfolio invests in companies that are determined by the Adviser’s Bernstein unit to be undervalued, using a fundamental value approach. In selecting securities for the Portfolio, Bernstein uses its fundamental and quantitative research to identify companies whose long-term earnings power is not reflected in the current market price of their securities.

The Portfolio may invest in depositary receipts, instruments of supranational entities denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational companies and “semi-governmental securities” and enter into forward commitments. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index, for the one- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, and since the Portfolio’s Class A shares’ inception on May 10, 2001, and the Portfolio’s Class B shares’ inception on August 15, 2001.

 

The Portfolio underperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. The Portfolio’s underperformance was driven primarily by negative security selection in the health care, industrials and financials sectors. Sector selection was mixed during the annual period. An overweight position in the materials sector and an underweight position in the health care sector enhanced the Portfolio’s performance, while underweight positions in telecommunication services and consumer staples and an overweight position in financials detracted from the Portfolio’s relative return.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

International equity markets posted solid returns during the one-year period ended December 31, 2007, according to the MSCI EAFE Index. Investors initially shrugged off worries about rising yields and focused on signs that the global economy was strengthening. However, by September 2007, volatility returned to the market, with investor concerns rising over the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis. By November, this crisis led markets to decline, especially after several financial companies announced significant write-downs of assets. There was particular weakness in financial and housing-related securities. Record oil prices weighed on investor sentiment, as did a downward revision of 2008 growth by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”). Despite a fresh round of joint measures by central banks in December to alleviate pressure in the short-term money markets, investors remained nervous about further bank write-offs. As a result, equity-market volatility remained elevated from the unusually low level that had prevailed for an extended period before the subprime mortgage crisis struck.

The Fund’s International Value Investment Policy Group (the “Group”) strives to keep the Portfolio’s risk proportionate with the value opportunities it identifies. After a lengthy period of compression, valuation spreads are beginning to widen. If this trend continues, the Group believes that there may be increased opportunities to raise the Portfolio’s concentration in undervalued industries and companies.

 

1


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that measures stock performance in 21 countries in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

The MSCI EAFE Index values are calculated using net returns. Net returns approximate the minimum possible dividend reinvestment—the dividend is reinvested after deduction of withholding tax, applying the highest rate applicable to non-resident institutional individuals who do not benefit from double taxation treaties.

A Word About Risk

Value investing does not guarantee a profit or eliminate risk. Not all companies whose stocks are considered to be “value” stocks are able to turn their business around or successfully employ corrective strategies, which would result in stock prices that rise as initially expected. Substantially all of the Portfolio’s assets will be invested in foreign securities which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. Because the Portfolio may invest in emerging markets and in developing countries, an investment also has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting emerging markets and developing countries, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a significant effect on the Portfolio’s net asset value. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns    
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception*

AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio Class A

   5.84%      24.78%      16.97%

AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio Class B

   5.58%      24.48%      17.01%

MSCI EAFE Index

   11.17%      21.59%      10.14%

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 5/10/01 and Class B shares on 8/15/01. The since-inception return for the benchmark is from the Portfolio’s Class A shares’ inception date.

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual expense ratios as 0.85% and 1.10% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

5/10/01* – 12/31/07

LOGO

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 5/10/01.

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio Class A shares (from 5/10/01* to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 958.09    $ 4.00    0.81 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,021.12    $ 4.13    0.81 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 956.93    $   5.23    1.06 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.86    $ 5.40    1.06 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

BASF AG

   $ 91,257,360      3.0 %

Royal Dutch Shell PLC—Class A

     88,187,267      2.9  

Allianz SE

     82,650,598      2.7  

Renault SA

     81,150,916      2.7  

ING Group NV

     80,692,363      2.7  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

     73,874,698      2.4  

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

     69,522,057      2.3  

HBOS PLC

     68,471,324      2.2  

Vodafone Group PLC

     66,106,464      2.2  

E.ON AG

     64,233,216      2.1  
                 
     $   766,146,263      25.2 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $   1,033,178,093      34.5 %

Materials

     444,520,368      14.8  

Energy

     329,906,755      11.0  

Consumer Discretionary

     309,071,258      10.3  

Information Technology

     247,857,291      8.3  

Utilities

     150,906,138      5.0  

Telecommunication Services

     120,924,755      4.0  

Industrials

     118,273,407      3.9  

Health Care

     106,152,029      3.5  

Consumer Staples

     73,655,924      2.5  

Short-Term Investments

     65,063,000      2.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,999,509,018      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 fund 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.

 

5


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Japan

   $ 603,613,373      20.1 %

United Kingdom

     590,856,023      19.7  

France

     444,628,901      14.8  

Germany

     424,043,619      14.1  

South Korea

     151,745,154      5.1  

Netherlands

     121,775,553      4.1  

Taiwan

     108,284,394      3.6  

Italy

     94,903,773      3.2  

Luxembourg

     62,707,896      2.1  

Switzerland

     58,558,233      1.9  

Belgium

     47,693,259      1.6  

Brazil

     47,125,042      1.6  

Other*

     178,510,798      5.9  

Short-Term Investments

     65,063,000      2.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,999,509,018      100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

* All data are as of December 31, 2007. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 1.4% or less in the following countries: Canada, China, Finland, Hong Kong, Israel, Norway, Russia, Spain and Sweden.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–96.1%

   
   

FINANCIALS–34.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.0%

   

Credit Suisse Group

  972,800   $ 58,558,233

Deutsche Bank AG

  473,300     61,856,507
       
      120,414,740
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–17.6%

   

Bank Hapoalim BM

  990,700     4,938,438

Barclays PLC

  5,629,700     56,856,137

BNP Paribas SA

  570,620     61,912,326

Credit Agricole SA

  1,715,123     57,861,942

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

  218,500     11,731,484

HBOS PLC

  4,708,830     68,471,324

Kookmin Bank

  247,600     18,251,589

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

  6,751,200     63,663,316

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

  8,366,828     73,874,698

Societe Generale

  390,631     56,496,656

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  8,348     61,777,521
       
      535,835,431
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–1.6%

   

ORIX Corp.

  285,120     47,953,539
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.2%

   

Fortis (Euronext Brussels)

  1,821,832     47,693,259

ING Groep NV

  2,070,871     80,692,363
       
      128,385,622
       

INSURANCE–6.4%

   

Allianz SE

  383,300     82,650,598

Aviva PLC

  2,515,285     33,522,366

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (ordinary shares)

  372,337     15,273,696

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (saving shares)

  51,100     1,436,543

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  321,600     62,415,299
       
      195,298,502
       

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.2%

   

Leopalace21 Corp.

  196,900     5,290,259
       
      1,033,178,093
       

MATERIALS–14.6%

   

CHEMICALS–4.3%

   

BASF SE

  616,300     91,257,360

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  3,321,000     25,338,171

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

  2,457,000     15,950,467
       
      132,545,998
       
Company  

Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.5%

   

Buzzi Unicem SpA

  513,712   $ 14,197,108
       

METALS & MINING–8.8%

   

Antofagasta PLC

  864,300     12,253,292

ArcelorMittal

  779,824     62,707,897

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  451,400     12,630,172

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  1,081,500     54,230,936

Kazakhmys PLC

  785,100     21,241,398

Nippon Steel Corp.

  2,555,000     15,639,002

POSCO

  57,800     34,921,625

Xstrata PLC

  756,180     53,061,873
       
      266,686,195
       

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–1.0%

   

Stora Enso Oyj–Class R

  1,675,300     25,008,682

Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B

  344,400     6,082,385
       
      31,091,067
       
      444,520,368
       

ENERGY–10.8%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–10.8%

   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

  27,374,000     40,580,563

ENI SpA

  1,753,500     63,996,425

LUKOIL-Sponsored (ADR)

  355,050     30,001,725

Petro-Canada

  15,300     825,498

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  358,500     34,494,870

Repsol YPF SA

  290,800     10,373,771

Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class A

  2,091,900     88,187,267

StatoilHydro ASA

  895,900     27,639,210

Total SA

  408,300     33,807,426
       
      329,906,755
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.2%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–2.4%

   

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

  395,100     45,171,196

Hyundai Mobis

  313,312     28,950,703
       
      74,121,899
       

AUTOMOBILES–5.0%

   

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

  6,369,700     69,522,057

Renault SA

  572,200     81,150,916
       
      150,672,973
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.8%

   

Sharp Corp.

  2,776,000     49,518,731

Taylor Wimpey PLC

  1,043,423     4,202,380
       
      53,721,111
       

 

 

7


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

MEDIA–1.0%

   

Lagardere SCA

  408,000   $ 30,555,275
       
      309,071,258
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.7%

   

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–3.6%

   

Asustek Computer, Inc.

  4,893,000     14,559,587

Compal Electronics, Inc. (GDR)(b)

  2,174,835     11,902,002

Fujitsu Ltd.

  6,093,000     40,758,963

Toshiba Corp.

  5,545,000     40,921,893
       
      108,142,445
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.2%

   

AU Optronics Corp.

  19,093,630     36,822,195
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.0%

   

Canon, Inc.

  50     2,288
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.9%

   

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(a)

  1,012,200     27,723,598

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

  25,510     15,012,580

United Microelectronics Corp.

  72,435,350     45,000,610
       
      87,736,788
       
      232,703,716
       

UTILITIES–5.0%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–3.7%

   

E.ON AG

  302,100     64,233,216

The Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.

  1,890,800     48,945,728
       
      113,178,944
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.3%

   

RWE AG

  267,820     37,727,194
       
      150,906,138
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.8%

   

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  11,096,500     33,060,527

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

  4,377     21,757,764
       
      54,818,291
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.2%

   

Vodafone Group PLC

  17,609,975     66,106,464
       
      120,924,755
       
Company  

Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIALS–3.9%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.1%

   

BAE Systems PLC

    3,426,500   $ 34,004,268
       

AIRLINES–1.4%

   

Air France-KLM

    515,700     18,022,957

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

    898,200     23,903,444
       
      41,926,401
       

MARINE–1.4%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

    2,103,000     26,586,751

Nippon Yusen KK

    2,000,000     15,755,987
       
      42,342,738
       
      118,273,407
       

HEALTH CARE–3.5%

   

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.5%

   

AstraZeneca PLC

    416,164     17,912,894

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    1,125,700     28,588,928

Sanofi-Aventis SA

    651,627     59,650,207
       
      106,152,029
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–2.4%

   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.3%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    2,966,540     41,083,190
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.1%

   

Associated British Foods PLC

    1,826,000     32,572,734
       
      73,655,924
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $2,551,988,863)

      2,919,292,443
       

NON-CONVERTIBLE– PREFERRED STOCKS–0.5%

   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.5%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.5%

   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
(cost $15,192,945)

    33,400     15,153,575
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.1%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.1%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $65,063,000)

  $ 65,063     65,063,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.7%
(cost $2,632,244,808)

      2,999,509,018

Other assets less liabilities–1.3%

      38,489,353
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 3,037,998,371
       

 

 

8


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration
Month
   Original
Value
   Value at
December 31,
2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Purchased Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index

   415    March 2008    $   26,593,615    $   26,909,440    $   315,825

 

 

 

 

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the market value of this security amounted to $11,902,002 or 0.4% of net assets.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $2,632,244,808)

   $ 2,999,509,018  

Cash

     714  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $35,252,962)

     37,903,002 (a)

Receivable for investment securities sold

     10,615,660  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     3,857,381  

Dividends and interest receivable

     3,178,879  
        

Total assets

     3,055,064,654  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     13,759,257  

Advisory fee payable

     1,885,958  

Distribution fee payable

     597,067  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     447,909  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

     54,608  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     297,618  
        

Total liabilities

     17,066,283  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 3,037,998,371  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 122,031  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,491,664,998  

Undistributed net investment income

     20,778,401  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     158,056,766  

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

     367,376,175  
        
   $ 3,037,998,371  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 219,691,474      8,739,425      $   25.14

B

     $   2,818,306,897      113,291,505      $ 24.88

 

 

 

 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $2,002,281 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007.

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $7,039,316)

   $ 61,357,062  

Interest

     3,494,907  
        

Total investment income

     64,851,969  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     19,529,247  

Distribution fee—Class B

     6,083,687  

Transfer agency—Class A

     307  

Transfer agency—Class B

     4,069  

Custodian

     1,069,913  

Printing

     463,909  

Administrative

     94,000  

Legal

     57,376  

Audit

     41,100  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     31,945  
        

Total expenses

     27,377,103  
        

Net investment income

     37,474,866  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN

CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     154,140,395  

Futures

     4,316,061  

Foreign currency transactions

     767,503  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (88,428,058 )

Futures

     (281,236 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (382,523 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     70,132,142  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 107,607,008  
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 37,474,866     $ 21,473,039  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     159,223,959       96,785,438  

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

     (89,091,817 )     302,694,031  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     107,607,008       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

     1,036,460,716       741,355,980  
                

Total increase

     1,019,451,209       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 $20,778,401 and $8,978,318, respectively)

   $ 3,037,998,371     $ 2,018,547,162  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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


INTERNATIONAL 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 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. 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 year ended December 31, 2007, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $3,392,734, of which $70,736 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 1,526,369,631     $ 576,283,813  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 2,633,883,199  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 496,560,310  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (130,934,491 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 365,625,819  
        

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 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.

 

15


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

16


 
 
    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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  5,055,084     2,902,550       $ 129,630,173     $ 63,224,190  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  352,353     125,676         9,136,529       2,576,360  

Shares redeemed

  (1,869,224 )   (800,418 )       (47,870,603 )     (17,692,729 )
                             

Net increase

  3,538,213     2,227,808       $ 90,896,099     $ 48,107,821  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  35,264,989     32,602,691       $ 901,580,223     $ 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

  (2,802,922 )   (2,564,379 )       (71,495,592 )     (54,581,396 )
                             

Net increase

  36,955,452     31,927,692       $ 945,564,617     $ 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 66,798,491    $ 22,004,118

Net long-term capital gains

     57,818,024      19,021,129
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 124,616,515    $ 41,025,247
             

 

17


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 52,259,355  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     128,214,203  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     365,737,784 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 546,211,342  
        

 

(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.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of foreign currency gains/losses resulted in a net increase in undistributed net investment income, and a net decrease to accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

19


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.96     $19.07     $16.70     $13.45     $   9.35  
                               

Income From Investment Operations

 

       

Net investment income (a)

  .43     .38     .26 (b)   .20 (b)     .13 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1.07     6.21     2.49     3.16       4.01  
                               

Net increase in net asset value from operations

     1.50     6.59     2.75     3.36       4.14  
                               

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

     (.31 )   (.30 )   (.10 )   (.08 )     (.04 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    (1.01 )   (.40 )   (.28 )   (.03 )     –0
                               

Total dividends and distributions

    (1.32 )   (.70 )   (.38 )   (.11 )     (.04 )
                               

Net asset value, end of period

  $25.14     $24.96     $19.07     $16.70       $13.45  
                               

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset
value (c)

  5.84 %   35.36 %   16.92 %   25.12 %     44.36 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $219,691     $129,837     $56,692     $47,095       $31,628  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .81 %   .85 %(d)   .86 %   .95 %     1.20 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .81 %   .85 %(d)   .87 %   1.13 %     1.49 %

Net investment income

  1.68 %   1.75 %(d)   1.54 %(b)   1.42 %(b)     1.16 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  23 %   25 %   18 %   23 %     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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.74     $18.93     $16.61     $13.39     $   9.33  
                               
         

Income From Investment Operations

 

       

Net investment income (a)

  .36     .33     .19 (b)   .15 (b)     .08 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1.06        6.16        2.50     3.16       4.01  
                               

Net increase in net asset value from operations

     1.42        6.49        2.69     3.31       4.09  
                               
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (.27 )   (.28 )      (.09 )   (.06 )     (.03 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    (1.01 )      (.40 )       (.28 )   (.03 )     –0
                               

Total dividends and distributions

    (1.28 )      (.68 )       (.37 )   (.09 )     (.03 )
                               

Net asset value, end of period

  $24.88     $24.74     $18.93     $16.61       $13.39  
                               

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  5.58 %   35.05 %   16.58 %   24.86 %     43.95 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $2,818,307     $1,888,710     $840,572     $284,443       $112,336  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.06 %   1.10 %(d)   1.11 %   1.20 %     1.45 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.06 %   1.10 %(d)   1.12 %   1.38 %     1.74 %

Net investment income

  1.41 %   1.53 %(d)   1.08 %(b)   1.07 %(b)     .38 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  23 %   25 %   18 %   23 %     14 %

 

 

 

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

 

21


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

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New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

22


 
 

TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)

 

The Portfolio for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 designates from distributions paid $57,818,024 as Capital Gain Dividends.

The Portfolio intends to make the election under Internal Revenue Code Section 853 to pass through foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio to their shareholders. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the total amount of foreign taxes that may be passed through to the shareholders was $7,039,316. The foreign sources of income for information reporting purposes was $68,396,378.

 

23


 
 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

Henry S. D’Auria(2), Vice President

Sharon E. Fay(2), Vice President

Eric J. Franco(2), Vice President

Kevin F. Simms(2), Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the International Value Investment Policy Group. Ms. Sharon E. Fay, Mr. Kevin F. Simms, Mr. Henry D’Auria and Mr. Eric J. Franco are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

24


 
 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
  PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR     
    
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
  Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001, and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC (“SC & Co.”)) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.   103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
      
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***
Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
  Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.   105    None
      
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
  Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.” formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.   104    None
      
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
  Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.   103    None
      

Michael J. Downey, #
64

(2005)

  Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.   103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)

 

25


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology
(semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
   103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation
(semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Senior Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting) 1993–2003.    103   

Xilinx, Inc.

(semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)

        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Henry S. D’Auria
46
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003. He has served as Co-Chief Investment Officer of Emerging Markets Value Equities since prior to 2003 and Co-Chief Investment Officer of International Value Equities since June 2003.
         
Sharon E. Fay
47
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Eric J. Franco
47
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Kevin F. Simms
41
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SC & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

27


 
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.

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.

 

28


 
 
    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

International Value Portfolio

  Class A 1.20%   0.85%   December 31
  Class B 1.45%   1.10%  

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.

 

29


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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

    
  Client #3   

0.70% on 1st $25 million

0.45% on next $25 million

0.35% on next $200 million

0.33% 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.

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio   Sub-advised
Fund
   Fee Schedule
  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.

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

 

 

 

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.

 

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”).

 

31


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

32


 
 
    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.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.

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3 and 5 year performance rankings of the Portfolio 21 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

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

33


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

34


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 4, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in the equity securities of a limited number of large, carefully selected, high-quality U.S. companies. The Adviser tends to focus on those companies that have strong management, superior industry positions, excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth prospects. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks of large-capitalization companies. The Adviser looks for companies whose substantially above-average earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations. Normally, the Portfolio invests in about 40-60 companies, with the 25 most highly regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the Portfolio’s net assets. The Portfolio is thus atypical from most equity mutual funds in its focus on a relatively small number of intensively researched companies. The Adviser expects that normally the Portfolio’s investments will tend to emphasize investments in securities issued by U.S. companies, although it may invest in foreign securities. The Portfolio is designed for those seeking to accumulate capital over time with less volatility than that associated with investment in smaller companies.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, in addition to the broad market as measured by the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio outperformed its benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. Strong stock selection in the materials and processing and consumer discretionary sectors contributed the most to performance. Stock selection in the producer durables and health care sectors also positively impacted the Portfolio’s performance. An underweight position in the consumer discretionary sector was also beneficial. The Portfolio lagged the benchmark in the financial services sector due to both negative stock selection and an overweight position in this underperforming sector. Relatively weaker stock selection in energy and utilities also detracted.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Although the first half of 2007 was relatively calm, the second half was dominated by escalating anxiety about losses in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and a widening credit crisis among financial institutions. The Portfolio’s financials sector weighting was decreased as a result and more closely aligned with its benchmark. The U.S. equity markets were mixed for the annual period, with large-cap growth stocks significantly outperforming large-cap value and small-cap stocks, which had a material effect on the Portfolio’s outperformance.

The Portfolio’s large capitalization growth investment style has faced difficult circumstances in the past several years from both the unprecedented outperformance of value stocks and the outperformance of small-capitalization stocks. Performance returns for 2007, however, indicate that these cyclical trends may have reversed. The U.S. Large Cap Growth Investment Team has stayed true to its investment style throughout these difficult times, and the Portfolio is well positioned for an environment that favors large-cap growth stocks.

 

1


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged Russell 1000 Growth Index nor the unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index reflects fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Russell 1000 Growth Index contains those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a greater-than-average growth orientation. The unmanaged Russell 1000 Index is comprised of 1000 of the largest capitalized companies that are traded in the United States. The S&P 500 Stock Index is comprised of 500 U.S. companies and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio concentrates its investments in a limited number of issues and an investment in the Portfolio is therefore subject to greater risk and volatility than investments in a more diversified portfolio. Growth investing does not guarantee a profit or eliminate risk. The stocks of these companies can have relatively high valuations. Because of these high valuations, an investment in a growth stock can be more risky than an investment in a company with more modest growth expectations. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years     

10 Years

 

AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio Class A

   13.92%      11.90%      5.10%  

AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio Class B

   13.61%      11.62%      -0.83% *

Russell 1000 Growth Index

   11.81%      12.11%      3.83%  

S&P 500 Stock Index

   5.49%      12.82%      5.91%  

*  Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 7/14/99.

            

† Reflects the positive impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit: www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf

    

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.84% and 1.08% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and the broad market, as represented by the S&P 500 Stock Index. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,075.54    $   4.24    .81 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,021.12    $   4.13    .81 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,074.22    $   5.54    1.06 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.86    $   5.40    1.06 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.—Class A

   $ 54,066,821      6.9 %

Apple, Inc.

     49,259,525      6.2  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     33,401,673      4.2  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     29,038,824      3.7  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     28,137,552      3.6  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     24,790,188      3.1  

Abbott Laboratories

     24,290,490      3.1  

Honeywell International, Inc.

     23,987,672      3.0  

Monsanto Co.

     23,332,041      3.0  

CME Group, Inc.—Class A

     23,162,790      2.9  
                 
     $   313,467,576      39.7 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $   272,889,332      34.1 %

Health Care

     144,944,625      18.1  

Industrials

     108,731,674      13.6  

Financials

     77,558,658      9.7  

Energy

     70,698,126      8.8  

Consumer Staples

     52,328,143      6.5  

Materials

     37,697,501      4.7  

Consumer Discretionary

     26,205,298      3.3  

Telecommunication Services

     6,476,645      0.8  

Short-Term Investments

     3,061,000      0.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 800,591,002      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 fund 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.

 

5


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–101.0%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–34.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–8.8%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  1,233,900   $ 33,401,673

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored) (ADR)

  396,200     15,210,118

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  181,400     20,570,760
       
      69,182,551
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–10.6%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  248,685     49,259,525

EMC Corp.(a)

  321,600     5,959,248

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  557,400     28,137,552
       
      83,356,325
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–6.8%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  78,190     54,066,821
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–5.1%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  495,550     12,953,677

Intel Corp.

  388,100     10,346,746

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  489,300     16,645,986
       
      39,946,409
       

SOFTWARE–3.3%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  295,350     12,620,306

Microsoft Corp.

  313,000     11,142,800

Oracle Corp.(a)

  114,000     2,574,120
       
      26,337,226
       
      272,889,332
       

HEALTH CARE–18.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–5.9%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  251,900     11,640,299

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  154,200     10,342,194

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  538,800     24,790,188
       
      46,772,681
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–3.5%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  121,450     17,372,208

Hologic, Inc.(a)

  148,800     10,213,632
       
      27,585,840
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–4.3%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  129,750     13,156,650

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  232,250     20,375,292
       
      33,531,942
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.7%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  432,600   $ 24,290,490

Merck & Co., Inc.

  26,400     1,534,104

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  241,600     11,229,568
       
      37,054,162
       
      144,944,625
       

INDUSTRIALS–13.8%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–5.1%

   

Boeing Co.

  18,200     1,591,772

Honeywell International, Inc.

  389,600     23,987,672

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

  325,400     11,226,300

United Technologies Corp.

  49,800     3,811,692
       
      40,617,436
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.9%

   

Fluor Corp.

  100,850     14,695,862
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–2.5%

   

ABB Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  388,600     11,191,680

Emerson Electric Co.

  151,500     8,583,990
       
      19,775,670
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.7%

   

Mcdermott Intl Inc.(a)

  44,400     2,620,932

Textron, Inc.

  147,500     10,516,750
       
      13,137,682
       

MACHINERY–2.6%

   

Deere & Co.

  220,200     20,505,024
       
      108,731,674
       

FINANCIALS–9.8%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–5.4%

   

The Blackstone Group LP

  392,400     8,683,812

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  188,000     21,512,840

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  35,510     7,636,425

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  75,800     4,960,352
       
      42,793,429
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.4%

   

American Express Co.

  60,400     3,142,008
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.0%

   

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  33,765     23,162,790

Moody’s Corp.

  49,400     1,763,580

NYSE Euronext

  76,300     6,696,851
       
      31,623,221
       
      77,558,658
       

 

 

6


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–8.9%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–7.3%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  280,150   $ 22,720,165

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  127,400     6,131,762

Schlumberger Ltd.

  295,200     29,038,824
       
      57,890,751
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.6%

   

EOG Resources, Inc.

  143,500     12,807,375
       
      70,698,126
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–6.6%

   

BEVERAGES–2.1%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  52,600     3,228,062

PepsiCo, Inc.

  174,800     13,267,320
       
      16,495,382
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.4%

   

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  196,700     11,516,785
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–3.1%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  137,300     10,703,908

Procter & Gamble Co.

  185,400     13,612,068
       
      24,315,976
       
      52,328,143
       

MATERIALS–4.8%

   

CHEMICALS–4.8%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  145,650     14,365,460

Monsanto Co.

  208,900     23,332,041
       
      37,697,501
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–3.3%

   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.4%

   

Las Vegas Sands Corp.(a)

  28,400     2,926,620

McDonald’s Corp.

  31,800     1,873,338
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value  
   
   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    157,000   $ 6,008,390  
         
      10,808,348  
         

MEDIA–0.3%

   

Comcast Corp.–Special–Class A(a)

    158,750     2,876,550  
         

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.6%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

    138,000     6,320,400  

Target Corp.

    124,000     6,200,000  
         
      12,520,400  
         
      26,205,298  
         

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.8%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.8%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

    105,500     6,476,645  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $640,800,282)

      797,530,002  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.4%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $3,061,000)

  $   3,061     3,061,000  
         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.4%
(cost $643,861,282)

      800,591,002  

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.4)%

      (11,398,567 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 789,192,435  
         

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

7


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $643,861,282)

   $ 800,591,002  

Cash

     560  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     5,846,612  

Dividends and interest receivable

     557,279  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     44,649  
        

Total assets

     807,040,102  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     12,041,703  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     4,989,161  

Advisory fee payable

     515,510  

Distribution fee payable

     84,388  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     193,039  
        

Total liabilities

     17,847,667  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 789,192,435  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 26,060  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,095,883,231  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (463,446,576 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     156,729,720  
        
   $ 789,192,435  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   395,655,117      12,923,611      $   30.61

B

     $ 393,537,318      13,136,824      $ 29.96

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $21,442)

   $ 6,645,512  

Interest

     108,314  
        

Total investment income

     6,753,826  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     6,355,448  

Distribution fee—Class B

     1,040,105  

Transfer agency—Class A

     5,088  

Transfer agency—Class B

     5,013  

Custodian

     218,842  

Printing

     218,299  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     24,142  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     18,384  
        

Total expenses

     8,021,971  
        

Net investment loss

     (1,268,145 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     104,546,740 (a)

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     5,859,413  
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     110,406,153  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 109,138,008  
        

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

9


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (1,268,145 )   $ (2,560,371 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     104,546,740       170,521,755  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     5,859,413       (181,181,117 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     109,138,008       (13,219,733 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (250,389,037 )     (299,769,320 )
                

Total decrease

     (141,251,029 )     (312,989,053 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     930,443,464       1,243,432,517  
                

End of period (including net investment loss of $0 and $0, respectively)

   $ 789,192,435     $ 930,443,464  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2007

  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-two 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.

 

11


LARGE 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 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $966,522, of which $10,669 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

12


 
 
    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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 774,630,119     $ 1,011,285,081  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 646,213,296  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 169,722,344  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (15,344,638 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 154,377,706  
        

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.

 

13


LARGE CAP GROWTH 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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  1,666,056     581,760       $ 48,013,927     $ 15,508,284  

Shares redeemed

  (6,383,242 )   (5,875,107 )       (182,395,685 )     (153,191,993 )
                               

Net decrease

  (4,717,186 )   (5,293,347 )     $ (134,381,758 )   $ (137,683,709 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  808,324     1,838,427       $ 22,865,431     $ 48,018,290  

Shares redeemed

  (4,979,977 )   (8,052,806 )       (138,872,710 )     (210,103,901 )
                               

Net decrease

  (4,171,653 )   (6,214,379 )     $ (116,007,279 )   $ (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.

 

14


 
 
    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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (461,094,562 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     154,377,706 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (306,716,856 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $461,094,562 of which $293,988,219 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 $93,118,659.

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the redemption in kind and the net operating loss resulted in a net decrease in accumulated net investment loss, a net increase in accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions, and a corresponding net increase to additional paid in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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

 

15


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

16


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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.87     $26.99     $23.44     $21.58     $17.45  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.01 )   (.03 )   (.07 )   (.03 )(b)   (.05 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  3.75     (.09 )   3.62     1.89     4.18  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  3.74     (.12 )   3.55     1.86     4.13  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $30.61     $26.87     $26.99     $23.44     $21.58  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  13.92 %*   (.44 )%   15.15 %   8.62 %   23.67 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $395,655     $474,069     $618,980     $656,544     $917,935  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .82 %   .84 %(d)   .81 %   .81 %   1.04 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .82 %   .84 %(d)   .81 %   .98 %   1.05 %

Net investment loss

  (.03 )%   (.12 )%(d)   (.28 )%   (.13 )%(b)   (.24 )%(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  92 %   81 %   54 %   73 %   79 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.37     $26.55     $23.11     $21.33     $17.29  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.08 )   (.09 )   (.12 )   (.08 )(b)   (.09 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  3.67     (.09 )   3.56     1.86     4.13  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  3.59     (.18 )   3.44     1.78     4.04  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $29.96     $26.37     $26.55     $23.11     $21.33  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  13.61%*     (.68 )%   14.89 %   8.34 %   23.37 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $393,537     $456,374     $624,453     $603,050     $693,764  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.07 %   1.08 %(d)   1.06 %   1.06 %   1.29 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.07 %   1.08 %(d)   1.06 %   1.24 %   1.30 %

Net investment loss

  (.27 )%   (.37 )%(d)   (.53 )%   (.38 )%(b)   (.49 )%(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  92 %   81 %   54 %   73 %   79 %

 

 

 

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

 

* Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from the class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.39%.

 

18


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund Inc.

AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio, (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

19


 
 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

David P. Handke, Jr.(2), Vice President

James G. Reilly(2), Vice President

Michael J. Reilly(2), Vice President

    

Patrick (Scott) Wallace(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Large Cap Growth Investment Team. Mr. David P. Handke, Jr., Mr. James G. Reilly, Mr. Michael J. Reilly, and Mr. Patrick (Scott) Wallace are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

20


 
 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR         
        
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
   Executive Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

21


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc.,
The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        
Garry L. Moody, #
55
(2008)
   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995-2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993-1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975-1993.    101    None
        
Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #
66
(2005)
   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005-2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993-2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        
Earl D. Weiner, #
68
(2007)
   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
David P. Handke, Jr.
58
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
James G. Reilly
46
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Michael J. Reilly
43
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Patrick (Scott) Wallace
43
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

23


 
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

Class B 1.08

%

%

     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.

 

24


 
 
    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

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

     0.287 %      0.750 %

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

0.65% 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.

 

25


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

Class I (Institutional)

   1.50

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

26


 
 
    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”)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.

 

 

 

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.

 

27


LARGE CAP GROWTH 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 $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.

 

 

 

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

 

28


 
 
    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 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.

 

29


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 8, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital and income. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its net assets in real estate investment trusts or REITs, and other real estate industry companies. The Portfolio invests in real estate companies that the Adviser believes have strong property fundamentals and management teams. The Portfolio seeks to invest in real estate companies whose underlying portfolios are diversified geographically and by property type. The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities, which are securities that directly or indirectly represent participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. These securities include mortgage pass-through certificates, real estate mortgage investment conduit certificates (“REMICs”) and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). The Portfolio may also invest in short-term investment-grade debt securities and other fixed-income securities. The Portfolio may invest in foreign securities and enter into forward commitments and standby commitment agreements. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, including options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) Equity Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007. For a comparison to the broad market, returns for the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index are also included.

Although both the Portfolio and the benchmark performed negatively, the Portfolio outperformed its benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. The Portfolio’s performance was driven by security selection. The most significant contributors for the one-year period were the Portfolio’s positions in high-end retail owners, diversified REITs in niche markets and U.S. health care REITs. U.S. health care REITs performed strongly during the second half of the annual period, underpinned by stable tenant demand, the long leases typical of the sector, inflation adjustment measures embedded in the majority of the lease agreements and ample dividend coverage. These are, in the current uncertain environment, attractive fundamental features. The Portfolio’s REIT Investment Policy Group (the “Group”) also likes the valuation of U.S. health care property owners, which trade at a cash yield that is more attractive than the average U.S. REIT.

For the one-year period, sector selection was a detractor, driven by specialty and lodging. Some of the Portfolio’s investments in central business district office owners lagged the FTSE NAREIT Equity Index.

The Group continues to have an above-market weight in hotels in the United States which, in its view, have been underrated by the market and so offer a potential value opportunity. The Group bases its view on trends in the supply of new rooms and the current credit environment. Supply growth during the last four years has averaged less than 1%—well below the historical average of 2.2%—and growth in 2008 is expected to remain below this level. The credit environment will further restrict supply by causing projects to be postponed and even cancelled. Demand remains strong, helped by a so-far robust corporate market. The Portfolio’s investments are focused on coastal areas, urban coastal markets and the high-value-customer segments, which are attractive to tourism and where supply is particularly constrained. The Group believes that U.S. dollar weakness is likely to encourage U.S. tourists to take vacations domestically and foreign tourists to visit, thus supporting demand trends for urban coastal lodging markets.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Real estate equity markets peaked in the first quarter of 2007 as an acquisition frenzy that was fueled by low-cost debt gripped the sector. As a result, real estate equity valuations were stretched and the market began to correct itself during the second quarter of the year. During the second half of the annual period, the market turmoil that originated with the subprime mortgage crisis gathered steam, and commercial real estate equities were impacted by the negative sentiment affecting the financial sector. In addition, real estate equities were heavily influenced by the economic cycle and liquidity available in the commercial mortgage markets. The outlook for both of these deteriorated during the second half of the annual reporting period. Until recently, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) provided an important part of the liquidity to U.S. commercial real-estate markets, but investors now shun securitized debt products. Other providers of liquidity, such as banks and insurance companies, are stepping in to replace CMBS as a source of financing for real estate companies but at a higher cost. Still, solid supply fundamentals in most commercial real-estate property segments have, up to now, mitigated the impact of a slowing

 

1


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

economy and higher financing costs in commercial real estate cash flows.

The Portfolio is well-positioned to withstand a period of turmoil. Stock selection emphasizes companies with ample dividend coverage, reasonable leverage and high-quality tenants. The Portfolio’s diversified scope should allow the Group to uncover new opportunities as it focuses on stocks unduly penalized by the market turmoil, attractively valued stocks in markets less affected by spillover from the subprime mortgage crisis and niche segments where demand dynamics remain relatively healthy.

 

2


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged FTSE National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) Equity Index nor the unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index reflects fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The FTSE NAREIT Equity Index is a market-value-weighted index based upon the last closing price of the month for tax-qualified real estate investment trusts (REITs) listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ. The S&P 500 Stock Index is comprised of 500 U.S. companies and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

While the Portfolio invests principally in the equity securities of real estate investment trusts, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities which involve risks described in the prospectus. 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, including declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions and interest rates. The Portfolio concentrates its investments in real estate-related investments and may therefore be subject to greater risks and volatility than a fund with a more diversified portfolio. The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years

AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio Class A

   –14.53%      19.51%      10.43%  

AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio Class B

   –14.76%      19.22%      16.67%*

FTSE NAREIT Equity Index

   –15.69%      18.17%      10.49%  

S&P 500 Stock Index

   5.49%      12.83%      5.91%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 4/24/01.

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.83% and 1.08% for Class A and Class B respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97* – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the FTSE NAREIT Equity Index, and the broad market as measured by the S&P 500 Stock Index. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   915.40    $   4.35    0.90 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.67    $   4.58    0.90 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   913.71    $   5.55    1.15 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.41    $   5.85    1.15 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

   $ 5,932,538      8.2 %

Prologis

     4,734,486      6.6  

Ventas, Inc.

     3,534,025      4.9  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

     3,487,833      4.8  

Vornado Realty Trust

     3,474,025      4.8  

General Growth Properties, Inc.

     3,228,512      4.5  

Rayonier, Inc.

     2,924,156      4.0  

Equity Residential

     2,297,610      3.2  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

     2,296,539      3.2  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

     2,195,434      3.0  
                 
     $   34,105,158      47.2 %

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

INDUSTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Diversified/Specialty

   $ 14,270,103      19.8 %

Regional Mall

     13,057,639      18.1  

Health Care

     9,585,551      13.3  

Lodging

     7,925,406      11.0  

Multi-Family

     7,254,410      10.0  

Industrial Warehouse Distribution

     7,056,106      9.8  

Office

     5,154,391      7.1  

Shopping Center/Other Retail

     4,433,219      6.1  

Self Storage

     1,820,568      2.5  

Short-Term Investments

     1,641,000      2.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $   72,198,393      100.0 %

 

 

 

     Please Note: The industry classifications presented herein are based on the industry categorization methodology of the Adviser.

 

6


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.6%

   
   

EQUITY: OTHER–33.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–19.7%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  19,500   $ 1,982,565

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  90,900     3,487,833

Entertainment Properties Trust

  30,200     1,419,400

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.–Class A

  22,100     982,124

Rayonier, Inc.

  61,900     2,924,156

Vornado Realty Trust

  39,500     3,474,025
       
      14,270,103
       

HEALTH CARE–13.3%

   

HCP, Inc.

  43,800     1,523,364

Health Care REIT, Inc.

  36,400     1,626,716

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  64,300     2,017,091

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  55,100     884,355

Ventas, Inc.

  78,100     3,534,025
       
      9,585,551
       
      23,855,654
       

RETAIL–24.2%

   

REGIONAL MALL–18.1%

   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  78,400     3,228,512

Macerich Co.

  25,000     1,776,500

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  68,300     5,932,538

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  43,100     2,120,089
       
      13,057,639
       

SHOPPING CENTER/OTHER RETAIL–6.1%

   

Kimco Realty Corp.

  58,700     2,136,680

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  60,900     2,296,539
       
      4,433,219
       
      17,490,858
       

RESIDENTIAL–12.5%

   

MULTI-FAMILY–10.0%

   

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

  45,900     1,594,107

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

  7,500     706,050

Equity Residential

  63,000     2,297,610

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  3,700     360,713

Home Properties, Inc.

  8,300     372,255

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  24,800     1,060,200

UDR, Inc.

  43,500     863,475
       
      7,254,410
       

SELF STORAGE–2.5%

   

Public Storage

  24,800     1,820,568
       
      9,074,978
       

LODGING–11.0%

   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  42,000     301,980

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

  69,400     1,039,612

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

    69,500   $ 1,083,505

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    128,840     2,195,434

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    18,800     599,720

Marriott International, Inc.–Class A

    23,000     786,140

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    11,000     484,330

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    42,900     717,717

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    39,200     716,968
       
      7,925,406
       

INDUSTRIAL–9.8%

   

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION–9.8%

   

AMB Property Corp.

    22,000     1,266,320

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

    30,500     1,055,300

ProLogis

    74,700     4,734,486
       
      7,056,106
       

OFFICE–7.1%

   

Boston Properties, Inc.

    20,900     1,918,829

Brookfield Properties Corp.

    52,250     1,005,812

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    47,900     1,407,302

SL Green Realty Corp.

    8,800     822,448
       
      5,154,391
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $52,766,493)

      70,557,393
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.3%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.3%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $1,641,000)

  $ 1,641     1,641,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.9%
(cost $54,407,493)

      72,198,393

Other assets less
liabilities–0.1%

      97,156
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 72,295,549
       

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

7


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $54,407,493)

   $ 72,198,393

Cash

     6,378

Dividends and interest receivable

     574,189

Receivable for capital stock sold

     278,156
      

Total assets

     73,057,116
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     640,212

Advisory fee payable

     34,852

Administrative fee payable

     23,750

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     13,737

Distribution fee payable

     4,847

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116

Accrued expenses

     44,053
      

Total liabilities

     761,567
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 72,295,549
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 4,457

Additional paid-in capital

     38,083,853

Undistributed net investment income

     965,583

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     15,450,756

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     17,790,900
      
   $ 72,295,549
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 50,014,836      3,081,572      $ 16.23

B

     $   22,280,713      1,375,095      $   16.20

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $7,120)

   $ 1,823,043  

Interest

     52,390  
        

Total investment income

     1,875,433  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     535,331  

Distribution fee—Class B

     73,972  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,797  

Transfer agency—Class B

     783  

Custodian

     105,771  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     46,600  

Printing

     22,613  

Legal

     10,769  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     6,959  
        

Total expenses

     900,145  
        

Net investment income

     975,288  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     15,553,558  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (29,845,850 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (14,292,292 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (13,317,004 )
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 975,288     $ 1,287,745  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     15,553,558       16,269,378  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (29,845,850 )     13,184,606  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (13,317,004 )     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 (decrease)

     (10,601,127 )     6,020,754  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (41,482,376 )     21,741,471  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     113,777,925       92,036,454  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $965,583 and $1,279,096, respectively)

   $ 72,295,549     $ 113,777,925  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

11


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 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $51,714, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC, and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

12


    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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U. S. government securities)

   $ 48,938,688     $ 74,895,904  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 54,456,677  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 20,728,879  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,987,163 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,741,716  
        

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.

 

13


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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold .

  469,829     607,488       $ 9,707,237     $ 12,929,499  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  624,115     569,785         12,057,899       10,740,452  

Shares redeemed

  (1,530,559 )   (1,021,095 )       (30,880,909 )     (21,832,571 )
                               

Net increase (decrease)

  (436,615 )   156,178       $ (9,115,773 )   $ 1,837,380  
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold .

  218,581     320,262       $ 4,401,956     $ 6,882,186  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  285,155     227,085         5,506,346       4,280,560  

Shares redeemed

  (596,277 )   (327,525 )       (11,393,656 )     (6,979,372 )
                               

Net increase (decrease)

  (92,541 )   219,822       $ (1,485,354 )   $ 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

 

14


 
 
    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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 3,843,405    $ 2,994,315

Net long-term capital gains

     13,720,840      12,026,697
             

Total taxable distributions

     17,564,245      15,021,012
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 17,564,245    $ 15,021,012
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,061,875  

Undistributed long term capital gain

     15,403,648  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     17,741,716 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 34,207,239  
        

 

(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

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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

 

15


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

complaints include substantially identical factual allegations, which appear to be based in large part on the Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

16


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net assets value, beginning of period

  $22.83     $19.98     $20.66     $15.62     $11.52  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .22     .29     .32     .39 (b)   .46  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (2.91 )   6.02     1.84     5.05     3.99  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.69 )   6.31     2.16     5.44     4.45  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.30 )   (.47 )   (.68 )   (.40 )   (.35 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (3.61 )   (2.99 )   (2.16 )   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.91 )   (3.46 )   (2.84 )   (.40 )   (.35 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $16.23     $22.83     $19.98     $20.66     $15.62  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (14.53 )%   35.22 %   11.67 %   35.63 %   39.30 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $50,015     $80,317     $67,161     $88,441     $68,717  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .85 %   .83 %(d)   .83 %   .77 %   1.24 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .85 %   .83 %(d)   .83 %   .99 %   1.24 %

Net investment income

  1.09 %   1.33 %(d)   1.64 %   2.26 %(b)   3.50 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  51 %   47 %   46 %   35 %   23 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net assets value, beginning of period

  $22.80     $19.94     $20.54     $15.55     $11.48  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .16     .22     .38     .34 (b)   .43  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (2.90 )   6.03     1.72     5.03     3.98  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.74 )   6.25     2.10     5.37     4.41  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.25 )   (.40 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.34 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (3.61 )   (2.99 )   (2.16 )   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.86 )   (3.39 )   (2.70 )   (.38 )   (.34 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $16.20     $22.80     $19.94     $20.54     $15.55  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (14.76 )%   34.88 %   11.40 %   35.28 %   39.02 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $22,281     $33,461     $24,875     $67,457     $43,919  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.10 %   1.08 %(d)   1.06 %   1.02 %   1.49 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.10 %   1.08 %(d)   1.06 %   1.24 %   1.49 %

Net investment income

  .80 %   1.04 %(d)   2.11 %   2.02 %(b)   3.22 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  51 %   47 %   46 %   35 %   23 %

 

 

 

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

 

18


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

19


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)    

 

The Portfolio designates $13,720,840 from distributions made in fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as capital gain dividends.

 

20


 
 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

Teresa L. Marziano(2), Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

    

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Joseph G. Paul(2), Vice President      Thomas R. Manley, Controller
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL
The Bank of New York      Seward & Kissel LLP
One Wall Street      One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10286      New York, NY 10004
    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.      AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas      P.O. Box 786003
New York, NY 10105      San Antonio, TX 78278-6003
     Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672
    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM     
Ernst & Young LLP     
5 Times Square     
New York, NY 10036     

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the REIT Investment Policy Group. Mr. Joseph G. Paul and Ms. Teresa L. Marziano are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

21


 
 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR    
      

Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB&Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.   103   SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
      
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS    
      

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.   105   None
      

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.   104   None
      

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.   103   None

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
  

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  

PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

     
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995-2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993-1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975-1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005-2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993-2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP., member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

***Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

23


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*

AND AGE

    

PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)

HELD WITH FUND

     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Marc O. Mayer

50

    

President and Chief

Executive Officer

     See biography above.
         

Philip L. Kirstein

62

    

Senior Vice President

and Independent

Compliance Officer

     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to 2002 until March 2003.
         

Teresa L. Marziano

53

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph G. Paul

47

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Emilie D. Wrapp

52

     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

    

Treasurer and Chief

Financial Officer

     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Thomas R. Manley

56

     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

24


 
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

 

 

 

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.

 

 

25


 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT 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

 

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 %

 

 

 

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.

 

26


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 %

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 Portfolio:

 

Fund    Fee  
U.S. Real Estate Portfolio
Class A
8
Class I (Institutional)
   1.75

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

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

27


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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

 

 

 

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.

 

14 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 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 Portfolio15 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)16 for the periods ended December 31, 200617.

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

29


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

      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

 

 

30


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 4, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of smaller companies. For these purposes, “smaller companies” are those that, at the time of investment, fall within the lowest 20% of the total U.S. equity market capitalization. Because the Portfolio’s definition of smaller companies is dynamic, the upper limit on market capitalization will change with the markets. The Portfolio invests in any company and industry and in any type of security with potential for capital appreciation. Normally, the Portfolio invests in about 100-125 companies. The Portfolio may periodically invest in the securities of companies that are expected to appreciate due to a development particularly or uniquely applicable to that company regardless of general business conditions or movements of the market as a whole.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Russell 2000 Growth Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio outperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

During the one-year period ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio rose sharply and outperformed the benchmark. Relative results were positively impacted by the Portfolio’s sizable exposure to faster-growing companies with strong earnings momentum—a segment of the market that led the overall benchmark. Stock selection was positive for the annual period, as strong picks in the health care, energy, financials and technology sectors offset disappointing stock selection in the consumer/commercial services sector. Sector allocation was a modestly positive contributor, as the benefit from being underweight in the poor- performing financials sector and overweight in the strong- performing energy sector, overwhelmed the negative impact from being underweight in the strong-performing industrial and health care sectors.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

After posting solid double-digit gains in 2006, U.S. equity market returns were generally more muted in 2007. Although the first half of 2007 was relatively calm, the second half of 2007 was dominated by escalating anxiety about losses in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and a widening credit crisis among financial institutions. Reversing a trend in place for much of the past nine years, large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks as the Russell 1000 Index was up about 6% for 2007, but the Russell 2000 Index was down by about 2%. Perhaps more notably, the outperformance of value over growth dramatically reversed in 2007. Following a nearly seven-year run of outperformance, the Russell 2000 Value Index’s decline of 10% dramatically trailed the 7% gain enjoyed by the Russell 2000 Growth Index during the annual period. Importantly, companies with the strongest earnings revisions and positive earnings surprises—traditional hallmarks of successful growth investments—outperformed the market in the small-cap realm for most of 2007.

Sector allocations within the Portfolio changed modestly during the annual reporting period, as the Small Cap Growth Investment Team (the “Team”) decreased overweights in the consumer/commercial services sector. Proceeds from these sales were used to increase overweights in the technology sector. The Portfolio’s largest overweights as of December 31, 2007, were in the energy and technology sectors; the largest underweights remained in the industrials and financials sectors. Consistent with the Team’s discipline, investments throughout the annual reporting period emphasized companies the Team believed might deliver surprisingly strong earnings growth and favorable earnings estimate revisions.

 

1


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Russell 2000 Growth Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Index contains those securities in the Russell 2000 Index with a greater-than-average growth orientation. The unmanaged Russell 2000 Index is a capitalization-weighted index that includes 2,000 of the smallest stocks representing approximately 10% of the U.S. equity market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio concentrates its investments in the stocks of small-capitalization companies, which tend to be more volatile than large-cap companies. Small-cap stocks may have additional risks because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or less liquidity (i.e., more difficulty when buying and selling more than the average daily trading volume of certain investment shares). The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities. Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments. In addition, because the Portfolio will invest in foreign currency denominated securities, fluctuations in the value of the Portfolio’s investments may be magnified by changes in foreign exchange rates. The Portfolio pursues an aggressive investment strategy and an investment in the Portfolio is subject to higher risk. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years    10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio Class A

   14.08%      17.78%    3.55%  

AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio Class B

   13.70%      17.51%    2.71% *

Russell 2000 Growth Index

   7.05%      16.50%    4.32%  

*Sinceinception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 8/10/00.

          
          

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.16% and 1.41% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,017.75    $   6.05    1.19 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.21    $ 6.06    1.19 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,016.06    $ 7.22    1.42 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.05    $ 7.22    1.42 %

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

VistaPrint Ltd.

   $ 1,264,075      2.0 %

LKQ Corp.

     1,154,418      1.8  

Kirby Corp.

     1,120,168      1.7  

RBC Bearings, Inc.

     1,043,040      1.6  

Hittite Microwave Corp.

     988,632      1.5  

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.

     980,671      1.5  

Dril-Quip, Inc.

     974,050      1.5  

Hexcel Corp.

     973,628      1.5  

Life Time Fitness, Inc.

     958,824      1.5  

Strayer Education, Inc.

     938,190      1.4  
                 
     $   10,395,696      16.0 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $   17,805,602      27.3 %

Health Care

     12,308,668      18.9  

Consumer Discretionary

     11,229,141      17.3  

Industrials

     11,038,917      17.0  

Energy

     6,523,626      10.0  

Financials

     2,561,595      3.9  

Telecommunication Services

     1,572,488      2.4  

Short-Term Investments

     2,076,000      3.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 65,116,037      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 fund 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.

 

5


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.3%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–27.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–4.0%

   

Dycom Industries, Inc.(a)

  29,900   $ 796,835

Infinera Corp.(a)

  44,100     654,444

Netgear, Inc.(a)

  23,830     850,016

ShoreTel, Inc.(a)

  22,370     312,509
       
      2,613,804
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–1.2%

   

3PAR, Inc.(a)

  26,900     344,320

Synaptics, Inc.(a)

  10,300     423,948
       
      768,268
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–6.5%

   

comScore, Inc.(a)

  20,400     665,652

Constant Contact, Inc.(a)

  19,400     417,100

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.(a)

  29,300     980,671

LoopNet, Inc.(a)

  21,400     300,670

Omniture, Inc.(a)

  16,500     549,285

VistaPrint Ltd.(a)

  29,500     1,264,075
       
      4,177,453
       

IT SERVICES–0.5%

   

VeriFone Holdings, Inc.(a)

  13,900     323,175
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–5.9%

   

Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.(a)

  36,800     415,104

Hittite Microwave Corp.(a)

  20,700     988,632

Integrated Device Technology,
Inc.(a)

  22,900     258,999

Intellon Corp.(a)

  46,000     346,840

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(a)

  26,600     571,102

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)

  70,500     626,040

Verigy Ltd.(a)

  22,200     603,174
       
      3,809,891
       

SOFTWARE–9.4%

   

Blackbaud, Inc.

  25,220     707,169

Commvault Systems, Inc.(a)

  38,300     811,194

Informatica Corp.(a)

  47,510     856,130

MICROS Systems, Inc.(a)

  9,700     680,552

Quest Software, Inc.(a)

  15,520     286,189

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.(a)

  19,380     686,827

Taleo Corp.–Class A(a)

  20,900     622,402

THQ, Inc.(a)

  28,550     804,825

Ultimate Software Group, Inc.(a)

  20,900     657,723
       
      6,113,011
       
      17,805,602
       

HEALTH CARE–19.0%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.5%

   

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  9,900     742,797

Allos Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

  26,100     164,169

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  7,200   $ 349,272

Pharmion Corp.(a)

  5,000     314,300

Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

  2,100     48,237
       
      1,618,775
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–7.1%

   

Abaxis, Inc.(a)

  14,700     527,142

ArthroCare Corp.(a)

  14,200     682,310

Hansen Medical, Inc.(a)

  23,320     698,201

Insulet Corp.(a)

  13,300     312,284

Masimo Corp.(a)

  4,500     177,525

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

  27,750     834,720

NuVasive, Inc.(a)

  16,500     652,080

TomoTherapy, Inc.(a)

  36,400     711,984
       
      4,596,246
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.8%

   

HealthExtras, Inc.(a)

  22,900     597,232

LHC Group, Inc.(a)

  31,700     791,866

Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.(a)

  13,400     435,500
       
      1,824,598
       

HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–1.5%

   

Medassets Inc.(a)

  10,900     260,946

Trizetto Group(a)

  39,400     684,378
       
      945,324
       

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–3.5%

   

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  11,000     661,430

Icon PLC SP (ADR)(a)

  13,900     859,854

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

  4,600     401,258

WuXi PharmaTech Cayman, Inc. (ADR)(a)

  12,100     353,804
       
      2,276,346
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–1.6%

   

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  22,200     179,598

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

  1,800     53,982

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  10,900     160,230

MGI Pharma, Inc.(a)

  11,300     457,989

XenoPort, Inc.(a)

  3,500     195,580
       
      1,047,379
       
      12,308,668
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–17.3%

   

DISTRIBUTORS–1.8%

   

LKQ Corp.(a)

  54,920     1,154,418
       

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–3.6%

   

American Public Education,
Inc.(a)

  12,500     522,250

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a)

  15,400     531,916

K12 Inc.(a)

  13,100     339,028

Strayer Education, Inc.

  5,500     938,190
       
      2,331,384
       

 

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–7.6%

   

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.(a)

  51,800   $ 508,158

Home Inns & Hotels Management, Inc. (ADR)(a)

  19,200     684,288

Life Time Fitness, Inc.(a)

  19,300     958,824

Orient-Express Hotels,
Ltd.-Class A

  12,500     719,000

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers,
Inc.(a)

  19,850     635,002

Sonic Corp.(a)

  31,500     689,850

Texas Roadhouse,
Inc.-Class A(a)

  63,800     705,628
       
      4,900,750
       

INTERNET & CATALOG
RETAIL–0.6%

   

NetFlix, Inc.(a)

  15,400     409,948
       

MEDIA–1.4%

   

Morningstar, Inc.(a)

  12,000     933,000
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.4%

   

Citi Trends, Inc.(a)

  18,100     279,464
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY
GOODS–1.9%

   

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(a)

  13,600     644,232

Under Armour, Inc.-Class A(a)

  9,960     434,953

Volcom, Inc.(a)

  6,400     140,992
       
      1,220,177
       
      11,229,141
       

INDUSTRIALS–17.0%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.5%

   

Hexcel Corp.(a)

  40,100     973,628
       

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Dayton Superior Corp.(a)

  20,100     78,390
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–3.0%

   

Duff & Phelps Corp.–Class A(a)

  8,400     165,312

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.(a)

  4,027     324,697

Knoll, Inc.

  32,000     525,760

Stericycle, Inc.(a)

  14,980     889,812
       
      1,905,581
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.7%

   

Granite Construction, Inc.

  12,400     448,632
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.8%

   

Baldor Electric Co.

  24,100     811,206

EnerSys(a)

  15,200     379,392
       
      1,190,598
       

MACHINERY–7.0%

   

Astec Industries, Inc.(a)

  18,800     699,172

Bucyrus International, Inc.–Class A

  7,700     765,303

Chart Industries, Inc.(a)

  14,600     451,140

IDEX Corp.

  25,755     930,528
Company   Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Kaydon Corp.

  11,800   $ 643,572

RBC Bearings, Inc.(a)

  24,000     1,043,040
       
      4,532,755
       

MARINE–1.7%

   

Kirby Corp.(a)

  24,100     1,120,168
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.2%

   

MSC Industrial Direct Co.-Class A

  19,500     789,165
       
      11,038,917
       

ENERGY–10.1%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–6.2%

   

Complete Production Services,
Inc.(a)

  35,700     641,529

Core Laboratories NV(a)

  5,584     696,436

Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)

  17,500     974,050

T-3 Energy Services,
Inc.–Class 3(a)

  6,500     305,565

Tesco Corp.(a)

  20,700     593,469

W-H Energy Services,
Inc.-Class H(a)

  13,700     770,077
       
      3,981,126
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–3.9%

   

Bill Barrett Corp.(a)

  22,000     921,140

BPZ Resources, Inc.(a)

  11,700     130,806

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.(a)

  11,100     607,725

EXCO Resources, Inc.(a)

  28,000     433,440

Penn Virginia Corp.

  10,300     449,389
       
      2,542,500
       
      6,523,626
       

FINANCIALS–4.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.4%

   

Affiliated Managers Group,
Inc.(a)

  6,100     716,506

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

  11,400     757,872

optionsXpress Holdings, Inc.

  20,480     692,634
       
      2,167,012
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.5%

   

Boston Private Finl Holding

  1,391     37,668

Community Bancorp(a)

  16,500     286,605
       
      324,273
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.1%

   

Primus Guaranty Ltd.(a)

  10,030     70,310
       
      2,561,595
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.4%

   

Cbeyond, Inc.(a)

  18,400     717,416

 

 

7


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(Continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Shares   U.S. $Value  
   

NTELOS Holdings Corp.

    28,800   $ 855,072  
         
      1,572,488  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $50,632,615)

      63,040,037  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.2%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–3.2%

   

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. 3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $2,076,000)

  $  2,076     2,076,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.5%

(cost $52,708,615)

      65,116,037  

Other assets less
liabilities–(0.5)%

      (311,742 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 64,804,295  
         

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

  Glossary:

 

  ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

8


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $52,708,615)

   $ 65,116,037  

Cash

     13,211  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     112,588  

Dividends and interest receivable

     24,768  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     23,078  
        

Total assets

     65,289,682  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     333,776  

Advisory fee payable .

     41,399  

Custodian fee payable

     40,835  

Printing fee payable

     26,769  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     5,994  

Distribution fee payable

     5,241  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     7,507  
        

Total liabilities

     485,387  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 64,804,295  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 4,217  

Additional paid-in capital

     94,262,253  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (41,869,597 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     12,407,422  
        
   $ 64,804,295  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   39,866,745      2,575,444      $   15.48

B

     $   24,937,550      1,641,193      $   15.19

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

   $ 215,510  

Interest

     47,853  
        

Total investment income

     263,363  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     504,142  

Distribution fee—Class B

     55,818  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,726  

Transfer agency—Class B

     678  

Custodian

     136,982  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Printing

     13,167  

Legal

     9,401  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     2,541  
        

Total expenses

     861,105  
        

Net investment loss

     (597,742 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     10,977,805  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (1,648,015 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     9,329,790  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 8,732,048  
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (597,742 )   $ (722,442 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     10,977,805       8,848,126  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (1,648,015 )     (861,528 )
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     8,732,048       7,264,156  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (14,495,834 )     (8,615,766 )
                

Total decrease

     (5,763,786 )     (1,351,610 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     70,568,081       71,919,691  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of $0 and ($7,923), respectively)

   $   64,804,295     $   70,568,081  
                

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

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 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 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $128,888, of which $28 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

13


SMALL 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 58,274,293     $ 74,220,301  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 53,276,852  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 14,210,692  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,371,507 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 11,839,185  
        

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.

 

14


 
 
    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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  186,246     802,592       $ 2,803,322     $ 10,449,898  

Shares redeemed

  (1,184,120 )   (1,264,557 )       (17,508,568 )     (16,507,629 )
                             

Net decrease

  (997,874 )   (461,965 )     $ (14,705,246 )   $ (6,057,731 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  699,573     520,053       $ 10,754,724     $ 6,865,945  

Shares redeemed

  (710,933 )   (725,793 )       (10,545,312 )     (9,423,980 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (11,360 )   (205,740 )     $ 209,412     $ (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.

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

 

15


SMALL CAP 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (41,301,360 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     11,839,185  (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (29,462,175 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carrryforward of $41,301,360 of which $74,560 expires in 2008 and $41,226,800 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 $10,747,638.

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to a net operating loss resulted in a net decrease in accumulated net investment loss, and a net decrease additional paid in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

17


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.57     $12.26     $11.65     $10.17     $  6.83  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.12 )   (.12 )   (.11 )   (.10 )(b)   (.09 )

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  2.03     1.43     .72     1.58     3.43  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  1.91     1.31     .61     1.48     3.34  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $15.48     $13.57     $12.26     $11.65     $10.17  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  14.08 %   10.69 %   5.24 %   14.55 %   48.90 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $39,867     $48,498     $49,453     $61,661     $61,079  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %   1.16 %(d)   1.18 %   1.14 %   1.36 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %   1.16 %(d)   1.18 %   1.30 %   1.36 %

Net investment loss

  (.81 )%   (.90 )%(d)   (.93 )%   (.93 )%(b)   (1.10 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  88 %   76 %   90 %   92 %   129 %

 

 

 

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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.36     $12.09     $11.53     $10.08     $  6.78  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment loss (a)

  (.15 )   (.15 )   (.13 )   (.12 )(b)   (.11 )

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  1.98     1.42     .69     1.57     3.41  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  1.83     1.27     .56     1.45     3.30  
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $15.19     $13.36     $12.09     $11.53     $10.08  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  13.70 %   10.51 %   4.86 %   14.39 %   48.67 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $24,937     $22,070     $22,467     $24,448     $15,846  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.44 %   1.41 %(d)   1.43 %   1.40 %   1.61 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.44 %   1.41 %(d)   1.43 %   1.56 %   1.61 %

Net investment loss

  (1.05 )%   (1.15 )%(d)   (1.18 )%   (1.19 )%(b)   (1.37 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  88 %   76 %   90 %   92 %   129 %

 

 

 

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

 

19


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio, (one of the portfolios constituting of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”), as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

20


 
 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     

William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman

Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer

David H. Dievler(1)

John H. Dobkin(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)

    

D. James Guzy(1)

Nancy P. Jacklin(1)

Garry L. Moody(1)

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)

Earl D. Weiner(1)

    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

Bruce K. Aronow(2), Vice President

N. Kumar Kirpalani(2), Vice President

Samantha S. Lau(2), Vice President

    

Wen-Tse Tseng(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC     
ACCOUNTING FIRM     

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Adviser’s Small Cap Growth Investment Team. Mr. Bruce K. Aronow, Mr. N. Kumar Kirpalani, Ms. Samantha S. Lau and Mr. Wen-Tse Tseng, members of the Adviser’s Small Cap Growth Investment Team, are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

21


 
 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
        
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001, and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation
(semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55
(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995 – 2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993 – 1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975 – 1993.    101   

None

        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,#

66

(2005)

  

Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc., (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005 – 2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting) 1993 – 2003.

   103   

Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)

        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

  

Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.

   103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

23


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Marc O. Mayer

50

     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         

Philip L. Kirstein

62

     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         

Bruce K. Aronow

41

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since 2003.
         

N. Kumar Kirpalani

54

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Samantha S. Lau

35

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Wen-Tse Tseng

42

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser,** since March 2006. Prior thereto, he was the healthcare-sector portfolio manager for the small-cap growth team at William D. Witter from August 2003 to February 2006. He also worked at Weiss, Peck & Greer, managing the healthcare sector with the same team with which he worked at William D. Witter from April 2002 to August 2003. Prior thereto, he was a senior healthcare analyst at JP Morgan Fleming Asset Management since prior to 2003.
         

Emilie D. Wrapp

52

     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Thomas R. Manley

56

     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

24


 
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

65 bp on next $2.5 billion
60 bp on the balance

     $ 70.0      Small 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 (0.12% 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%

Class B 1.41

 

%

     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.

 

25


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.

 

26


 
 
    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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

27


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

28


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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.

 

29


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.

 

30


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 11, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of small- to mid-capitalization U.S. companies, generally representing 60 to 110 companies. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in these types of securities. The Portfolio invests in companies that are determined by the Adviser to be undervalued, using its Bernstein unit’s fundamental value approach. In selecting securities for the Portfolio’s holdings, Bernstein uses its fundamental research to identify companies whose long-term earnings power is not reflected in the current market price of their securities. Because the Portfolio’s definition of small- to mid-capitalization companies is dynamic, the lower and upper limits on market capitalization will change with the markets. The Portfolio may invest in securities issued by non-U.S. companies and enter into forward commitments. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Russell 2500 Value Index, in addition to the broad small/mid-cap universe, as measured by the Russell 2500 Index, for the one- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, and since the Portfolio’s Class A shares’ inception on May 2, 2001 and Class B shares’ inception on May 1, 2001.

The Portfolio outperformed its benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. Strong stock selection was a key contributor as the Portfolio’s holdings benefited from robust earnings growth, which was more highly valued by investors seeking stability in a more volatile period. The premium from stock selection was spread across a number of sectors but was most pronounced in industrial resources. The more global revenue stream of the Portfolio’s holdings in this sector benefited from a shift in investor interest to companies exposed to economic growth outside the U.S. The Portfolio’s financials holdings also contributed to the stock selection premium driven by an underweighted position in housing-related financials.

Increasing anxiety among investors over the fallout from the U.S. subprime mortgage contagion drove smaller stock underperformance during the one-year period ended December 31, 2007. Volatility rebounded from historically low levels as the market attempted to make judgments about the eventual impact of a depressed housing sector on the U.S. economy as a whole. Companies and industries with more perceived exposure to the U.S. consumer fell sharply, while more defensive sectors such as utilities and consumer staples outperformed.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Markets for smaller stocks have been affected by a number of factors over the past year. Most prominent has been the collapse of profit growth in small companies relative to larger companies. Investors had reacted to the strong profit recovery that small caps enjoyed coming out of 2002 by bidding up values of smaller and riskier companies. The collapse in small caps’ relative profit advantage, and the emergence of more uncertainty about corporate earnings in general, have exposed the valuations that investors had awarded these smaller companies as unreasonable.

The Portfolio has been increasingly biased towards larger, higher-quality stocks over the past few years as the Portfolio’s Small/Mid Cap Value Investment Policy Group’s (the “Group’s”) fundamental and quantitative research has highlighted these companies as being very attractive. The reintroduction of risk aversion in the small cap markets, driven by an earnings growth compression, has benefited the Portfolio’s stocks disproportionately and contributed to the Portfolio’s outperformance during the period under review. The Group continued to believe these distortions existed and larger-capitalization, higher-quality stocks retained much of their attractiveness. Recent market distress, however, is beginning to create some new opportunities. While the Group’s research suggests caution, in a few instances the return potential appears sufficiently compelling to justify the risk. In particular, research suggests that a few companies with a high degree of exposure to the U.S. economy—such as those that make and sell high-priced discretionary consumer products—have traded down too far and thus offer attractive investment opportunities.

 

1


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged Russell 2500 Value Index nor the Russell 2500 Index reflects fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Russell 2500 Value Index contains those securities in the Russell 2500 Index with a less-than-average growth orientation. The Russell 2500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index that includes 2,500 small- and mid-cap U.S. stocks. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

Value investing does not guarantee a profit or eliminate risk. Not all companies whose stocks are considered to be value stocks are able to turn their business around or successfully employ corrective strategies which would result in stock prices that rise as initially expected. The Portfolio concentrates its investments in the stocks of small- to mid-capitalization companies, which tend to be more volatile than large-cap companies. Small- to mid-cap stocks may have additional risks because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. Because the Portfolio may invest in emerging markets and in developing countries, an investment also has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting emerging markets and developing countries, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a significant effect on the Portfolio’s net asset value. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception*

AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio Class A

   1.71%      15.96%      12.55%

AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio Class B

   1.53%      15.71%      12.36%

Russell 2500 Value Index

   -7.27%      16.17%      11.05%

Russell 2500 Index

   1.38%      16.99%      9.36%
* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 5/2/01 and Class B shares on 5/1/01. The since inception return for the benchmark is from the Portfolio’s Class A shares’ inception date.
            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.86% and 1.11% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

5/2/01* – 12/31/07

LOGO

*Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 5/2/01.

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio Class A shares (from 5/2/01* to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 893.95    $   3.96    0.83 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,021.02    $   4.23    0.83 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 892.56    $   5.15    1.08 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.76    $   5.50    1.08 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.

   $   8,033,970      1.8 %

Universal Corp.

     8,000,564      1.8  

SPX Corp.

     7,590,330      1.7  

Molson Coors Brewing Co.-Class B

     7,495,224      1.7  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

     7,446,250      1.7  

Ruddick Corp.

     7,367,375      1.7  

Reliant Energy, Inc.

     7,202,880      1.6  

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.

     7,182,164      1.6  

Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd.

     7,076,440      1.6  

PerkinElmer, Inc.

     6,825,046      1.6  
                 
     $   74,220,243      16.8 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Industrials

   $   101,341,654      22.8 %

Financials

     88,146,344      19.8  

Materials

     68,568,169      15.4  

Consumer Staples

     38,533,080      8.7  

Information Technology

     33,990,823      7.7  

Utilities

     31,541,023      7.1  

Consumer Discretionary

     27,961,662      6.3  

Health Care

     26,755,162      6.0  

Energy

     16,151,622      3.6  

Short-Term Investments

     11,474,000      2.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   444,463,539      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 fund 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.

 

5


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.2%

   
   

INDUSTRIALS–23.0%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.0%

   

Goodrich Corp.

  60,400   $ 4,264,844
       

AIRLINES–1.8%

   

Alaska Air Group, Inc.(a)

  109,700     2,743,597

Continental Airlines, Inc.–Class B(a)

  94,700     2,107,075

Skywest, Inc.

  109,500     2,940,075
       
      7,790,747
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–2.9%

   

IKON Office Solutions, Inc.

  447,500     5,826,450

Kelly Services, Inc.–Class A

  115,300     2,151,498

Quebecor World, Inc.(a)

  168,000     302,400

United Stationers, Inc.(a)

  98,795     4,565,317
       
      12,845,665
       

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–4.5%

   

Acuity Brands, Inc.

  78,800     3,546,000

Cooper Industries Ltd.–Class A

  84,400     4,463,072

EnerSys(a)

  217,450     5,427,552

Regal-Beloit Corp.

  140,300     6,306,485
       
      19,743,109
       

MACHINERY–7.2%

   

AGCO Corp.(a)

  77,200     5,248,056

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

  170,900     3,872,594

Kennametal, Inc.

  157,600     5,966,736

Mueller Industries, Inc.

  145,900     4,229,641

SPX Corp.

  73,800     7,590,330

Terex Corp.(a)

  71,000     4,655,470
       
      31,562,827
       

ROAD & RAIL–4.5%

   

Arkansas Best Corp.

  127,000     2,786,380

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  280,600     3,647,800

Con-way, Inc.

  115,625     4,803,063

Ryder System, Inc.

  99,000     4,653,990

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

  245,100     4,174,053
       
      20,065,286
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.1%

   

GATX Corp.

  138,200     5,069,176
       
      101,341,654
       

FINANCIALS–20.0%

   

COMMERCIAL BANKS–5.7%

   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

  176,600     3,260,036

The South Financial Group, Inc.

  223,900     3,499,557

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

  218,600     4,030,984

Trustmark Corp.

  164,806     4,179,480

UnionBanCal Corp.

  45,900     2,244,969

Webster Financial Corp.

  144,800     4,629,256

Whitney Holding Corp.

  130,900     3,423,035
       
      25,267,317
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INSURANCE–8.8%

   

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a)

  114,200   $ 8,033,970

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.

  229,400     6,615,896

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A

  231,000     3,374,910

Old Republic International Corp.

  286,875     4,420,744

PartnerRe Ltd.

  17,700     1,460,781

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

  199,000     7,076,440

RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.

  33,600     2,024,064

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

  112,000     5,642,560
       
      38,649,365
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–3.8%

   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  211,000     1,517,090

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  104,800     4,021,176

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

  189,600     2,955,864

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  60,000     2,565,000

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  85,500     1,430,415

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  63,600     2,398,356

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  40,300     1,982,357
       
      16,870,258
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.7%

   

Astoria Financial Corp.

  163,200     3,797,664

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

  247,000     3,561,740
       
      7,359,404
       
      88,146,344
       

MATERIALS–15.5%

   

CHEMICALS–7.6%

   

Ashland, Inc.

  120,825     5,730,730

Celanese Corp.–Series A

  131,100     5,548,152

Cytec Industries, Inc.

  97,300     5,991,734

Lubrizol Corp.

  96,700     5,237,272

Methanex Corp.

  112,700     3,110,520

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.(a)

  216,200     7,182,164

Zep, Inc.(a)

  39,400     546,478
       
      33,347,050
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–3.2%

   

Aptargroup, Inc.

  75,900     3,105,069

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  109,100     5,400,450

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

  68,400     3,552,696

Sonoco Products Co.

  66,800     2,183,024
       
      14,241,239
       

METALS & MINING–4.7%

   

Commercial Metals Co.

  164,100     4,832,745

Metal Management, Inc.

  70,500     3,209,865

Quanex Corp.

  105,800     5,491,020

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

  125,000     7,446,250
       
      20,979,880
       
      68,568,169
       

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER STAPLES–8.7%

   

BEVERAGES–1.7%

   

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

  145,200   $ 7,495,224
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–4.1%

   

Performance Food Group Co.(a)

  211,100     5,672,257

Ruddick Corp.

  212,500     7,367,375

Supervalu, Inc.

  137,100     5,143,992
       
      18,183,624
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.1%

   

Corn Products International, Inc.

  35,000     1,286,250

Del Monte Foods Co.

  109,900     1,039,654

Smithfield Foods, Inc.(a)

  78,500     2,270,220

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  16,800     257,544
       
      4,853,668
       

TOBACCO–1.8%

   

Universal Corp.

  156,200     8,000,564
       
      38,533,080
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.7%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.2%

   

CommScope, Inc.(a)

  104,700     5,152,287
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–3.6%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  127,700     5,016,056

AVX Corp.

  63,400     850,828

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.(a)

  121,500     3,156,570

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  32,852     396,195

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  411,679     749,256

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  49,500     1,867,140

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

  351,000     4,004,910
       
      16,040,955
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.9%

   

Amkor Technology, Inc.(a)

  266,900     2,276,657

Siliconware Precision–SP (ADR)

  243,774     2,167,151

Spansion, Inc.–Class A(a)

  240,000     943,200

Teradyne, Inc.(a)

  159,600     1,650,264

Zoran Corp.(a)

  255,900     5,760,309
       
      12,797,581
       
      33,990,823
       

UTILITIES–7.2%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–3.8%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

  44,000     2,798,840

Northeast Utilities

  210,200     6,581,362

Reliant Energy, Inc.(a)

  274,500     7,202,880
       
      16,583,082
       

GAS UTILITIES–0.7%

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

  104,975     2,943,499
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.9%

   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

  41,000   $ 4,203,730
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.8%

   

Puget Energy, Inc.

  81,600     2,238,288

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

  114,400     5,572,424
       
      7,810,712
       
      31,541,023
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–6.3%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–2.4%

   

ArvinMeritor, Inc.

  333,200     3,908,436

Autoliv, Inc.

  38,500     2,029,335

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

  226,600     4,735,940
       
      10,673,711
       

HOTELS RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.6%

   

Jack in the Box, Inc.(a)

  22,400     577,248

Papa John’s International, Inc.(a)

  69,900     1,586,730

Vail Resorts, Inc.(a)

  6,200     333,622
       
      2,497,600
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.7%

   

Furniture Brands International, Inc.

  186,000     1,871,160

KB Home

  52,000     1,123,200
       
      2,994,360
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.3%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  78,000     1,329,900
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.3%

   

Dillard’s, Inc.–Class A

  79,100     1,485,498
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.9%

   

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

  215,849     3,380,195

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  55,000     765,050
       
      4,145,245
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.1%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  124,200     1,985,958

VF Corp.

  41,500     2,849,390
       
      4,835,348
       
      27,961,662
       

HEALTH CARE–6.1%

   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–4.4%

   

Apria Healthcare Group, Inc.(a)

  98,100     2,116,017

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.(a)

  133,127     3,325,512

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.(a)

  106,945     3,180,544

Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a)

  162,925     6,305,198

Omnicare, Inc.

  78,500     1,790,585

PharMerica Corp.(a)

  47,583     660,452

 

 

7


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Universal Health Services, Inc.– Class B

  37,800   $ 1,935,360
       
      19,313,668
       

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.6%

   

PerkinElmer, Inc.

  262,300     6,825,046
       

PHARMACEUTICALS– 0.1%

   

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  60,200     616,448
       
      26,755,162
       

ENERGY–3.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.6%

   

Exterran Holdings, Inc.(a)

  54,000     4,417,200

Oil States International, Inc.(a)

  137,300     4,684,676

Rowan Cos., Inc.

  52,900     2,087,434
       
      11,189,310
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.1%

   

Hess Corp.

  49,200     4,962,312
       
      16,151,622
       

Total Common Stocks (cost $410,087,347)

      432,989,539
       

 

Company   

Principal
Amount
(000)

   U.S. $ Value  
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.6%

     

TIME DEPOSIT–2.6%

     

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08 (cost $11,474,000)

   $ 11,474    $ 11,474,000  
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.8% (cost $421,561,347)

        444,463,539  

Other assets less liabilities–(0.8)%

        (3,449,535 )
           

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 441,014,004  
           

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

8


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $421,561,347)

   $ 444,463,539

Cash

     14,010

Receivable for capital stock sold

     1,165,854

Dividends and interest receivable

     437,325
      

Total assets

     446,080,728
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     4,004,133

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     627,104

Advisory fee payable

     283,741

Distribution fee payable

     63,094

Administrative fee payable

     23,750

Transfer Agent fee payable

     155

Accrued expenses

     64,747
      

Total liabilities

     5,066,724
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 441,014,004
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 25,855

Additional paid-in capital

     377,083,790

Undistributed net investment income

     1,979,830

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     39,022,337

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     22,902,192
      
   $ 441,014,004
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   146,349,702      8,551,928      $   17.11

B

     $ 294,664,302      17,303,351      $ 17.03

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $29,200)

   $ 6,003,093  

Interest

     607,999  
        

Total investment income

     6,611,092  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     3,472,328  

Distribution fee—Class B

     738,258  

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,420  

Transfer agency—Class B

     4,232  

Custodian

     149,265  

Administrative

     94,000  

Printing

     54,556  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     19,014  

Directors’ fees

     1,551  

Miscellaneous

     13,840  
        

Total expenses

     4,590,564  
        

Net investment income

     2,020,528  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     39,210,437  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (37,944,019 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     1,266,418  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 3,286,946  
        

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,020,528     $ 3,641,634  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     39,210,437       30,916,131  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (37,944,019 )     14,815,682  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     3,286,946       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

     61,220,944       67,035,082  
                

Total increase

     29,797,786       90,566,217  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     411,216,218       320,650,001  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income
of $1,979,830 and $3,604,428, respectively)

   $ 441,014,004     $ 411,216,218  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap 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 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-two 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.

 

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 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. 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 year ended December 31, 2007, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

 

13


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $223,370, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 176,733,486     $ 143,725,658  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 421,636,937  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 76,941,471  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (54,114,869 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 22,826,602  
        

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.

 

14


    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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  2,402,324     2,333,093       $ 45,953,766     $ 40,439,189  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  671,730     640,735         12,984,535       10,578,536  

Shares redeemed

  (3,362,398 )   (2,003,188 )       (62,942,413 )     (34,746,319 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (288,344 )   970,640       $ (4,004,112 )   $ 16,271,406  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  5,080,121     3,705,438       $ 96,210,635     $ 63,976,712  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  1,128,015     927,889         21,725,569       15,263,776  

Shares redeemed

  (2,872,598 )   (1,639,985 )       (52,711,148 )     (28,476,812 )
                             

Net increase

  3,335,538     2,993,342       $ 65,225,056     $ 50,763,676  
                             

 

15


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 7,015,383    $ 5,332,956

Net long-term capital gains

     27,694,721      20,509,356
             

Total taxable distributions

     34,710,104      25,842,312
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 34,710,104    $ 25,842,312
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 9,794,271  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     31,283,487  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     22,826,601 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 63,904,359  
        

 

(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

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. On

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

17


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $18.08     $17.06     $16.84     $14.49     $10.46  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .11     .20     .09 (b)   .14 (b)   .04 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

  .36     2.14     1.02     2.60     4.23  
                             

Net increase in net asset
value from operations

  .47     2.34     1.11     2.74     4.27  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.17 )   (.08 )   (.13 )   (.03 )   (.07 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.27 )   (1.24 )   (.76 )   (.36 )   (.17 )
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.44 )   (1.32 )   (.89 )   (.39 )   (.24 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $17.11     $18.08     $17.06     $16.84     $14.49  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net
asset value (c)

  1.71 %   14.42 %   6.91 %   19.30 %   41.26 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $146,350     $159,804     $134,235     $118,981     $90,949  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .83 %   .86 %(d)   .87 %   .86 %   1.20 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .83 %   .86 %(d)   .87 %   1.09 %   1.28 %

Net investment income

  .59 %   1.15 %(d)   .53 %(b)   .96 %(b)   .34 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  32 %   46 %   33 %   30 %   21 %

 

 

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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $18.00     $16.99     $16.79     $14.46     $10.46  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .07     .16     .05 (b)   .11 (b)   .01 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions

  .37     2.13     1.01     2.59     4.22  
                             

Net increase in net asset
value from operations

  .44     2.29     1.06     2.70     4.23  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.14 )   (.04 )   (.10 )   (.01 )   (.06 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.27 )   (1.24 )   (.76 )   (.36 )   (.17 )
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.41 )   (1.28 )   (.86 )   (.37 )   (.23 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $17.03     $18.00     $16.99     $16.79     $14.46  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  1.53 %   14.20 %   6.63 %   19.08 %   40.89 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $294,664     $251,412     $186,415     $142,516     $82,954  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.08 %   1.11 %(d)   1.12 %   1.12 %   1.45 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.08 %   1.11 %(d)   1.12 %   1.34 %   1.53 %

Net investment income

  .35 %   .91 %(d)   .29 %(b)   .75 %(b)   .05 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  32 %   46 %   33 %   30 %   21 %

 

 

 

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

 

19


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

20


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio designates $27,694,721 from distributions made in fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as capital gain dividends.

For corporate shareholders, 95.54% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

21


 
 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     

William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman

Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer

David H. Dievler(1)

John H. Dobkin(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)

    

D. James Guzy(1)

Nancy P. Jacklin(1)

Garry L. Moody(1)

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)

Earl D. Weiner(1)

    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

Joseph G. Paul(2), Vice President

James W. MacGregor(2), Vice President

Andrew J. Weiner(2), Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Small/Mid-Cap Value Investment Policy Group. Mr. Joseph G. Paul, Mr. James W. MacGregor, and Mr. Andrew J. Weiner are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

22


 
 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
        
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001, and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***
Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”, formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation (“ACMC”)) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at PriceWaterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

23


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

     
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation
(semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #
66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993–2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Portfolio’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Joseph G. Paul
47
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
James W. MacGregor
40
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Andrew J. Weiner
39
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI **, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABIS, ABI and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

  The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

25


 
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 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 1.20

Class B 1.45

%

%

   0.86

1.11

%

%

   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.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.

 

27


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.

 

28


 
 
    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.

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

 

 

 

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.

 

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

 

29


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

30


 
 
    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
                          Annualized     
   1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
  

Since

Inception
(%)

   Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
   Risk
Period
(Year)

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.

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.

 

31


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

January 31, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is current income and long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in income-producing equity securities. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of companies in the utility industries. The Portfolio invests in securities of utility companies in the electric, telecommunications, gas and water utility industries. The Portfolio may invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. utility companies, although the Portfolio will limit its investments in issuers in any one non-U.S. country to no more than 15% of its net assets. The Portfolio invests at least 65% of its net assets in income-producing securities, but there is otherwise no limit on the allocation of the Portfolio’s investments between equity securities and fixed-income securities. The Portfolio may maintain up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated securities. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equity and fixed-income securities of domestic and non-U.S. corporate and governmental issuers other than utility companies. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements. The Portfolio also may enter into forward commitments and standby commitment agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 provides performance data for the Portfolio and its benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Utilities Index (the “Index”), for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007. The Index includes only domestic electric utilities, but excludes gas and water utilities, telephones and telecommunication equipment companies and international utilities.

The Portfolio outperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. The Portfolio’s relative outperformance was principally attributed to its overweight position in more defensive, high-quality utilities with strong fundamentals. Some of the traditional regulated names underperformed, mainly exacerbated by regulatory issues, while others were impacted by modest earnings growth prospects with pending rate cases.

Volatility in the broad market has reflected investors’ concerns regarding the U.S. subprime mortgage market and related credit concerns, as well as the weakening economic outlook and fears of recession and inflation (rising energy costs). Moreover, as these uncertainties gained momentum, the Portfolio’s Manager (the “Manager”) believes investors sought out utilities as a “safe haven” investment alternative.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

In 2008, the Manager believes utility stocks—offering similar earnings growth prospects and a more attractive yield—will continue to be valued in line with the Index. Nevertheless, the strength of electricity prices going forward has kept investors focused on utilities with wholesale generation subsidiaries, while the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate cuts have brought yield-oriented investors back to utilities. Regulation, always a significant factor regarding electric stocks, has been as constructive and balanced as the Manager has seen in more than 20 years. Regulators are looking favorably towards environmental, renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Transmission upgrades and new transmission projects are also gaining regulatory approvals with incentivized rate-making procedures. In the next few years, many companies will need to build new power generation and transmission, which the Team anticipates will receive equally constructive regulatory treatment. The Manager expects utilities to remain focused on improving reliability through infrastructure investment and as such, looks for earnings growth to be supported by rate base growth. In the Manager’s view, those electric utility and independent power companies with low-cost coal or nuclear generation have the opportunity to sell excess capacity at attractive prices, or can potentially reset contracts at higher margins. Continued strong forward pricing of electricity, coupled with capacity payment auctions, may result in solid, above-average earnings growth for nonregulated generating companies.

In terms of investment strategy, for the annual period ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio continued to accumulate defensive positions within telecommunications and integrated utilities. The Manager focused on high-quality companies with strong fundamentals. The Portfolio’s holdings consisted of a select group of high-quality companies that displayed stronger growth prospects. The Manager believes that the utility sector may provide long-term stability with solid fundamentals; however, the Manager also believes that the overall markets will continue to be challenging—facing fears of inflation, rising energy prices and the continuing subprime crisis—in the months ahead. The Manager expects to maintain the Portfolio’s focus on defensive companies with limited regulatory exposure, rising free cash flow, growing dividends and earnings stability.

 

1


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Utilities Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The S&P 500 Utilities Index includes only domestic electric utilities, but excludes gas and water utilities, telephones and telecommunication equipment companies and international utilities. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio concentrates its investments in the utilities industries and may therefore be subject to greater risks, including government regulation, and volatility than a fund with a more diversified portfolio. The Portfolio is also subject to interest rate and credit risk. The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. While the Portfolio invests principally in equity and other fixed-income securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years

AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio Class A

   22.35%      21.24%      10.05%

AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio Class B

   22.04%      20.95%      21.75%*

S&P 500 Utilities Index

   19.38%      21.50%      7.77%

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 7/22/02.

            
            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.95% and 1.20% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,106.02    $   4.83    0.91 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.62    $   4.63    0.91 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,104.67    $   6.15    1.16 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.36    $   5.90    1.16 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Entergy Corp. (Common & Preferred)

   $ 2,806,289      3.2 %

FPL Group, Inc.

     2,555,306      3.0  

Exelon Corp.

     2,530,840      2.9  

Williams Cos, Inc.

     2,495,655      2.9  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     2,421,616      2.8  

Sempra Energy

     2,362,207      2.7  

AT&T, Inc.

     2,327,567      2.7  

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

     2,261,336      2.6  

NRG Energy, Inc.

     2,258,014      2.6  

Equitable Resources, Inc.

     2,232,432      2.6  
                 
     $   24,251,262      28.0 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Utilities

   $ 63,256,047      73.2 %

Telecommunication Services

     13,949,365      16.1  

Energy

     4,731,434      5.5  

Industrials

     1,012,754      1.2  

Other Instruments

     834,700      1.0  

Information Technology

     722,246      0.8  

Consumer Discretionary

     651,298      0.8  

Short-Term Investments

     1,248,000      1.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   86,405,844      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 fund 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.

 

5


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–92.7%

   
   

UTILITIES–70.0%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–33.0%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

  35,550   $ 2,261,336

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

  18,983     883,849

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Sponsored) (ADR)

  76,000     1,402,960

CLP Holdings Ltd.

  163,000     1,107,425

CPFL Energia SA (ADR)

  9,400     532,604

Duke Energy Corp.

  61,948     1,249,491

Edison International

  27,500     1,467,675

Electricite de France

  8,000     952,899

Enel SpA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  17,050     1,013,947

Entergy Corp.

  10,700     1,278,864

Exelon Corp.

  31,000     2,530,840

FirstEnergy Corp.

  26,300     1,902,542

Fortum Oyj

  28,000     1,257,776

FPL Group, Inc.

  37,700     2,555,306

ITC Holdings Corp.

  35,000     1,974,700

Northeast Utilities

  16,900     529,139

PPL Corp.

  37,500     1,953,375

Progress Energy, Inc.

  16,000     774,880

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC

  55,584     1,812,458

The Southern Co.

  27,200     1,054,000
       
      28,496,066
       

GAS UTILITIES–9.0%

   

AGL Resources, Inc.

  28,500     1,072,740

Equitable Resources, Inc.

  41,900     2,232,432

Hong Kong & China Gas Co.

  467,500     1,424,065

New Jersey Resources Corp.

  13,100     655,262

Oneok, Inc.

  36,500     1,634,105

Questar Corp.

  14,300     773,630
       
      7,792,234
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–9.9%

   

The AES Corp.(a)

  75,100     1,606,389

AES Tiete SA

  46,593,600     2,067,918

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

  9,000     922,770

Dynegy, Inc.–Class A(a)

  56,363     402,432

Iberdrola Renovables(a)

  86,766     716,739

NRG Energy, Inc.(a)

  52,100     2,258,014

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

  10,800     594,108
       
      8,568,370
       

MULTI–UTILITIES–18.1%

   

Centerpoint Energy, Inc.

  92,100     1,577,673

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

  19,400     947,690

National Grid PLC (ADR)

  23,438     1,955,901

NSTAR

  45,400     1,644,388

PG&E Corp.

  36,000     1,551,240

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

  24,650     2,421,616

Sempra Energy

  38,174     2,362,207

Suez SA

  7,100     483,269

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

Veolia Environnement

  9,693   $ 882,923

Xcel Energy, Inc.

  80,500     1,816,885
       
      15,643,792
       
      60,500,462
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–16.1%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–9.1%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  56,005     2,327,567

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

  34,009     717,932

Golden Telecom, Inc.(a)

  11,900     1,201,305

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  50,600     2,210,714

Windstream Corp.

  109,200     1,421,784
       
      7,879,302
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–7.0%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  35,060     2,152,333

MTN Group Ltd.

  53,500     1,002,038

Vimpel-Communications (ADR)

  38,600     1,605,760

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  35,100     1,309,932
       
      6,070,063
       
      13,949,365
       

ENERGY–3.8%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–3.8%

   

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.–Class H

  141,500     833,545

Williams Cos, Inc.

  69,750     2,495,655
       
      3,329,200
       

INDUSTRIALS–1.2%

   

CONSTRUCTION &
ENGINEERING–1.2%

Fluor Corp.

  6,950     1,012,754
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

Nokia OYJ

  18,800     722,246
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–0.8%

   

MEDIA–0.8%

   

Grupo Televisa SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  27,400     651,298
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $53,539,180)

      80,165,325
       

CONVERTIBLE–PREFERRED STOCKS–3.2%

   

UTILITIES–3.2%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.8%

   

Entergy Corp.
7.625%

  21,400     1,527,425
       

 

 

 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MULTI–UTILITIES–1.4%

   

PNM Resources, Inc.
6.75%

  30,400   $ 1,228,160
       

Total Convertible–Preferred Stocks (cost $2,585,400)

      2,755,585
       

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.6%

   

ENERGY–1.6%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.6%

   

Tortoise Energy Capital Corp.
(cost $1,411,234)

  55,534     1,402,234
       

NON-CONVERTIBLE–

PREFERRED STOCKS–1.0%

OTHER INSTRUMENTS–1.0%

   

Georgia Power Co.
6.00%
(cost $861,200)

  34,000     834,700
       
         

Company

  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   
         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.4%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $1,248,000)

  $   1,248   $ 1,248,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.9%
(cost $59,645,014)

      86,405,844

Other assets less liabilities–0.1%

      43,401
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 86,449,245
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

7


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $59,645,014)

   $ 86,405,844

Cash

     350

Receivable for capital stock sold

     272,692

Dividends and interest receivable

     155,450

Receivable for investment securities sold

     9,626
      

Total assets

     86,843,962
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     273,376

Advisory fee payable

     40,368

Custodian fee payable

     37,000

Administrative fee payable

     23,750

Distribution fee payable

     3,739

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116

Accrued expenses

     16,368
      

Total liabilities

     394,717
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 86,449,245
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 2,911

Additional paid-in capital

     49,773,990

Undistributed net investment income

     1,923,932

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     7,987,328

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

     26,761,084
      
   $ 86,449,245
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   68,833,141      2,315,160      $   29.73

B

     $   17,616,104      596,139      $   29.55

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $38,876)

   $ 2,680,720  

Interest

     66,820  
        

Total investment income

     2,747,540  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     458,412  

Distribution fee—Class B

     39,985  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,356  

Transfer agency—Class B

     296  

Custodian

     114,700  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Printing

     17,987  

Legal

     15,115  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     9,731  
        

Total expenses

     794,232  
        

Net investment income

     1,953,308  
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     8,229,676  

Foreign currency transactions

     (10,783 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     6,271,770  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     251  
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     14,490,914  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 16,444,222  
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,953,308     $ 1,860,551  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     8,218,893       7,740,434  

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

     6,272,021       5,644,710  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     16,444,222       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

     (7,465,877 )     (2,365,169 )
                

Total increase

     7,063,017       11,152,459  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     79,386,228       68,233,769  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,923,932 and $1,833,497, respectively)

   $ 86,449,245     $ 79,386,228  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

11


UTILITY 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, 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $59,329, of which $13,490 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

12


    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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 27,852,751     $ 32,924,452  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 59,688,234  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 27,287,311  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (569,701 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 26,717,610  
        

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.

 

13


UTILITY INCOME 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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  526,823     658,467       $ 14,519,248     $ 14,693,371  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  58,456     70,483         1,584,737       1,462,511  

Shares redeemed

  (905,371 )   (926,754 )       (24,466,121 )     (20,387,388 )
                             

Net decrease

  (320,092 )   (197,804 )     $ (8,362,136 )   $ (4,231,506 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  181,156     273,184       $ 4,923,828     $ 5,950,203  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  12,249     12,847         330,591       265,556  

Shares redeemed

  (159,441 )   (199,217 )       (4,358,160 )     (4,349,422 )
                             

Net increase

  33,964     86,814       $ 896,259     $ 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.

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.

 

14


    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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 1,852,090    $ 1,728,067  

Long-term capital gains

     63,238      –0
               

Total taxable distributions

     1,915,328      1,728,067  
               

Total distributions paid

   $ 1,915,328    $ 1,728,067  
               

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,334,537  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     7,619,942  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     26,717,863 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 36,672,342  
        

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of foreign currency resulted in a net decrease in undistributed net investment income and a net increase in accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).

 

15


UTILITY INCOME 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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

16


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

   

CLASS A

 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.85     $20.64     $18.17     $14.95     $12.86  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .65     .59     .53     .43 (b)   .35  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  4.85     4.20     2.35     3.13     2.18  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  5.50     4.79     2.88     3.56     2.53  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.60 )   (.58 )   (.41 )   (.34 )   (.44 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.02 )   –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.62 )   (.58 )   (.41 )   (.34 )   (.44 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $29.73     $24.85     $20.64     $18.17     $14.95  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  22.35 %*   23.76 %   16.05 %   24.33 %   19.88 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $68,833     $65,490     $58,468     $52,391     $43,323  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .90 %   .95 %(d)   .97 %   1.08 %   1.48 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .90 %   .95 %(d)   .97 %   1.21 %   1.48 %

Net investment income

  2.39 %   2.67 %(d)   2.72 %   2.69 %(b)   2.60 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  34 %   48 %   52 %   48 %   76 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 18.

 

17


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31 ,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.72     $20.54     $18.10     $14.92     $12.86  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .58     .53     .48     .38 (b)   .28  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  4.82     4.19     2.34     3.13     2.21  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  5.40     4.72     2.82     3.51     2.49  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.55 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.33 )   (.43 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.02 )   –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.57 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.33 )   (.43 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $29.55     $24.72     $20.54     $18.10     $14.92  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  22.04 %*   23.49 %   15.76 %   24.01 %   19.64 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $17,616     $13,896     $9,766     $6,517     $2,802  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.16 %   1.20 %(d)   1.22 %   1.30 %   1.73 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.16 %   1.20 %(d)   1.22 %   1.43 %   1.73 %

Net investment income

  2.14 %   2.41 %(d)   2.45 %   2.41 %(b)   2.07 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  34 %   48 %   52 %   48 %   76 %

 

 

 

 

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

 

* Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.27%.

 

18


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

19


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)    

 

For corporate shareholders, 100% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the current fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

20


 
 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

Annie Tsao(2), Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
    Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL
The Bank of New York      Seward & Kissel LLP
One Wall Street      One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10286      New York, NY 10004
    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.      AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas      P.O. Box 786003
New York, NY 10105      San Antonio, TX 78278-6003
     Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672
    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM     
Ernst & Young LLP     
5 Times Square     
New York, NY 10036     

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The day-to-day management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by Ms. Annie Tsao, Senior Vice President of the Adviser and Research Analyst.

 

21


 
 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

     
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi- conductors)
        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

  

Formerly, Partner, Deloitte &Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing

Partner, Investment Management Services

Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity

Accounting and Custody Services Company

from 1993–1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP,

partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax

Department, National Director of Investment

Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.

   101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc., (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting) 1993–2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

  

Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.

   103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

23


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Annie Tsao
55
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she
has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor
Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been
associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

24


 
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%   December 31
  Class B 1.20%  

 

 

 

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.

 

25


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.

 

26


    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.

 

27


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.

 

28


    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.

 

29


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 5, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of U.S. companies, generally representing at least 125 companies, with relatively large market capitalizations that the Adviser believes are undervalued. The Portfolio invests in companies that are determined by the Adviser to be undervalued, using the fundamental value approach of the Adviser’s Bernstein unit. In selecting securities for the Portfolio, Bernstein uses its fundamental and quantitative research to identify companies whose long-term earnings power and dividend-paying capability are not reflected in the current market price of their securities.

The Portfolio may invest in securities issued by non-U.S. companies and convertible securities and enter into forward commitments. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards, and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, and the broad market, as represented by the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index, for the one- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2007, and since the Portfolio’s Class A shares’ inception on July 22, 2002, and the Portfolio’s Class B shares’ inception on May 1, 2001.

The Portfolio underperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. Negative stock selection within financials, consumer discretionary and energy detracted from the Portfolio’s performance, while strong performance from holdings within information technology, health care and materials contributed positively to the Portfolio’s relative return. Sector selection was also a detractor from Portfolio performance, with benefits from the Portfolio’s underweight position in financials offset by underweight positions within energy and utilities and an overweight position in consumer discretionary.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The summer of 2007 saw heightened market anxiety, as the U.S. experienced further deterioration in the housing and mortgage-related markets, reflected in rising delinquency rates for U.S. subprime mortgages. Anxiety regarding the value of securities linked to these mortgages spread, sparking greater sensitivity to risk across capital markets. Despite continued turmoil within the subprime mortgage market, U.S. equity markets rose in September and October of 2007, as investor confidence was boosted when the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered interest rates. In November, U.S. stocks declined again amid the continuing global credit crisis and growing worries about the outlook for the economy and corporate profits. A fresh round of joint measures by central banks in December sought to alleviate pressure in the short-term money markets, but investors remained nervous about further bank write-offs. As a result, equity-market volatility remained elevated from the unusually low level that had prevailed for an extended period before the subprime mortgage crisis struck.

Stress was concentrated in the financials, housing and consumer discretionary sectors, all of which significantly underperformed the market. This led valuation spreads to widen from the unusually low levels observed during the last several years to an average level. A central tenet of the investment process is to keep the Portfolio’s risk proportionate to the value opportunity that the U.S. Value Investment Policy Group (the “Group”) identifies. The Group believes that anxiety creates opportunity, and continues to monitor the market for opportunities to take advantage of investor overreaction that may arise, for example, as a result of the ongoing stress in credit markets. As always, the Group continues to tap the resources of its extensive research effort to help uncover the value opportunities that do exist.

 

1


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800. 984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

Neither the unmanaged Russell 1000 Value Index nor the unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index reflects fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Russell 1000 Value Index contains those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a less-than-average growth orientation. The unmanaged Russell 1000 Index is comprised of 1000 of the largest capitalized companies that are traded in the United States. The S&P 500 Stock Index is composed of 500 U.S. companies and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

Value investing does not guarantee a profit or eliminate risk. Not all companies whose stocks are considered to be value stocks are able to turn their business around or successfully employ corrective strategies which would result in stock prices that rise as initially expected. Because the Portfolio can invest in foreign securities, it includes risks not associated with funds that invest primarily in U.S. issues, including magnified fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. To the extent that the Portfolio invests a substantial amount of its assets in a particular country, an investment in the Portfolio has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the Portfolio’s net asset value. While the Portfolio invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception*

AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio Class A

   -3.95%      12.37%      13.18%

AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio Class B

   -4.16%      12.25%      6.92%

Russell 1000 Value Index

   -0.17%      14.63%      15.03%

S&P 500 Stock Index

   5.49%      12.83%      13.36%

*  Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 7/22/02 and Class B shares on 5/1/01. Since-inception returns for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the S&P 500 Stock Index are as of the Portfolio’s Class A share inception date.

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 0.69% and 0.94% for Class A and Class B respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VALUE PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

7/22/02* – 12/31/07

LOGO

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 7/22/02.

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio Class A shares (from 7/22/02* to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 907.43    $   3.08    0.64 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,021.98    $ 3.26    0.64 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 906.64    $ 4.28    0.89 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.72    $ 4.53    0.89 %

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Exxon Mobil Corp

   $ 20,855,394      6.3 %

AT&T, Inc.

     13,818,700      4.2  

General Electric Co.

     13,612,104      4.1  

Chevron Corp.

     11,582,253      3.5  

Bank of America Corp.

     10,075,692      3.0  

Pfizer, Inc.

     9,223,834      2.8  

ConocoPhillips

     8,785,850      2.6  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     8,001,045      2.4  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     7,615,167      2.3  

Citigroup, Inc.

     7,489,536      2.2  
                 
     $   111,059,575      33.4 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 88,816,592      26.6 %

Energy

     51,261,075      15.3  

Consumer Discretionary

     37,059,981      11.1  

Consumer Staples

     30,687,652      9.2  

Industrials

     29,905,562      9.0  

Telecommunication Services

     27,011,127      8.1  

Health Care

     22,274,551      6.7  

Materials

     15,292,119      4.6  

Information Technology

     14,535,937      4.3  

Utilities

     7,427,542      2.2  

Short-Term Investments

     9,780,000      2.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $   334,052,138      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 Poors. The fund 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 GICS structure consists of 10 sectors, 24 industry groups, 64 industries and 139 sub-industries. 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.

 

5


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.5%

   
   

FINANCIALS–26.7%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.3%

   

Deutsche Bank AG

  12,100   $ 1,565,861

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  3,600     774,180

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

  53,000     1,741,050

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  49,000     2,630,320

Morgan Stanley

  77,400     4,110,714
       
      10,822,125
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–3.7%

   

BB&T Corp.

  13,500     414,045

Comerica, Inc.

  33,800     1,471,314

Fifth Third Bancorp

  35,900     902,167

Keycorp

  37,200     872,340

National City Corp.

  67,300     1,107,758

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  14,200     887,358

U.S. Bancorp

  73,200     2,323,368

Wachovia Corp.

  46,100     1,753,183

Wells Fargo & Co.

  85,300     2,575,207
       
      12,306,740
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.2%

   

Discover Financial Services

  47,700     719,316
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–7.7%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  244,200     10,075,692

Citigroup, Inc.

  254,400     7,489,536

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  183,300     8,001,045
       
      25,566,273
       

INSURANCE–10.3%

   

ACE Ltd.

  42,100     2,600,938

Allstate Corp.

  65,000     3,394,950

AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.

  31,400     809,178

American International Group, Inc.

  125,800     7,334,140

Chubb Corp.

  36,000     1,964,880

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A

  62,700     916,047

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A

  91,100     2,318,495

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  22,900     1,996,651

MBIA, Inc.

  28,400     529,092

MetLife, Inc.

  46,000     2,834,520

Old Republic International Corp.

  70,300     1,083,323

PartnerRe Ltd.

  4,300     354,879

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

  16,300     981,912

Torchmark Corp.

  12,700     768,731

The Travelers Cos, Inc.

  63,600     3,421,680

Unum Group

  95,000     2,260,050

XL Capital Ltd.–Class A

  14,900     749,619
       
      34,319,085
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.5%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  41,900     1,427,533

Federal National Mortgage Association

  70,600     2,822,588

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  61,200     832,932
       
      5,083,053
       
      88,816,592
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–15.4%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–15.4%

   

BP PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  24,800   $ 1,814,616

Chevron Corp.

  124,100     11,582,253

ConocoPhillips

  99,500     8,785,850

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  222,600     20,855,394

Marathon Oil Corp.

  64,200     3,907,212

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  7,000     538,930

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (ADR)

  21,900     1,843,980

Total SA (ADR)

  23,400     1,932,840
       
      51,261,075
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–11.2%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–1.4%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  27,900     1,470,609

BorgWarner, Inc.

  32,400     1,568,484

Lear Corp.(a)

  11,868     328,269

Magna International, Inc.–Class A

  14,500     1,166,235
       
      4,533,597
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.6%

   

General Motors Corp.

  83,700     2,083,293
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.4%

   

McDonald's Corp.

  80,100     4,718,691
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.0%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  13,500     940,275

Centex Corp.

  29,600     747,696

KB Home

  31,200     673,920

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

  13,100     339,028

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  70,200     739,908
       
      3,440,827
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  32,200     549,010

Mattel, Inc.

  49,200     936,768
       
      1,485,778
       

MEDIA–2.9%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  83,300     2,269,925

Gannett Co., Inc.

  53,200     2,074,800

Idearc, Inc.

  53,600     941,216

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.(a)

  76,900     623,659

Time Warner, Inc.

  91,800     1,515,618

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  41,300     1,813,896

The Walt Disney Co.

  13,500     435,780
       
      9,674,894
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.1%

   

Dillard's, Inc.–Class A

  24,700     463,866

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  48,800     938,424

Macy's, Inc.

  79,700     2,061,839
       
      3,464,129
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.7%

   

The Gap, Inc.

  89,200     1,898,176

Home Depot, Inc.

  86,100     2,319,534

Ltd. Brands, Inc.

  39,500     747,735

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  43,000     598,130
       
      5,563,575
       

 

 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.6%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  47,300   $ 756,327

VF Corp.

  19,500     1,338,870
       
      2,095,197
       
      37,059,981
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.2%

   

BEVERAGES–0.7%

   

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–
Class B

  42,800     2,209,336
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.0%

   

The Kroger Co.

  59,500     1,589,245

Safeway, Inc.

  63,200     2,162,072

Supervalu, Inc.

  57,100     2,142,392

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  14,500     689,185
       
      6,582,894
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–2.3%

   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

  53,000     1,260,870

General Mills, Inc.

  26,200     1,493,400

Kellogg Co.

  27,800     1,457,554

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  22,400     730,912

Sara Lee Corp.

  119,800     1,923,988

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  52,800     809,424
       
      7,676,148
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.5%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  16,300     1,270,748

Procter & Gamble Co.

  97,200     7,136,424
       
      8,407,172
       

TOBACCO–1.7%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  76,900     5,812,102
       
      30,687,652
       

INDUSTRIALS–9.0%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.2%

   

Boeing Co.

  16,300     1,425,598

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  5,700     599,982

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  25,000     1,966,000
       
      3,991,580
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES &
SUPPLIES–0.9%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.(a)

  115,000     1,267,300

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

  41,100     1,563,444
       
      2,830,744
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–4.4%

   

General Electric Co.

  367,200     13,612,104

Tyco International Ltd.

  26,470     1,049,535
       
      14,661,639
       

MACHINERY–2.4%

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

  22,500     1,632,600

Eaton Corp.

  24,800     2,404,360

Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd.–Class A

  21,600     1,003,752

SPX Corp.

  18,900     1,943,865

Terex Corp.(a)

  14,600     957,322
       
      7,941,899
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

ROAD & RAIL–0.1%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  36,900   $ 479,700
       
      29,905,562
       

TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–8.1%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.4%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  332,500     13,818,700

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  174,300     7,615,167
       
      21,433,867
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.7%

   

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  254,800     3,345,524

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  59,800     2,231,736
       
      5,577,260
       
      27,011,127
       

HEALTH CARE–6.7%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Covidien Ltd.

  13,000     575,770
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.8%

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.
–Class A

  16,600     744,842

McKesson Corp.

  31,800     2,083,218
       
      2,828,060
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.7%

   

Eli Lilly & Co.

  40,600     2,167,634

Johnson & Johnson

  53,500     3,568,450

Merck & Co., Inc.

  67,300     3,910,803

Pfizer, Inc.

  405,800     9,223,834
       
      18,870,721
       
      22,274,551
       

MATERIALS–4.6%

   

CHEMICALS–1.7%

   

Ashland, Inc.

  22,300     1,057,689

Dow Chemical Co.

  13,600     536,112

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  69,200     3,051,028

Lubrizol Corp.

  21,600     1,169,856
       
      5,814,685
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–1.2%

   

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  34,900     1,727,550

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  82,700     873,312

Sonoco Products Co.

  40,400     1,320,272
       
      3,921,134
       

METALS & MINING–1.7%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  59,600     2,178,380

ArcelorMittal

  35,200     2,722,720

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.

  6,500     655,200
       
      5,556,300
       
      15,292,119
       

 

 

7


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–4.4%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

Nokia OYJ (ADR)

  52,800   $ 2,026,992
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–1.2%

   

Dell, Inc.(a)

  26,500     649,515

International Business Machines Corp.

  23,100     2,497,110

Lexmark International, Inc.–Class A(a)

  24,100     840,126
       
      3,986,751
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT &
INSTRUMENTS–2.2%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  42,800     1,681,184

Avnet, Inc.(a)

  55,600     1,944,332

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  211,318     2,548,495

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  111,000     202,020

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  10,650     401,718

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  13,000     482,690
       
      7,260,439
       

IT SERVICES–0.2%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  31,500     652,995
       

SOFTWARE–0.2%

   

Microsoft Corp.

  17,100     608,760
       
      14,535,937
       

UTILITIES–2.2%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.0%

   

Entergy Corp.

  18,900     2,258,928

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

  26,600     1,128,106
       
      3,387,034
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value  
   

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.7%

   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

    21,600   $ 2,214,648  
         

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.5%

   

Dominion Resources, Inc.

    35,400     1,679,730  

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    3,000     146,130  
         
      1,825,860  
         
      7,427,542  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $296,935,555)

      324,272,138  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–3.0%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–3.0%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $9,780,000)

  $   9,780     9,780,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.5%

(cost $306,715,555)

      334,052,138  

Other assets less
liabilities–(0.5)%

      (1,529,452 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 332,522,686  
         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

   Glossary:

 

   ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

8


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $306,715,555)

   $ 334,052,138

Cash

     537

Receivable for capital stock sold

     882,376

Dividends and interest receivable

     489,858
      

Total assets

     335,424,909
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     2,582,026

Advisory fee payable

     155,558

Distribution fee payable

     69,999

Administrative fee payable

     23,750

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     8,919

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116

Accrued expenses

     61,855
      

Total liabilities

     2,902,223
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 332,522,686
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 24,112

Additional paid-in capital

     284,572,312

Undistributed net investment income

     6,032,248

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,557,431

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     27,336,583
      
   $ 332,522,686
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 3,305,460      237,377      $   13.92

B

     $   329,217,226      23,874,314      $   13.79

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $41,455)

   $ 8,729,028  

Interest

     328,681  
        

Total investment income

     9,057,709  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,831,675  

Distribution fee—Class B

     825,695  

Transfer agency—Class A

     32  

Transfer agency—Class B

     3,730  

Custodian

     126,652  

Administrative

     94,000  

Printing

     44,721  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     16,469  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     6,352  
        

Total expenses

     2,991,976  
        

Net investment income

     6,065,733  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,647,507  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (35,981,133 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (21,333,626 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (15,267,893 )
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 6,065,733     $ 3,991,270  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,647,507       9,043,721  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (35,981,133 )     35,162,198  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (15,267,893 )     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

     51,206,829       78,319,096  
                

Total increase

     22,844,070       117,804,485  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     309,678,616       191,874,131  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $6,032,248 and $3,958,472, respectively)

   $ 332,522,686     $ 309,678,616  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

12


    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 .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. 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 year ended December 31, 2007, there were no such expenses waived by the Adviser.

 

13


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

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $78,756, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 109,053,345     $ 65,935,431  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 306,719,791  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 59,537,901  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (32,205,554 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 27,332,347  
        

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.

 

14


    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 year ended December 31, 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  
     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
         Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

           

Shares sold

   206,091     66,255        $ 3,225,348     $ 941,875  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   9,376     1,554          145,800       20,160  

Shares redeemed

   (47,296 )   (21,070 )        (696,046 )     (300,332 )
                               

Net increase

   168,171     46,739        $ 2,675,102     $ 661,703  
                                 

Class B

           

Shares sold

   5,790,699     7,859,179        $ 86,474,219     $ 107,213,399  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   839,758     675,341          12,949,066       8,691,640  

Shares redeemed

   (3,402,775 )   (2,812,503 )        (50,891,558 )     (38,247,646 )
                                 

Net increase

   3,227,682     5,722,017        $ 48,531,727     $ 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

 

15


VALUE 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 4,471,057    $ 2,470,139

Net long-term capital gains

     8,623,809      6,241,661
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 13,094,866    $ 8,711,800
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 9,980,701  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     11,474,397  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (861,183 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     27,332,347 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 47,926,262  
        

 

(a) 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 the Portfolio’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio deferred to January 1, 2008, post October capital losses of $861,183.

 

(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

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

17


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

     CLASS A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2007      2006     2005     2004(a)     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 15.08      $ 12.94     $ 12.63     $ 11.20     $ 8.76  
                                         
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (b)

     .32        .26       .22 (c)     .25 (c)     .16 (c)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

     (.85 )      2.42       .49       1.18       2.36  
                                         

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

     (.53 )      2.68       .71       1.43       2.52  
                                         
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

     (.21 )      (.16 )     (.18 )     –0     (.08 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

     (.42 )      (.38 )     (.22 )     –0     –0
                                         

Total dividends and distributions

     (.63 )      (.54 )     (.40 )     –0     (.08 )
                                         

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 13.92      $ 15.08     $ 12.94     $ 12.63     $ 11.20  
                                         
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

     (3.95 )%      21.32 %     5.74 %     12.77 %     28.94 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period

   $ 3,305,460      $ 1,043,677     $ 290,673     $ 5,699     $ 239  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

     .65 %      .69 %(e)     .73 %     .79 %(f)     .99 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

     .65 %      .69 %(e)     .74 %     .98 %(f)     1.06 %

Net investment income

     2.17 %      1.89 %(e)     1.74 %(c)     2.02 %(c)(f)     1.51 %(c)

Portfolio turnover rate

     20 %      17 %     21 %     27 %     27 %

 

 

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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.95     $ 12.84     $ 12.54     $ 11.16     $ 8.75  
                                       
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)

    .27       .22       .17 (c)     .17 (c)     .12 (c)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    (.83 )     2.40       .50       1.31       2.36  
                                       

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    (.56 )     2.62       .67       1.48       2.48  
                                       
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (.18 )     (.13 )     (.15 )     (.10 )     (.07 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    (.42 )     (.38 )     (.22 )     –0     –0
                                       

Total dividends and distributions

    (.60 )     (.51 )     (.37 )     (.10 )     (.07 )
                                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.79     $ 14.95     $ 12.84     $ 12.54     $ 11.16  
                                       
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

    (4.16 )%     21.03 %     5.48 %     13.37 %     28.46 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $ 329,217     $ 308,635     $ 191,583     $ 151,793     $ 117,561  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

    .90 %     .94 %(e)     .98 %     .97 %     1.24 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

    .90 %     .94 %(e)     .99 %     1.15 %     1.33 %

Net investment income

    1.82 %     1.64 %(e)     1.38 %(c)     1.45 %(c)     1.29 %(c)

Portfolio turnover rate

    20 %     17 %     21 %     27 %     27 %

 

 

 

 

(a) There were no Class A shares outstanding for the period May 11, 2004 through October 3, 2004.

 

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

 

(f) Annualized.

 

19


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

20


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For corporate shareholders, 99.75% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the current fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio designates from distributions paid $8,623,809 as capital gain dividends.

 

21


 
 
VALUE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     

William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman

Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer

David H. Dievler(1)

John H. Dobkin(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)

    

D. James Guzy(1)

Nancy P. Jacklin(1)

Garry L. Moody(1)

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)

Earl D. Weiner(1)

    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

    

John D. Phillips, Jr.(2), Vice President

     Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary
Marilyn G. Fedak(2), Vice President     

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

John Mahedy(2), Vice President     
Christopher W. Marx(2), Vice President      Thomas R. Manley, Controller
    
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL
The Bank of New York      Seward & Kissel LLP
One Wall Street      One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10286      New York, NY 10004
    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.      AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas      P.O. Box 786003
New York, NY 10105      San Antonio, TX 78278-6003
     Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672
    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC     
ACCOUNTING FIRM     
Ernst & Young LLP     
5 Times Square     
New York, NY 10036     

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the U.S. Value Investment Policy Group. Ms. Marilyn G. Fedak, Mr. John Mahedy, Mr. Christopher W. Marx and Mr. John D. Philips, Jr. are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

22


 
 
VALUE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
     

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001, and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001– 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
     

William H. Foulk, Jr., #,***

Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

23


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

     
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103   

Asia Pacific Fund, Inc.,

The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)

        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103   

Intel Corporation

(semi-conductors) and

Cirrus Logic Corporation

(semi-conductors)

        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995-2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993-1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975-1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005-2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993-2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Portfolio’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Marc O. Mayer

50

     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         

Philip L. Kirstein

62

     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         

Marilyn G. Fedak

61

     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

John Mahedy

44

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Christopher W. Marx

40

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

John D. Phillips, Jr.

60

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Emilie D. Wrapp

52

     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Thomas R. Manley

56

     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABIS, ABI and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

  The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

25


 
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.

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 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.

 

26


 
 
    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

Value Portfolio

   Class A 1.20%    0.69 %    December 31
   Class B 1.45%    0.94 %   

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.

 

27


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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.

 

28


 
 
    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.

 

 

 

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.

 

29


VALUE 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 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 $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.

 

30


 
 
    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
    

1

Year
(%)

  

3

Year
(%)

  

Since
Inception
(%)

   Annualized     

Risk
Period
(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.

 

31


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 7, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in large capitalization companies. Large capitalization companies are companies with market capitalization at the time of investment within the range of the market capitalization of companies included in the Russell 1000 Index. In managing the Portfolio, the Adviser diversifies the investment portfolio between the growth and value equity investment styles. The Adviser selects growth and value equity securities by drawing from its fundamental growth and value investment disciplines to construct a single, unified investment portfolio, efficiently diversified between the growth and value equity investment styles. Through this process, the Adviser seeks to provide the highest level of long-term return given the associated levels of risk.

Normally, approximately 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s holdings will consist of growth stocks and 50% of value stocks, although this allocation will vary within a narrow range around this 50/50 target. Beyond this range, the Adviser will rebalance the Portfolio as necessary to maintain this targeted allocation. The Portfolio may invest in convertible securities and non-U.S. securities, make short sales of securities or maintain a short position and enter into repurchase agreements and forward commitments. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

 

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index, for the one-year period ended December 31, 2007, and since the Portfolio’s Class A shares’ inception on June 6, 2003.

The Portfolio underperformed its benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. Detractors from performance included an overweight in the underperforming financial sector and unfavorable stock selection among consumer discretionary stocks. Outperformance by the growth portion of the Portfolio only partially offset the underperformance of the value portion of the Portfolio. The largest positive contributor to performance was strong stock selection in the technology, industrial and materials sectors. Performance was not impacted by leverage at this time.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

After four years of subdued volatility, equity markets hit turbulence in 2007. In the first half of the year, the U.S. market benefited from high levels of merger & acquisition activity and record corporate profitability, although a sharp sell-off in Chinese stocks shook global markets during the first quarter. The second half of the year was dominated by problems in the U.S. housing and subprime mortgage markets, which set off a global credit crisis and large write-downs at major financial firms, intensifying worries about economic growth and corporate profits.

The Portfolio is managed by the Blend Investment Policy Group, which includes both growth and value teams. The Portfolio’s growth team continues to see outsized opportunity in the unusually low valuation premium for growth stocks and the large, underappreciated growth potential its research is identifying. The Portfolio’s value team remains cautious, although increased volatility and widening valuation spreads have increased the value opportunity, especially within the distressed financial sector.

 

1


 
U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged S&P 500 Stock Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Index is comprised of 500 U.S. companies and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

Neither growth investing nor value investing guarantees a profit or eliminates risk. Growth stocks can have relatively high valuations. Because of these high valuations, an investment in a growth stock can be more risky than an investment in a company with more modest growth expectations. If a growth stock company should fail to meet these high earnings expectations, the price of these stocks can be severely negatively affected. Not all companies whose stocks are considered to be value stocks are able to turn their business around or successfully employ corrective strategies, which would result in stock prices that rise as initially expected. The Portfolio concentrates its investments in a limited number of issues and an investment in the Portfolio is therefore subject to greater risk and volatility than investments in a more diversified portfolio. Because the Portfolio allocates its investments between “growth” and “value” stocks, an investment in the Portfolio is subject to the risk that this allocation will result in lower returns during periods when one style is outperforming another than if the Portfolio had invested entirely in the outperforming style. The costs associated with this systematic rebalancing may be significant over time. The Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      Since Inception*

AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio Class A

   4.43%      9.60%

AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio Class B

   4.15%      8.98%

S&P 500 Stock Index

   5.49%      11.08%

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 6/6/03 and Class B shares on 5/2/03. The since-inception return for the benchmark is from the Portfolio’s Class A Shares’ inception date.

       

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 2.28% and 2.53% for Class A and Class B, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Portfolio’s annual operating expense ratios to 1.20% and 1.45% for Class A and Class B, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements extend through the Portfolio’s current fiscal year and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

6/6/03* – 12/31/07

LOGO

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 6/6/03.

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio Class A shares (from 6/6/03* to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 986.29    $   6.01    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,019.16    $ 6.11    1.20 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 985.37    $ 7.26    1.45 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.90    $ 7.37    1.45 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.-Class A

   $ 563,556      3.3 %

Apple, Inc.

     515,998      3.1  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     487,188      2.9  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     357,324      2.1  

AT&T, Inc.

     349,104      2.1  

Procter & Gamble Co.

     336,998      2.0  

General Electric Co.

     329,923      2.0  

Chevron Corp.

     307,989      1.8  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     304,947      1.8  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     297,580      1.8  
                 
     $   3,850,607      22.9 %

 

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION  
December 31, 2007    

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 3,213,756      19.1 %

Financials

     3,155,780      18.7  

Health Care

     2,031,826      12.0  

Energy

     2,011,230      11.9  

Industrials

     1,926,980      11.4  

Consumer Discretionary

     1,264,227      7.5  

Consumer Staples

     1,230,245      7.3  

Materials

     885,229      5.2  

Telecommunication Services

     768,529      4.6  

Utilities

     229,921      1.4  

Short-Term Investments

     147,000      0.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $   16,864,723      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 fund 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.

 

5


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.6%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–19.1%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–4.4%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc. (a)

  13,200   $ 357,324

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored) (ADR)

  4,200     161,238

Research In Motion Ltd. (a)

  1,915     217,161
       
      735,723
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–6.0%

   

Apple, Inc. (a)

  2,605     515,998

Dell, Inc. (a)

  1,100     26,961

EMC Corp. (a)

  3,350     62,075

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  5,895     297,580

International Business Machines Corp.

  700     75,670

Lexmark International, Inc.–
Class A (a)

  900     31,374
       
      1,009,658
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.0%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. (a)

  1,000     39,280

Avnet, Inc. (a)

  1,200     41,964

Flextronics International Ltd. (a)

  5,509     66,439

Sanmina–SCI Corp. (ADR) (a)

  3,000     5,460

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  300     11,139
       
      164,282
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–3.3%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A (a)

  815     563,556
       
   

IT SERVICES–0.1%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  500     10,365
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.5%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A (a)

  5,262     137,549

Intel Corp.

  4,000     106,640

Nvidia Corp. (a)

  5,200     176,904
       
      421,093
       

SOFTWARE–1.8%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc. (a)

  3,100     132,463

Microsoft Corp.

  4,200     149,520

Oracle Corp. (a)

  1,200     27,096
       
      309,079
       
      3,213,756
       

FINANCIALS–18.8%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.9%

   

The Blackstone Group LP

  3,750     82,988

Deutsche Bank AG

  300     38,823

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  1,980     226,571

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  425     91,396

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  825     53,988
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  1,200   $ 64,416

Morgan Stanley

  2,000     106,220
       
      664,402
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.6%

   

Comerica, Inc.

  900     39,177

Fifth Third Bancorp

  1,700     42,721

Keycorp

  600     14,070

U.S. Bancorp

  1,100     34,914

Wachovia Corp.

  1,300     49,439

Wells Fargo & Co.

  2,800     84,532
       
      264,853
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.3%

   

American Express Co.

  650     33,813

Discover Financial Services

  1,200     18,096
       
      51,909
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–6.2%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  6,400     264,064

CIT Group, Inc.

  1,400     33,642

Citigroup, Inc.

  6,300     185,472

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  350     240,100

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  5,100     222,615

Moody's Corp.

  550     19,635

NYSE Euronext

  810     71,094
       
      1,036,622
       

INSURANCE–5.9%

   

ACE Ltd.

  1,100     67,958

Allstate Corp.

  1,500     78,345

AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.

  700     18,039

American International Group, Inc.

  3,300     192,390

Chubb Corp.

  275     15,009

Everest Re Group Ltd.

  475     47,690

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A

  2,400     61,080

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  900     78,471

MBIA, Inc.

  500     9,315

MetLife, Inc.

  1,500     92,430

Old Republic International Corp.

  1,800     27,738

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

  800     48,192

Safeco Corp.

  500     27,840

Torchmark Corp.

  600     36,318

The Travelers Cos, Inc.

  2,000     107,600

Unum Group

  2,100     49,959

XL Capital Ltd.–Class A

  600     30,186
       
      988,560
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.9%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  1,400     47,698

Federal National Mortgage Association

  2,000     79,960

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  1,600     21,776
       
      149,434
       
      3,155,780
       

 

 

 

6


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
         

HEALTH CARE–12.1%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–3.0%

   

Celgene Corp. (a)

  2,750   $ 127,077

Genentech, Inc. (a)

  1,650     110,666

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (a)

  5,675     261,107
       
      498,850
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.8%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  1,275     182,376

Covidien Ltd.

  300     13,287

Hologic, Inc. (a)

  1,600     109,824
       
      305,487
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.1%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (a)

  1,450     147,030

WellPoint, Inc. (a)

  2,370     207,920
       
      354,950
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.2%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  4,600     258,290

Eli Lilly & Co.

  1,400     74,746

Johnson & Johnson

  1,200     80,040

Merck & Co., Inc.

  1,800     104,598

Pfizer, Inc.

  10,500     238,665

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  2,500     116,200
       
      872,539
       
      2,031,826
       

ENERGY–12.0%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.6%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  2,900     235,190

Cameron International Corp. (a)

  1,400     67,382

Schlumberger Ltd.

  3,100     304,947
       
      607,519
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–8.4%

   

BP PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  600     43,902

Chevron Corp.

  3,300     307,989

ConocoPhillips

  2,400     211,920

EOG Resources, Inc.

  1,525     136,106

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  5,200     487,188

Marathon Oil Corp.

  1,800     109,548

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  200     15,398

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (ADR)

  500     42,100

Total SA (ADR)

  600     49,560
       
      1,403,711
       
      2,011,230
       

INDUSTRIALS–11.5%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.9%

   

Boeing Co.

  490     42,855

Honeywell International, Inc.

  3,950     243,202

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  600     47,184

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

  3,450     119,025
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
         

United Technologies Corp.

  550   $ 42,097
       
      494,363
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.5%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (a)

  3,500     38,570

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

  1,000     38,040
       
      76,610
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.9%

   

Fluor Corp.

  1,070     155,920
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.2%

   

ABB Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  4,100     118,080

Emerson Electric Co.

  1,500     84,990
       
      203,070
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.9%

   

General Electric Co.

  8,900     329,923

McDermott Intl Inc. (a)

  450     26,564

Textron, Inc.

  1,550     110,515

Tyco International Ltd.

  300     11,895
       
      478,897
       

MACHINERY–3.0%

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

  600     43,536

Deere & Co.

  2,300     214,176

Eaton Corp.

  700     67,865

Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd.–Class A

  1,300     60,411

SPX Corp.

  900     92,565

Terex Corp. (a)

  425     27,867
       
      506,420
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.1%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc. (a)

  900     11,700
       
      1,926,980
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–7.5%

 

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.9%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  850     44,803

BorgWarner, Inc.

  1,400     67,774

Lear Corp. (a)

  800     22,128

Magna International, Inc.–Class A

  250     20,108
       
      154,813
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.3%

   

General Motors Corp.

  2,200     54,758
       

HOTELS RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.5%

   

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (a)

  300     30,915

McDonald’s Corp.

  2,725     160,530

Yum! Brands, Inc.

  1,700     65,059
       
      256,504
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.4%

   

Centex Corp.

  900     22,734

KB Home

  800     17,280

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  2,100     22,134
       
      62,148
       

 

 

 

7


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
         

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  600   $ 10,230

Mattel, Inc.

  2,800     53,312
       
      63,542
       

MEDIA–1.7%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  2,375     64,719

Comcast Corp.–Special–Class A (a)

  1,700     30,804

Gannett Co., Inc.

  1,400     54,600

Idearc, Inc.

  1,300     22,828

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (a)

  3,200     25,952

Time Warner, Inc.

  1,400     23,114

Viacom, Inc.–Class B (a)

  1,000     43,920

The Walt Disney Co.

  600     19,368
       
      285,305
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.2%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  1,100     21,153

Kohl’s Corp. (a)

  1,610     73,738

Macy’s, Inc.

  1,900     49,153

Target Corp.

  1,325     66,250
       
      210,294
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.9%

   

The Gap, Inc.

  1,700     36,176

Home Depot, Inc.

  2,200     59,268

Lowe’s Cos, Inc.

  1,500     33,930

Office Depot, Inc. (a)

  1,000     13,910
       
      143,284
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.2%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  2,100     33,579
       
      1,264,227
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–7.3%

   

BEVERAGES–1.0%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  550     33,753

PepsiCo, Inc.

  1,850     140,415
       
      174,168
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.1%

 

The Kroger Co.

  2,700     72,117

Safeway, Inc.

  1,600     54,736

Supervalu, Inc.

  1,300     48,776

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  300     14,259
       
      189,888
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.5%

   

General Mills, Inc.

  500     28,500

Kraft Foods, Inc.-Class A

  600     19,578

Sara Lee Corp.

  3,000     48,180

Tyson Foods, Inc.-Class A

  2,000     30,660

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  2,100     122,955
       
      249,873
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.7%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  1,450     113,042

Procter & Gamble Co.

  4,590     336,998
       
      450,040
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
         

TOBACCO–1.0%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  2,200   $ 166,276
       
      1,230,245
       

MATERIALS–5.3%

   

CHEMICALS–3.5%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  1,500     147,945

Ashland, Inc.

  500     23,715

Dow Chemical Co.

  1,600     63,072

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  1,625     71,646

Lubrizol Corp.

  700     37,912

Monsanto Co.

  2,200     245,718
       
      590,008
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.9%

 

Ball Corp.

  800     36,000

Crown Holdings, Inc. (a)

  700     17,955

Owens-Illinois, Inc. (a)

  1,000     49,500

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (a)

  1,900     20,064

Sonoco Products Co.

  900     29,412
       
      152,931
       

METALS & MINING–0.9%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  2,200     80,410

ArcelorMittal

  800     61,880
       
      142,290
       
      885,229
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.6%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.4%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  8,400     349,104

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  4,900     214,081
       
      563,185
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.2%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  1,125     69,064

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  6,400     84,032

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  1,400     52,248
       
      205,344
       
      768,529
       

UTILITIES–1.4%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.0%

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

  1,400     65,184

Entergy Corp.

  800     95,616
       
      160,800
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.4%

   

Ameren Corp.

  1,100     59,631

Dominion Resources, Inc.

  200     9,490
       
      69,121
       
      229,921
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $13,915,698)

      16,717,723
       

 

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
           

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.9%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.9%

 

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $147,000)

  $         147   $ 147,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.5%

   

(cost $14,062,698)

      16,864,723  

Other assets less liabilities–(0.5)%

      (79,620 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 16,785,103  
         

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

     Glossary:

 

     ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

     See notes to financial statements.


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $14,062,698)

   $ 16,864,723

Cash

     621

Receivable for investment securities sold

     87,268

Dividends and interest receivable

     18,397

Receivable for capital stock sold

     8,516
      

Total assets

     16,979,525
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     134,609

Custodian fee payable

     33,038

Advisory fee payable

     10,349

Distribution fee payable

     3,610

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     21

Accrued expenses

     12,679
      

Total liabilities

     194,422
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 16,785,103
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 1,245

Additional paid-in capital

     12,705,314

Undistributed net investment income

     50,330

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     1,226,189

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     2,802,025
      
   $ 16,785,103
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 12,128      887      $ 13.67

B

     $   16,772,975      1,244,526      $   13.48

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,136)

   $ 291,373  

Interest

     6,136  
        

Total investment income

     297,509  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     109,666  

Distribution fee—Class B

     42,157  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,427  

Custodian

     117,332  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     10,025  

Printing

     9,975  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     5,821  
        

Total expenses

     433,053  

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

     (188,428 )
        

Net expenses

     244,625  
        

Net investment income

     52,884  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     1,260,967  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (612,254 )
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     648,713  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 701,597  
        

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


 
U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 52,884     $ 27,694  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     1,260,967       789,026  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (612,254 )     792,654  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     701,597       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

     (350,542 )     (369,831 )
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (472,664 )     519,815  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     17,257,767       16,737,952  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $50,330 and $27,694, respectively)

   $ 16,785,103     $ 17,257,767  
                

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
December 31, 2007   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-two 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


 
    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 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.

 

14


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   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. 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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Adviser waived fees in the amount of $94,428.

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 $94,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $12,364, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 11,254,802     $ 12,365,122  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 14,100,581  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,721,923  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (957,781 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 2,764,142  
        

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

 

15


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    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

  205,555     154,319       $ 2,796,494     $ 1,985,872  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  59,342     59,247         823,069       719,255  

Shares redeemed

  (285,970 )   (235,279 )       (3,970,755 )     (3,075,431 )
                             

Net decrease

  (21,073 )   (21,713 )     $ (351,192 )   $ (370,304 )
                             

 

16


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 220,502    $ 155,188

Net long-term capital gains

     603,217      564,540
             

Total taxable distributions

     823,719      719,728
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 823,719    $ 719,728
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 141,059

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     1,173,343

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     2,764,142
      

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 4,078,544
      

 

(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

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. On

 

17


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

18


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,     June 6,
2003(a) to
December 31,
2003
 
    2007     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)

  .08     .06     .02     .06     .03  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  .55     1.21     1.19     .97     .93  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .63     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

  $13.67     $13.81     $13.13     $11.98     $10.96  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  4.43 %   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 %   1.20 %(e)   1.19 %   1.20 %   1.20 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.32 %   2.28 %(e)   2.29 %   2.67 %   6.65 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  .57 %   .42 %(e)   .15 %   .55 %   .45 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  67 %   53 %   80 %   42 %   13 %

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 20.

 

19


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,     May 2,
2003(g) to
December 31,
2003
 
    2007     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)

  .04     .02     (.01 )   .04     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment transactions

  .55     1.21     1.14     .96     .89  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .59     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

  $13.48     $13.63     $12.99     $11.89     $10.90  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  4.15 %   10.02 %   9.57 %   9.16 %   9.00 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $16,773     $17,246     $16,727     $15,485     $6,600  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %   1.45 %(e)   1.45 %   1.45 %   1.43 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.57 %   2.53 %(e)   2.59 %   2.95 %   8.25 %(f)

Net investment income (loss) (c)

  .31 %   .17 %(e)   (.10 )%   .37 %   .27 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  67 %   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) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(f) Annualized.

 

(g) Commencement of operations.

 

20


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

21


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)    

 

For corporate shareholders, 100% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the current fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio designates from distributions paid $603,217 as capital gain dividends.

 

22


 
U.S. LARGE CAP  
BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

Daniel Grasman(2), Vice President

Mark A. Hamilton(2), Vice President

Joshua B. Lisser(2), Vice President

Seth J. Masters(2), Vice President

    

Christopher H. Nikolich(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Blend Investment Policy Team, comprised of senior Blend portfolio managers. Messrs. Daniel Grasman, Mark A. Hamilton, Joshua B. Lisser, Seth J. Masters and Christopher H. Nikolich are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

23


 
U.S. LARGE CAP  
BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
  PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR    
   
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
  Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.   103   SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
     
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS    
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***
Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
  Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.   105   None
     
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
  Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.   104   None
     
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
  Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.   103   None

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation
(semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        
Garry L. Moody, #
55
(2008)
   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995 – 2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993 – 1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975 – 1993.    101    None
        
Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #
66
(2005)
   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc., (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005 – 2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting) 1993 – 2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        
Earl D. Weiner, #
68
(2007)
   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

25


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Daniel Grasman
43
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser** since 2004. Prior thereto, he was co-founder and COO of Xelector since prior to 2003.
         
Mark A. Hamilton
42
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joshua B. Lisser
41
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Seth J. Masters
48
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Christopher H. Nikolich
38
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

26


 
U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE 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 Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 directors noted that the Adviser had waived reimbursement payments from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s last fiscal year. 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 or brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

27


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE 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 noted that the Portfolio was not profitable to the Adviser in 2005 or 2006. The directors noted that the Portfolio was small (as of June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had net assets of less than $20 million) and that the Adviser had waived reimbursement of administrative expenses from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s last fiscal year.

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 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 primarily to differences in their expense ratios but potentially due to other factors such as the timing of cash flows. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 Stock Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended April 30, 2007 over the 1- and 3-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (June 2003 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 1-year period, and 1st quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 3-year period, and 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 advisory 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 a higher fee rate on the first $25 million of assets 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 higher 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.

 

28


 
 
    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 expense ratio of the Portfolio reflected fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of an applicable 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 effective fee rate of 65 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 53 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 noted the Portfolio’s relatively small size (less than $20 million as of June 30, 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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

29


 
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 the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style 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 the 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

06/30/07

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Blend

 

65 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

55 bp on next $2.5 billion

50 bp on the balance

  $ 16.1   U.S. Large Cap Blended Style 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 entitled to receive $86,750 (0.53% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services but waived the amount in its entirety.

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on July 17, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on July 31-August 2, 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.

 

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 expense to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s current fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days of written notice.

 

Portfolio   Expense Cap Pursuant
to Expense Limitations
Undertaking
 

Gross Expense
Ratio

(12/31/06)

    Fiscal Year End

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

  Class A    1.20%   1.99 %   December 31
  Class B    1.45%   2.25 %  

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 entitled to be 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 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 Portfolio4. 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 June 30, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

06/30/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   $16.1    U.S. Style Blended Schedule

80 bp on 1st $25m

60 bp on next $25m

50 bp on next $50m

40 bp on next $100m

30 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $50m

   0.800 %    0.650 %

 

 

 

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.

 

31


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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:5

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule  

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

 

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   U.S. Large Cap Portfolio   

0.65% on first $2.5 billion

0.55% on next $2.5 billion

0.50% on the balance

  0.65 %

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 Blended Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio   Luxembourg Fund   Fee

U.S. Large Cap Portfolio

  American Blended Portfolio  
  Class A6   1.50%
  Class I (Institutional)   0.70%

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

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   0.650    0.700    4/12

 

 

 

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

 

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 would 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 effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

32


 
    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 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

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   1.207    0.889    12/12    0.801    68/68

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. In addition, the Portfolio ranks last among its peers with respect to total expense ratio.

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 net revenues from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio were negative during calendar years 2006 and 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 $41,191 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 $152,232 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

 

 

 

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.

 

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

 

33


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 $793 billion as of June 30, 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 Portfolio13 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)14 for the periods ended April 30, 2007.15

 

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
  

PG

Median

  

PU

Median

  

PG

Rank

  

PU

Rank

1 year

   9.91    9.90    8.92    5/11    27/80

3 year

   12.07    9.61    9.52    1/10    10/76

Set forth below are the 1 and 3 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)16 versus its benchmark.

 

     

Periods Ending April 30, 2007

Annualized Performance

      1 Year
(%)
    

3 Year

(%)

    

Since

Inception
(%)17

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

   9.91      12.07      11.25

S&P 500 Stock Index

   15.23      12.24      13.59

Inception Date: June 6, 2003

            

 

 

 

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 not 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 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 April 30, 2007. 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.

 

34


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. In light of the Portfolio’s relatively high total expense ratio, the Senior Officer recommended that the Directors continue their discussion with the Advisor concerning its plan to reduce the Portfolio’s total expense ratio or expense cap.

Dated: August 22, 2007

 

 

35


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 6, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio invests in an equity portfolio that is designed as a solution for investors who seek equity returns but also want broad diversification of the related risks across styles, capitalization ranges and geographic regions. In managing the Portfolio, the Adviser efficiently diversifies between growth and value equity investment styles, and between U.S. and non-U.S. markets.

Normally, the Adviser’s targeted blend for the equity portion of the Portfolio is an equal weighting of growth and value stocks. The Adviser will allow the relative weightings of the Portfolio’s growth and value components to vary in response to markets, but ordinarily only by +/-5% of the Portfolio. Beyond those ranges, the Adviser will generally rebalance the Portfolio’s equity component toward the targeted blend. However, under extraordinary circumstances, such as when the Adviser believes that conditions favoring one investment style are compelling, the range may expand to 10% of the Portfolio.

In addition to blending growth and value styles, the Portfolio blends each style component across U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and various capitalization ranges. Within each of the value and growth portions of the Portfolio, the Adviser normally targets a blend of approximately 70% in equities of U.S. companies and the remaining 30% in equities of companies outside the United States. The Adviser will also allow the relative weightings of these geographical subcomponents to vary in response to markets, but ordinarily only by +/-5% of the Portfolio. Beyond those ranges, the Adviser will generally rebalance the Portfolio toward the targeted blend. However, under extraordinary circumstances, when the Adviser believes that conditions favoring U.S. or non-U.S. issuers are compelling, the range may expand to 10% of the Portfolio.

The Portfolio may invest in real estate investment trusts or REITs and convertible securities, enter into repurchase agreements and forward commitments, and make short sales of securities or maintain a short position. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its balanced benchmark, a 70% / 30% blend of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index and the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index, for the one-year period ended December 31, 2007, and since the Portfolio’s inception on July 1, 2004.

The Portfolio’s performance was positive for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007; however, the Portfolio underperformed its balanced benchmark, mostly due to the underperformance of its value investments.

The Portfolio’s approach of seeking returns from both the U.S. and the international equity markets contributed to overall performance, as international stocks outperformed U.S. stocks during the review period. International stocks, as represented by the MSCI EAFE Index, returned 11.17% for the one-year period, while U.S. stocks, as represented by the S&P 500 Stock Index, returned 5.49% for the same period. In addition, during a period when growth indices outperformed value indices, the Portfolio’s underlying growth portfolios outperformed its value portfolios for the one-year period, illustrating the benefits of a diversified portfolio. The largest contributors to the Portfolio’s performance for the year were the underlying U.S. Large Cap Growth and International Growth Portfolios, which more than offset a weak showing from the underlying U.S. Value and International Value Portfolios, the largest relative detractors from the Portfolio’s performance.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The one-year period ended December 31, 2007 was volatile for the global capital markets. Returns in the global equity markets were generally more muted in 2007. In the first half of the year, the U.S. market benefited from high levels of merger & acquisition activity and record corporate profitability, although a sharp sell-off in Chinese stocks shook global markets during the first quarter. The second half of the year was dominated by problems in the U.S. housing and subprime mortgage markets. These problems set off a global credit crisis and large write-downs at major financial firms, intensifying worries about economic growth and corporate profits. Emerging markets were the exception, posting strong gains. Returns also varied significantly by currency due to the ongoing depreciation of the U.S. dollar.

Stocks fell sharply in the second half of the year, caused by severe distress in the U.S. subprime mortgage market. The rebounds and tumbles that followed pushed volatility back up from unusually low levels to about the long-term average, and left most equity markets with negative returns for this time period. Growth stocks outperformed value in 2007, as measured by the MSCI World Growth and the MSCI World Value Indices.

As always, the Portfolio’s Blend Investment Policy Team (the “Team”) remained focused on its strategy of combining low correlation asset classes, blending growth and value investment styles, globalizing the Portfolio’s holdings and ensuring the Portfolio is aligned with the Team’s strategic asset allocation targets over time through a disciplined rebalancing process.

 

1


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY  
PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index and the unmanaged Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The S&P 500 Stock Index includes 500 U.S. stocks and is a common measure of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market. The MSCI EAFE Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that measures stock performance in 23 countries in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

The MSCI EAFE Index values are calculated using net returns. Net returns approximate the minimum possible dividend reinvestment—the dividend is reinvested after deduction of withholding tax, applying the highest rate applicable to non-resident individuals who do not benefit from double taxation treaties.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio allocates its investments among multiple asset classes which will include U.S. and foreign securities. Within each of these, the Portfolio will also allocate its investments in different types of securities, such as growth and value stocks and real estate investment trusts. International investing involves risks not associated with U.S. investments, including currency fluctuations and political and economic changes. The Portfolio systematically rebalances its allocations in these asset classes to maintain its target weightings. There can be no assurance that rebalancing will achieve its intended result, and the costs of rebalancing may be significant over time. The Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. The use of derivatives involves specific risks and is not suitable for all investors. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       
THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      Since Inception*

AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio Class A

   5.00%      11.59%

AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio Class B

   4.84%      11.32%

70% S&P 500 Stock Index / 30% MSCI EAFE Index

   7.21%      12.56%

S&P 500 Stock Index

   5.49%      9.83%

MSCI EAFE Index

   11.17%      18.93%

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A and Class B shares on 7/1/04.

       
       

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.99% and 2.25% for Class A and Class B, respectively, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements limit the Portfolio’s annual operating expense ratios to 0.90% and 1.15% for Class A and Class B, respectively. These waivers/reimbursements extend through the Portfolio’s current fiscal year and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. Absent reimbursements or waivers, performance would have been lower.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

7/1/04* – 12/31/07

LOGO

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class A shares on 7/1/04.

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio Class A shares (from 7/1/04* to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s balanced benchmark (70% S&P 500 Stock Index / 30% MSCI EAFE Index), as well as the individual components of the balanced benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 988.64    $ 4.51    0.90 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,020.67    $   4.58    0.90 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 987.84    $ 5.76    1.15 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $ 1,019.41    $ 5.85    1.15 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.—Class A

   $ 625,789      2.1 %

Apple, Inc.

     574,432      2.0  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     562,140      1.9  

General Electric Co.

     433,719      1.5  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     397,929      1.4  

AT&T, Inc.

     386,508      1.3  

Procter & Gamble Co.

     363,429      1.3  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     336,917      1.2  

Nokia OYJ

     332,990      1.1  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     330,644      1.1  
                 
     $   4,344,497      14.9 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 8,611,469      29.5 %

Information Technology

     4,035,575      13.8  

Industrials

     3,056,268      10.4  

Energy

     2,942,115      10.1  

Health Care

     2,546,258      8.7  

Materials

     2,116,031      7.2  

Consumer Discretionary

     2,066,602      7.1  

Consumer Staples

     1,877,760      6.4  

Telecommunication Services

     1,263,144      4.3  

Utilities

     432,076      1.5  

Construction & Housing

     30      0.0  

Short-Term Investments

     278,000      1.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   29,225,328      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.

 

5


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.0%

   
   

FINANCIALS–29.5%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.4%

   

3i Group PLC

  2,537   $ 50,231

The Blackstone Group LP

  4,300     95,159

Credit Suisse Group

  1,903     114,552

Deutsche Bank AG

  700     91,484

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  2,200     251,746

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  540     116,127

Julius Baer Holding AG

  1,352     110,939

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  900     58,896

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  1,068     71,457

Man Group PLC

  9,848     111,792

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  1,700     91,256

Morgan Stanley

  2,200     116,842
       
      1,280,481
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–3.9%

   

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

  560     12,095

Barclays PLC

  6,900     69,685

BNP Paribas SA

  900     97,650

China Construction Bank Corp.–Class H

  40,000     33,497

Comerica, Inc.

  1,325     57,677

Credit Agricole SA

  2,056     69,362

Fifth Third Bancorp

  2,100     52,773

HBOS PLC

  5,730     83,320

Keycorp

  500     11,725

Kookmin Bank(a)

  600     44,229

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

  9,000     84,869

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

  9,812     86,635

Societe Generale

  530     76,654

Standard Chartered PLC

  2,230     81,388

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  11     81,403

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  425     26,558

U.S. Bancorp

  800     25,392

Wachovia Corp.

  1,500     57,045

Wells Fargo & Co.

  2,600     78,494
       
      1,130,451
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.4%

   

American Express Co.

  700     36,414

Discover Financial Services

  1,300     19,604

ORIX Corp.

  360     60,547
       
      116,565
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES–4.9%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  6,800     280,568

CIT Group, Inc.

  1,500     36,045

Citigroup, Inc.

  7,500     220,800

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  385     264,110

Deutsche Boerse AG

  693     136,018

Fortis (Euronext Brussels)

  2,332     61,049

ING Groep NV

  2,900     113,000
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  5,400   $ 235,710

Moody’s Corp.

  600     21,420

NYSE Euronext

  900     78,993
       
      1,447,713
       

INSURANCE–5.5%

   

ACE Ltd.

  1,200     74,136

Allianz SE

  500     107,814

Allstate Corp.

  1,800     94,014

AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.

  900     23,193

American International Group, Inc.

  3,600     209,880

AON Corp.

  700     33,383

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

  645     29,197

Aviva PLC

  4,170     55,575

Chubb Corp.

  700     38,206

Everest Re Group Ltd.

  225     22,590

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (ordinary shares)

  800     32,817

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A

  2,500     63,625

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  1,175     102,448

Marsh & McLennan Cos, Inc.

  1,500     39,705

MBIA, Inc.

  700     13,041

MetLife, Inc.

  1,600     98,592

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  500     97,039

Old Republic International Corp.

  3,000     46,230

The Progressive Corp.

  3,400     65,144

Prudential Financial, Inc.

  150     13,956

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  3,131     90,902

Safeco Corp.

  600     33,408

Torchmark Corp.

  800     48,424

The Travelers Cos, Inc.

  2,100     112,980

Unum Group

  2,700     64,233
       
      1,610,532
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–6.7%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  300     30,501

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,457     30,628

AMB Property Corp.

  300     17,268

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

  525     18,233

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

  12,000     20,315

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  1,200     8,628

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

  150     14,121

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

  890     40,190

Boston Properties, Inc.

  250     22,953

British Land Co. PLC

  1,776     33,305

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,387     40,751

CapitaMall Trust

  21,800     51,690

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

  968     20,010

DB RREEF Trust

  43,790     76,442

 

 

6


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Derwent Valley Holdings PLC

  1,200   $ 33,365

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

  950     14,231

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  1,175     45,085

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust

  500     17,086

Entertainment Properties Trust

  450     21,150

Equity Residential

  575     20,970

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  70     6,824

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

  600     9,354

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

  475     16,435

Fonciere des Murs

  500     16,624

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  1,375     56,622

General Property Group

  2,956     10,404

Great Portland Estates PLC

  2,300     21,430

Hammerson PLC

  1,400     28,532

HCP, Inc.

  525     18,259

Health Care REIT, Inc.

  550     24,579

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

  725     21,300

Home Properties, Inc.

  275     12,334

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  1,766     30,093

ING Office Fund

  26,400     37,290

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.– Class A

  3     37,233

Kimco Realty Corp.

  625     22,750

Klepierre

  1,350     69,001

Land Securities Group PLC

  754     22,595

LaSalle Hotel Properties

  250     7,975

Liberty International PLC

  1,600     34,185

Macerich Co.

  300     21,318

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  400     17,100

Mirvac Group

  12,380     64,699

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  1,075     33,723

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.–Class A

  1     13,965

Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.–Class A

  3     28,231

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  1,000     16,050

Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,127     20,897

Prologis

  975     61,795

Public Storage

  300     22,023

Rayonier, Inc.

  875     41,335

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,325     29,302

Segro PLC

  1,430     13,304

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  1,075     93,375

SL Green Realty Corp.

  75     7,010

Stockland

  2,652     19,465

Stockland-New(a)

  75     538

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  675     11,293

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

  500     9,145

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  800     30,168

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  725     35,663

UDR, Inc.

  675     13,399

Unibail

  375     82,174

Ventas, Inc.

  1,000     45,250
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Vornado Realty Trust

  525   $ 46,174

Westfield Group

  4,919     89,932
       
      1,948,069
       

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–3.1%

   

Beni Stabili SpA

  12,900     13,996

Brookfield Properties Corp.

  425     8,181

Citycon Oyj

  5,371     28,653

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.–Class A

  300     13,332

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

  20,300     90,701

IVG Immobilien AG

  500     16,504

Keppel Land Ltd.

  7,000     35,024

Kerry Properties Ltd.

  11,949     95,012

Lend Lease Corp. Ltd.

  4,500     67,950

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

  2,000     47,650

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

  1,900     40,976

New World Development Co., Ltd.

  18,611     65,157

Norwegian Property ASA

  3,000     36,450

NTT Urban Development Corp.

  50     80,047

Sino Land Co.

  15,035     52,649

Sponda OYJ

  1,600     19,023

Sumitomo Realty & Development

  1,000     24,456

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

  6,700     140,724

Tokyu Land Corp.

  3,000     25,669
       
      902,154
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.6%

   

Astoria Financial Corp.

  400     9,308

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  1,500     51,105

Federal National Mortgage Association

  2,300     91,954

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  1,700     23,137
       
      175,504
       
      8,611,469
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–13.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–3.3%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  14,700     397,929

Nokia OYJ

  4,021     154,476

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored) (ADR)

  4,650     178,514

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  2,120     240,408
       
      971,327
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–4.2%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  2,900     574,432

Asustek Computer, Inc.

  7,000     20,829

Dell, Inc.(a)

  1,800     44,118

EMC Corp.(a)

  3,700     68,561

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  6,550     330,644

International Business Machines Corp.

  950     102,695

 

 

7


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

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Lexmark International, Inc.–Class A(a)

  1,000   $ 34,860

Toshiba Corp.

  6,000     44,280
       
      1,220,419
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.7%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  1,350     53,028

AU Optronics Corp.

  24,161     46,595

Avnet, Inc.(a)

  1,300     45,461

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  2,100     25,326

HON HAI Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

  2,400     14,792

Sanmina-SCI Corp. (ADR)(a)

  7,800     14,196

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  450     16,709
       
      216,107
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–2.1%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  905     625,789
       

IT SERVICES–0.1%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  700     14,511
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.1%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  1,500     26,297
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.0%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  5,750     150,305

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(a)

  1,000     27,389

Intel Corp.

  4,350     115,971

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  5,700     193,914

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

  80     47,080

United Microelectronics Corp.

  97,677     60,682
       
      595,341
       

SOFTWARE–1.3%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  3,500     149,555

Microsoft Corp.

  3,600     128,160

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

  100     58,715

Oracle Corp.(a)

  1,300     29,354
       
      365,784
       
      4,035,575
       

INDUSTRIALS–10.4%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.5%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  11,446     113,589

Boeing Co.

  900     78,714

Honeywell International, Inc.

  4,400     270,908

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  1,100     86,504

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

  3,850     132,825

United Technologies Corp.

  575     44,010
       
      726,550
       

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Air France-KLM

  1,000     34,949

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  1,200     31,935
       
      66,884
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.(a)

  3,600   $ 39,672

Capita Group PLC

  1,295     17,953
       
      57,625
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.6%

   

Fluor Corp.

  1,200     174,864
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.3%

   

ABB Ltd.

  4,623     133,289

ABB Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  4,600     132,480

Emerson Electric Co.

  1,750     99,155

Renewable Energy Corp.(a)

  447     22,421
       
      387,345
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.5%

   

General Electric Co.

  11,700     433,719

Mcdermott Intl Inc.(a)

  500     29,515

Siemens AG

  720     114,019

Textron, Inc.

  1,750     124,775

Tyco International Ltd.

  450     17,843
       
      719,871
       

MACHINERY–2.3%

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

  600     43,536

Cummins, Inc.

  350     44,579

Deere & Co.

  2,555     237,922

Eaton Corp.

  800     77,560

Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd.–Class A

  1,300     60,411

Komatsu Ltd.

  1,400     37,547

NGK Insulators Ltd.

  2,000     53,623

PACCAR, Inc.

  300     16,344

SPX Corp.

  600     61,710

Terex Corp.(a)

  600     39,342
       
      672,574
       

MARINE–0.3%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  3,000     37,927

Nippon Yusen KK

  6,000     47,268
       
      85,195
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.0%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  1,000     13,000
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.5%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  1,000     27,064

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  6,000     125,296
       
      152,360
       
      3,056,268
       

ENERGY–10.1%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.4%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  3,200     259,520

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  1,500     72,195

Schlumberger Ltd.

  3,425     336,917

Technip SA

  501     39,850
       
      708,482
       

 

 

8


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–7.7%

   

Chevron Corp.

  3,400   $ 317,322

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

  32,000     47,438

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.–Class H

  10,500     61,853

ConocoPhillips

  2,800     247,240

Eni SpA

  2,200     80,292

EOG Resources, Inc.

  1,675     149,494

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  6,000     562,140

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)

  1,037     58,798

LUKOIL (Sponsored) (ADR)

  500     42,250

Marathon Oil Corp.

  1,700     103,462

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  400     30,796

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR)

  600     69,144

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  500     48,110

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

  2,900     122,254

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

  2,348     99,121

StatoilHydro ASA

  1,350     41,649

Total SA

  1,839     152,270
       
      2,233,633
       
      2,942,115
       

HEALTH CARE–8.7%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.0%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  3,000     138,630

CSL Ltd./Australia

  849     26,896

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  1,850     124,079

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  6,275     288,713
       
      578,318
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT &
SUPPLIES–1.5%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  1,725     246,744

Covidien Ltd.

  450     19,930

Essilor International SA

  992     63,278

Hologic, Inc.(a)

  1,750     120,120
       
      450,072
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.4%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  1,600     162,240

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  2,690     235,994
       
      398,234
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.8%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  5,100     286,365

AstraZeneca PLC

  400     17,217

Eli Lilly & Co.

  700     37,373

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

  1,300     33,016

Johnson & Johnson

  1,400     93,380

Merck & Co., Inc.

  2,050     119,126

Pfizer, Inc.

  11,200     254,576

Roche Holding AG

  267     46,155

Sanofi-Aventis SA

  800     73,232

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  3,425     159,194
       
      1,119,634
       
      2,546,258
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MATERIALS–7.2%

   

CHEMICALS–3.2%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  1,660   $ 163,726

BASF AG

  900     133,265

Bayer AG

  1,387     126,517

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  1,900     83,771

Lubrizol Corp.

  800     43,328

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  6,500     49,593

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

  8,500     55,181

Monsanto Co.

  2,430     271,407
       
      926,788
       

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS–0.1%

   

Buzzi Unicem SpA

  1,300     35,927
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–0.5%

   

Ball Corp.

  900     40,500

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  1,200     59,400

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  2,800     29,568

Sonoco Products Co.

  900     29,412
       
      158,880
       

METALS & MINING–3.1%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  2,400     87,720

Anglo American PLC

  598     36,300

Antofagasta PLC

  3,700     52,455

ArcelorMittal (Euronext Paris)

  1,078     86,685

BHP Billiton PLC

  1,619     49,369

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  2,040     66,647

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  1,400     39,172

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  1,600     80,231

Kazakhmys PLC

  1,100     29,761

POSCO

  100     60,418

Rio Tinto PLC

  1,416     149,023

Xstrata PLC

  2,359     165,533
       
      903,314
       

PAPER & FOREST
PRODUCTS–0.3%

   

Stora Enso Oyj–Class R

  2,200     32,841

Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B

  3,300     58,281
       
      91,122
       
      2,116,031
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–7.1%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.8%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  1,225     64,570

BorgWarner, Inc.

  1,600     77,456

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

  500     57,164

Hyundai Mobis

  460     42,505
       
      241,695
       

 

 

9


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

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

AUTOMOBILES–1.3%

   

Fiat SpA

  2,033   $ 52,319

General Motors Corp.

  2,300     57,247

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

  8,200     89,499

Porsche AG

  28     56,349

Renault SA

  800     113,458
       
      368,872
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–0.9%

   

Las Vegas Sands Corp.(a)

  350     36,068

Marriott International, Inc.–Class A

  650     22,217

McDonald’s Corp.

  2,100     123,711

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  100     4,403

Yum! Brands, Inc.

  1,800     68,886
       
      255,285
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.7%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  800     55,720

Centex Corp.

  1,000     25,260

KB Home

  1,100     23,760

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  2,000     21,080

Sharp Corp.

  4,000     71,353
       
      197,173
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT &
PRODUCTS–0.3%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  900     15,345

Mattel, Inc.

  3,100     59,024
       
      74,369
       

MEDIA–1.2%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  3,075     83,794

Citadel Broadcasting Corp.

  38     78

Comcast Corp.-Special–Class A(a)

  2,300     41,676

Gannett Co., Inc.

  1,600     62,400

Idearc, Inc.

  1,600     28,096

Time Warner, Inc.

  1,600     26,416

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  1,200     52,704

The Walt Disney Co.

  2,100     67,788
       
      362,952
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.8%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  1,900     36,537

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  1,700     77,860

Macy’s, Inc.

  2,200     56,914

New World Department Store China Ltd.(a)

  183     256

Target Corp.

  1,475     73,750
       
      245,317
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.0%

   

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  4,100     60,373

The Gap, Inc.

  3,500     74,480

Home Depot, Inc.

  2,400     64,656

Inditex SA

  909     55,004

Limited Brands, Inc.

  475     8,992

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  1,600     22,256
       
      285,761
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.1%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  2,200   $ 35,178
       
      2,066,602
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–6.4%

   

BEVERAGES–1.0%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  600     36,822

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  2,300     59,869

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

  950     49,039

PepsiCo, Inc.

  2,050     155,595
       
      301,325
       

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–0.8%

   

The Kroger Co.

  3,000     80,130

Safeway, Inc.

  500     17,105

Supervalu, Inc.

  1,700     63,784

Tesco PLC

  4,683     44,547

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  500     23,765
       
      229,331
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.8%

   

General Mills, Inc.

  350     19,950

Kellogg Co.

  300     15,729

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  600     19,578

Nestle SA

  301     138,216

Sara Lee Corp.

  4,500     72,270

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  2,100     32,193

Unilever PLC

  2,220     83,261

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  2,300     134,665
       
      515,862
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.9%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  1,600     124,736

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

  175     12,134

Procter & Gamble Co.

  4,950     363,429

Reckitt Benckiser PLC

  1,204     69,965
       
      570,264
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

L’Oreal SA

  415     59,427
       

TOBACCO–0.7%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  2,000     151,160

British American Tobacco PLC

  1,289     50,391
       
      201,551
       
      1,877,760
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.3%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.9%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  9,300     386,508

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  15,500     46,180

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

  8     39,767

Telefonica SA

  3,727     120,816

TeliaSonera AB

  4,161     38,875

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  5,100     222,819
       
      854,965
       

 

 

10


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.4%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  1,550   $ 95,154

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  6,800     89,284

Vodafone Group PLC

  59,602     223,741
       
      408,179
       
      1,263,144
       

UTILITIES–1.5%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.4%

   

E.ON AG

  400     85,049

The Tokyo Electric Power Co.

  900     23,297
       
      108,346
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.2%

   

Iberdrola Renovables(a)

  3,104     25,641

International Power PLC

  4,947     44,594
       
      70,235
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.9%

   

CMS Energy Corp.

  2,200     38,236

RWE AG

  360     50,712

Suez SA

  931     63,370

Veolia Environnement

  576     52,467

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

  1,000     48,710
       
      253,495
       
      432,076
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSTRUCTION &
HOUSING–0.0%

   

REAL ESTATE–0.0%

   

Canadian Apartment Properties

    1   $ 15

H&R Real Estate Investment

    1     15
       
      30
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $25,232,292)

      28,947,328
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.0%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.0%

   

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $278,000)

  $   278     278,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.0%
(cost $25,510,292)

      29,225,328

Other assets less liabilities–0.0%

      4,453
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $   29,229,781
       

 

 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration
Month
   Original
Value
   Value at
December 31,
2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation

Purchased Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index

   1    March 2008    $   64,081    $   64,842    $   761

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $25,510,292)

   $ 29,225,328  

Cash

     416  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $87,230)

     88,039 (a)

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts

     101,714  

Dividends and interest receivable

     51,766  

Receivable due from Adviser

     13,623  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     4,694  
        

Total assets

     29,485,580  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     144,908  

Custodian fee payable

     58,858  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     35,670  

Distribution fee payable

     6,261  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     9,986  
        

Total liabilities

     255,799  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 29,229,781  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 2,249  

Additional paid-in capital

     21,577,897  

Undistributed net investment income

     67,683  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,864,169  

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

     3,717,783  
        
   $ 29,229,781  
        

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

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

   $ 10,057      770      $ 13.06

B

   $   29,219,724      2,248,377      $   13.00

 

 

 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $4,825 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open future contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007.

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $31,665)

   $ 669,164  

Interest

     11,376  
        

Total investment income

     680,540  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     223,382  

Distribution fee—Class B

     74,017  

Transfer agency—Class A

     256  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,386  

Custodian

     230,116  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     46,600  

Printing

     24,607  

Legal

     11,398  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     14,934  
        

Total expenses

     722,246  

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

     (325,941 )
        

Net expenses

     396,305  
        

Net investment income

     284,235  
        

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

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     4,271,357  

Futures

     6,044  

Foreign currency transactions

     5,889  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (2,857,860 )(a)

Futures

     (279 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (3,343 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,421,808  
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     366  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 1,706,409  
        

 

 

 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $437

     See notes to financial statements.

 

13


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 284,235     $ 174,605  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     4,283,290       2,501,612  

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

     (2,861,482 )     2,835,758  

Contribution from Adviser

     366       –0
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     1,706,409       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)

     (6,653,103 )     546,573  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (7,989,465 )     5,261,416  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     37,219,246       31,957,830  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $67,683 and $161,219, respectively)

   $ 29,229,781     $ 37,219,246  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

15


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY 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 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 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.

 

16


 
    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 year ended December 31, 2007 the Adviser waived fees and reimbursed expenses in the amount of $231,941.

During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Adviser reimbursed the Portfolio $366 for trading losses incurred due to a trading entry error.

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 $94,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007, amounted to $41,278, of which $118 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 20,802,113     $ 30,091,469  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

 

17


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

 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 25,805,092  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 5,017,819  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,597,583 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,420,236  
        

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

 

18


 
    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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    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

    (617,500 )   –0       (8,068,342 )     –0
                             

Net increase (decrease)

    (567,622 )   13,748       $ (7,400,482 )   $ 160,847  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  270,018     471,770       $ 3,644,988     $ 5,885,347  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  178,029     54,570         2,374,911       636,285  

Shares redeemed

  (392,913 )   (497,454 )       (5,272,520 )     (6,135,906 )
                             

Net increase

     55,134     28,886       $ 747,379     $ 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 856,669    $ 521,389

Net long-term capital gains

     2,186,102      275,743
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 3,042,771    $ 797,132
             

 

19


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

 

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 260,011  

Undistributed long-term capital gain

     3,967,630  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     3,421,994 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 7,649,635  
        

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of foreign currency contracts, and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to a tax treatment of foreign currency gains/losses, capital gains tax reclassification, dividend redesignation, and passive foreign investment companies resulted in a net decrease in distributions in excess of net investment income, and a net decrease to accumulated net realized gain on investment transaction and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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

 

20


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

21


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  
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
    2007     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)

  .15     .09     .04     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .56     1.94     1.15     .68  
                       

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .71     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

  $13.06     $13.53     $11.79     $10.69  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  5.00 %   17.60 %   11.22 %   6.90 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

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

  $10     $7,688     $6,538     $5,877  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .96 %   1.20 %(e)   1.20 %   1.20 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.82 %   1.99 %(e)   2.45 %   4.33 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  1.05 %   .69 %(e)   .42 %   .25 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  61 %   63 %   61 %   14 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 23.

 

22


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
  2007     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)

  .11     .06     .02     .03  

Net realized and unrealized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .57     1.93     1.13     .64  
                       

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .68     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

  $13.00     $13.46     $11.74     $10.67  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  4.84 %   17.32 %   10.93 %   6.70 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

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

  $29,220     $29,531     $25,420     $10,416  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.18 %   1.45 %(e)   1.45 %   1.45 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.15 %   2.25 %(e)   2.70 %   4.78 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  .79 %   .46 %(e)   .15 %   .71 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  61 %   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) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(f) Annualized.

 

23


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

24


 
TAX INFORMATION  
(unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For corporate shareholders, 48.29% of the total ordinary income distribution paid during the current fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio designates from distributions paid $2,186,102 as capital gains dividends.

 

25


 
WEALTH APPRECIATION  
STRATEGY PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)     

Garry L. Moody(1)

John H. Dobkin(1)     

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)

Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

    

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Daniel T. Grasman(2), Vice President

    

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

Mark A. Hamilton(2), Vice President

    

Joshua B. Lisser(2), Vice President

    

Seth J. Masters(2), Vice President

    

Christopher H. Nicholich(2), Vice President

    
Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary     
    
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL
The Bank of New York      Seward & Kissel LLP
One Wall Street      One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10286      New York, NY 10004
    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.      AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas      P.O. Box 786003
New York, NY 10105      San Antonio, TX 78278-6003
     Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672
    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC     
ACCOUNTING FIRM     
Ernst & Young LLP     
5 Times Square     
New York, NY 10036     

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Blend Investment Policy Team, comprised of senior Blend portfolio managers. Significant day-to-day responsibilities for coordinating the Portfolio’s investments resides with Daniel T. Grasman, Mark A. Hamilton, Joshua B. Lisser, Seth J. Masters, and Christopher H. Nicholich.

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND

COMPLEX

OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

  

OTHER

DIRECTORSHIP

HELD BY

DIRECTOR

INTERESTED DIRECTOR         
        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001, and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC (“SC & Co.”)) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***

Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)

 

27


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND

COMPLEX

OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

  

OTHER

DIRECTORSHIP

HELD BY

DIRECTOR

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

  Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund ( December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
       

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

  Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.    101    None
       

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

  Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993–2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
       

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

  Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

28


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

 

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
    

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Marc O. Mayer

50

     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         

Philip L. Kirstein

62

     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         

Daniel T. Grasman

43

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, and Senior Portfolio Manager of AllianceBernstein since 2004. Prior thereto, he was co-founder and COO of Xelector since prior to 2003.
         

Mark A. Hamilton

42

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joshua B. Lisser

41

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Seth J. Masters

48

     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser** and Chief Investment Officer of Style Blend and Core Equity Services and head of the U.S. and Global Style Blend teams since prior to 2003.
         

Christopher H. Nicholich

38

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Emilie D. Wrapp

52

     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

    

Treasurer and Chief

Financial Officer

     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Thomas R. Manley

56

     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SC & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800)227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

29


 
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY 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 Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on July 31-August 2, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 directors noted that the Adviser had waived reimbursement payments from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s last fiscal year. 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 or brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

30


 
    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 Portfolio was not profitable to the Adviser in 2005 or 2006. The directors noted that the Portfolio was small (as of June 30, 2007, the Portfolio had net assets of less than $40 million) and that the Adviser had waived reimbursement of administrative expenses from the Portfolio in the Portfolio’s last fiscal year.

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 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. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 (70% Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index/30% Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index (Net)) (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended April 30, 2007 over the 1-year period and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (July 2004 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 1-year period, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in both 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 advisory 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, although the institutional fee schedule provided for a higher fee rate on the first $25 million of assets, 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 higher 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 Adviser advises a portfolio of another AllianceBernstein fund with a similar investment style as the Portfolio for the same fee schedule as 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

 

31


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   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 expense ratio of the Portfolio reflected fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of an applicable expense limitation undertaking by the Adviser. The directors noted that the Adviser had recently reduced the Portfolio’s expense caps and that the Lipper information included the pro forma expense ratio provided by the Adviser assuming the reduced expense cap for Class A shares effective February 12, 2007 had been in effect throughout the Portfolio’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. All references to expense ratios are to the Portfolio’s pro forma 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 effective fee rate of 65 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 25 basis points had been waived by the Adviser. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s pro forma total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser, was lower than the Expense Group median and the same as the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s pro forma 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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

32


 
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 the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy 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 the 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

06/30/07

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Blend

 

65 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

55 bp on next $2.5 billion

50 bp on the balance

  $ 36.4   Wealth Appreciation Strategy 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 entitled to receive $86,750 (0.25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services but waived the amount in its entirety.

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating expense to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on July 17, 2007 and presented to the Board of Directors on July 31–August 2, 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.

 

33


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

 

current fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days of written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolios expense cap was reduced effective February 12, 2007. Set forth below are the Portfolios’ expense caps, before and after February 12, 2007, and gross expense ratios as of December 31, 2006:

 

Portfolio  

Expense Cap Pursuant

to Expense Limitation

Undertaking

  Gross
Expense
Ratio
(12/31/06)
  Fiscal Year End
       Effective
02/12/07
  Prior to
02/12/07
   

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

 

Class A

Class B

  0.90%

1.15%

  1.20%

1.45%

  2.28%

2.53%

  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 entitled to be 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 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 With respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, upon further consideration, the Senior Officer noted that the portfolio composition of certain series of the AllianceBernstein Retirement Strategies, managed by the Adviser, were substantially similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser has an institutional product, Target Date (All Active), which is managed similarly as the AllianceBernstein Retirement Strategies. Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the advisory fee of the Portfolio had the institutional advisory fee schedule had been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

06/30/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)

Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Wealth Appreciation Strategy

   $36.4   

Target Date–All Active

75 bp on 1st $25 million

60 bp on next $25 million

50 bp on next $50 million

40 bp on next $100 million

35 bp on the balance

+Other operating expenses (capped)

Minimum Account Size:

$100M or plan assets of $500M

   0.703 %    0.650 %

 

 

 

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.

 

34


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy, a retail mutual fund, which has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy:5

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

  Wealth Appreciation Strategy  

0.65% on first $2.5 billion

0.55% on next $2.5 billion

0.50% on the balance

  0.65%

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”)6 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7

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
Fee8
  

Lipper

Group

Median

  

Rank

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   0.650    0.875    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 EU9 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. Since the Portfolio’s expense cap was reduced effective February 12, 2007, supplemental pro-forma information (shown in bold and italicized) is also provided.10

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio

(%)11

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Portfolio

   1.200    1.005    10/12    0.897    19/22

pro-forma

   0.900    0.963    6/12    0.900    12/22

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

 

 

 

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 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.

 

7 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.

 

8 The contractual management fee would 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.

 

9 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.

 

10 The Portfolios’ pro-forma expense medians and rankings were estimated by the Senior Officer using standard Lipper methodology.

 

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

 

35


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

 

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 net revenues from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio were negative during calendar years 2006 and 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 $70,090 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 $82,164 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.

 

 

 

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

 

36


 
    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 $793 billion as of June 30, 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 performance rankings of the Portfolio13 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)14 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended April 30, 2007.15

 

Portfolio    Portfolio
Return
   PG
Median
   PU
Median
   PG
Rank
   PU
Rank

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

              

1 year

   13.86    15.14    14.49    9/12    13/20

Set forth below are the 1 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)16 versus its benchmark.

 

      Periods Ending April 30, 2007
Annualized Net Performance (%)
      1 Year (%)      Since
Inception (%)17

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   13.86      14.54

S&P 500 Stock Index

   15.23      13.46

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

   19.81      25.15

70% S&P Stock Index / 30% MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

   16.60      16.97

Inception Date: July 1, 2004

       

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: August 22, 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 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 April 30, 2007. 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.

 

37


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 6, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize current income, consistent with what the Adviser considers to be prudent investment risk, that is available from a portfolio of debt securities issued or guaranteed by the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, their political subdivisions (including Canadian Provinces, but excluding states of the United States), agencies, instrumentalities or authorities. The Portfolio normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in fixed-income securities of issuers located in countries in North, Central or South America and at least 80% of its net assets in government securities.

The Portfolio invests in investment-grade securities denominated in the U.S. dollar, the Canadian dollar, and the Mexican Peso and expects to maintain at least 25% of its assets in U.S. dollar-denominated securities. To the extent that its assets are not invested in Government securities, the Portfolio may invest the balance of its net assets in investment-grade fixed-income securities issued by, and denominated in the local currencies of, governments of countries located in Central and South America or any of their political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, provided that such securities are denominated in their local currencies. The Portfolio limits its investments in fixed-income securities issued by the governmental entities of any one such country to 10% of its net assets. These investments are investment-grade securities generally denominated in each country’s currency. The Portfolio may invest in fixed-income securities with a range of maturities from short- to long-term. The Portfolio may use significant borrowings for leverage or may otherwise leverage its assets through, for example, the use of reverse repurchase agreements. The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-related securities and zero coupon securities, variable, floating and inverse floating rate instruments, and enter into standby commitment agreements and forward commitments. The Portfolio also may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmarks, the Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. Aggregate Index and the LB Intermediate-Term Government Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

For the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio outperformed the LB U.S. Aggregate Index, but marginally underperformed the LB Intermediate-Term Government Index. Adding to relative performance for the annual period was the Portfolio’s overweight to U.S. Treasuries and Agencies, which outperformed other sectors of the LB U.S. Aggregate Index. The Portfolio’s allocation to non-U.S. government debt, Mexico and Canada, detracted from performance.

Leverage had a minor impact on the Portfolio’s performance for the annual reporting period.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The past several months have seen the return of volatility to the capital markets, as the credit crisis in the U.S. subprime market spilled over—in the form of a liquidity crunch—into other sectors and asset classes and even the overnight funding market. As investors flocked to the safety of the highest-quality securities, government bond yields fell worldwide and yield spreads widened across fixed-income markets.

Central banks around the world responded by injecting liquidity into the markets via cheap loans to banks; the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) also cut its discount rate. These measures culminated in the Fed’s dramatic 50-basis-point ease in September 2007 and additional rate cuts of 25 basis points in October and December, which aimed to restore confidence in the financial markets and put the economy on firmer footing.

As investors sought the protection of less-risky assets during the reporting period, U.S. Treasuries were the best performing sector within the LB U.S. Aggregate Index, with a return of 9.01%. Among other fixed-income sectors, Agencies posted a strong return of 7.92% while mortgage-backed securities (MBS) returned 6.90%.

Within the Portfolio’s non-U.S. government holdings, Mexican government debt underperformed, returning 2.66%. For the year, Canadian debt posted a return of 5.69%, also underperforming the LB U.S. Aggregate Index and U.S. Treasuries.

During the period, the Portfolio generally maintained its allocation to U.S. Treasury holdings, mortgage pass-through securities, and exposure to Mexican and Canadian government debt. The Portfolio also maintained modest exposure to the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso.

 

1


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. Aggregate Index and the unmanaged LB Intermediate-Term Government Index do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The LB U.S. Aggregate Index is composed of the LB Mortgage-Backed Securities Index, the LB Asset-Backed Securities Index and the LB Government/Credit Index. The LB Intermediate-Term Government Index measures performance of bonds in the one- to 10-year maturity range. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio invests a significant amount of its assets in foreign securities which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. These risks may be magnified for investments in emerging markets. To increase yield, the Portfolio can use leverage, a speculative technique, which may increase share price fluctuation. Price fluctuation in the Portfolio’s securities may be caused by changes in the general level of interest rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Please note, as interest rates rise, existing bond prices fall and can cause the value of your investment in the Portfolio to decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. The Portfolio may invest in high yield bonds (i.e., junk bonds), which involves a greater risk of default and price volatility than investing in other bonds. Investing in below-investment grade bonds presents special risks, including credit risk. Similar to direct bond ownership, bond funds have the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks that are associated with the underlying bonds owned by the Portfolio. Portfolio purchasers should understand that, in contrast to owning individual bonds, there are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of bond funds. While the Portfolio invests principally in bonds and other fixed-income securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from and, in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

2


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARKS    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio Class A

   8.38%      6.50%      7.21%  

AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio Class B

   8.10%      6.24%      6.71% *

Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index

   6.97%      4.42%      5.97%  

Lehman Brothers Intermediate-Term Government Index

   8.47%      3.69%      5.55%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 7/22/02.

            
            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual expense ratios as 1.50% and 1.69% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmarks. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,085.41    $   10.88    2.07 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,014.77    $   10.51    2.07 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,083.62    $   12.24    2.33 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,013.46    $   11.82    2.33 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  

December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

U.S. Treasury Securities

   $ 16,338,876      40.5 %

Sovereigns

     12,077,414      29.9  

Agency Debentures

     11,938,930      29.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   40,355,220      100.0 %

COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION

December 31,2007

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 28,277,806      70.1 %

Canada

     6,090,884      15.1  

Mexico

     5,986,530      14.8  
                 

Total Investments

   $   40,355,220      100.0 %

 

5


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

US TREASURIES–36.8%

     

U.S. TREASURY
STRIPS–20.8%

     

Zero Coupon, 2/15/16(a)

  US$   2,400   $ 1,723,286

Zero Coupon, 11/15/21(a)

    11,700     6,175,307
         
        7,898,593
         

U.S. TREASURY BONDS–16.0%

   

6.25%, 5/15/30(b)

    4,850     6,052,650
         

Total US Treasuries
(cost $12,896,054)

        13,951,243
         

SOVEREIGNS–20.3%

     

CANADA–4.6%

     

Government of Canada

     

Series VW17 8.00%, 6/01/27(a)

  CAD   1,132     1,736,635
         

MEXICO–15.7%

     

Mexican Bonos Series M 20 8.00%, 12/07/23(a)

  MXN   15,500     1,391,042

10.00%, 12/05/24(a)

    16,205     1,725,580

Series M7
8.00%, 12/24/08(a)

    31,257     2,869,908
         
        5,986,530
         

Total Sovereigns
(cost $6,566,674)

        7,723,165
         

AGENCY DEBENTURES–19.2%

   

Federal National Mortgage
Association Series 2001 5.375%, 11/15/11(a)

  US$   5,000     5,284,405

Series 2004 4.125%, 4/15/14(a)

    2,000     2,001,814
         

Total Agency Debentures
(cost $6,821,212)

        7,286,219
         

FIXED RATE
30-YEARS–12.2%

     

Federal National Mortgage Association Series 2002 7.00%, 3/01/32(a)

    54     56,388

Government National Mortgage Association Series 1994 9.00%, 9/15/24(a)

    7     7,636

Series 2006 6.00%, 7/15/36(a)

    4,481     4,588,687
         

Total Fixed Rate 30-Years (cost $4,513,167)

        4,652,711
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value  
     

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–8.0%

     

U.S. TREASURY
NOTES–6.3%

     

1.625%, 1/15/15 (TIPS)

  US$   1,571   $ 1,577,445  

2.00%, 1/15/16 (TIPS)

    789     810,188  
           
        2,387,633  
           

CANADA–1.7%

     

Government of Canada 3.00%, 12/01/36(a)

  CAD   66     83,053  

Province of Ontario 2.00%, 12/01/36(a)

    599     571,466  
           
        654,519  
           

Total Inflation-Linked Securities (cost $2,867,569)

        3,042,152  
           

AGENCIES–5.3%

     

CANADA–5.3%

     

Canada Housing Trust No 1 3.55%, 9/15/10(a) (cost $1,750,291)

    2,000     1,999,493  
           

GOVERNMENT-RELATED—PROVINCIALS–4.5%

   

CANADA–4.5%

     

Province of Ontario 5.60%, 6/02/35(a)

    300     350,386  

Province of Quebec 5.50%, 12/01/14(a)

    600     645,905  

6.00%, 10/01/12

    648     703,946  
           

Total Government-Related—Provincials (cost $1,413,558)

        1,700,237  
           

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–106.3%
(cost $36,828,525)

        40,355,220  

Other assets less liabilities–(6.3)%

        (2,406,379 )
           

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 37,948,841  
           

 

 

 

6


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
December 31,
2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sale Contracts:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 1/24/08

   1,310    $   1,363,455    $   1,327,961    $ 35,494  

Mexican Nuevo Peso settling 2/14/08

   60,760      5,539,515      5,550,577        (11,062 )

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (see Note D)

 

Broker    Interest Rate      Maturity    Amount

Greenwich Capital

   4.00 %    1/29/08    $   2,702,000

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize forward currency exchange contracts. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $31,210,991.

 

(b) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements. The market value of this security amounted to $2,745,532.

 

   Currency Abbreviations:

 

   CAD—Canadian Dollar
   MXN—Mexican Peso

 

   Glossary:

 

   TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

7


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $36,828,525)

   $ 40,355,220  

Cash

     96,782  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $248,605)

     248,330  

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     35,494  

Interest receivable

     184,022  
        

Total assets

     40,919,848  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     11,062  

Reverse repurchase agreements

     2,702,000  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     163,582  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Advisory fee payable

     16,140  

Distribution fee payable

     1,313  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     53,044  
        

Total liabilities

     2,971,007  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 37,948,841  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,018  

Additional paid-in capital

     34,347,037  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (145,891 )

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     193,669  

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

     3,551,008  
        
   $ 37,948,841  
        

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

 

Class    Net Assets    Shares
Outstanding
   Net Asset
Value

A

   $   31,802,123    2,528,634    $   12.58

B

   $ 6,146,718    488,934    $ 12.57

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 2,735,407  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     196,010  

Distribution fee—Class B

     16,456  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,578  

Transfer agency—Class B

     320  

Custodian

     113,489  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     8,434  

Printing

     4,246  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     8,412  
        

Total expenses before interest expense

     485,595  

Interest expense

     426,970  
        

Total expenses

     912,565  
        

Net investment income

     1,822,842  
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     195,628  

Foreign currency transactions

     (11,838 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     1,063,771  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (16,665 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,230,896  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 3,053,738  
        

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,822,842     $ 2,266,904  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     183,790       473,442  

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

     1,047,106       (1,635,176 )
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     3,053,738       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

     (5,274,437 )     (13,863,016 )
                

Total decrease

     (4,946,738 )     (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 ($145,891) and $430,609, respectively)

   $ 37,948,841     $ 42,895,579  
                

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Interest received

   $ 2,107,409    

Interest expense paid

     (440,979 )  

Operating expenses paid

     (496,541 )  
          

Net increase in cash from operating activities

     $ 1,169,889  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of long-term investments

     (4,012,034 )  

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     1,042,236    

Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments

     15,696,340    

Realized currency loss on foreign forward currency contracts closed

     (722,002 )  

Increase in foreign currency, at value

     (68,767 )  
          

Net increase in cash from investing activities

       11,935,773  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Decrease in reverse repurchase agreements

     (5,558,500 )  

Redemption of capital stock, net

     (7,678,648 )  

Effect of exchange rate on cash

     156,367    
          

Net decrease in cash from financing activities

       (13,080,781 )
          

Net increase in cash

       24,881  

Cash at beginning of period

       320,231  
          

Cash at end of period

     $ 345,112  
          
                  

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS TO NET INCREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net increase in net assets from operations

     $ 3,053,738  

ADJUSTMENTS:

    

Decrease in interest receivable

   $ 13,837    

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (183,790 )  

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

     (1,047,106 )  

Accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium

     (641,835 )  

Decrease in interest payable

     (14,009 )  

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (10,946 )  
          

Total adjustments

       (1,883,849 )
          

NET INCREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     $ 1,169,889  
          

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

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, 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 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


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 2,004,469    $ 6,169,490

U.S. government securities

     1,637,697      9,144,123

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 36,828,525  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,526,695  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     –0
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,526,695  
        

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

 

14


 
    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 year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $8,317,180 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 4.90%.

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

 

15


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  115,031     221,868       $ 1,408,815     $ 2,804,100  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  195,544     244,133         2,274,173       2,863,680  

Shares redeemed

  (646,718 )   (1,103,995 )       (7,931,145 )     (13,773,648 )
                               

Net decrease

  (336,143 )   (637,994 )     $ (4,248,157 )   $ (8,105,868 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  19,953     77,581       $ 244,803     $ 969,445  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  38,820     44,577         451,866       522,887  

Shares redeemed

  (141,506 )   (572,336 )       (1,722,949 )     (7,249,480 )
                               

Net decrease

  (82,733 )   (450,178 )     $ (1,026,280 )   $ (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

 

16


 
    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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 2,384,092    $ 3,241,495

Long term capital gains

     341,947      145,072
             

Total taxable distributions

     2,726,039      3,386,567
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 2,726,039    $ 3,386,567
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,647,098  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     190,765  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (1,765,653 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     3,526,576  (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 3,598,786  
        

 

(a) For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio deferred losses on straddles of $1,765,653.

 

(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.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of foreign currency gains/losses, and paydown gains/losses resulted in a net increase in distribution in excess of net investment income, and a net increase in accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“NYAG Order”).

 

17


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME 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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the acquisitions of the assets and liabilities of each of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Dollar Government Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—High Yield Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Americas Government Income Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Bond Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio. The acquisitions are expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008.

 

18


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $12.49     $13.06     $12.91     $13.01     $12.65  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .58     .59     .70     .65 (b)   .61  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .39     (.22 )   .38     (.06 )   .34  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .97     .37     1.08     .59     .95  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.77 )   (.90 )   (.93 )   (.69 )   (.59 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.11 )   (.04 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.88 )   (.94 )   (.93 )   (.69 )   (.59 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.58     $12.49     $13.06     $12.91     $13.01  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  8.38 %   3.31 %   8.67 %   4.89 %   7.35 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $31,802     $35,767     $45,730     $47,776     $60,550  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  2.28 %   1.50 %(d)   1.28 %   1.00 %   1.04 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.28 %   1.50 %(d)   1.28 %   1.11 %   1.04 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements, excluding interest expense

  1.20 %   1.08 %(d)   1.02 %   .98 %   1.04 %

Net investment income

  4.69 %   4.74 %(d)   5.42 %   5.07 %(b)   4.75 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  8 %   43 %   75 %   69 %   73 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 20.

 

19


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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
  2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $12.47     $13.03     $12.90     $13.01     $12.67  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .54     .55     .66     .62 (b)   .57  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .40     (.21 )   .38     (.06 )   .36  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .94     .34     1.04     .56     .93  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.73 )   (.86 )   (.91 )   (.67 )   (.59 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.11 )   (.04 )   –0   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.84 )   (.90 )   (.91 )   (.67 )   (.59 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.57     $12.47     $13.03     $12.90     $13.01  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  8.10 %   3.01 %   8.33 %   4.67 %   7.18 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $6,147     $7,129     $13,310     $9,393     $5,698  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  2.55 %   1.69 %(d)   1.53 %   1.27 %   1.30 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.55 %   1.69 %(d)   1.53 %   1.37 %   1.30 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements, excluding interest expense

  1.45 %   1.31 %(d)   1.27 %   1.24 %   1.30 %

Net investment income

  4.44 %   4.50 %(d)   5.17 %   4.88 %(b)   4.42 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  8 %   43 %   75 %   69 %   73 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

20


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

21


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)    

 

The Portfolio designates $341,947 from distributions made in fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as capital gain dividends.

 

22


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT  
INCOME PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

    

Douglas J. Peebles(2), Vice President

    

Matthew S. Sheridan(2), Vice President

Paul J. DeNoon(2), Vice President     

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Scott DiMaggio(2), Vice President     

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Fernando Grisales(2), Vice President     
Michael L. Mon(2), Vice President     

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    
    
    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    
    
    
    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
    
    

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    
    
    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Global Fixed Income Investment Team. Mr. Paul J. DeNoon, Mr. Scott DiMaggio, Mr. Fernando Grisales, Mr. Michael L. Mon, Mr. Douglas J. Peebles and Mr. Matthew S. Sheridan are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

23


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT  
INCOME PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB&Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None
        
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)

 

24


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        
Garry L. Moody, #
55
(2008)
   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.    101    None
        
Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #
66
(2005)
   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993–2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        
Earl D. Weiner, #
68
(2007)
   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

25


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
    

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Marc O. Mayer

50

     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         

Philip L. Kirstein

62

     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         

Paul J. DeNoon

45

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Scott DiMaggio

36

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Fernando Grisales

28

     Vice President      Assistant Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Michael L. Mon

38

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Douglas J. Peebles

42

     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Matthew S. Sheridan

32

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Emilie D. Wrapp

52

     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Thomas R. Manley

56

     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

  The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

26


 
AMERICAS GOVERNMENT 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”) approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on October 30-November 1, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 or 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

 

27


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME 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 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 primarily to differences in their expense ratios but potentially due to other factors such as the timing of cash flows. The directors also noted that at their July/August 2007 meetings they approved changes to the non-fundamental policies of the Corresponding Fund and a name change, all expected to be effective on or about November 5, 2007. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended July 31, 2007 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 the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 1-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 3-year period, 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe in the 5-year period and 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 10-year period, and 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 advisory 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 the Adviser charges institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized institutional 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., fixed income 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

 

28


 
    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 effective fee rate of 50 basis points, plus the 18 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 small size (less than $40 million as of September 30, 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.

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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

29


 
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 Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to 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 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

09/30/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

High Income

   50 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

   $ 38.0    Americas Government
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 (0.180% 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

Americas Government Income Portfolio4

   Class A 1.50%

Class B 1.69%

   December 31

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 18, 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.

 

4 Includes interest expense (related to reverse repurchase agreements of the Portfolio) of 0.42% and 0.38% for Class A and Class B, respectively. Excluding interest expense, the expense ratios would be 1.08% and 1.31% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

 

30


 
    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 client 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 client 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 substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.5 However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product in the Adviser’s Form ADV that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

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 contractual management 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, 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    1/9

 

 

 

5 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

31


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT INCOME 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 EU9 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
(%)10

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Americas Government Income Portfolio

   1.075    0.973    7/9    0.984    9/12

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.

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 $21,947 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 $141,376 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, 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.

 

 

 

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

 

32


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”).11 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

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,13 subsidies and enhancement to services. 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 services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli 14 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The preliminary results of the updated study, based on more recent data and using Lipper classifications, were found to be consistent with the results of the original study. The independent consultant observed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

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

With assets under management of approximately $813 billion as of September 30, 2007, 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 Portfolio15 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)16 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2007.17 It should be noted that the Portfolio, which invests primarily in fixed income securities issued 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.

 

      Portfolio
Return (%)
  

PG

Median (%)

  

PU

Median (%)

  

PG

Rank

  

PU

Rank

1 year

   6.07    6.07    5.07    5/9    7/16

3 year

   6.03    6.41    5.92    5/8    6/13

5 year

   6.33    9.24    7.03    7/8    8/13

10 year

   6.62    5.81    5.65    3/7    4/11

 

 

 

11 It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

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

 

13 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

14 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

15 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.

 

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/excluding a fund in/from a PU are 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 Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

33


AMERICAS GOVERNMENT 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)18 versus its benchmark.19 Note that the Portfolio, which invests primarily in fixed income securities issued by federal or provincial governments of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, has a much broader mandate than its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Index, which covers U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including government and credit securities, agency mortgage pass through securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-based securities. In addition, the Portfolio may utilize leverage in contrast to the Portfolio’s benchmark, which has no leverage. Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.20

 

    

Periods Ending July 31, 2007

Annualized Performance

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

Americas Government Income Portfolio

  6.07   6.03   6.33   6.62   7.59   6.97   0.42   10

Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index

  5.58   3.93   4.41   5.82   6.55   3.47   0.58   10

Inception Date: May 3, 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: November 26, 2007

 

 

 

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 the periods through July 31, 2007. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance return of the benchmark is from the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast to the benchmark, the Portfolio’s since inception return is from 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.

 

34


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 1, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is to provide a high level of return through 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 currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in bonds and other fixed-income securities. The Portfolio invests in U.S. Government securities, securities issued by governments other than the U.S. Government or supranational organization debt securities, corporate debt obligations, and commercial paper of banks and bank holding companies. The Portfolio’s non-U.S. investments are generally denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Portfolio seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting its investments to high-quality fixed-income securities and normally invests in securities rated in the two highest ratings categories. The Portfolio’s investments are expected to have an average weighted maturity that varies between one year or less and 10 years. The Portfolio intends to spread risk among the capital markets and normally invests at least 65% of its net assets in fixed-income securities of at least three countries. The Portfolio invests approximately 25% of its net assets in U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities. The Portfolio invests only in securities of issuers in countries whose governments are deemed stable by the Adviser depending on its evaluation of political and economic conditions affecting a country as well as recent market experience. The Portfolio expects to engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its principal investment strategies. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other transaction expenses, which may negatively affect the Portfolio’s performance. The Portfolio is “non-diversified”, which means that it invests more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than many other funds. For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts. The Portfolio also may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the S&P/Citigroup World Government Bond Index (unhedged) for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio underperformed its benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. Continued fallout from the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis drove a worldwide flight to quality that caused spreads to widen dramatically across fixed-income markets.

For the annual period under review, country selection added to the Portfolio’s performance, specifically overweights in the U.S. and Japan, in addition to an underweight in the U.K. and the Euro area. Security selection and yield-curve positioning detracted from performance for the annual period ended December 31, 2007.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The past several months have seen the return of volatility to the capital markets, as the credit crisis in the U.S. subprime mortgage market spilled over—in the form of a liquidity crunch—into other sectors and asset classes and even the overnight funding market. As investors flocked to the safety of the highest-quality securities, government bond yields fell worldwide and yield spreads widened across fixed-income markets.

Central banks—including the European Central Bank, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Canada and the Reserve Bank of Australia—responded by injecting liquidity into the markets via cheap loans to banks; the Fed also cut its discount rate. These measures culminated in the Fed’s dramatic 50-basis-point ease in September 2007 and additional rate cuts of 25 basis points in October and December, which aimed to restore confidence in the financial markets and put the economy on firmer footing.

Most global bond returns hedged in U.S. dollars were generally weak early in the reporting period, as a tightening trend among global central banks in developed economies continued with the Euro area, U.K. and Japan all raising official rates. Conversely, global government bonds rallied late in the reporting period in the flight to quality. For the annual period, global bonds (unhedged) returned 10.95%, as represented by the S&P/Citigroup World Government Bond Index (unhedged). U.S. Treasuries performed very strongly as investors sought the protection of less-risky assets. Robust growth and interest-rate hikes throughout most of the year in both Europe and the U.K. dampened government returns in both regions. (Late in the year, the Bank of England responded to economic concerns and cut U.K. rates by 25 basis points.)

Market turmoil has created opportunities, especially in investment-grade corporates. The Portfolio’s Global Fixed

 

1


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Income Investment Team (the “Team”) has decreased the Portfolio’s allocation to U.S. mortgages in order to fund increased exposures to corporates, especially short- and intermediate-term U.S. financials. Other strategies in place currently include an overweight in the U.S. and underweights in the U.K. and the Euro area and select positions in U.S. agency securities.

 

2


 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged S&P/Citigroup World Government Bond Index (unhedged) does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The Index represents performance of government bond markets in 14 countries. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

A majority of the Portfolio’s assets will be invested in foreign fixed-income securities. Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments. In addition, because the Portfolio will invest in foreign currency denominated securities, fluctuations in the value of the Portfolio’s investments may be magnified by changes in foreign exchange rates. Price fluctuations in the Portfolio’s securities may be caused by changes in the general level of interest rates or changes in bond quality ratings. Please note, as interest rates rise, existing bond prices fall and can cause the value of an investment in the Portfolio to decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. The Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as futures contracts and options on futures contracts. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. Also, at the discretion of the Investment Manager, the Portfolio can invest up to 10% of its total assets in illiquid securities. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio Class A

   10.35%      5.84%      5.32%  

AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio Class B

   10.15%      5.60%      5.48% *

S&P/Citigroup World Government Bond Index (unhedged)

   10.95%      6.81%      6.31%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 7/15/99.

            
            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual expense ratios as 1.03% and 1.30% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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 Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,104.47    $   6.31    1.19 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.21    $ 6.06    1.19 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,102.61    $ 7.58    1.43 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.00    $ 7.27    1.43 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN*  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Government-Related Sovereigns

   $   21,106,378      53.7 %

U.S. Treasuries

     5,950,268      15.1  

Government-Related Agencies

     4,508,782      11.5  

Corporates Investment Grades

     1,870,682      4.8  

Government-Related U.S. Agencies

     1,867,247      4.7  

Short-Term Investments

     4,003,000      10.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 39,306,357      100.0 %

COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION*

December 31, 2007

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 9,443,362      24.0 %

Japan

     8,299,274      21.1  

Netherlands

     4,078,730      10.4  

Germany

     3,116,224      7.9  

France

     2,754,632      7.0  

Norway

     1,590,746      4.1  

Sweden

     1,527,193      3.9  

Mexico

     1,464,289      3.7  

Singapore

     1,037,040      2.7  

Canada

     949,930      2.4  

Belgium

     797,102      2.0  

United Kingdom

     244,835      0.6  

Short-Term Investments

     4,003,000      10.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $   39,306,357      100.0 %

 

 

 

 

* All data are as of December 31, 2007. The fund’s security type breakdown and country breakdown are expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary overtime.

 

6


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–SOVEREIGNS–46.5%

   

Bundesrepublik Deutschland Series 03 4.75%, 7/04/34(a)

  EUR   240   $ 357,152

Series 97 6.50%, 7/04/27(a)

    379     685,939

France Government Bond OAT 3.75%, 4/25/21

    2,041     2,754,632

Government of Japan Ten Year Bond
Series 217 1.80%, 12/21/09(a)

  JPY   120,000     1,095,804

Series 252 1.00%, 6/20/13(a)

    144,550     1,290,525

Series 268 1.50%, 3/20/15(a)

    98,000     893,932

Series 288 1.70%, 9/20/17(a)

    150,000     1,369,781

Government of Japan Twenty Year Bond
Series 41 1.50%, 3/20/19(a)

    137,150     1,213,583

Government of Sweden Series 1043 5.00%, 1/28/09(a)

  SEK   4,200     655,117

Kingdom of Belgium
Series 31
5.50%, 3/28/28

  EUR   495     797,102

Mexican Bonos
Series M 10 7.25%, 12/15/16

  MXN   7,000     607,374

Series MI10 8.00%, 12/19/13(a)

    9,375     856,915

Netherlands Government Bond
3.75%, 1/15/23

  EUR   1,055     1,407,031

4.00%, 7/15/16

    1,875     2,671,699

Singapore Government Bond 3.75%, 9/01/16(a)

  SGD   1,379     1,037,040

Sweden Government Bond Series 1046 5.50%, 10/08/12

  SEK   2,900     473,125

Series 1051 3.75%, 8/12/17

    2,700     398,950
         

Total Government-Related–Sovereigns (cost $17,690,487)

        18,565,701
         

U.S. TREASURIES–13.4%

   

U.S. Treasury Bond 4.75%, 2/15/37

  US$   970     1,015,165

U.S. Treasury Notes 4.125%, 8/15/10(a)

    1,483     1,522,508

4.625%, 11/15/16(a)

    2,683     2,809,815
         

Total U.S. Treasuries (cost $5,175,396)

        5,347,488
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–AGENCIES–11.3%

   

Development Bank of Japan 1.35%, 11/26/13(a)

  JPY   147,000   $ 1,329,596

2.30%, 3/19/26(a)

    120,000     1,106,053

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank 1.375%, 4/25/13(a)

    229,000     2,073,133
         

Total Government-Related–Agencies

   

(cost $4,323,022)

        4,508,782
         

TREASURY BILLS–6.4%

   

Canadian Treasury Bill
Zero Coupon, 3/06/08

  CAD   944     949,930

Norway Treasury Bills
Zero Coupon, 3/19/08

  NOK   8,723     1,590,747
         

Total Treasury Bills (cost $2,474,827)

        2,540,677
         

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–4.7%

   

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–3.7%

 

BANKING–0.9%

     

Barclays Bank PLC 5.75%, 9/14/26(a)

  GBP   75     142,663

Citigroup, Inc. 4.625%, 8/03/10(a)

  US$   107     106,417

National Westminster Bank 6.50%, 9/07/21(a)

  GBP   50     102,172
         
        351,252
         

BROKERAGE–0.3%

     

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
3.875%, 1/15/09

  US$   53     52,457

7.35%, 10/01/09

    47     49,123
         
        101,580
         

FINANCE–2.2%

     

International Lease Finance Corp.
3.50%, 4/01/09(a)

    350     344,014

Pershing Road Development Co. LLC 6.021%, 9/01/26(a)(b)(c)

    646     554,222
         
        898,236
         

INSURANCE–0.3%

     

Genworth Financial, Inc. 1.60%, 6/20/11(a)

  JPY   15,000     131,911
         
        1,482,979
         

INDUSTRIAL–1.0%

     

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.5%

     

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

  US$   200     206,474
         

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.5%

     

Pfizer, Inc.
Series INTL 1.80%, 2/22/16(a)

  JPY   20,000     181,229
         
        387,703
         

Total Corporates–Investment Grades

   

(cost $1,954,148)

        1,870,682
         

 

 

7


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–U.S. AGENCIES–4.7%

   

AGENCY DEBENTURES–4.7%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 4.75%, 1/19/16(a)
(cost $1,783,320)

  US$   1,810   $ 1,867,247
         

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–1.5%

   

U.S. Treasury Notes 2.00%, 1/15/16 (TIPS) (cost $577,302)

    587     602,780
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–10.0%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–10.0%

     

The Bank of New York 3.25%, 1/02/08

  US$   403   $ 403,000

Societe Generale 3.45%, 1/02/08

    3,600     3,600,000
         

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $4,003,000)

        4,003,000
         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.5%

   

(cost $37,981,502)

        39,306,357

Other assets less liabilities–1.5%

        581,006
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 39,887,363
         

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

      Contract
Amount
(000)
   U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
   U.S. $
Value at
December 31, 2007
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

           

Australian Dollar settling 1/29/08

   29    $ 24,660    $ 25,246    $ 586  

Australian Dollar settling 1/29/08

   134      116,609      117,283      674  

Canadian Dollar settling 1/24/08

   747      777,508      757,422      (20,086 )

Danish Krone settling 1/08/08

   1,420      272,407      278,441      6,034  

Euro settling 1/16/08

   235      338,309      343,405      5,096  

Euro settling 1/16/08

   5,049        7,230,622        7,383,146        152,524  

Euro settling 2/20/08

   142      208,785      207,562      (1,223 )

Great British Pound settling 1/15/08

   274      564,459      544,508      (19,951 )

Great British Pound settling 1/15/08

   773      1,581,063      1,538,418      (42,645 )

Japanese Yen settling 2/13/08

   139,068      1,222,898      1,250,704      27,806  

Mexican Nuevo Peso settling 2/14/08

   1,199      109,866      109,507      (359 )

Norwegian Krone settling 1/17/08

   2,350      441,897      432,613      (9,284 )

Norwegian Krone settling 1/17/08

   632      119,939      116,414      (3,525 )

Singapore Dollar settling 1/14/08

   549      381,804      381,608      (196 )

Swiss Franc settling 2/27/08

   265      233,139      235,014      1,875  

Sale Contracts:

           

Euro settling 1/16/08

   112      160,824      163,214      (2,390 )

Euro settling 1/16/08

   191      277,363      279,242      (1,879 )

Japanese Yen settling 2/13/08

   19,442      174,656      174,854      (198 )

Japanese Yen settling 2/13/08

   59,026      524,628      530,848      (6,220 )

Mexican Nuevo Peso settling 2/14/08

   17,491      1,594,637      1,597,821      (3,184 )

Norwegian Krone settling 1/17/08

   2,274      419,958      418,668      1,290  

Singapore Dollar settling 1/14/08

   1,283      884,835      891,813      (6,978 )

Swedish Krona settling 2/07/08

   8,037      1,256,856      1,243,941      12,915  

 

 

 

8

 


 
 
    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 $21,933,242.

 

(b) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(c) 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 December 31, 2007, the market value of this security amounted to $554,222 or 1.4% of net assets.

Currency Abbreviations:

CAD—Canadian Dollar

EUR—Euro Dollar

GBP—Great British Pound

JPY—Japanese Yen

MXN—Mexican Peso

NOK—Norwegian Krone

SEK—Swedish Krona

SGD—Singapore Dollar

Glossary:

TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

9


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $37,981,502)

   $ 39,306,357  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $175,524)

     177,450  

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     208,800  

Interest receivable

     457,407  

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts

     110,144  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     28  
        

Total assets

     40,260,186  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     860  

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     118,118  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     148,512  

Custodian fee payable

     40,469  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Advisory fee payable

     15,370  

Distribution fee payable

     2,571  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     23,057  
        

Total liabilities

     372,823  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 39,887,363  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,233  

Additional paid-in capital

     37,975,229  

Undistributed net investment income

     1,983,169  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (1,501,852 )

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

     1,427,584  
        
   $ 39,887,363  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   27,929,827      2,257,455      $   12.37

B

     $ 11,957,536      975,986      $ 12.25

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,562,456  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     180,418  

Distribution fee—Class B

     29,749  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,761  

Transfer agency—Class B

     742  

Custodian

     138,303  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Printing

     18,325  

Legal

     12,046  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     2,741  
        

Total expenses

     520,735  
        

Net investment income

     1,041,721  
        

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

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     254,758  

Foreign currency transactions

     1,978,111  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     806,781  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (199,294 )
        

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,840,356  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 3,882,077  
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


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

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,041,721     $ 1,245,413  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,232,869       212,771  

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

     607,487       885,775  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     3,882,077       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

     (5,058,538 )     (19,063,133 )
                

Total decrease

     (2,433,714 )     (18,107,829 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     42,321,077       60,428,906  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,983,169 and $220,715, respectively)

   $ 39,887,363     $ 42,321,077  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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


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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

14


 
 
    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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 52,758,938    $ 60,754,755

U.S. government securities

     12,117,493      11,458,893

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 37,983,379  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,455,645  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (132,667 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,322,978  
        

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.

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


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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  335,377     208,380       $ 3,967,027     $ 2,372,017  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  80,503     97,643         906,463       1,106,293  

Shares redeemed

  (726,521 )   (1,929,242 )       (8,549,020 )     (21,814,154 )
                             

Net decrease

  (310,641 )   (1,623,219 )     $ (3,675,530 )   $ (18,335,844 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  151,357     200,013       $ 1,764,735     $ 2,252,518  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  31,405     25,144         350,790       282,362  

Shares redeemed

  (302,004 )   (288,503 )       (3,498,533 )     (3,262,169 )
                             

Net decrease

  (119,242 )   (63,346 )     $ (1,383,008 )   $ (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.

 

16


 
    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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 1,257,253    $ 1,258,130

Net long-term capital gains

          130,525
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 1,257,253    $ 1,388,655
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,741,955  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (2,166,938 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,333,884 (b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 1,908,901  
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $1,499,975, in which $1,012,032 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 Portfolio’s merger with Brinson Series Trust Strategic Income Portfolio, may apply. For the year ended December 31, 2007 the portfolio utilized $253,089 of capital loss carryforward. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio deferred losses on straddles of $666,963.

 

(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.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of foreign currency gains/losses and paydown gains/losses resulted in a net increase in undistributed net investment income, and a net decrease in accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

 

17


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

 

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the acquisitions of the assets and liabilities of each of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Dollar Government Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—High Yield Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Americas Government Income Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Bond Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—U.S. Government / High Grade Securities Portfolio. The acquisitions are expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008.

 

18


 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.59     $11.32     $13.63     $13.50     $12.63  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .31     .29     .28     .25 (b)   .25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .85     .26     (1.26 )   .93     1.40  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.16     .55     (.98 )   1.18     1.65  
                             
         

Less Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.38 )   (.18 )   (1.18 )   (.78 )   (.78 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  –0   (.10 )   (.15 )   (.27 )   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.38 )   (.28 )   (1.33 )   (1.05 )   (.78 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.37     $11.59     $11.32     $13.63     $13.50  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.35 %   4.97 %   (7.65 )%   9.63 %   13.26 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $27,930     $29,755     $47,443     $56,043     $58,658  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.23 %   1.03 %(d)   .87 %   .88 %   1.15 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.23 %   1.03 %(d)   .87 %   1.02 %   1.15 %

Net investment income

  2.67 %   2.53 %(d)   2.30 %   1.93 %(b)   1.93 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  193 %   156 %   148 %   107 %   197 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 20.

 

19


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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.47     $11.21     $13.51     $13.40     $12.54  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .28     .26     .25     .22 (b)   .21  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  .85     .25     (1.25 )   .91     1.41  
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  1.13     .51     (1.00 )   1.13     1.62  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.35 )   (.15 )   (1.15 )   (.75 )   (.76 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  –0   (.10 )   (.15 )   (.27 )   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.35 )   (.25 )   (1.30 )   (1.02 )   (.76 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $12.25     $11.47     $11.21     $13.51     $13.40  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  10.15 %   4.64 %   (7.87 )%   9.33 %   13.08 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $11,957     $12,566     $12,986     $13,997     $11,399  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.47 %   1.30 %(d)   1.12 %   1.13 %   1.40 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.47 %   1.30 %(d)   1.12 %   1.27 %   1.40 %

Net investment income

  2.42 %   2.30 %(d)   2.05 %   1.72 %(b)   1.66 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  193 %   156 %   148 %   107 %   197 %

 

 

 

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

 

20


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

21


 
 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

    

Matthew S. Sheridan(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Michael L. Mon(2), Vice President

Douglas J. Peebles(2), Vice President

    

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

    

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    
CUSTODIAN      LEGAL COUNSEL

The Bank of New York

    

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Wall Street      One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10286      New York, NY 10004
    
    
DISTRIBUTOR      TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    
    
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM     
Ernst & Young LLP     
5 Times Square     
New York, NY 10036     

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Global Fixed Income Investment Team. Mr. Douglas J. Peebles, Mr. Michael L. Mon, and Mr. Matthew S. Sheridan are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

22


 
 
GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND

COMPLEX

OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

  

OTHER

DIRECTORSHIP

HELD BY

DIRECTOR

INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103   

SCB Partners, Inc.

and SCB Inc.

        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***

Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

23


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE AND

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND

COMPLEX

OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

 

OTHER

DIRECTORSHIP

HELD BY

DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

    
       

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103   Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund, and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
       

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103   Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation
(semi-conductors)
       

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103   None
       

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995 – 2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993 – 1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975 – 1993.    101   None
       

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005 – 2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993 – 2003.    103   Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
       

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP., member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103   None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is AllianceBernstein L.P., c/o Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*

AND AGE

    

PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)

HELD WITH FUND

    

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Marc O. Mayer

50

     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         

Philip L. Kirstein

62

     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         

Michael L. Mon

38

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Douglas J. Peebles

42

     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Matthew S. Sheridan

32

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Emilie D. Wrapp

52

     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Thomas R. Manley

56

     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

25


 
GLOBAL BOND 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”) approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on October 30-November 1, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 or 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

 

26


 
 
    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 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. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 S&P/Citigroup World Government Bond Index (unhedged in USD) (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended July 31, 2007 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (July 1991 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in all periods reviewed except that it was in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 1-year period and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe in the 5-year period, and 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 advisory 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 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

 

27


GLOBAL BOND PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 effective fee rate of 45 basis points, plus the 17 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 small size (approximately $40 million as of September 30, 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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

28


 
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 Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to 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 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
09/30/07
($MIL)
  Portfolio

Low Risk Income

  45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
40 bp on next $2.5 billion
35 bp on the balance
  $ 39.4   Global Bond 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 (0.170% 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

Global Bond Portfolio

   Class A

Class B

     1.03

1.30

%

%

     December 31

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 18, 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.

 

29


GLOBAL BOND 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 client 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 substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on September 30, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
09/30/07
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Global Bond Portfolio

   $ 39.4   

Global Fixed Income Schedule

45 bp on 1st $30 million

23 bp on the balance

Minimum Account Size: $25 m

   0.397 %    0.450 %

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 fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as that of the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio    Luxembourg Fund    Luxembourg Fee5  

Global Bond Portfolio

  

Global Bond

Class A

Class I (Institutional)

   1.10

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

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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    ACITM Fee  

Global Bond Portfolio

   Alliance Global Bond Fund    0.54 %
  

AllianceBernstein Global Bond Fund

P16

   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 offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the contractual management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7

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.8 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee9
   Lipper
Expense
Group
Median
   Rank

Global Bond Portfolio

   0.450    0.759    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 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 Bond Portfolio

   1.036    0.973    7/9    0.984    8/12

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.

 

 

 

6 This ACITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

7 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.

 

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 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 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.

 

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

 

31


GLOBAL BOND 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 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 $31,909 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 $233,246 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, 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”).12 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

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,14 subsidies and enhancement to services. 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 services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli 15 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The preliminary results of the updated study, based on more recent data and using Lipper classifications, were found to be consistent with the results of the original study. The independent consultant observed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

 

 

12 It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

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

 

14 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

15 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

32


 
 
    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 $813 billion as of September 30, 2007, 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 its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)17 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2007.18

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG
Median (%)
   PU
Median (%)
   PG
Rank
   PU
Rank

1 year

   4.94    4.98    5.07    7/9    11/16

3 year

   3.60    6.36    5.92    8/8    13/13

5 year

   5.65    9.24    7.03    8/8    10/13

10 year

   4.83    5.65    5.65    6/7    10/11

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)19 versus its benchmark.20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information for the Portfolio is also shown.21

 

      Periods Ending July 31, 2007
Annualized Performance
     1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
   10 Year
(%)
   Since
Inception
(%)
   Annualized    Risk
Period
(Year)
                     Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

Global Bond Portfolio

   4.94    3.60    5.65    4.83    6.02    6.54    0.18    10

S&P / Citigroup World Government Bond Index (unhedged in USD)

   5.06    4.51    6.72    5.72    6.99    N/A    N/A    N/A

Inception Date: July 15, 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: November 26, 2007

 

 

 

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 as the criteria for including/excluding a fund in/from a PU are somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

18 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

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

 

20 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for the periods through July 31, 2007. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance return of the benchmark is from the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast to the benchmark, the Portfolio’s since inception return is from the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

21 Portfolio 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.

 

33


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 6, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is a high level of current income. Its secondary investment objective is capital appreciation. The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in government securities. The Portfolio invests at least 65% of its net assets in sovereign debt obligations. The Portfolio’s investments in sovereign debt obligations will emphasize debt obligations issued by countries in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (JPM EMBI Global), which currently includes approximately 31 countries whose economies are concluded to be developing or emerging from underdevelopment.

The Portfolio also may invest in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities. The Portfolio invests substantially all of its assets in lower-rated securities or unrated securities if equivalent investment quality. The Portfolio’s investments in sovereign debt obligations and corporate debt securities are U.S. dollar-denominated. The Portfolio may invest in debt securities with a range of maturities from short- to long-term.

The Portfolio’s non-U.S. investments emphasize emerging markets and developing countries. The Portfolio limits its investments in the sovereign debt obligations of any one country to less than 25% of its net assets, although the Portfolio may invest up to 30% of its net assets in the sovereign debt obligations and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in each of the countries that constitute part of the Portfolio’s focus, including Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Turkey and Venezuela. Other countries that the Adviser anticipates will provide investment opportunities for the Portfolio include, among others, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Lebanon, Malaysia, Panama, Peru, Poland, South Africa and the Ukraine. The Portfolio expects that it will not invest more than 10% of its net assets in any other single country outside the U.S.

The Portfolio may use leverage for investment purposes by entering into transactions such as reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. The Portfolio may invest in fixed and floating rate loans to sovereign debt issuers, structured securities, variable, floating and inverse floating rate instruments, loan participations and assignments, and may use other investment techniques. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards and swap agreements. The Portfolio also may enter into standby commitment agreements and forward commitments.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the JPM EMBI Global for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio underperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period. Detracting from performance was the Portfolio’s overweight in Argentina, which underperformed, and underweight in Ecuador and Turkey, which outperformed. Contributing positively to performance were the Portfolio’s overweights in Brazil, Panama and Peru, which outperformed during the period under review, and the Portfolio’s underweight in Venezuela, which performed weakly.

The use of leverage within the Portfolio had no material impact on performance for the annual reporting period.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Volatility returned to the capital markets, as the credit crisis in the U.S. subprime mortgage market spilled over—in the form of a liquidity crunch—into other sectors and asset classes. As investors flocked to the safety of the highest-quality securities, government bond yields fell worldwide and yield spreads widened across fixed income.

Growth in emerging market countries remained quite strong during the year, aided by solid commodity prices. Emerging market debt prices were supported throughout much of the reporting period by solid global growth, strong investor demand and ample financial-market liquidity. The second half of the annual period saw a pullback in investment risk taking as global liquidity concerns rose, resulting in significant spread widening across fixed-income assets. Late in the period, inflows into the emerging market asset class slowed and external accounts turned somewhat less favorable. Dollar reserve accumulation slowed in key countries like Russia, Brazil and Argentina prior to a rebound in October 2007. Despite the recent volatility in global markets, emerging market debt remained resilient, posting a positive return of 6.28% for the annual period, according to the JPM EMBI Global. Emerging market spreads widened 84 basis points to end the period at 255 basis points over like-duration Treasuries.

For the annual reporting period, most emerging market countries posted positive returns, with divergence between countries appearing as the performance range across emerging market debt became more correlated with the

 

1


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

strength of individual country fundamentals. Non-Latin American countries at 7.49% outpaced the Latin American region at 5.15%. Outperforming countries within the Index for the year included Ecuador at 44.56%, Turkey at 10.20% and Brazil at 9.13%. Ecuador rebounded during the year, benefiting from the rising price of oil, a major source of federal revenues, as well as waning concerns over debt restructuring. Brazilian debt benefited from ongoing strength in economic fundamentals as well as growing investor recognition that Brazil would continue to retire external debt. Turkey benefited from positive political and economic news.

Underperforming countries for the annual period included Venezuela at -11.15% and Argentina at -11.12%. Venezuela suffered from a drop in reserves and increased supply. Argentina was negatively impacted by skepticism over the accuracy of government economic data, the viability of fiscal and monetary policies and the willingness of the presumed next president to change those policies.

 

2


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (JPM EMBI Global) does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The JPM EMBI Global tracks total returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities; Brady bonds, loans and Eurobonds. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio invests a significant amount of its assets in foreign securities, which may magnify fluctuations and can invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer, which may present greater risk than a more diversified portfolio. Price fluctuation in the Portfolio’s securities may be caused by changes in the general level of interest rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. Investments in the Portfolio are not guaranteed because of fluctuation in the net asset value of the underlying fixed-income related investments. These fluctuations can also be due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. The Portfolio may invest in securities of emerging market nations. These investments have additional risks, such as illiquid or thinly traded markets, company management risk, heightened political instability and currency volatility. Accounting standards and market regulations in emerging market nations are not the same as those in the U.S. Similar to direct bond ownership, bond funds have the same interest rate, inflation, and credit risks that are associated with the underlying bonds owned by the Portfolio. Portfolio purchasers should understand that, in contrast to owning individual bonds, there are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of bond funds. The Portfolio may borrow money or otherwise leverage the portfolio. The Portfolio may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls, or by borrowing money. While the Portfolio invests principally in bonds and other fixed-income securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


 

GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

         
THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years   10 Years  

AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio Class A

   4.53%      13.11%   10.23%  

AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio Class B

   4.27%      12.88%   14.11%*

JPM EMBI Global

   6.28%      12.67%   10.09%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 7/22/02.

         
         

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual expense ratios as 1.76% and 2.01% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO CLASS A

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,037.87    $   8.01    1.56 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.34    $ 7.93    1.56 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,036.43    $ 9.29    1.81 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,016.08    $ 9.20    1.81 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes' annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Sovereigns

   $ 20,838,698      84.4 %

Corporates

     3,266,825      13.2  

Agency Debentures

     89,775      0.4  

Short-Term Investments

     502,000      2.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   24,697,298      100.0 %

COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2007

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Russia

   $ 4,107,873      16.6 %

Brazil

     3,894,456      15.8  

Philippines

     2,062,618      8.4  

Mexico

     1,808,062      7.3  

Venezuela

     1,712,580      6.9  

Panama

     1,245,671      5.1  

Peru

     1,210,744      4.9  

Turkey

     1,114,828      4.5  

Malaysia

     985,395      4.0  

Argentina

     872,474      3.5  

Indonesia

     792,331      3.2  

Luxembourg

     767,690      3.1  

Other*

     3,620,576      14.7  

Short-Term Investments

     502,000      2.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   24,697,298      100.0 %

 

 

 

* All data are as of December 31, 2007. The fund’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represents 2.1% or less in the following countries: Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Lebanon, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine, United States, and Uruguay.

 

6


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

SOVEREIGNS–84.1%

     

ARGENTINA–3.5%

     

Republic of Argentina
5.389%, 8/03/12(a)

  US$     230   $ 204,142

8.28%, 12/31/33(b)

    632     603,734

Series V
7.00%, 3/28/11

    70     64,598
         
        872,474
         

BRAZIL–14.8%

     

Republic of Brazil
6.00%, 1/17/17

    729     747,225

7.125%, 1/20/37

    823     936,162

8.25%, 1/20/34

    349     441,485

8.75%, 2/04/25

    126     159,705

8.875%, 10/14/19–4/15/24

    946     1,183,985

11.00%, 8/17/40

    141     188,588
         
        3,657,150
         

BULGARIA–0.4%

     

Republic of Bulgaria
8.25%, 1/15/15(c)

    94     109,980
         

COLOMBIA–2.1%

     

Republic of Colombia
7.375%, 9/18/37

    245     272,562

10.75%, 1/15/13

    88     108,020

11.75%, 2/25/20

    94     139,825
         
        520,407
         

COSTA RICA–0.5%

     

Republic of Costa Rica
8.05%, 1/31/13(c)

    53     57,637

8.11%, 2/01/12(c)

    51     55,080
         
        112,717
         

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC–0.5%

     

Dominican Republic
8.625%, 4/20/27(c)

    100     116,000
         

ECUADOR–1.5%

     

Republic of Ecuador
10.00%, 8/15/30(c)(d)

    393     380,227
         

EL SALVADOR–1.3%

     

Republic of El Salvador
7.625%, 9/21/34(c)

    72     83,520

7.65%, 6/15/35(c)

    112     129,360

8.50%, 7/25/11(c)

    100     109,949
         
        322,829
         

INDONESIA–3.2%

     

Republic of Indonesia
6.625%, 2/17/37(c)

    100     95,250

6.75%, 3/10/14(c)

    260     267,800

7.25%, 4/20/15(c)

    59     62,186

7.50%, 1/15/16(c)

    100     107,400

8.50%, 10/12/35(c)

    222     259,695
         
        792,331
         
       

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

JAMAICA–0.5%

     

Government of Jamaica
10.625%, 6/20/17

  US$     95   $ 114,143
         

LEBANON–1.1%

     

Lebanese Republic
7.875%, 5/20/11(c)

    75     72,937

10.125%, 8/06/08(c)

    207     209,588
         
        282,525
         

MALAYSIA–2.1%

     

Malaysia
7.50%, 7/15/11

    303     331,958

8.75%, 6/01/09

    180     189,621
         
        521,579
         

MEXICO–7.3%

     

United Mexican States
11.375%, 9/15/16

    272     384,880

Series A

     

8.00%, 9/24/22

    1,158     1,423,182
         
        1,808,062
         

PAKISTAN–0.5%

     

Republic of Pakistan
6.875%, 6/01/17(c)

    146     116,800
         

PANAMA–4.6%

     

Republic of Panama
6.70%, 1/26/36

    299     315,894

7.125%, 1/29/26

    173     190,300

8.875%, 9/30/27

    97     125,857

9.375%, 7/23/12–4/01/29

    398     514,470
         
        1,146,521
         

PERU–4.5%

     

Republic of Peru
7.35%, 7/21/25

    102     116,280

8.375%, 5/03/16

    399     467,828

8.75%, 11/21/33

    393     520,725
         
        1,104,833
         

PHILIPPINES–8.3%

     

Republic of Philippines
7.50%, 9/25/24

    205     230,625

7.75%, 1/14/31

    262     303,265

8.25%, 1/15/14

    376     421,120

8.875%, 3/17/15

    246     289,419

9.50%, 2/02/30

    79     106,156

9.875%, 1/15/19

    237     310,233

10.625%, 3/16/25

    280     401,800
         
        2,062,618
         

RUSSIA–12.1%

     

Russian Federation
7.50%, 3/31/30(c)(d)

    1,094     1,244,368

11.00%, 7/24/18(c)

    240     342,600

Russian Ministry of Finance
Series V
3.00%, 5/14/08

    1,273     1,257,088

Series VII

     

3.00%, 5/14/11

    160     147,200
         
        2,991,256
         

 

 

7


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

SOUTH AFRICA–1.0%

     

Republic of South Africa
5.875%, 5/30/22

  US$     100   $ 99,000

7.375%, 4/25/12

    142     153,715
         
        252,715
         

TURKEY–4.5%

     

Republic of Turkey
6.875%, 3/17/36

    577     566,903

7.00%, 6/05/20

    350     363,125

7.375%, 2/05/25

    176     184,800
         
        1,114,828
         

UKRAINE–0.9%

     

Government of Ukraine
6.58%, 11/21/16(c)

    144     141,840

7.65%, 6/11/13(c)

    80     84,400
         
        226,240
         

URUGUAY–2.0%

     

Republic of Uruguay
7.875%, 1/15/33(e)

    138     154,923

8.00%, 11/18/22

    308     344,960
         
        499,883
         

VENEZUELA–6.9%

     

Republic of Venezuela
5.75%, 2/26/16

    444     355,755

6.00%, 12/09/20

    297     223,858

7.00%, 12/01/18(c)

    481     410,774

7.65%, 4/21/25

    265     226,575

8.50%, 10/08/14

    42     40,635

9.25%, 9/15/27

    133     133,000

9.375%, 1/13/34

    169     168,155

13.625%, 8/15/18

    120     153,828
         
        1,712,580
         

Total Sovereigns
(cost $19,525,331)

        20,838,698
         

CORPORATES–13.2%

     

BRAZIL–1.0%

     

Banco Bmg SA
9.15%, 1/15/16(c)

    100     101,750

Vale Overseas Ltd.
6.875%, 11/21/36

    134     135,556
         
        237,306
         

CHINA–0.4%

     

Chaoda Modern Agriculture
7.75%, 2/08/10(c)

    115     113,850
         

HONG KONG–0.4%

     

Noble Group Ltd.
6.625%, 3/17/15(c)

    100     93,425
         

JAMAICA–0.4%

     

Digicel Ltd.
9.25%, 9/01/12(c)

    100     101,880
         
       

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

LUXEMBOURG–0.5%

     

VTB Capital SA
6.609%, 10/31/12(c)

  US$     135   $ 132,502
         

MALAYSIA–1.9%

     

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

    426     463,816
         

NETHERLANDS–0.7%

     

ALB Finance BV
9.25%, 9/25/13(c)

    100     76,680

Kazkommerts International BV
8.50%, 4/16/13(c)

    100     90,500
         
        167,180
         

PANAMA–0.4%

     

MMG Fiduciary(AES El Salvador)
6.75%, 2/01/16(c)

    100     99,150
         

PERU–0.4%

     

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

    100     105,911
         

RUSSIA–7.1%

     

Alfa Bond Issuance PLC
8.625%, 12/09/15

    100     96,227

Citigroup (JSC Severstal)
9.25%, 4/19/14(c)

    68     72,216

Evraz Group SA
8.25%, 11/10/15(c)

    100     98,530

Gallery Capital SA
10.125%, 5/15/13(c)

    100     95,390

Gaz Capital for Gazprom
6.51%, 3/07/22(c)

    657     635,188

Gazprom
6.51%, 3/07/22(c)

    200     190,140

Gazstream SA
5.625%, 7/22/13(c)

    115     113,407

Mobile Telesystems Finance
9.75%, 1/30/08(c)

    125     125,050

Russia Agriculture Bank Rshb C
6.299%, 5/15/17(c)

    147     139,282

Russian Standard Finance
7.50%, 10/07/10(c)

    100     89,500

TNK-BP Finance SA
7.50%, 7/18/16(c)

    100     96,875
         
        1,751,805
         

Total Corporates
(cost $3,355,543)

        3,266,825
         

AGENCY DEBENTURES–0.4%

   

UNITED STATES–0.4%

     

Pemex Proj Fdg Master Trust 5.75%, 3/01/18(c)
(cost $89,393)

    90     89,775
         

 

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

    
Principal

Amount

(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–2.0%

     

TIME DEPOSIT–2.0%

     

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $502,000)

  US$     502   $ 502,000
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.7%
(cost $23,472,267)

        24,697,298

Other assets less liabilities–0.3%

        81,175
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 24,778,473
         

 

 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Swap Counterparty & Referenced Obligation    Notional
Amount
(000)
   Interest
Rate
     Termination
Date
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sale Contracts:

           

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
(Federal Republic of Brazil 12.25% 3/6/30)

   $   600    3.09 %    8/20/10    $   43,769  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
(Republic of Philippines 10.625% 3/16/25)

     130    4.95      3/20/09      6,375  

JPMorgan Chase
(OAO Gazprom 10.50% 10/21/09)

     360    1.04      10/20/10      (3,556 )

Lehman Brothers
(Republic of Venezuela 9.25% 9/15/27)

     280    0.69      4/20/08      (436 )

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (see Note D)

 

Broker    Interest
Rate
     Maturity    Amount

ABN Sec’s (UK) Ltd.

   4.25 %    12/31/08    $   310,700

 

 

 

(a) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(b) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements. The market value of this security amounted to $603,734.

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $7,476,297 or 30.2% of net assets.

 

(d) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(e) Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK).

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $23,472,267)

   $ 24,697,298

Cash

     344

Unrealized appreciation of swap contracts

     50,144

Dividends and interest receivable

     511,053

Receivable for capital stock sold

     177
      

Total assets

     25,259,016
      

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of swap contracts

     3,992

Reverse repurchase agreements

     310,700

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     61,536

Custodian fee payable

     46,676

Administrative fee payable

     23,750

Advisory fee payable

     10,706

Distribution fee payable

     1,082

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116

Accrued expenses

     21,985
      

Total liabilities

     480,543
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 24,778,473
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 1,847

Additional paid-in capital

     21,615,531

Undistributed net investment income

     1,373,660

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     516,252

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     1,271,183
      
   $ 24,778,473
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   19,663,906      1,464,568      $   13.43

B

     $   5,114,567      382,654      $   13.37

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,844,086  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     135,943  

Distribution fee—Class B

     13,562  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,733  

Transfer agency—Class B

     431  

Custodian

     111,372  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Legal

     11,167  

Printing

     10,995  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     5,448  
        

Total expenses before interest expense

     427,301  

Interest expense

     9,082  
        

Total expenses

     436,383  
        

Net investment income

     1,407,703  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     567,008  

Swap contracts

     93,857  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (825,471 )

Swap contracts

     (90,212 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (254,818 )
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 1,152,885  
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,407,703     $ 1,523,687  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     660,865       1,050,646  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (915,683 )     91,357  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     1,152,885       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 (decrease)

     (2,698,231 )     831,292  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (4,256,305 )     579,777  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     29,034,778       28,455,001  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,373,660 and $1,494,050, respectively)

   $ 24,778,473     $ 29,034,778  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
December 31, 2007   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-two 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.

 

13


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 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.

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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

14


    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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 10,709,230     $ 13,862,048  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding swap contracts) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 23,494,264  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,527,836  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (324,802 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,203,034  
        

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 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.

 

15


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For the year ended December 31, 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 December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had Sale Contracts outstanding with Maximum Payout Amounts aggregating $1,370,000, with net unrealized appreciation of $46,152 and terms ranging from 4 months to 2 years 10 months, 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. At December 31, 2007, the portfolio had no Buy Contracts with the same referenced obligations and same counter parties as Sale Contracts outstanding.

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 year ended December 31, 2007, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $241,119 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 2.26%.

 

16


 
    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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  227,359     392,040       $ 3,134,796     $ 5,571,863  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  166,750     182,798         2,187,758       2,359,917  

Shares redeemed

  (566,845 )   (538,135 )       (7,680,464 )     (7,514,108 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (172,736 )   36,703       $ (2,357,910 )   $ 417,672  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  35,355     51,188       $ 499,717     $ 719,330  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  40,000     43,267         523,201       557,288  

Shares redeemed

  (99,266 )   (62,681 )       (1,363,239 )     (862,998 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (23,911 )   31,774       $ (340,321 )   $ 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 year ended December 31, 2007.

 

17


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 1,888,281    $ 1,862,568

Net long-term capital gains

     822,678      1,054,637
             

Total taxable distributions

     2,710,959      2,917,205
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 2,710,959    $ 2,917,205
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,599,102  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

     358,958  

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,203,035 (a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 3,161,095  
        

 

(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.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to a tax treatment of swaps and paydown gains/losses resulted in a net increase in undistributed net investment income, and a net decrease to accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

 

18


 
    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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the acquisitions of the assets and liabilities of each of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Dollar Government Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—High Yield Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Americas Government Income Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Bond Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio. The acquisitions are expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008.

 

19


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004(a)     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $14.22     $14.42     $14.79     $14.53     $11.43  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)

  .72     .76     .84     .86 (c)   .95  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (.11 )   .53     .46     .45     2.83  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .61     1.29     1.30     1.31     3.78  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.85 )   (.83 )   (.95 )   (1.05 )   (.68 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.55 )   (.66 )   (.72 )   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.40 )   (1.49 )   (1.67 )   (1.05 )   (.68 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.43     $14.22     $14.42     $14.79     $14.53  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  4.53 %   10.01 %   9.62 %   10.12 %   33.41 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $19,664     $23,279     $23,073     $22,932     $26,433  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.56 %   1.76 %(e)   1.69 %   1.76 %   1.90 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.56 %   1.76 %(e)   1.69 %   1.93 %   1.90 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements excluding interest expense

  1.52 %   1.69 %(e)   1.68 %   1.92 %   1.88 %

Net investment income

  5.23 %   5.41 %(e)   5.83 %   6.07 %(c)   7.20 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  40 %   50 %   91 %   188 %   150 %

 

 

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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004(a)     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $14.16     $14.36     $14.74     $14.51     $11.42  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)

  .68     .72     .80     .82 (c)   .88  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (.11 )   .54     .46     .45     2.89  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .57     1.26     1.26     1.27     3.77  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.81 )   (.80 )   (.92 )   (1.04 )   (.68 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.55 )   (.66 )   (.72 )   –0   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.36 )   (1.46 )   (1.64 )   (1.04 )   (.68 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.37     $14.16     $14.36     $14.74     $14.51  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  4.27 %   9.77 %   9.35 %   9.81 %   33.34 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $5,114     $5,756     $5,382     $4,979     $3,162  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.80 %   2.01 %(e)   1.93 %   2.07 %   2.14 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.80 %   2.01 %(e)   1.93 %   2.24 %   2.14 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements excluding interest expense

  1.77 %   1.94 %(e)   1.93 %   2.23 %   2.12 %

Net investment income

  4.98 %   5.16 %(e)   5.60 %   5.74 %(c)   6.67 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  40 %   50 %   91 %   188 %   150 %

 

 

 

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

 

21


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

22


 
 
TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 designates from distributions paid $822,678 as capital gain dividends.

 

23


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR  
GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      Michael J. Downey(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      D. James Guzy(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
     Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
     Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

Paul J. DeNoon(2), Vice President

Fernando Grisales(2), Vice President

Michael L. Mon(2), Vice President

Douglas J. Peebles(2), Vice President

    

Matthew S. Sheridan(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Global Fixed Income: Emerging Markets Investment Team. Mr. Paul J. DeNoon, Mr. Fernando Grisales, Mr. Michael L. Mon, Mr. Douglas J. Peebles and Mr. Matthew S. Sheridan are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

24


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR  
GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
  

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND
COMPLEX

OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP

HELD BY
DIRECTOR

        
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        
Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)
   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001 – 2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB&Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***
Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) formerly Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001 – 2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999 – June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989 – May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988 – 1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

25


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
  PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
 

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND
COMPLEX

OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

 

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP

HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
   
     
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
  Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.   103   Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund, and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
     
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
  Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.   103   Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
     
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
  Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.   103   None
     
Garry L. Moody , #
55
(2008)
  Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995-2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993-1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975-1993.   101   None
     
Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #
66
(2005)
  Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005-2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993-2003.   103   Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
     
Earl D. Weiner, #
68
(2007)
  Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.   103   None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

26


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*
AND AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Paul J. DeNoon
45
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Fernando Grisales
28
     Vice President      Assistant Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Michael L. Mon
38
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Douglas J. Peebles
42
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Matthew S. Sheridan
32
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

27


 
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT 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”) approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on October 30-November 1, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 or 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

 

28


 
 
    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 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 primarily to differences in their expense ratios but potentially due to other factors such as the timing of cash flows. The directors also noted the changes to the Corresponding Fund’s investment policies approved in August 2007 and the pending acquisitions subject to shareholder approval at a joint special meeting of shareholders, of all the assets and liabilities of two AllianceBernstein funds by the Corresponding Fund. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (the “Global Index”) and the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Plus Index (the “Plus Index”), in each case for periods ended July 31, 2007 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the indices) the since inception period (May 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 1-year period, 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 3-year period and 1st quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 5- and 10-year periods, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Global Index in all periods reviewed except in the 5- and 10-year periods and underperformed the Plus Index in all periods reviewed except in the 10-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 advisory 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 in the schedule applicable to the Portfolio. They further noted that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the relatively low level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be higher than what the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement provides, but that if the 31 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement provision was taken into account, the application of such fee schedule would result in a lower rate of total compensation to the Adviser 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 noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

29


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT 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. 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 effective fee rate of 50 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 31 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 small size (less than $30 million as of September 30, 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.

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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

30


 
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 Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to 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 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

09/30/07

($MIL)

  Portfolio

High Income

 

50 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 26.2   Global Dollar Government 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 (0.310% 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

Global Dollar Government Portfolio4

   Class A    1.76 %      December 31
   Class B    2.01 %     

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 18, 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.

 

4 Includes interest expense (related to reverse repurchase agreements of the Portfolio) of 0.07%. Excluding interest expense, the expense ratios would be 1.69% and 1.94% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

 

31


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 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 client 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 substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.5 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on September 30, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

09/30/07

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein (“AB”)

Institutional (“Inst.”)

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   $ 26.2   

Emerging Market Debt Schedule

65 bp on 1st $30 million

35 bp on the balance

Minimum Account Size: $25 m

   0.650 %    0.500 %

The Adviser also 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 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee:

 

Portfolio   ABMF Fund   Fee Schedule  

ABMF
Effective

Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

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

  0.500 %   0.500 %

 

 

 

5 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.

 

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 advisory fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Emerging Mark Debt Fund, Inc. is based on the fund’s average daily adjusted total assets (i.e., the average daily value of total assets minus the sum of accrued liabilities other than the principal money borrowed). In contrast, Global Dollar Government Portfolio’s advisory fee schedule is based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

 

32


 
    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 the Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as that of the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio    Luxembourg Fund      Luxembourg Fee8  

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   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 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      ACITM Fee  

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   Emerging Market Bond Fund     
  

FC / FD9

     0.70 %
  

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 offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the contractual management 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, 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      1/9

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 EU14 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. It should be noted 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

 

 

 

8 Class A shares of the Luxembourg funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory 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 an additional fee for managing the assets of the institutional account.

 

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” would mean that the Portfolio had the lowest effective fee rate in the Lipper peer group.

 

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 small average account sizes. 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.

 

14 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.

 

33


GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)15

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   1.689    0.973    9/9    0.984    12/12

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.

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 $13,909 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 $165,421 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, 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”).16 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

 

 

 

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

 

16 It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

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

 

34


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,18 subsidies and enhancement to services. 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 services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli 19 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The preliminary results of the updated study, based on more recent data and using Lipper classifications, were found to be consistent with the results of the original study. The independent consultant observed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

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

With assets under management of approximately $813 billion as of September 30, 2007, 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 its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)21 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2007.22 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.

 

      Portfolio
Return
 

PG

Median (%)

  

PU

Median (%)

  

PG

Rank

  

PU

Rank

1 year

   6.42   6.42    5.07    5/9    6/16

3 year

   10.02   8.06    5.92    3/8    3/13

5 year

   15.82   11.14    7.03    1/8    1/13

10 year

   9.52   5.81    5.65    1/7    1/11

 

 

 

18 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

19 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

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

 

22 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

35


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)23 versus its benchmark.24 Note that the Portfolio may utilize leverage in contrast to the Portfolio’s benchmark, which has no leverage. Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25

 

     

Periods Ending July 31, 2007

Annualized Performance

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

Global Dollar Government Portfolio

   6.42    10.02    15.82    9.52    11.65    15.58    0.43    10

J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Index

   7.16    10.56    14.94    9.17    12.22    13.59    0.45    10

J.P. Morgan EMBI Plus Index

   6.98    11.20    16.24    9.46    12.81    N/A    N/A    N/A

Inception Date: May 2, 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: November 26, 2007

 

 

 

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

 

24 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for the periods through July 31, 2007. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance return of the benchmark is from the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast to the benchmark, the Portfolio’s since inception return is from the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

25 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.

 

36


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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.


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 5, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is to earn the highest level of current income available without assuming undue risk by investing principally in high-yielding fixed-income securities rated Baa or lower by Moody’s Investors Service or BBB or lower by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) or Fitch Ratings or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. As a secondary objective, the Portfolio seeks capital appreciation. The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in high-yield fixed-income securities. The Portfolio invests in a diversified mix of high yield, below investment-grade, fixed-income securities, known as “junk bonds.” These securities involve greater volatility of price and risk of principal and income than higher-quality debt securities. The Portfolio normally does not invest in securities rated below Caa3 by Moody’s or CCC- by S&P or equivalent rating. The Portfolio is managed to maximize total return by taking advantage of market developments, yield disparities and variations in the creditworthiness of issuers. The Portfolio may invest in fixed-income securities with a range of maturities from short- to long-term.

The Portfolio may invest up to 25% of its net assets in U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued by non-U.S. entities and up to 20% of its net assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of such issuers. The Portfolio may buy and sell currencies other than the U.S. dollar or enter into currency exchange contracts principally for the purpose of preserving the value of securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar or in anticipation of purchasing such securities. The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, loan participations, inflation-protected securities, structured securities, variable, floating and inverse floating rate instruments, preferred stocks, and may use other investment techniques. The Portfolio may use leverage for investment purposes. The Portfolio intends, among other things, to enter into transactions such as reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. The Portfolio may invest, without limit, in derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards or swap agreements.

 

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 4 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index, for the one-, five-, and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio underperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. Detracting from the Portfolio’s performance for the one-year period was an underweight in energy which outperformed, as well as security selection within the cable, utility, wireless communication and lodging/leisure sectors. Contributing positively to the Portfolio’s performance was an underweight in the housing industry which underperformed, and security selection within the diversified media and paper/packaging sectors.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The past several months have seen the return of volatility to the capital markets, as the credit crisis in the U.S. subprime market spilled over—in the form of a liquidity crunch—into other sectors and asset classes, and even the overnight funding market. As investors flocked to the safety of the highest-quality securities, government bond yields fell worldwide and yield spreads widened across fixed-income markets. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) responded to the crisis with a dramatic 50-basis-point interest rate cut in September 2007 and additional rate cuts of 25 basis points in October and December, which aimed to restore confidence in the financial markets and put the economy on firmer footing.

The high yield market posted a weak return of 2.26% for the annual period, as represented by the LB U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index; this return was dampened by investor risk aversion spurred by the subprime mortgage crisis. High yield spreads reached historic tight levels in June prior to the onset of increased market volatility. In June and July 2007, market turmoil, caused by subprime mortgage and leverage concerns, led high yield as well as other fixed-income sectors to sell off. Late summer and early fall 2007 saw a modest rebound as the Fed stepped in to reduce rates, and equity markets retrenched.

However, risk aversion returned once again to the credit markets in November as the economic landscape deteriorated and the risk of an economic recession increased. Negative headlines regarding the subprime fallout, housing woes and credit market write-downs all added to investors’ angst. For the annual period, high yield spreads widened 282 basis points to end the period at 559 basis points over Treasuries.

 

1


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

By quality, the lower-rated CCC-tier significantly underperformed the higher-rated tiers. By industry, defensive sectors such as consumer non-cyclicals outperformed. Conversely, real estate-related sectors such as building materials and home construction, as well as financial-related industries, significantly underperformed.

With spreads tight early in the year, the Portfolio’s Global Credit Team (the “Team”) was cautious in the Portfolio’s positioning, underweighting the higher-beta part of the market and keeping the Portfolio’s tracking error at the lower end of its range. As investment-grade credit valuations became more favorable, investment-grade crossover positions were added into the Portfolio. The Team also continued to underweight real estate-related sectors such as homebuilders. A well-diversified Portfolio was maintained, and more recently, the Team began to slowly add to the Portfolio’s tracking error and add risk where the Team believed the Portfolio would be rewarded.

 

2


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The LB U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index measures the high yield debt market at 2% constrained. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

The Portfolio primarily invests in high yield bonds (i.e., junk bonds) which involves a greater risk of default and price volatility than other bonds. Investing in below-investment grade bonds presents special risks, including credit and liquidity risk. Investments in the Portfolio are not guaranteed because of the fluctuation in the net asset value of the underlying fixed-income related investments. Similar to direct bond ownership, bond funds have the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks that are associated with the underlying bonds owned by the Portfolio. Portfolio purchasers should understand that, in contrast to owning individual bonds, there are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of bond funds.

The Portfolio can invest in foreign securities, including emerging markets, which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. Price fluctuation in the Portfolio’s securities may be caused by changes in the general level of interest rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Please note, as interest rates rise, existing bond prices fall and can cause the value of an investment in the Portfolio to decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. While the Portfolio invests principally in bonds and other fixed-income securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

3


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio Class A

   0.89%      8.16%      2.79%  

AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio Class B

   0.62%      7.89%      8.39% *

Lehman Brothers U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index

   2.26%      10.75%      5.59%  

*Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 7/22/02.

            

†Reflects the impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit: http://www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf

  

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios as 1.20% and 1.45% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

4


 
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 Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 987.13    $   6.76    1.35 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,018.40    $   6.87    1.35 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 985.67    $   8.01    1.60 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,017.14    $   8.13    1.60 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

5


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Corporate—Non-Investment Grade

   $ 25,637,375      78.9 %

Non-Corporate Sectors

     3,665,427      11.3  

Corporate—Investment Grade

     2,067,888      6.4  

Non-Convertible Preferred Stock

     260,088      0.8  

Emerging Markets—Non-Investment Grade

     145,976      0.4  

Short-Term Investments

     716,000      2.2  
                 

Total Investments

   $   32,492,754      100.0 %

 

6


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

CORPORATES—NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–77.6%

     

INDUSTRIAL–65.4%

     

BASIC–6.2%

     

Arch Western Finance LLC
6.75%, 7/01/13

  $     90   $ 87,300

Citigroup (JSC Severstal)
9.25%, 4/19/14(a)

    160     169,920

Evraz Group SA
8.25%, 11/10/15(a)

    123     122,225

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
8.375%, 4/01/17

    275     294,937

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

     

7.00%, 1/15/15(a)

    85     82,663

7.125%, 1/15/17(a)

    95     92,388

Hexion US Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance ULC
9.369%, 11/15/14(b)

    60     61,200

Huntsman International LLC 7.875%, 11/15/14

    105     111,300

Huntsman LLC
11.50%, 7/15/12

    143     155,870

Ineos Group Holdings PLC
8.50%, 2/15/16(a)

    179     159,310

LyondellBasell Industries
8.375%, 8/15/15(a)

    110     88,825

The Mosaic Co.
7.875%, 12/01/16(a)(c)

    290     313,200

NewPage Corp.
10.00%, 5/01/12

    100     100,500

Peabody Energy Corp.
Series B
6.875%, 3/15/13

    190     190,950
         
        2,030,588
         

CAPITAL GOODS–8.3%

     

Allied Waste North America, Inc.

     

6.375%, 4/15/11

    174     172,260

6.875%, 6/01/17

    85     82,875

Series B

     

7.125%, 5/15/16

    80     79,400

7.375%, 4/15/14

    90     89,775

Associated Materials, Inc.
11.25%, 3/01/14(d)

    235     150,400

Berry Plastics Holding Corp.

     

8.875%, 9/15/14

    105     99,750

10.25%, 3/01/16

    35     30,625

Bombardier, Inc.

     

6.30%, 5/01/14(a)

    270     263,925

8.00%, 11/15/14(a)

    225     231,750

Case Corp.
7.25%, 1/15/16

    170     170,000

Case New Holland, Inc.
7.125%, 3/01/14

    245     244,387

Crown Americas
7.625%, 11/15/13

    155     158,488
       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     
     

Goodman Global Holdings, Inc.
7.875%, 12/15/12

  $     110   $ 113,300

L-3 Communications Corp.
5.875%, 1/15/15

    130     125,450

Owens Brockway Glass Container, Inc.

     

6.75%, 12/01/14

    205     203,975

8.875%, 2/15/09

    100     100,375

Russell-Stanley Holdings, Inc.
9.00%, 11/30/08(e)(f)(g)

    36     4,566

Terex Corp.
8.00%, 11/15/17

    52     52,650

Trinity Industries, Inc.
6.50%, 3/15/14

    180     176,850

United Rentals North America, Inc.
7.75%, 11/15/13

    220     191,400
         
        2,742,201
         

COMMUNICATIONS—MEDIA–10.3%

     

Allbritton Communications Co.
7.75%, 12/15/12

    165     163,350

CCH I Holdings LLC
11.75%, 5/15/14

    580     366,850

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

     

5.50%, 9/15/14

    238     181,412

5.75%, 1/15/13

    157     130,002

CSC Holdings, Inc.

     

6.75%, 4/15/12

    190     181,687

7.625%, 7/15/18

    125     114,844

7.875%, 2/15/18

    45     42,075

Dex Media West LLC
Series B
8.50%, 8/15/10

    60     60,825

DirecTV Holdings LLC
6.375%, 6/15/15

    291     279,360

EchoStar DBS Corp.

     

6.375%, 10/01/11

    89     87,932

6.625%, 10/01/14

    255     253,725

7.125%, 2/01/16

    85     86,700

Intelsat Bermuda Ltd.
11.25%, 6/15/16

    274     282,905

Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Co. Ltd.
8.625%, 1/15/15

    135     135,675

Liberty Media Corp.

     

5.70%, 5/15/13

    50     46,321

7.875%, 7/15/09

    58     58,884

8.25%, 2/01/30

    50     47,982

Quebecor Media, Inc.
7.75%, 3/15/16

    230     220,800

Rainbow National Services LLC
10.375%, 9/01/14(a)

    30     32,512

RH Donnelley Corp.
Series A-2
6.875%, 1/15/13

    128     114,560

 

 

7


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc.
9.625%, 8/01/13

  $     70   $ 66,150

Univision Communications, Inc.
7.85%, 7/15/11

    115     114,569

WDAC Subsidiary Corp.
8.375%, 12/01/14(a)

    70     70,000

WMG Holdings Corp.
9.50%, 12/15/14(d)

    333     213,120

XM Satellite Radio, Inc.
9.75%, 5/01/14

    60     58,050
         
        3,410,290
         

COMMUNICATIONS—TELECOMMUNICATIONS–5.4%

 

Alltel Corp.
7.875%, 7/01/32

    170     130,050

American Tower Corp.
7.00%, 10/15/17(a)

    20     20,100

Citizens Communications Co.
6.25%, 1/15/13

    210     203,437

Cricket Communications, Inc.
9.375%, 11/01/14

    55     51,563

Digicel Ltd.
9.25%, 9/01/12(a)

    61     62,147

Inmarsat Finance PLC

     

7.625%, 6/30/12

    145     149,350

10.375%, 11/15/12(d)

    155     150,544

Level 3 Financing, Inc.
9.25%, 11/01/14

    135     122,175

Mobile Telesystems Finance SA
8.00%, 1/28/12(a)

    231     237,052

PanAmSat Corp.
9.00%, 8/15/14

    143     143,715

Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.
7.25%, 2/15/11

    300     295,500

Time Warner Telecom Holdings, Inc.
9.25%, 2/15/14

    50     51,125

Windstream Corp.

     

8.125%, 8/01/13

    88     91,080

8.625%, 8/01/16

    77     80,850
         
        1,788,688
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—AUTOMOTIVE–7.5%

     

Affinia Group, Inc.
9.00%, 11/30/14

    85     76,500

Allison Transmission
11.00%, 11/01/15(a)

    15     13,650

Ford Motor Credit Co.

     

7.00%, 10/01/13

    204     170,419

7.45%, 7/16/31

    364     270,270

7.993%, 1/13/12(b)

    240     201,591

General Motors Acceptance Corp.

     

6.75%, 12/01/14

    135     108,884

6.875%, 9/15/11

    321     274,614

8.00%, 11/01/31

    135     113,248
       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

General Motors Corp.

     

8.25%, 7/15/23

  $   350   $ 278,250

8.375%, 7/15/33

    370     297,850

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
9.00%, 7/01/15

    130     137,800

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc.
9.75%, 11/01/13

    108     79,380

Lear Corp.

     

Series B

     

5.75%, 8/01/14

    70     57,400

8.50%, 12/01/13

    45     41,850

8.75%, 12/01/16

    245     222,950

Visteon Corp.
7.00%, 3/10/14

    165     123,750
         
        2,468,406
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—OTHER–8.7%

     

Broder Brothers Co.
Series B
11.25%, 10/15/10

    77     59,290

Greektown Holdings LLC 10.75%, 12/01/13(a)

    90     87,525

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc

     

5.625%, 6/01/15

    422     308,060

5.75%, 10/01/17

    16     10,840

6.50%, 6/01/16

    237     176,565

Host Hotels & Resorts LP
6.875%, 11/01/14

    45     44,775

Host Marriott LP
Series Q
6.75%, 6/01/16

    300     295,500

KB Home
7.75%, 2/01/10

    125     115,625

Levi Strauss & Co.
8.875%, 4/01/16

    63     60,952

MGM Mirage

     

6.625%, 7/15/15

    302     283,125

7.625%, 1/15/17

    55     54,312

8.375%, 2/01/11

    280     286,300

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Auth
7.125%, 8/15/14

    135     130,613

NCL Corp.
10.625%, 7/15/14

    65     64,594

Six Flags, Inc.
9.625%, 6/01/14

    115     84,813

Station Casinos, Inc.
6.625%, 3/15/18

    270     184,950

Turning Stone Resort Casino Enterprise
9.125%, 12/15/10(a)

    117     118,170

Universal City Development Partners
11.75%, 4/01/10

    120     124,200

Universal City Florida Holding Co.
8.375%, 5/01/10

    60     60,300

 

 

8


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

William Lyon Homes, Inc.
10.75%, 4/01/13

  $   112   $ 67,200

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

    260     255,450
         
        2,873,159
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—RETAILERS–1.6%

     

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp.
11.125%, 4/15/14

    55     44,138

Couche-Tard, Inc.
7.50%, 12/15/13

    144     143,640

GSC Holdings Corp.
8.00%, 10/01/12

    134     139,528

Rite Aid Corp.

     

6.875%, 8/15/13

    160     116,400

9.25%, 6/01/13

    85     74,587

9.375%, 12/15/15

    10     8,300

9.50%, 6/15/17

    15     12,412
         
        539,005
         

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–7.0%

     

Albertson’s, Inc.
7.45%, 8/01/29

    285     274,295

ARAMARK Corp.
8.50%, 2/01/15

    105     106,312

DaVita, Inc.
7.25%, 3/15/15

    75     75,188

Dole Food Company, Inc.

     

8.625%, 5/01/09

    60     57,900

8.875%, 3/15/11

    38     35,150

Elan Finance PLC/Elan Finance Corp.
7.75%, 11/15/11

    265     249,100

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.
10.25%, 6/01/14

    80     82,000

HCA, Inc.

     

6.375%, 1/15/15

    215     181,675

6.50%, 2/15/16

    155     130,975

6.75%, 7/15/13

    170     151,300

9.625%, 11/15/16(h)

    175     185,063

IASIS Healthcare Corp.
8.75%, 6/15/14

    145     145,000

Select Medical Corp.
7.625%, 2/01/15

    117     100,035

Spectrum Brands, Inc.
7.375%, 2/01/15

    70     51,800

Stater Brothers Holdings
8.125%, 6/15/12

    65     64,187

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

     

7.375%, 2/01/13

    115     100,625

9.875%, 7/01/14

    80     76,200

Ventas Realty LP/CAP CRP
6.75%, 4/01/17

    84     83,160

Viant Holdings, Inc.
10.125%, 7/15/17(a)

    85     77,775
       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Visant Corp.
7.625%, 10/01/12

  $   80   $ 80,400
         
        2,308,140
         

ENERGY–2.3%

     

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

     

7.50%, 9/15/13

    75     76,687

7.75%, 1/15/15

    210     214,200

CIE Gener De Geophysique

     

7.50%, 5/15/15

    85     86,063

7.75%, 5/15/17

    15     15,150

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.
7.75%, 11/01/15(a)

    55     54,038

PetroHawk Energy Corp.
9.125%, 7/15/13

    107     112,617

Tesoro Corp.

     

6.25%, 11/01/12

    140     140,000

6.50%, 6/01/17

    75     74,250
         
        773,005
         

OTHER INDUSTRIAL–0.8%

     

RBS Global, Inc. and Rexnord Corp.

     

9.50%, 8/01/14

    85     84,150

11.75%, 8/01/16

    60     58,650

Sensus Metering Systems, Inc.
8.625%, 12/15/13

    125     122,187
         
        264,987
         

SERVICES–0.3%

     

Realogy Corp.
10.50%, 4/15/14(a)

    85     63,537

West Corp.
9.50%, 10/15/14

    40     39,200
         
        102,737
         

TECHNOLOGY–5.2%

     

Amkor Technology, Inc.
9.25%, 6/01/16

    180     180,450

Avago Technologies Finance
10.125%, 12/01/13

    110     115,087

CA, Inc.
4.75%, 12/01/09(a)

    110     110,335

First Data Corp.
9.875%, 9/24/15(a)

    94     87,420

Flextronics International Ltd.
6.50%, 5/15/13

    175     169,750

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

     

8.875%, 12/15/14

    290     258,825

10.125%, 12/15/16

    80     66,000

Iron Mountain, Inc.
6.625%, 1/01/16

    145     137,206

Nortel Networks Ltd.
10.125%, 7/15/13(a)

    125     128,750

NXP BV / NXP Funding LLC

     

7.993%, 10/15/13(b)

    90     82,800

9.50%, 10/15/15

    40     36,650

 

 

9


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Seagate Technology HDD Holding
6.375%, 10/01/11

  $   119   $ 117,364

Sungard Data Systems, Inc.
9.125%, 8/15/13

    210     213,675
         
        1,704,312
         

TRANSPORTATION—AIRLINES–0.9%

     

AMR Corp.
9.00%, 8/01/12

    131     129,362

Continental Airlines, Inc.
8.75%, 12/01/11

    145     136,663

Series RJO3
7.875%, 7/02/18

    44     41,913
         
        307,938
         

TRANSPORTATION—SERVICES–0.9%

     

Avis Budget Car Rental
7.75%, 5/15/16

    90     84,600

Hertz Corp.

     

8.875%, 1/01/14

    105     106,444

10.50%, 1/01/16

    100     103,500
         
        294,544
         
        21,608,000
         

UTILITY–10.9%

     

ELECTRIC–9.3%

     

The AES Corp.

     

7.75%, 3/01/14

    250     251,875

8.75%, 5/15/13(a)

    35     36,531

Allegheny Energy Supply

     

7.80%, 3/15/11

    140     145,950

8.25%, 4/15/12(a)

    175     186,812

Dynegy Holdings, Inc.

     

7.75%, 6/01/19

    55     50,738

8.375%, 5/01/16

    205     200,387

Dynegy-Roseton Danskammer
Series B
7.67%, 11/08/16

    195     194,025

Edison Mission Energy

     

7.00%, 5/15/17

    255     250,538

7.50%, 6/15/13

    200     205,000

7.75%, 6/15/16

    80     82,400

Energy Future Holdings Corp.
10.875%, 11/01/17(a)

    100     100,500

Mirant Americas Generation LLC
8.50%, 10/01/21

    175     160,562

NRG Energy, Inc.

     

7.25%, 2/01/14

    45     43,875

7.375%, 2/01/16–1/15/17

    440     429,000

Reliant Energy, Inc.

     

7.625%, 6/15/14

    120     118,800

7.875%, 6/15/17

    155     153,450

Sierra Pacific Resources
8.625%, 3/15/14

    80     85,483
       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC
10.25%, 11/01/15(a)

  $   108   $ 106,920

TXU Corp.

     

Series P
5.55%, 11/15/14

    133     106,158

Series Q
6.50%, 11/15/24

    234     170,682
         
        3,079,686
         

NATURAL GAS–1.6%

     

El Paso Corp.
7.375%, 12/15/12

    145     148,451

Enterprise Products Operating LP
8.375%, 8/01/66(i)

    305     312,272

Regency Energy Partners
8.375%, 12/15/13

    50     51,500
         
        512,223
         
        3,591,909
         

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–1.3%

     

FINANCE–0.8%

     

Residential Capital LLC

     

7.875%, 6/30/10

    175     112,000

8.00%, 4/17/13

    125     76,875

8.375%, 6/30/15

    140     84,700
         
        273,575
         

INSURANCE–0.5%

     

Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.
7.75%, 5/01/17

    95     93,219

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

    80     70,672
         
        163,891
         
        437,466
         

Total Corporates—Non-Investment Grades (cost $27,474,100)

        25,637,375
         

NON-CORPORATE SECTORS–11.1%

     

STRUCTURED NOTE–11.1%

     

High Yield Total Return Trust 2007-1
4.669%, 7/01/08(a)(b)

    1,950     1,850,488

Racers SER 06-6-T
4.851%, 7/01/08(a)(b)

    1,950     1,814,939
         

Total Non Corporate Sectors
(cost $4,015,168)

        3,665,427
         

CORPORATES—INVESTMENT GRADES–6.2%

     

INDUSTRIAL–3.1%

     

BASIC–0.7%

     

Weyerhaeuser Co.
7.375%, 3/15/32

    220     220,780
         

 

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

COMMUNICATIONS—TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.8%

     

Qwest Corp.
8.875%, 3/15/12

  $   165   $ 176,550

Sprint Capital Corp.
8.75%, 3/15/32

    75     84,540
         
        261,090
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—RETAILERS–0.4%

     

Ltd. Brands, Inc.
5.25%, 11/01/14

    133     119,377
         

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–1.2%

     

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

    105     104,939

Reynolds American, Inc.

     

7.25%, 6/01/13

    105     111,062

7.625%, 6/01/16

    185     196,654
         
        412,655
         
        1,013,902
         

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–2.1%

     

BANKING–0.1%

     

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

    36     37,142
         

BROKERAGE–0.8%

     

The Bear Stearns Co., Inc.
5.55%, 1/22/17

    129     115,612

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
5.75%, 1/03/17

    155     148,900
         
        264,512
         

FINANCE–1.2%

     

Capital One Financial Corp.
6.75%, 9/15/17

    45     43,160

CIT Group, Inc.
5.125%, 9/30/14

    150     132,131

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

    74     42,592

Series MTN
5.80%, 6/07/12

    38     27,759

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.

     

Series MTNL
4.00%, 3/22/11

    4     2,888

SLM Corp.

     

4.50%, 7/26/10

    90     82,548

5.125%, 8/27/12

    90     80,499
         
        411,577
         
        713,231
         
       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

UTILITY–1.0%

     

NATURAL GAS–1.0%

     

Williams Cos, Inc.

     

7.625%, 7/15/19

  $   207   $ 224,336

7.875%, 9/01/21

    105     116,419
         
        340,755
         

Total Corporates—Investment Grades
(cost $2,028,722)

        2,067,888
         
        Shares    

NON-CONVERTIBLE—PREFERRED STOCKS–0.8%

   

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.4%

     

AGENCIES—GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.4%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
8.375%

    2,400     62,760

Federal National Mortgage Association
8.25%

    2,950     75,963
         
        138,723
         

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.4%

     

REITS–0.4%

     

Sovereign REIT
12.00%(a)

    93     121,365
         

Total Non-Convertible—Preferred Stocks
(cost $221,409)

        260,088
         
        Principal
Amount
(000)
   

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 $133,681)

  $   140     145,976
         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.2%

     

TIME DEPOSIT–2.2%

     

The Bank of New York
3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $716,000)

    716     716,000
         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.3%
(cost $34,589,080)

        32,492,754

Other assets less
liabilities–1.7%

        553,332
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 33,046,086
         

 

 

 

11


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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $7,080,383 or 21.4% of net assets.

 

(b) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(c) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(d) 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.

 

(e) Illiquid security, valued at fair value (see Note A).

 

(f) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security, which represents 0.01% of net assets as of December 31, 2007, is considered illiquid and restricted (see Notes A & E).

 

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 %

 

(g) Security is in default and is non-income producing.

 

(h) Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK).

 

(i) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of December 31, 2007.

 

   See notes to financial statements.

 

12


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $34,589,080)

   $ 32,492,754  

Cash

     687  

Interest receivable

     625,929  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     24,633  
        

Total assets

     33,144,003  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Custodian fee payable

     44,178  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Advisory fee payable

     14,200  

Printing fee payable

     9,901  

Distribution fee payable

     1,928  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     1,484  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     2,360  
        

Total liabilities

     97,917  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 33,046,086  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 4,793  

Additional paid-in capital

     45,930,027  

Undistributed net investment income

     2,490,782  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (13,283,190 )

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (2,096,326 )
        
   $ 33,046,086  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets     

Shares

Outstanding

    

Net Asset

Value

A

     $   24,081,784      3,490,345      $   6.90

B

     $ 8,964,302      1,302,278      $ 6.88

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

13


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 2,995,491  

Dividends

     23,880  
        

Total investment income

     3,019,371  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     191,223  

Distribution fee—Class B

     25,276  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,363  

Transfer agency—Class B

     487  

Custodian

     136,341  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Printing

     12,957  

Legal

     7,748  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     6,020  
        

Total expenses

     518,065  
        

Net investment income

     2,501,306  
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     646,188  

Foreign currency transactions

     (3 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (2,748,141 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     2  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (2,101,954 )
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 399,352  
        

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,501,306     $ 3,005,496  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     646,185       62,081  

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

     (2,748,139 )     629,809  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     399,352       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

     (6,872,453 )     (3,457,134 )
                

Total decrease

     (9,477,777 )     (3,529,603 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     42,523,863       46,053,466  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,490,782 and $2,994,149, respectively)

   $ 33,046,086     $ 42,523,863  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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 quality 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-two 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.

 

16


 
 
    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 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

17


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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 14,250,563     $ 23,163,722  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 34,611,307  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 337,265  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,455,818 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (2,118,553 )
        

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.

 

18


 
 
    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 year ended December 31, 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  175,998     349,149       $ 1,273,857     $ 2,548,855  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  313,551     415,521         2,229,347       2,871,248  

Shares redeemed

  (1,282,770 )   (1,189,723 )       (9,203,132 )     (8,617,635 )
                             

Net decrease

  (793,221 )   (425,053 )     $ (5,699,928 )   $ (3,197,532 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  104,082     238,934       $ 724,547     $ 1,751,148  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  109,201     130,233         775,329       898,607  

Shares redeemed

  (376,990 )   (399,441 )       (2,672,401 )     (2,909,357 )
                             

Net decrease

  (163,707 )   (30,274 )     $ (1,172,525 )   $ (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.

 

19


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 year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 3,004,676    $ 3,769,855
             

Total taxable distributions

     3,004,676      3,769,855
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 3,004,676    $ 3,769,855
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,490,782  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (13,260,963 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (2,118,553 )(b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (12,888,734 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $13,260,963 of which $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. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio utilized $649,272 of capital loss carryforward. In addition, the Portfolio had $1,550,993 of capital loss carryforward expire for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

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

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of foreign currency, the reclassification of paydown gain/loss, and the expiration of a capital loss carryforward resulted in a net increase in undistributed net investment income, a net decrease in accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions, and a net decrease to additional paid in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the acquisitions of the assets and liabilities of each of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Dollar Government Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—High Yield Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Americas Government Income Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Bond Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio. The acquisitions are expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008.

 

21


 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $7.40     $7.43     $7.97     $7.91     $6.83  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .48     .51     .58     .60 (b)   .55  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.40 )   .12     (.45 )   (.01 )   .95  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .08     .63     .13     .59     1.50  
                             
         

Less: Dividends

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.58 )   (.66 )   (.67 )   (.53 )   (.42 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $6.90     $7.40     $7.43     $7.97     $7.91  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  .89 %*   9.05 %   1.78 %   7.98 %   22.44 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $24,082     $31,701     $34,968     $42,842     $48,076  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.29 %   1.20 %(d)   1.09 %   1.04 %   1.46 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.29 %   1.20 %(d)   1.09 %   1.21 %   1.46 %

Net investment income

  6.61 %   6.98 %(d)   7.58 %   7.74 %(b)   7.48 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  39 %   57 %   54 %   80 %   105 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 23.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $7.38     $7.41     $7.95     $7.91     $6.84  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .46     .49     .56     .58 (b)   .52  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.40 )   .12     (.45 )   (.02 )   .97  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .06     .61     .11     .56     1.49  
                             
         

Less: Dividends

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.56 )   (.64 )   (.65 )   (.52 )   (.42 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $6.88     $7.38     $7.41     $7.95     $7.91  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net
asset value (c)

  .62 %*   8.76 %   1.54 %   7.62 %   22.24 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $8,964     $10,823     $11,085     $12,558     $7,962  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.54 %   1.45 %(d)   1.34 %   1.30 %   1.70 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.54 %   1.45 %(d)   1.34 %   1.47 %   1.70 %

Net investment income

  6.36 %   6.72 %(d)   7.33 %   7.51 %(b)   7.19 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  39 %   57 %   54 %   80 %   105 %

 

 

 

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

 

* Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.10%.

 

23


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

24


 
 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer

Gershon M. Distenfeld(2), Vice President

Joel J. McKoan(2), Vice President

Douglas J. Peebles(2), Vice President

    

Lawrence J. Shaw(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J, Mantineo, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the Global Credit Investment Team. Mr. Gershon M. Distenfeld, Mr. Joel J. McKoan, Mr. Douglas J. Peebles and Mr. Lawrence J. Shaw are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

25


 
 
HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*

AGE AND

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

  

PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND

COMPLEX

OVERSEEN BY

DIRECTOR

  

OTHER

DIRECTORSHIP

HELD BY

DIRECTOR

INTERESTED DIRECTOR

        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co., LLC) (“SCB&Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
        

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***

Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS,*
AGE AND
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation
(semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002 – May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992 – 2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985 – 1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982 – 1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973 – 1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice-Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995 – 2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993 – 1995, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975 – 1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005 – 2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993 – 2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

27


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*

AND AGE

     POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief
Executive Officer
     See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and
Independent Compliance Officer
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Gershon M. Distenfeld
32
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joel J. McKoan
50
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since September 2003 and Director of the Global Credit Team. Prior thereto, he was a Managing Director at UBS Warburg where he headed the North American Debt Syndicate Group, with responsibility for primary trading of corporate debt, emerging-market debt and structured products from 2000 to 2003. In addition, Mr. McKoan was Global Co-Head of the CDO Group at UBS Warburg from 2002 to 2003 and a Managing Director at PaineWebber (acquired by UBS in 2000), where he managed the UBS Credit Trading Group since prior to 2003.
         
Douglas J. Peebles
42
     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Lawrence J. Shaw

56

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
     Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

  The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

28


 
HIGH YIELD 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”) approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on October 30-November 1, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 or brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors

 

29


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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 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 primarily to differences in their expense ratios but potentially due to other factors such as the timing of cash flows. The directors also noted the pending acquisition of all the assets and liabilities of the Corresponding Fund by another AllianceBernstein fund. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 Lehman Brothers U.S. High Yield–2% Issuer Cap Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended July 31, 2007 over the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (October 1997 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 1- and 3-year periods and 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 5-year period, and that the Portfolio had underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance record with the Adviser, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s 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 advisory 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 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 prior to taking account of the administrative expense reimbursements made to the Adviser. The directors noted that adding the 20 basis point administrative expense reimbursement to the fee rate in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement resulted in a lower rate of total compensation 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 poli-

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

cies 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 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 effective fee rate of 50 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 20 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 small size (less than $40 million as of September 30, 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.

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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

31


 
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 Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to 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 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
09/30/07
($MIL)
   Portfolio

High Income

   50 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

   $ 36.0    High Yield 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 Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.200% 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

High Yield Portfolio

   Class A 1.20

Class B 1.45

%

%

   December 31

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 18, 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.

 

32


 
 
    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 client 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 substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.4 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on September 30, 2007 net assets:

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
09/30/07
($MIL)
     AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”) Fee Schedule
     Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
      

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

High Yield Portfolio

   $ 36.0      High Yield Schedule
65 bp on 1st $30 million
35 bp on the balance Minimum Account Size: $25 m
     0.600 %      0.500 %

The Adviser also 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 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein High Yield Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee:

 

Portfolio    ABMF Fund    Fee Schedule      ABMF
Effective
Fee
      

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

High Yield Portfolio6

   High Yield

Fund, Inc.

  

0.50% on first $2.5 billion

0.40% on next $2.5 billion

0.35% on the balance

     0.500 %      0.500 %

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 Alliance Capital Investment Trust

 

 

 

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 ABMF fund is a clone of the Portfolio.

 

33


HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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     

ACITM

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 offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the contractual management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.7

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.8 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee9
  

Lipper
Expense
Group

Median

   Rank

High Yield Portfolio

   0.500    0.650    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 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

High Yield Portfolio

   1.196    0.910    15/15    0.736    40/40

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.

 

 

 

7 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.

 

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 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 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.

 

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

 

34


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 $26,873 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 $113,972 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, 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”).12 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

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,14 subsidies and enhancement to services. 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 services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli 15 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The preliminary results of the updated study, based on more recent data and using Lipper classifications, were found to be consistent with the results of the original study. The independent consultant observed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

 

 

12 It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

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

 

14 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

15 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

35


HIGH YIELD 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 $813 billion as of September 30, 2007, 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 its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)17 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2007.18

 

      Portfolio
Return (%)
  

PG

Median (%)

  

PU

Median (%)

  

PG

Rank

  

PU

Rank

1 year

   5.39    6.29    6.28    14/15    39/45

3 year

   5.34    6.34    6.60    14/14    41/41

5 year

   9.37    10.11    10.53    10/14    31/40

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)19 versus its benchmark.20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information for the Portfolio is also shown.21

 

     

Periods Ending July 31, 2007

Annualized Performance

     1 Year
(%)
   3 Year
(%)
   5 Year
(%)
  

Since

Inception
(%)

   Annualized   

Risk

Period
(Year)

                  Volatility
(%)
   Sharpe
(%)
  

High Yield Portfolio

   5.39    5.34    9.37    2.97    5.18    1.39    5

Lehman Brothers U.S. High Yield – 2% Issuer Cap Index

   6.44    6.95    11.79    5.63    5.71    1.46    5

Inception Date: October 27, 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: November 26, 2007

 

 

 

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 as the criteria for including/excluding a fund in/from a PU are somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

18 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

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

 

20 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for the periods through July 31, 2007. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance return of the benchmark is from the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast to the benchmark, the Portfolio’s since inception return is from the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

21 Portfolio 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.

 

36


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/
High Grade Securities Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

LETTER TO INVESTORS

February 1, 2008

The following is an update of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Portfolio’s investment objective is high current income consistent with preservation of capital. The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. Government or high-grade fixed-income securities rated A or better by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service or equivalent rating. The Portfolio’s investments include mortgage-backed securities and repurchase agreements relating to U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities in which the Portfolio invests may include a significant amount of securities issued by government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, or FNMA, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or FHLMC, which are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The Portfolio also may invest in investment-grade corporate and other debt securities. This includes hybrid and structured debt instruments as well as U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued by non-U.S. corporations and governments. The Portfolio will not invest in any security rated below BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody’s or equivalent rating. The Portfolio may invest in debt securities with a range of maturities from short- to long-term. The Portfolio may also invest in qualifying bank deposits and enter into forward commitments. The Portfolio may enter into derivatives transactions, such as options, futures, forwards or swap agreements. The Portfolio expects to engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its principal investment strategies. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction expenses, which may negatively affect the Portfolio’s performance.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table on page 3 shows the Portfolio’s performance compared to its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. Aggregate Index, for the one-, five- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2007.

The Portfolio underperformed the benchmark for the annual reporting period ended December 31, 2007. A broad liquidity crunch stemming from the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis was the primary reason for the Portfolio’s underperformance versus the benchmark, as Treasury yields fell and spreads widened across the fixed-income markets. Detracting from the Portfolio’s relative performance was an underweight in U.S. government debt and exposure to subprime-related asset-backed securities (ABS) and Alt-A mortgage securities, which underperformed. (Alt-A, or ‘alternative’ mortgages are home loans made with less than full documentation.)

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The past several months have seen the return of volatility to the capital markets, as the credit crisis in the U.S. subprime mortgage market spilled over—in the form of a liquidity crunch—into other sectors and asset classes and even the overnight funding market. As investors flocked to the safety of the highest-quality securities, government bond yields fell worldwide and yield spreads widened across fixed-income markets.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) responded to the crisis with a dramatic 50-basis-point interest rate cut in September 2007 and additional rate cuts of 25 basis points in October and December, which aimed to restore confidence in the financial markets and put the economy on firmer footing.

As investors sought the protection of less-risky assets during the reporting period, U.S. Treasuries were the best- performing sector within the LB U.S. Aggregate Index, with a return of 9.01%. Among other fixed-income sectors, Agencies posted a strong return of 7.92%, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) returned 6.90%, while commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), which returned 5.57%, and ABS, which returned 2.21%, posted more modest returns due to subprime mortgage concerns and weakness in the real estate industry. The flight to quality also impacted investment-grade corporates, which returned 4.56% as liquidity concerns led to spread widening.

During the annual reporting period, the Portfolio’s U.S. Investment Grade Fixed Income Team (the “Team”) continued to underweight Treasuries and Agencies. As spreads have widened, the Team has identified more opportunities within the corporate sector. The Team has reduced the Portfolio’s overweight position in mortgages to fund opportunities in corporates. The Portfolio’s overall risk positioning remained modest.

 

1


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An Important Note About the Value of Historical Performance

The performance shown on the following page represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent Representative at your financial institution to obtain portfolio performance information current to the most recent month-end.

The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Portfolio carefully before investing. For a free copy of the Portfolio’s prospectus, which contains this and other information, call your financial advisor or 800.984.7654. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Portfolio have been deducted, but no adjustment has been made for insurance company separate account or annuity contract charges, which would reduce total return to a contract owner. NAV returns do not reflect sales charges; if sales charges were reflected, the Portfolio’s quoted performance would be lower. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Benchmark Disclosure

The unmanaged Lehman Brothers (LB) U.S. Aggregate Index does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The LB U.S. Aggregate Index covers the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including government and credit securities, agency mortgage pass through securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Portfolio.

A Word About Risk

A limited percentage of the Portfolio’s assets will be invested in foreign fixed-income securities which may magnify fluctuations due to changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of substantial volatility due to political and economic uncertainties in foreign countries. Price fluctuation in the Portfolio’s securities may be caused by changes in the general level of interest rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Please note, as interest rates rise, existing bond prices fall and can cause the value of an investment in the Portfolio to decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater negative effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. Investments in the Portfolio are not guaranteed because of fluctuation in the net asset value for the underlying fixed-income related investments. Similar to direct bond ownership, bond funds have the same interest rate, inflation, and credit risks that are associated with the underlying bonds owned by the Portfolio. Portfolio purchasers should understand that, in contrast to owning individual bonds, there are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of bond funds. The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities which involve risks described in the prospectus. While the Portfolio invests principally in bonds and other fixed-income securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Portfolio may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These types of transactions include the purchase and sale of futures contracts or options on futures contracts. Also, at the discretion of the Investment Manager, the Portfolio can invest up to 10% of its total assets in illiquid securities or make loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets. In addition, the Portfolio may also enter into repurchase agreements. These financial instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully discussed in the Variable Products prospectus. There are additional fees and expenses associated with all Variable Products. These fees can include mortality and expense risk charges, administrative charges, and other charges that can significantly reduce investment returns. Those fees and expenses are not reflected in this annual report. You should consult your Variable Products prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses and speak to your insurance agent or financial representative if you have any questions. You should read the prospectus before investing or sending money.

 

 

(Historical Performance continued on next page)

 

 

2


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE  
(continued from previous page)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

THE PORTFOLIO VS. ITS BENCHMARK    Returns  
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio Class A†

   4.85%      3.68%      5.03%  

AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio Class B†

   4.60%      3.41%      5.01% *

Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index

   6.97%      4.42%      5.97%  

* Since inception of the Portfolio’s Class B shares on 6/2/99.

            

†Reflects the positive impact of proceeds related to class action settlements that were originated from individual fund holdings. For further information, please visit: www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/PDF/HistoricalPricing/settlements.pdf

   

            

The Portfolio’s current prospectus fee table shows the Portfolio’s total annual expense ratios as 0.77% and 1.02% for Class A and Class B, respectively.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN U.S. GOV’T/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO CLASS A GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT

12/31/97 – 12/31/07

LOGO

This chart illustrates the total value of an assumed $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio Class A shares (from 12/31/97 to 12/31/07) as compared to the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark. The chart assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

 

See Historical Performance and Benchmark disclosures on previous page.

 

3


 
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 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.

 

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,038.80    $   4.01    0.78 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,021.27    $ 3.97    0.78 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,037.33    $ 5.24    1.02 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.01    $ 5.19    1.02 %

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

4


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
 

Corporate-Investment Grades

   $ 29,177,638      38.3 %

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

     19,642,960      25.8  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     10,326,956      13.6  

U.S. Treasuries

     6,129,447      8.0  

Asset-Backed Securities

     3,450,854      4.5  

Government Related

     2,817,111      3.7  

Inflation-Linked Securities

     1,919,995      2.5  

Mortgage CMO’s

     1,719,934      2.3  

Corporate-Non-Investment Grade

     158,407      0.2  

Short-Term Investments

     809,000      1.1  
                 

Total Investments

   $   76,152,302      100.0 %

 

5


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–33.7%

   

INDUSTRIAL–17.8%

   

BASIC–2.1%

   

Dow Chemical Co.

   

5.75%, 12/15/08

  $    220   $ 221,733

5.97%, 1/15/09

    200     202,601

7.375%, 11/01/29

    20     21,998

ICI Wilmington, Inc.

   

4.375%, 12/01/08

    225     224,690

International Paper Co.

   

5.30%, 4/01/15

    190     185,442

Lubrizol Corp.

   

4.625%, 10/01/09

    120     120,511

Southern Copper Corp.

   

7.50%, 7/27/35

    195     206,527

United States Steel Corp.

   

6.65%, 6/01/37

    239     213,199

Westvaco Corp.

   

8.20%, 1/15/30

    50     53,459

Weyerhaeuser Co.

   

5.95%, 11/01/08

    175     176,418

7.375%, 3/15/32

    230     230,815
       
      1,857,393
       

CAPITAL GOODS–2.1%

   

Brascan Corp.

   

8.125%, 12/15/08

    215     221,503

Caterpillar Financial Services

   

4.50%, 6/15/09

    115     115,042

CRH America, Inc.

   

6.95%, 3/15/12

    215     227,344

Hutchison Whampoa International Ltd.

   

7.45%, 11/24/33(a)

    185     210,986

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

   

5.75%, 3/01/09

    87     88,467

John Deere Capital Corp.

   

4.875%, 3/16/09

    225     225,446

6.00%, 2/15/09

    220     222,859

Textron Financial Corp.

   

5.125%, 11/01/10

    100     101,981

Tyco International Group SA

   

6.00%, 11/15/13

    155     159,315

Waste Management, Inc.

   

6.875%, 5/15/09

    205     210,466
       
      1,783,409
       

COMMUNICATIONS– MEDIA–1.9%

   

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

   

6.875%, 2/23/09

    100     101,943

BSKYB Finance UK PLC

   

5.625%, 10/15/15(a)

    170     167,266

Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc.

   

9.455%, 11/15/22

    125     158,955
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Comcast Cable Communications LLC

   

6.875%, 6/15/09

  $ 250   $ 257,143

News America, Inc.

   

6.55%, 3/15/33

    100     99,890

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.

   

4.95%, 4/01/14

    65     61,282

5.50%, 5/15/15

    185     178,004

TCI Communications, Inc.

   

7.875%, 2/15/26

    210     237,311

Time Warner Entertainment Co.

   

8.375%, 3/15/23

    235     276,805

WPP Finance Corp.

   

5.875%, 6/15/14

    120     127,710
       
      1,666,309
       

COMMUNICATIONS–

TELECOMMUNICATIONS–4.5%

   

America Movil SAB de CV

   

5.75%, 1/15/15

    230     229,548

AT&T Corp.

   

8.00%, 11/15/31

    20     24,562

British Telecommunications PLC

   

8.625%, 12/15/10

    310     340,178

Embarq Corp.

   

6.738%, 6/01/13

    20     20,688

7.082%, 6/01/16

    355     365,785

New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc.

   

8.75%, 3/01/31

    105     136,078

Pacific Bell

   

6.625%, 10/15/34

    280     279,394

Qwest Corp.

   

7.50%, 10/01/14

    225     228,375

8.875%, 3/15/12

    200     214,000

Sprint Capital Corp.

   

6.875%, 11/15/28

    235     222,865

8.375%, 3/15/12

    365     395,304

Telecom Italia Capital SA

   

4.00%, 11/15/08-1/15/10

    500     490,635

6.375%, 11/15/33

    40     40,062

Telefonos de Mexico SAB de CV

   

4.50%, 11/19/08

    203     202,005

US Cellular Corp.

   

6.70%, 12/15/33

    250     229,604

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

4.90%, 9/15/15

    115     111,876

Verizon New Jersey, Inc.

   

Series A

   

5.875%, 1/17/12

    170     175,066

Vodafone Group PLC

   

5.50%, 6/15/11

    200     202,122
       
      3,908,147
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.4%

   

DaimlerChrysler North America

   

4.875%, 6/15/10

    110     109,511

 

 

6


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

   

5.50%, 12/15/08

  $ 220   $ 219,482
       
      328,993
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.6%

   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

   

7.375%, 11/15/15

    179     184,795

7.875%, 5/01/12

    187     198,707

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.

   

5.15%, 5/15/15

    40     36,298

6.875%, 11/15/12

    95     92,793
       
      512,593
       

CONSUMER
NON-CYCLICAL–3.6%

   

Abbott Laboratories

   

3.50%, 2/17/09

    109     107,571

5.375%, 5/15/09

    215     218,288

Altria Group, Inc.

   

7.75%, 1/15/27

    155     199,700

Bunge Ltd Finance Corp.

   

4.375%, 12/15/08

    225     223,514

5.10%, 7/15/15

    71     67,246

Cadbury Schweppes US Finance LLC

   

5.125%, 10/01/13(a)

    245     244,857

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

   

7.875%, 9/15/10

    102     109,482

Fisher Scientific International, Inc.

   

6.125%, 7/01/15

    230     228,467

6.75%, 8/15/14

    171     175,268

Fortune Brands, Inc.

   

5.125%, 1/15/11

    115     114,767

Kraft Foods, Inc.

   

4.125%, 11/12/09

    415     411,420

5.25%, 10/01/13

    220     216,294

The Kroger Co.

   

6.80%, 12/15/18

    75     79,761

Reynolds American, Inc.

   

7.625%, 6/01/16

    210     223,229

Safeway, Inc.

   

4.125%, 11/01/08

    108     106,839

Tyson Foods, Inc.

   

6.85%, 4/01/16

    220     225,754

Wyeth

   

5.50%, 2/01/14

    141     143,209
       
      3,095,666
       

ENERGY–1.4%

 

Amerada Hess Corp.

   

7.875%, 10/01/29

    165     195,296

ConocoPhillips

   

6.375%, 3/30/09

    95     97,098

Gazprom

   

6.212%, 11/22/16(a)

    460     446,292

Norsk Hydro

   

6.36%, 1/15/09

    66     67,045
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Valero Energy Corp.

   

6.875%, 4/15/12

  $ 180   $ 192,070

Vastar Resources, Inc.

   

6.50%, 4/01/09

    215     220,596
       
      1,218,397
       

TECHNOLOGY–1.1%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

   

7.45%, 10/15/29

    90     92,341

Series B

   

6.50%, 8/01/13

    281     284,134

International Business Machines Corp.

   

4.375%, 6/01/09

    90     90,823

5.375%, 2/01/09

    98     99,387

Motorola, Inc.

   

6.50%, 9/01/25

    125     121,388

7.50%, 5/15/25

    25     26,601

7.625%, 11/15/10

    22     23,565

Xerox Corp.

   

7.625%, 6/15/13

    40     41,742

9.75%, 1/15/09

    146     152,630
       
      932,611
       

TRANSPORTATION–
RAILROADS–0.1%

   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

   

6.20%, 4/15/09

    110     112,317
       
      15,415,835
       

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–12.9%

   

BANKING–5.3%

   

Bank of America Corp.

   

3.375%, 2/17/09

    20     19,741

5.875%, 2/15/09

    220     223,162

Barclays Bank PLC

   

8.55%, 6/15/11(a)(b)

    365     384,453

Citicorp

   

Series MTNF

   

6.375%, 11/15/08

    43     43,584

Citigroup, Inc.

   

3.625%, 2/09/09

    230     226,917

6.20%, 3/15/09

    180     182,473

Credit Suisse USA, Inc.

   

3.875%, 1/15/09

    195     193,378

Deutsche Bank Financial, Inc.

   

7.50%, 4/25/09

    215     222,764

Huntington National Bank

   

4.375%, 1/15/10

    250     248,496

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

6.00%, 1/15/09

    150     151,514

6.75%, 2/01/11

    285     299,248

Marshall & Ilsley Corp.

   

4.375%, 8/01/09

    175     173,304

5.626%, 8/17/09

    105     106,044

MUFG Capital Finance 1 Ltd.

   

6.346%, 7/25/16(b)

    105     99,449

 

 

7


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

National City Bk Of Pennsylvania

   

6.25%, 3/15/11

  $ 250   $ 257,080

RBS Capital Trust III

   

5.512%, 9/30/14(b)

    335     307,965

Resona Preferred Global Securities

   

7.191%, 7/30/15(a)(b)

    135     133,952

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

   

7.648%, 9/30/31(b)

    115     118,650

UBS Preferred Funding Trust I

   

8.622%, 10/01/10(b)

    180     194,082

UFJ Finance Aruba AEC

   

6.75%, 7/15/13

    240     260,729

US Bancorp

   

5.30%, 4/28/09

    220     222,205

Wachovia Capital Trust III

   

5.80%, 3/15/11(b)

    180     160,839

Wachovia Corp.

   

3.625%, 2/17/09

    225     220,344

Washington Mutual, Inc.

   

4.20%, 1/15/10

    18     16,080

Zions Bancorporation

   

5.50%, 11/16/15

    105     98,469
       
      4,564,922
       

BROKERAGE–1.8%

 

The Bear Stearns Co., Inc.

   

5.30%, 10/30/15

    100     91,615

5.70%, 11/15/14

    145     137,503

7.625%, 12/07/09

    215     221,015

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

   

3.875%, 1/15/09

    177     175,187

4.75%, 7/15/13

    125     122,437

5.125%, 1/15/15

    105     103,147

7.35%, 10/01/09

    48     50,168

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

   

6.00%, 5/03/32(b)

    225     199,984

6.20%, 9/26/14

    75     76,385

6.50%, 7/19/17

    75     75,889

7.875%, 11/01/09

    43     44,817

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

   

6.11%, 1/29/37

    250     220,797

Series MTNC

   

4.125%, 1/15/09

    66     65,140
       
      1,584,084
       

FINANCE–3.2%

 

American Express Centurion

   

4.375%, 7/30/09

    250     248,906

American Express Co.

   

4.75%, 6/17/09

    98     98,029

American General Finance Corp.

   

4.625%, 5/15/09

    225     224,395

Capital One Bank

   

4.25%, 12/01/08

    225     220,175

5.00%, 6/15/09

    100     99,080

6.50%, 6/13/13

    140     137,326

Capital One Financial Corp.

   

5.50%, 6/01/15

    42     38,740
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

CIT Group, Inc.

   

5.125%, 9/30/14

  $ 45   $ 39,639

5.65%, 2/13/17

    240     210,682

7.625%, 11/30/12

    185     187,517

Countrywide Financial Corp.

   

6.25%, 5/15/16

    115     66,190

Series MTN

   

5.80%, 6/07/12

    261     190,660

General Electric Capital Corp.

   

3.50%, 2/02/09

    225     223,498

4.375%, 11/21/11

    35     34,725

6.75%, 3/15/32

    20     22,708

Household Finance Corp.

   

4.125%, 12/15/08

    45     44,588

HSBC Finance Corp.

   

7.00%, 5/15/12

    115     120,493

International Lease Finance Corp.

   

6.375%, 3/15/09

    220     222,487

iStar Financial, Inc.

   

5.15%, 3/01/12

    145     125,312

Series B

   

5.95%, 10/15/13

    230     200,420
       
      2,755,570
       

INSURANCE–2.1%

 

The Allstate Corp.

   

6.125%, 5/15/37(b)

    215     207,436

Allstate Life Global Funding Trusts

 

4.50%, 5/29/09

    97     97,304

Assurant, Inc.

 

5.625%, 2/15/14

    70     68,500

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

5.231%, 5/16/09

    225     226,658

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

 

6.10%, 10/01/41

    205     194,619

Humana, Inc.

 

6.30%, 8/01/18

    215     210,450

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.

 

5.75%, 3/15/14(a)

    145     147,670

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

 

4.125%, 8/15/09

    82     81,514

5.25%, 3/15/11

    95     96,063

WellPoint, Inc.

 

4.25%, 12/15/09

    72     71,164

XL Capital Ltd.

 

5.25%, 9/15/14

    235     228,520

6.25%, 5/15/27

    200     183,020
       
      1,812,918
       

REITS–0.5%

 

HCP, Inc.

 

5.95%, 9/15/11

    225     225,493

Simon Property Group LP

 

5.00%, 3/01/12

    220     214,590
       
    440,083
       
    11,157,577
       

 

 

8


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

UTILITY–3.0%

 

ELECTRIC–2.0%

 

Carolina Power & Light Co.

 

6.50%, 7/15/12

  $ 215   $ 228,830

Consumers Energy Co.

 

Series C

 

4.25%, 4/15/08

    130     129,563

Exelon Corp.

   

6.75%, 5/01/11

    95     99,363

FirstEnergy Corp.

   

Series B

   

6.45%, 11/15/11

    95     98,098

Series C

   

7.375%, 11/15/31

    105     115,210

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.

   

5.875%, 10/01/12

    135     139,926

Nisource Finance Corp.

   

7.875%, 11/15/10

    110     116,690

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

   

4.80%, 3/01/14

    215     209,026

Progress Energy, Inc.

   

7.10%, 3/01/11

    73     77,686

Public Service Company of Colorado

   

7.875%, 10/01/12

    100     112,221

SPI Electricity & Gas Australia Holdings Pty Ltd.

   

6.15%, 11/15/13(a)

    235     239,790

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

   

6.25%, 5/15/67(b)

    204     189,186
       
      1,755,589
       

NATURAL GAS–1.0%

   

Duke Energy Field Services Corp.

   

7.875%, 8/16/10

    70     75,090

Energy Transfer Partners

   

6.125%, 2/15/17

    230     223,657

6.625%, 10/15/36

    245     234,820

Enterprise Products Operating LP

   

Series B

   

5.60%, 10/15/14

    95     94,809

TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.

   

6.35%, 5/15/67(b)

    235     220,261
       
      848,637
       
      2,604,226
       

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $29,137,473)

      29,177,638
       

MORTGAGE PASS-THRU’S–22.7%

 

FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–16.2%

 

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2005

   

4.50%, 8/01/35-10/01/35

    1,310     1,239,384

Series 2007

   

7.00%, 2/01/37

    1,009     1,048,636
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2007

   

5.50%, 7/01/35

  $ 339   $ 338,819

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2003

   

5.00%, 11/01/33

    339     330,877

5.50%, 4/01/33-7/01/33

    1,414     1,414,673

Series 2004

   

5.50%, 4/01/34-11/01/34

    1,171     1,171,728

6.00%, 9/01/34

    697     708,439

Series 2005

   

4.50%, 8/01/35

    1,013     959,143

5.50%, 2/01/35

    1,404     1,404,784

Series 2006

   

5.00%, 2/01/36

    2,384     2,327,544

6.50%, 9/01/36

    1,524     1,567,094

Series 2007

   

4.50%, 9/01/35-8/01/37

    1,190     1,128,682

5.00%, 7/01/36

    375     366,254
       
      14,006,057
       

AGENCY ARMS–4.2%

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2007

   

6.05%, 4/01/37(c)

    427     434,131

6.101%, 1/01/37(c)

    261     266,399

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2005

   

5.322%, 9/01/35(c)

    246     247,988

Series 2006

   

5.799%, 3/01/36(c)

    457     465,262

5.851%, 11/01/36(c)

    702     715,697

Series 2007

   

5.769%, 1/01/37(c)

    495     503,759

6.025%, 11/01/36(c)

    152     155,248

6.027%, 2/01/37(c)

    419     426,731

6.081%, 3/01/37(c)

    426     435,742
       
      3,650,957
       

NON-AGENCY ARMS–2.3%

 

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust

   

Series 2006-3, Class 22A1

   

6.218%, 5/25/36(b)

    180     176,402

Series 2007-1, Class 21A1

   

5.728%, 1/25/47(b)

    258     249,660

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.

   

Series 2005-2, Class 1A4

   

5.11%, 5/25/35(b)

    468     457,312

Series 2006-AR1, Class 3A1

   

5.50%, 3/25/36(c)

    553     552,138

Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust

   

Series 2006-AR7, Class 4A1

   

6.228%, 5/25/36(b)

    243     242,673

 

 

9


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005-SA3, Class 3A

   

5.235%, 8/25/35(b)

  $ 313   $ 307,761
       
      1,985,946
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $19,528,028)

      19,642,960
       

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–11.9%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–11.9%

   

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc.

   

Series 2001-PB1, Class A2

   

5.787%, 5/11/35

    323     330,999

Series 2004-4, Class A3

   

4.128%, 7/10/42

    410     404,937

Series 2004-6, Class A2

   

4.161%, 12/10/42

    525     516,658

Series 2005-6, Class A4

   

5.181%, 9/10/47

    470     463,441

Series 2006-5, Class A4

   

5.414%, 9/10/47

    455     455,257

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005-PWR7, Class A3

   

5.116%, 2/11/41

    505     495,239

Series 2005-T18, Class A4

   

4.933%, 2/13/42

    530     518,802

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.

   

Series 2003-CK2, Class A2

   

3.861%, 3/15/36

    259     256,523

GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2005-C3, Class A3FX

   

4.863%, 7/10/45

    455     452,475

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp.

   

Series 2003-C1, Class A4

   

4.111%, 7/05/35

    450     433,667

Series 2005-GG3, Class A2

   

4.305%, 8/10/42

    530     523,425

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II

   

Series 2004-GG2, Class A6

   

5.396%, 8/10/38

    300     302,040

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.

   

Series 2004-C1, Class A2

   

4.302%, 1/15/38

    95     93,250

Series 2005-LDP1, Class A4

   

5.038%, 3/15/46

    550     534,545

Series 2005-LDP3, Class A2

   

4.851%, 8/15/42

    405     402,260

Series 2005-LDP4, Class A2

   

4.79%, 10/15/42

    465     461,318
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Series 2005-LDP5, Class A2

   

5.198%, 12/15/44

  $ 360   $ 360,259

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2003-C3, Class A4

   

4.166%, 5/15/32

    430     411,195

Series 2004-C4, Class A4

   

5.126%, 6/15/29

    830     840,780

Series 2004-C8, Class A2

   

4.201%, 12/15/29

    420     413,789

Series 2005-C1, Class A4

   

4.742%, 2/15/30

    365     354,574

Series 2005-C7, Class A4

   

5.197%, 11/15/30

    340     332,739

Series 2006-C6, Class A4

   

5.372%, 9/15/39

    340     339,070

Morgan Stanley Capital I

   

Series 2005-T17, Class A5

   

4.78%, 12/13/41

    655     629,714
       

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $10,388,202)

      10,326,956
       

U.S. TREASURIES–7.1%

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   

4.50%, 2/15/36

    3,515     3,532,849

U.S. Treasury Notes

   

4.25%, 11/15/17

    1,335     1,358,258

4.875%, 5/31/11

    1,175     1,238,340
       

Total U.S. Treasuries
(cost $6,126,989)

      6,129,447
       

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–4.0%

   

HOME EQUITY LOANS- FLOATING RATE–2.3%

   

Asset Backed Funding Certificates

   

Series 2003-WF1, Class A2

   

5.533%, 12/25/32(c)

    136     125,452

Bear Stearns Asset Backed
Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005-SD1, Class 1A1

   

5.015%, 4/25/22(c)

    12     11,229

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2005-CB7, Class AF2

   

5.147%, 11/25/35(d)

    134     133,097

GE-WMC Mortgage Securities LLC

   

Series 2005-2, Class A2B

   

5.035%, 12/25/35(c)

    236     231,992

HFC Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Certificates

   

Series 2005-3, Class A1

   

5.209%, 1/20/35(c)

    169     155,855

Home Equity Asset Trust

   

Series 2007-2, Class M1

   

5.219%, 7/25/37(c)

    475     228,760

 

 

10


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

Home Equity Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2006-1, Class A2

   

5.367%, 5/25/36(d)

  $ 120   $ 60,075

Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust

   

Series 2006-D, Class 2A2

   

4.975%, 11/25/36(c)

    490     461,749

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust

   

Series 2007-2, Class M1

   

5.225%, 3/25/37(c)

    160     99,296

RAAC Series

   

Series 2006-SP3, Class A1

   

4.945%, 8/25/36(c)

    100     96,560

Residential Asset Mortgage Products, Inc.

   

Series 2005-RS3, Class AIA2

   

5.035%, 3/25/35(c)

    88     83,724

Series 2005-RZ1, Class A2

   

5.065%, 4/25/35(c)

    179     174,249

Saxon Asset Securities Trust

   

Series 2005-4, Class A2B

   

5.045%, 11/25/37(c)

    77     76,390

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance

   

Series 2006-BC1, Class A2A

   

4.945%, 12/25/36(c)

    46     45,546

Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust

   

Series 2006-1, Class A1

   

4.945%, 1/25/36(c)

    20     20,378
       
      2,004,352
       

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–1.4%

   

Citifinancial Mortgage Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2003-1, Class AFPT

   

3.36%, 1/25/33

    116     93,785

Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates

   

Series 2007-S1, Class A3

   

5.81%, 11/25/36

    475     393,840

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.

   

Series 2003-CB1, Class AF

   

3.45%, 1/25/33

    252     249,038

Home Equity Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2005-4, Class A3

   

4.742%, 1/25/36

    113     90,493

Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust

   

Series 2006-11, Class 1A2

   

6.354%, 8/25/36

    290     286,746

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, Inc.

   

Series 2005-HI2, Class A3

   

4.46%, 5/25/35

    118     116,835
       
      1,230,737
       
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–0.2%

 

Capital One Prime Auto Receivables Trust

   

Series 2005-1, Class A3

   

4.32%, 8/15/09

  $ 120   $ 119,386
       

OTHER–FIXED RATE–0.1%

 

DB Master Finance, LLC

 

Series 2006-1, Class A2

   

5.779%, 6/20/31(a)

    100     96,379
       

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $4,020,412)

      3,450,854
       

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–NON-U.S. ISSUERS–3.2%

   

SOVEREIGNS–3.0%

 

United Mexican States

 

5.625%, 1/15/17

    706     715,531

Russian Federation

 

7.50%, 3/31/30(a)(d)

    1,292     1,469,593

Republic of South Africa

 

5.875%, 5/30/22

    455     450,450
       
      2,635,574
       

SUPRANATIONALS–0.1%

 

European Investment Bank

 

4.875%, 2/15/36

    110     108,224
       

AGENCIES–0.1%

 

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank

 

5.125%, 2/01/17

    70     73,313
       

Total Government-Related–Non-U.S. Issuers
(cost $2,601,528)

      2,817,111
       

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–2.2%

 

U.S. Treasury Notes

 

2.375%, 4/15/11 (TIPS)
(cost $1,819,456)

    1,842     1,919,995
       

MORTGAGE CMO’S–2.0%

 

NON-AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE–1.6%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust

 

Series 2005-62, Class 2A1

   

5.788%, 12/25/35(c)

    160     151,006

Series 2007-OA3, Class M1

   

5.175%, 4/25/47(c)

    145     95,404

JPMorgan Alternative Loan Trust

 

Series 2006-A3, Class 2A1

   

6.066%, 7/25/36(b)

    481     476,989

Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass Through

   

Series 2007-OA1, Class A1A

   

5.488%, 2/25/47(c)

    381     355,236

Series 2007-OA3, Class B1

   

5.239%, 4/25/47(c)

    449     300,378
       
    1,379,013
       

 

 

11


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.3%

 

Residential Accredit Loans, Inc.

   

Series 2007-QS1, Class 1A1

   

6.00%, 1/25/37

  $ 290   $ 299,304
       

AGENCY ADJUSTABLE RATE–0.1%

 

Fannie Mae Grantor Trust

   

Series 2004-T5, Class AB4

   

5.053%, 5/28/35(c)

    50     41,617
       

Total Mortgage CMO’s
(cost $1,962,082)

      1,719,934
       

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–0.2%

 

INDUSTRIAL–0.2%

 

BASIC–0.2%

 

Packaging Corp. of America

   

5.75%, 8/01/13
(cost $152,435)

    155     158,407
       
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.9%

 

TIME DEPOSIT–0.9%

 

The Bank of New York

   

3.25%, 1/02/08
(cost $809,000)

  $ 809   $ 809,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–87.9%
(cost $76,545,605)

      76,152,302

Other assets less
liabilities–12.1%

      10,442,132
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 86,594,434
       

 

 

 

INTEREST RATE SWAP TRANSACTIONS (see Note D)

 

               Rate Type      
Swap Counterparty    Notional
Amount
(000)
   Termination
Date
   Payments
made by
the Portfolio
   Payments
received by
the Portfolio
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Lehman Brothers

   $ 1,500    12/04/11    3 month LIBOR    4.8504 %   $ 42,188

Lehman Brothers

     1,000    3/02/16    3 month LIBOR    5.0625       48,064

Lehman Brothers

     6,025    11/28/17    3 month LIBOR    4.7225       27,539

 

 

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $3,541,238 or 4.1% of net assets.

 

(b) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of December 31, 2007.

 

(c) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

(d) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

    The Portfolio currently owns investments collateralized by subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans are offered to homeowners who do not have a history of debt or who have had problems meeting their debt obligations. Because repayment is less certain, subprime borrowers pay a higher rate of interest than prime borrowers. As of December 31, 2007, the Portfolio's total exposure to subprime investments was 3.40%. These investments are valued in accordance with the Fund's Valuation Policies (see Note A.1 for additional details).

 

    Glossary:

 

    LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates

 

    TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $76,545,605)

   $ 76,152,302  

Cash

     957  

Unrealized appreciation of interest rate swap contracts

     164,984 *

Receivable for investment securities sold

     10,096,475  

Interest receivable

     729,428  

Due from swap counterparty

     49,150  
        

Total assets

     87,193,296  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     225,150  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     172,019  

Custodian fee payable

     54,336  

Premium received on swap contracts

     47,193  

Advisory fee payable

     33,502  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Distribution fee payable

     4,341  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     116  

Accrued expenses

     38,455  
        

Total liabilities

     598,862  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 86,594,434  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 7,369  

Additional paid-in capital

     83,150,982  

Undistributed net investment income

     4,058,250  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (393,848 )

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (228,319 )
        
   $ 86,594,434  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   66,305,595      5,630,630      $   11.78

B

     $   20,288,839      1,738,327      $   11.67

 

 

 

 

 

* Includes swap premium of $47,193.

See notes to financial statements.

 

13


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  

Year Ended December 31, 2007

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest (net of foreign withholding taxes of $150)

   $ 4,876,180  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     409,731  

Distribution fee—Class B

     52,521  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,860  

Transfer agency—Class B

     553  

Custodian

     134,296  

Administrative

     94,000  

Audit

     41,100  

Printing

     15,220  

Legal

     8,248  

Directors’ fees

     1,550  

Miscellaneous

     4,220  
        

Total expenses

     763,299  
        

Net investment income

     4,112,881  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     490,578  

Swap contracts

     (29,256 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (545,180 )

Swap contracts

     198,727  
        

Net gain on investment transactions

     114,869  
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 4,227,750  
        

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


 
U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 4,112,881     $ 4,179,465  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions

     461,322       (488,396 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (346,453 )     (107,606 )
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     4,227,750       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

     (7,482,382 )     (13,645,101 )
                

Total decrease

     (7,400,250 )     (14,050,064 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     93,994,684       108,044,748  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $4,058,250 and $4,148,310, respectively)

   $ 86,594,434     $ 93,994,684  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

December 31, 2007

  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-two 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.

 

16


 
 
    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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

17


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 year ended December 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 24,654,257    $ 21,492,028

U.S. government securities

     54,395,729      64,400,557

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding swap contracts) are as follows:

 

Cost

   $ 76,581,569  
        

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 959,380  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,388,647 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (429,267 )
        

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 component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments.

 

18


 
 
    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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio earned income of $6,706 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  
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  781,021     550,917       $ 9,157,740     $ 6,425,976  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  284,709     273,408         3,234,289       3,081,304  

Shares redeemed

  (1,519,605 )   (1,788,599 )       (17,792,556 )     (20,867,204 )
                               

Net decrease

  (453,875 )   (964,274 )     $ (5,400,527 )   $ (11,359,924 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  338,391     249,876       $ 3,902,927     $ 2,910,537  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  80,863     81,065         911,329       907,122  

Shares redeemed

  (594,789 )   (526,368 )       (6,896,111 )     (6,102,836 )
                               

Net decrease

  (175,535 )   (195,427 )     $ (2,081,855 )   $ (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 year ended December 31, 2007.

 

19


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 distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007     2006  

Distributions paid from:

    

Ordinary income

   $ 4,145,618     $ 3,988,426  

Net long-term capital gains

     –0     –0
                

Total taxable distributions

     4,145,618       3,988,426  
                

Total distributions paid

   $ 4,145,618     $ 3,988,426  
                

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 4,067,871  

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (357,884 )(a)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (273,904 )(b)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 3,436,083  
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $357,884, all of which expires in the year 2014. To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Portfolio utilized $546,303 of capital loss carryforwards.

 

(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.

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of Swaps and paydown gains/losses resulted in a net decrease in undistributed net investment income, and a net decrease to accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.

NOTE I: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the acquisitions of the assets and liabilities of each of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Dollar Government Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—High Yield Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Americas Government Income Portfolio and AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—Global Bond Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund—U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio. The acquisitions are expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008.

 

21


 
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  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.78     $11.82     $12.28     $12.56     $12.54  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .54     .50     .41     .32 (b)   .26  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  .01     (.06 )   (.17 )   .12     .23  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .55     .44     .24     .44     .49  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.55 )   (.48 )   (.36 )   (.36 )   (.37 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  –0   –0   (.34 )   (.36 )   (.10 )
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.55 )   (.48 )   (.70 )   (.72 )   (.47 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.78     $11.78     $11.82     $12.28     $12.56  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  4.85 %   3.93 %   1.98 %   3.77 %   3.88 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $66,305     $71,655     $83,329     $102,543     $129,194  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .78 %   .77 %(d)   .71 %   .68 %   .77 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .78 %   .77 %(d)   .71 %   .78 %   .77 %

Net investment income

  4.58 %   4.25 %(d)   3.37 %   2.46 %(b)   2.10 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  90 %   327 %   529 %   662 %   748 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 23.

 

22


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.67     $11.72     $12.18     $12.47     $12.47  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (a)

  .50     .46     .38     .28 (b)   .24  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  .02     (.06 )   (.17 )   .13     .21  
                             

Net increase in net asset value from operations

  .52     .40     .21     .41     .45  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.52 )   (.45 )   (.33 )   (.34 )   (.35 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  –0   –0   (.34 )   (.36 )   (.10 )
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.52 )   (.45 )   (.67 )   (.70 )   (.45 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.67     $11.67     $11.72     $12.18     $12.47  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  4.60 %   3.59 %   1.75 %   3.52 %   3.61 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $20,289     $22,340     $24,716     $25,744     $21,982  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.03 %   1.02 %(d)   .96 %   .93 %   1.03 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.03 %   1.02 %(d)   .96 %   1.03 %   1.03 %

Net investment income

  4.32 %   4.01 %(d)   3.14 %   2.19 %(b)   1.89 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  90 %   327 %   529 %   662 %   748 %

 

 

 

 

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

 

23


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

24


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE
SECURITIES PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and
    Independent Compliance Officer

Shawn E. Keegan(2), Vice President

Joran Laird(2), Vice President

Jeffrey S. Phlegar(2), Vice President

Douglas J. Peebles(2), Vice President

    

Alison M. Martier(2), Vice President

Greg J. Wilensky(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and
    Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

(2) The management of and investment decisions for the Portfolio’s portfolio are made by the U.S. Core Fixed-Income Investment Management Team. Mr. Shawn E. Keegan, Mr. Joran Laird, Mr. Jeffrey S. Phlegar, Mr. Douglas J. Peebles, Ms. Alison M. Martier and Mr. Greg J. Wilensky are the investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s portfolio.

 

25


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE
SECURITIES PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR      
        

Marc O. Mayer, +

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

50

(2005)

   Executive Vice President of the Adviser since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser, from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC)(“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103    SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
        
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS      
        

William H. Foulk, Jr., #, *** Chairman of the Board

75

(1990)

   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105    None
        

David H. Dievler, #

78

(1990)

   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”, formerly Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104    None
        

John H. Dobkin, #

66

(1992)

   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103    None

 

26


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

(YEAR ELECTED**)

  

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST 5 YEARS

   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
   OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
     
        

Michael J. Downey, #

64

(2005)

   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.    103    Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund, and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
        

D. James Guzy, #

71

(2005)

   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.    103    Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi-conductors)
        

Nancy P. Jacklin, #

59

(2006)

   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.    103    None
        

Garry L. Moody, #

55

(2008)

   Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995, Partner, Ernst &Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.    101    None
        

Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #

66

(2005)

   Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc. (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting), 1993–2003.    103    Xilinx, Inc. (semi- conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)
        

Earl D. Weiner, #

68

(2007)

   Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; and member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.    103    None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Portfolio’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein, L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

27


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,

AGE

    

PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)

HELD WITH FUND

     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Marc O. Mayer

50

     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         

Philip L. Kirstein

62

     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from October 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         

Shawn E. Keegan

36

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joran Laird

32

     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Jeffrey S. Phlegar

41

     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Douglas J. Peebles

42

     Vice President      Executive Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Alison M. Martier

51

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Greg J. Wilensky

40

     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, and Director of Stable Value Investments, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Emilie D. Wrapp

52

     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Joseph J. Mantineo

48

     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         

Thomas R. Manley

56

     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

  The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) has additional information about the Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

28


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES 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”) approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on October 30-November 1, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 or 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

 

29


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES 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 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. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index (the “Index”), in each case for periods ended July 31, 2007 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (September 1992 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 1-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 3-year period, and 5th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 5- and 10-year periods, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in all periods reviewed except in the 5-year period. 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 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 advisory 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 the Adviser charges institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized institutional 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., fixed income taxable securities).

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 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.

 

30


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s at approximate current size contractual effective fee rate of 45 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 9 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 small size (approximately $90 million as of September 30, 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.

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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

31


 
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 Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to 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 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

09/30/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Low Risk Income

  

45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

40 bp on next $2.5 billion

35 bp on the balance

   $90.0    U.S. Government/
High Grade Securities
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 (0.090% 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

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio

   Class A    0.77 %    December 31
   Class B    1.02 %   

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 18, 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.

 

32


 
    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 client 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 substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.4 However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product in the Adviser’s Form ADV that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

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 contractual management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.5

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.6 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds. However, because the Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers in the view of the Senior Officer and the Adviser, at the request of the Senior Officer and the Adviser, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.

 

 

 

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 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.

 

6 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.

 

33


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio   

Contractual
Management

Fee7

  

Lipper

Expense Group

Median

   Rank

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio

   0.450    0.500    3/13

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.8 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment objective/classification as the subject fund.9 Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s total expense ratio and the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The Portfolio’s total expense ratio ranking is also shown:

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)10

  

Lipper

Group
Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio

   0.774    0.635    12/13    0.612    34/35

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 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 $58,568 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 $271,155 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 The expansion of the Portfolio’s EU was not requested by the Adviser or the Senior Officer. They requested only that the EGs be expanded.

 

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

 

34


 
    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, 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”).11 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

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,13 subsidies and enhancement to services. 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 services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli 14 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The preliminary results of the updated study, based on more recent data and using Lipper classifications, were found to be consistent with the results of the original study. The independent consultant observed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

 

 

 

11 It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

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

 

13 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

14 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

35


U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH GRADE SECURITIES 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 $813 billion as of September 30, 2007, 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 Portfolio15 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)16 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2007.17

 

      Portfolio
Return
    

PG

Median (%)

    

PU

Median (%)

    

PG

Rank

    

PU

Rank

1 year

   5.13      4.89      5.13      2/7      10/19

3 year

   3.51      3.65      3.85      5/7      15/19

5 year

   4.05      4.19      4.42      6/7      16/19

10 year

   5.00      5.14      5.18      6/7      16/19

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 for the Portfolio is also shown.20

 

     Periods Ending July 31, 2007
Annualized Performance
    1   3   5   10   Since   Annualized   Risk
     Year
(%)
  Year
(%)
  Year
(%)
  Year
(%)
  Inception
(%)
  Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
  Period
(Year)

U.S. Government / High Grade Securities Portfolio

  5.13   3.51   4.05   5.00   5.38   3.45   0.36   10

Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index

  5.80   3.79   3.93   5.71   6.05   4.16   0.47   10

Inception Date: September 17, 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: November 26, 2007

 

 

 

15 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.

 

16 The Portfolio’s PG/PU are not identical to the Portfolio’s EG/EU, as the criteria for including/excluding a fund in/from a PG/PU are somewhat different from that of an EG/EU.

 

17 Note that the current Lipper investment classification/objective dictates the PG and PU throughout the life of the Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points 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 the periods through July 31, 2007. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance return of the benchmark is from the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast to the benchmark, the Portfolio’s since inception return is from the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

20 Portfolio 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.

 

36


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio

 

December 31, 2007

 

Annual Report

LOGO

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
July 1, 2007
   Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2007
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   1,021.11    $   5.20    1.02 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.06    $ 5.19    1.02 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.81    $ 6.41    1.26 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.85    $ 6.41    1.26 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company   Yield*  

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–100.1%

   

COMMERCIAL PAPER–52.9%

   

AIG Funding

     

1/23/08

  4.80%   $ 1,450   $ 1,445,782

ASB Finance Ltd. London

   

1/22/08(a)

  5.64%     850     847,258

Bank of America

     

3/10/08

  4.94%     1,350     1,337,373

Banque Et Caisse Epargne

     

1/29/08

  4.74%     1,450     1,444,716

Caisse Central Dejardins

     

1/09/08(a)

  5.05%     700     699,218

Caisse Nationale d’ Epargne

     

2/01/08(a)

  4.76%     850     846,560

Calyon North America Inc.

   

1/02/08

  4.69%     1,500     1,499,806

Canadian Imperial Bank

     

2/04/08

  5.60%     750     746,125

Citigroup Inc.

     

1/25/08

  4.87%     1,450     1,445,360

Deutsche Bank

     

1/15/08

  4.99%     850     848,370

General Electric Cap Corp.

   

2/14/08

  4.35%     1,350     1,342,872

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

   

2/04/08

  4.65%     900     896,090

HSBC Finance Corp.

     

1/14/08

  5.01%     1,450     1,447,408

ING (US) Funding LLC

     

2/27/08

  4.76%     800     794,021

Lloyds

     

2/19/08

  4.92%     1,450     1,440,369

Private Export Funding Corp.

   

2/07/08(a)

  4.80%     1,400     1,393,208

Rabobank USA Fin Corp.

     

1/02/08

  2.99%     700     699,942

San Paolo IMI US Finl Co.

   

1/09/08

  4.71%     800     799,170

Santander Central Hispano

   

3/13/08

  4.91%     800     792,240

Society Generale

     

1/31/08

  5.00%     850     846,508

State Street Corp.

     

2/12/08

  4.53%     1,350     1,342,913

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

   

3/03/08

  4.75%     1,400     1,388,692

Unicredito Ital Bank Ireland

   

1/07/08(a)

  5.06%     750     749,371
         
        25,093,372
         

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT–21.9%

   

American Express Bank FSB

   

2/26/08

  5.07%     900     900,000

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya ARG

   

2/25/08

  4.80%     800     800,000

Bank of Montreal

   

3/26/08

  4.55%     800     800,000
Company   Yield*  

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value  
     

 

Barclays US

   

2/20/08

  5.02%   $ 1,450   $ 1,450,000  

Dexia Credit Local

   

1/10/08

  5.25%     800     800,000  

Fortis Banque Luxembourg

   

2/05/08

  5.05%     700     700,000  

Norichukin Bank

   

1/28/08

  5.10%     700     700,000  

Royal Bank of Scotland NY

   

2/20/08

  4.75%     900     900,000  

4/21/08

  4.75%     450     450,000  

Toronto Dominion HLD USA

   

3/12/08

  5.08%     850     850,000  

Union Bank of California

   

1/17/08

  4.82%     700     700,000  

Wells Fargo Bank

   

1/18/08

  4.40%     1,350     1,350,000  
           
        10,400,000  
           

U.S. GOVERNMENT &
GOVERNMENT SPONSORED
AGENCY OBLIGATIONS–17.5%

 

Fannie Mae Discount Notes

   

3/12/08

  4.16%     550     545,520  

4/11/08

  4.17%     850     840,175  

3/19/08

  4.32%     1,350     1,337,510  

Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes

   

1/03/08

  4.29%     1,400     1,399,672  

1/23/08

  4.39%     1,450     1,446,190  

Freddie Mac Discount Notes

   

1/11/08

  4.26%     1,400     1,398,351  

3/24/08

  4.32%     1,350     1,336,710  
           
        8,304,128  
           

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT
GRADES–7.8%

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–7.8%

 

BANKING–2.1%

   

World Savings Bank FSB

     

5/08/08(b)

  5.24%     1,000     1,000,101  
           

FINANCE–5.7%

   

K2 USA LLC

     

1/22/08(a)(b)

  4.93%     700     700,000  

Series MTN

     

5/01/08(a)(b)

  4.86%     1,000     1,000,000  

Sigma Finance, Inc.

     

4/30/08(a)(b)

  4.92%     1,000     1,000,000  
           
        2,700,000  
           
        3,700,101  
           

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.1%
(cost $47,497,601)

        47,497,601  

Other assets less
liabilities–(0.1)%

        (41,329 )
           

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 47,456,272  
           

 

 

 

 

(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 December 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $7,235,615 or 15.2% of net assets.

 

(b) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at December 31, 2007.

 

* Represents annualized yield from date of purchase for discount securities, and stated interest rate for interest–bearing securities.

 

  See notes to financial statements.

 

2


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $47,497,601)

   $ 47,497,601  

Cash

     84,475  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     98,753  

Interest receivable

     53,936  
        

Total assets

     47,734,765  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Dividends payable

     136,244  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     56,234  

Custodian fee payable

     30,387  

Administrative fee payable

     23,750  

Advisory fee payable

     18,083  

Distribution fee payable

     5,000  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     121  

Accrued expenses

     8,674  
        

Total liabilities

     278,493  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 47,456,272  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 47,472  

Additional paid-in capital

     47,409,233  

Distribution in excess of net investment income

     (26 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (407 )
        
   $ 47,456,272  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—2 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

   $ 23,610,382      23,617,057      $ 1.00

B

   $   23,845,890      23,855,767      $   1.00

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

3


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Year Ended December 31, 2007   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 2,699,139
      

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     230,975

Distribution fee—Class B

     61,512

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,474

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,319

Custodian

     105,016

Administrative

     94,000

Audit

     41,100

Printing

     19,999

Legal

     9,750

Directors’ fees

     1,550

Miscellaneous

     4,275
      

Total expenses

     570,970
      

Net investment income

     2,128,169
      

REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     44
      

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 2,128,213
      

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,128,169     $ 2,343,758  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     44       8  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     2,128,213       2,343,766  

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (1,143,530 )     (1,343,672 )

Class B

     (984,665 )     (1,015,586 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (4,168,132 )     (4,508,069 )
                

Total decrease

     (4,168,114 )     (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 ($26) and $0, respectively)

   $ 47,456,272     $ 51,624,386  
                

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007   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-two 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 traded primarily in the over-the-counter market and are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Under such 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. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $94,000 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 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 $786 for the year ended December 31, 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 December 31, 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  
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
        Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
 

Class A

           

Shares sold

    31,932,856     27,295,967       $ 31,932,856     $ 27,295,967  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    1,143,530     1,343,672         1,143,530       1,343,672  

Shares redeemed

    (36,553,183 )   (31,914,301 )       (36,553,183 )     (31,914,301 )
                               

Net decrease

    (3,476,797 )   (3,274,662 )     $ (3,476,797 )   $ (3,274,662 )
                               

Class B

           

Shares sold

    36,898,757     32,590,916       $ 36,898,757     $ 32,590,916  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    984,665     1,015,586         984,665       1,015,586  

Shares redeemed

    (38,574,757 )   (34,839,909 )       (38,574,757 )     (34,839,909 )
                               

Net decrease

    (691,335 )   (1,233,407 )     $ (691,335 )   $ (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 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 paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 2,128,195    $ 2,359,258
             

Total distributions paid

   $ 2,128,195    $ 2,359,258
             

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (407 )(a)
        

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (407 )
        

 

(a) On December 31, 2007, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $407, of which $198 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, 2007, the Portfolio utilized $44 of capital loss carryforward.

NOTE H: Legal Proceedings

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 (“AllianceBernstein defendants”), and certain other unaffiliated defendants, 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 AllianceBernstein 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.

Following 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. All state court actions against the Adviser either were voluntarily dismissed or removed to federal court. On February 20, 2004, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all federal actions to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 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 Order of the SEC dated December 18, 2003 as amended and restated January 15, 2004 (“SEC Order”) and the New York State Attorney General Assurance of Discontinuance dated September 1, 2004 (“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 settlement amount ($30 million), which the Adviser previously accrued and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Alliance Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

 

8


 
 
    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 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 has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and has determined that the adoptions of FAS 157 will not have an impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements.

 

9


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income

  .04     .04     .02     .01 (a)   .01  
                             
         

Less: Dividends

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.04 )   (.04 )   (.02 )   (.01 )   (.01 )
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  4.35 %   4.22 %   2.35 %   .71 %   .53 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $23,610     $27,087     $30,370     $36,740     $54,847  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .99 %   .93 %(c)   .93 %   .69 %   .66 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .99 %   .93 %(c)   .93 %   .73 %   .66 %

Net investment income

  4.28 %   4.13 %(c)   2.30 %   .68 %(a)   .55 %

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 11.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income

  .04     .04     .02     –0 –(a)(d)   –0 –(d)
                             
         

Less: Dividends

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.04 )   (.04 )   (.02 )   –0 –(d)   –0 –(d)
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  4.08 %   3.96 %   2.10 %   .46 %   .28 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $23,846     $24,537     $25,778     $28,287     $47,946  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.24 %   1.19 %(c)   1.19 %   .94 %   .91 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.24 %   1.19 %(c)   1.19 %   .98 %   .91 %

Net investment income

  4.00 %   3.89 %(c)   2.06 %   .41 %(a)   .29 %

 

 

 

 

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

 

(d) Amount is less than $.01 per share.

 

11


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.) (the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

February 12, 2008

 

12


 
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS     
William H. Foulk, Jr.(1), Chairman      D. James Guzy(1)
Marc O. Mayer, President and Chief Executive Officer      Nancy P. Jacklin(1)
David H. Dievler(1)      Garry L. Moody(1)
John H. Dobkin(1)      Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)
Michael J. Downey(1)      Earl D. Weiner(1)
    
    
OFFICERS     

Philip L. Kirstein, Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer

Maria R. Cona, Vice President

Jason A. Moshos, Vice President

Raymond J. Papera, Vice President

    

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas R. Manley, Controller

    
    

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

    

LEGAL COUNSEL

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

    

DISTRIBUTOR

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

    

TRANSFER AGENT

AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 786003

San Antonio, TX 78278-6003

Toll-free 1-(800) 221-5672

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

13


 
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
   PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
       
INTERESTED DIRECTORS     
       

Marc O. Mayer, +
1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105
50
(2005)

   Executive Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) since 2001 and Executive Managing Director of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since 2003; prior thereto, he was head of AllianceBernstein Institutional Investments, a unit of the Adviser from 2001–2003. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (institutional research and brokerage arm of Bernstein & Co. LLC) (“SCB & Co.”) and its predecessor since prior to 2003.    103   SCB Partners, Inc. and SCB Inc.
       
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS     
       
William H. Foulk, Jr., #, ***
Chairman of the Board
75
(1990)
   Registered Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with which he had been associated since prior to 2003. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings.    105   None
       
David H. Dievler, #
78
(1990)
   Independent Consultant. Until December 1994, he was Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“AB Corp.”) (formerly, Alliance Capital Management Corporation) responsible for mutual fund administration. Prior to joining AB Corp. in 1984, he was Chief Financial Officer of Eberstadt Asset Management since 1968. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse & Co. Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1953.    104   None
       
John H. Dobkin, #
66
(1992)
   Consultant. Formerly, President of Save Venice, Inc. (preservation organization) from 2001–2002, Senior Advisor from June 1999–June 2000 and President of Historic Hudson Valley (historic preservation) from December 1989–May 1999. Previously, Director of the National Academy of Design and during 1988–1992, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of AB Corp.    103   None

 

14


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
(YEAR ELECTED**)
   PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
  OTHER
DIRECTORSHIP HELD
BY DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS
(continued)
   
      
Michael J. Downey, #
64
(2005)
   Private Investor since January 2004. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. Prior thereto, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management from 1987 to 1993.   103   Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., The Merger Fund and Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services)
      
D. James Guzy, #
71
(2005)
   Chairman of the Board of PLX Technology (semi-conductors) and of SRC Computers Inc., with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.   103   Intel Corporation (semi-conductors) and Cirrus Logic Corporation (semi- conductors)
      
Nancy P. Jacklin, #
59
(2006)
   Formerly, U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (December 2002–May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992–2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985–1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982–1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973–1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.   103   None
      

Garry L. Moody, #
55

(2008)

  

Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Managing Partner, Investment Management Services Group 1995–2008. President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company from 1993–1995. Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, partner in charge of the Chicago Office’s Tax Department, National Director of Investment Management Tax Services from 1975–1993.

  101   None
      
Marshall C. Turner, Jr., #
66
(2005)
  

Consultant. Formerly, President and CEO, Toppan Photomasks, Inc., (semi-conductor manufacturing services), 2005–2006, and Chairman and CEO from 2003 until 2005, when the company was acquired and renamed from Dupont Photomasks, Inc. Principal, Turner Venture Associates (venture capital and consulting) 1993–2003.

  103  

Xilinx, Inc. (semi-conductors) and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (semi-conductor substrates)

      
Earl D. Weiner, #
68
(2007)
  

Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; member of ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force on Fund Director’s Guidebook; member of Advisory Board of Sustainable Forestry Management Limited.

  103   None

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attn: Philip L. Kirstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

+ Mr. Mayer is an “interested director”, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as an Executive Vice President of the Adviser.

 

# Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

*** Member of the Fair Value Pricing Committee.

 

15


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*,
AGE
     PRINCIPAL POSITION(S)
HELD WITH FUND
     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Marc O. Mayer
50
     President and Chief Executive Officer      See biography above.
         
Philip L. Kirstein
62
     Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer      Senior Vice President and Independent Compliance Officer of the AllianceBernstein Funds, with which he has been associated since October 2004. Prior thereto, he was Of Counsel to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP from 2003 to October 2004, and General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. since prior to March 2003.
         
Maria R. Cona
53
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Jason A. Moshos
31
     Vice President      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Raymond J. Papera
51
     Vice President      Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Emilie D. Wrapp
52
     Secretary      Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Joseph J. Mantineo
48
     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer      Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.
         
Thomas R. Manley
56
     Controller      Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2003.

 

 

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI, ABIS and SCB & Co. are affiliates of the Fund.

 

   The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) has additional information about the Portfolio’s Directors and Officers and is available without charge upon request. Contact your financial representative or AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618 for a free prospectus or SAI.

 

16


 
MONEY MARKET 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”) approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on October 30-November 1, 2007.

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement in respect of the Portfolio, 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 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 or brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund advisory contracts because comparative

 

17


MONEY MARKET 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 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. At the meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the comparative 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 Lipper Variable Money Market Funds Average (the “Lipper Average”), in each case for periods ended July 31, 2007 over the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The directors noted that on a net return basis the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in all periods reviewed except in the 10-year period of the Performance Group when the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile, and on a gross return basis the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 1-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe in the 3-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 5-year period and 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in the 10-year period. The directors further noted that the Portfolio underperformed the Lipper Average in all periods reviewed. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser, which includes the significant impact of expenses as discussed below, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was understandable.

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 advisory 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 the Adviser charges institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized institutional 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., money market securities). The directors noted that another AllianceBernstein fund advised by the Adviser has a similar investment objective yet pays a lower advisory fee than the Portfolio. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Adviser sub-advises another money market fund at a lower fee schedule than the Portfolio although such fund invests in different types of securities than the Portfolio.

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

 

18


 
 
    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 effective fee rate of 45 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 15 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 small size (approximately $50 million as of September 30, 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.

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 as well as a presentation by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. 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 the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

19


 
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 Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), with respect to 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 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
09/30/07

($MIL)

   Portfolio

Low Risk Income

   45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
40 bp on next $2.5 billion
35 bp on the balance
     $ 49.2    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 Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $86,750 (0.150% 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

Money Market Portfolio

     Class A 0.93%

Class B 1.19%

  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

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on October 18, 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 client 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 substantially similar investment styles as the Portfolio.4 However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product in the Adviser’s Form ADV that has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves.5 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee:

 

Portfolio    ABMF Fund    Fee Schedule    ABMF
Effective
Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

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

   0.250 %    0.450 %

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 fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as that of the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio    Luxembourg Fund      Luxembourg Fee6

Money Market Portfolio

   Short Maturity Dollar Class A     

1.05% on the 1st €100 million7

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 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 not affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG since the fund had lower breakpoints than the NYAG related fee schedule.

 

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

 

7 The Euro-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate quoted at 4 p.m. on October 2, 2007 by Reuters was €1 per $1.4154. At that currency exchange rate, €100 million would be equivalent to approximately $141.5 million. €200 million would be equivalent to approximately $283.8 million.

 

21


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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 fee set forth below for the sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Money Market Portfolio. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of Money Market Portfolio had the fee schedule of the sub-advisory relationship been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2007 net assets and the Portfolio’s advisory fees:

 

Portfolio           

Sub-advised Fund

Fee Schedule

     Sub-advised
Fund
Effective Fee
       Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Money Market Portfolio

   Client  #18   

0.125% on first $100 million

0.10% on next $150 million

0.05% thereafter

     0.125 %      0.450 %

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.

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 contractual management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) 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.10 An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio      Contractual
Management
Fee11
    

Lipper

Expense
Group

Median

     Rank

Money Market Portfolio

     0.450      0.450      5/11

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 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

Money Market Portfolio

   0.935    0.655    11/11    0.502    50/51

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.

 

 

 

8 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.

 

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 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.

 

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 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.

 

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

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 $64,785 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 $46,496 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, 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”).14 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.15

V. POSSIBLE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,16 subsidies and enhancement to services. 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 services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

 

 

 

14 It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services for the Portfolios, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

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

 

16 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

23


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The preliminary results of the updated study, based on more recent data and using Lipper classifications, were found to be consistent with the results of the original study. The independent consultant observed patterns of lower advisory fees for funds with larger asset sizes and funds from larger family sizes compared to funds with smaller asset sizes and funds from smaller family sizes, which according to the independent consultant is indicative of a sharing of economies of scale and scope. However, in less liquid and active markets, such is not the case, as the empirical analysis showed potential for diseconomies of scale in those markets. The empirical analysis also showed diminishing economies of scale and scope as funds surpassed a certain high level of assets.

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

With assets under management of approximately $813 billion as of September 30, 2007, 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 net and gross performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”)19 and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”) for the periods ended July 31, 2007.20

 

      Portfolio
Return (%)
  

PG

Median (%)

  

PU

Median (%)

  

PG

Rank

  

PU

Rank

(Net)

              

1 year

   4.53    4.82    4.95    11/11    59/60

3 year

   3.19    3.44    3.60    11/11    57/58

5 year

   2.15    2.32    2.46    11/11    54/56

10 year

   3.26    3.39    3.51    7/9    48/51

(Gross)

              

1 year

   5.51    5.51    5.49    5/11    20/60

3 year

   4.11    4.12    4.12    7/11    34/58

5 year

   2.98    2.99    2.99    7/11    34/56

10 year

   4.03    4.03    4.04    4/9    29/51

 

 

 

17 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

18 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.

 

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/excluding a fund in/from a PU are 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 Portfolio even if the Portfolio may have had a different investment classification/objective at different points in time.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception net performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Portfolio volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23

 

     Periods Ending July 31, 2007
Annualized Performance
                        Annualized    
     1 Year
(%)
  3 Year
(%)
  5 Year
(%)
  10 Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
  Risk
Period
(Year)

Money Market Portfolio

  4.53   3.19   2.15   3.26   N/A   0.55   3.65   10

Lipper VA Money Market Average of funds

  4.87   3.51   2.39   3.49   3.80   N/A     N/A   N/A

Inception Date: December 30, 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: November 26, 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 the periods through July 31, 2007. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance return of the benchmark is from the nearest month-end after the Portfolio’s inception date. In contrast to the benchmark, the Portfolio’s since inception return is from the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

23 Portfolio 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


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

(a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the registrant’s code of ethics is filed herewith as Exhibit 12(a)(1).

(b) During the period covered by this report, no material amendments were made to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above.

(c) During the period covered by this report, no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were granted.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that independent directors David H. Dievler, William H. Foulk, Jr and Gary L. Moody. qualify as audit committee financial experts.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a) - (c) The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by the independent registered public accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP, for the Fund’s last two fiscal years for professional services rendered for: (i) the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements included in the Fund’s annual report to stockholders; (ii) assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under (i), which include multi-class distribution testing, advice and education on accounting and auditing issues, and consent letters; and (iii) tax compliance, tax advice and tax return preparation.

 

          Audit Fees    Audit - Related
Fees
   Tax Fees

AB Americas Government Income Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 8,637
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887

AB Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 23,649
   2007      30,695      4,294      19,887

AB Global Bond Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 8,639
   2007      30,695      4,294      9,887

AB Global Dollar Government

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 8,602
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887

AB Global Research Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 1,013    $ 9,639
   2007      30,695      4,294      9,887

AB Global Technology Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 11,023
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887


AB Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 9,481
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887

AB Growth & Income Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 12,446
   2007      30,695      4,339      9,887

AB High Yield Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 8,622
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887

AB International Value Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 10,465
   2007      30,695      4,328      9,887

AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 10,651
   2007      30,695      4,311      8,887

AB Money Market Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 8,636
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887

AB Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 13,689
   2007      30,695      4,294      19,887

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 9,219
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 9,552
   2007      30,695      4,302      9,887

AB Balanced Shares

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 9,394
   2007      30,695      4,294      9,887

AB U.S. Government/High Grade Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 8,697
   2007      30,695      4,294      8,887

AB U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Port

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 9,141
   2007      30,695      4,294      9,887

AB Utility Income Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 9,211
   2007      30,695      4,294      9,887

AB Value Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 9,384
   2007      30,695      4,294      9,887

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy Port

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 14,221
   2007      30,695      4,294      19,887

AB International Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 28,935    $ 2,513    $ 17,728
   2007      30,695      8,939      9,887


(d) Not applicable.

(e) (1) Beginning with audit and non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures require the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Fund by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures also require pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Adviser and Service Affiliates to the extent that these services are directly related to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund.

(e) (2) All of the amounts for Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees in the table under Item 4 (a) – (c) are for services pre-approved by the Fund’s Audit Committee.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The following table sets forth the aggregate non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Fund’s Adviser and entities that control, are controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund, which include conducting an annual internal control report pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70 (“Service Affiliates”):

 

          All Fees for
Non-Audit Services
Provided to the
Portfolio, the Adviser
and Service Affiliates
   Pre-approved by the
Audit Committee
(Portion Comprised of
Audit Related Fees)
(Portion Comprised of
Tax Fees)
 

AB Americas Government Income Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,147,882    $ 162,450  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (8,637 )
   2007      888,244      187,193  
           (178,306 )
           (8,887 )

AB Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,162,894    $ 177,462  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (23,649 )
   2007      899,244      200,842  
           (180,955 )
           (19,887 )

AB Global Bond Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,147,884    $ 162,452  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (8,639 )
   2007      889,244      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )


AB Global Dollar Government

   2006    $ 1,147,847    $ 162,415  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (8,602 )
   2007      888,244      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )

AB Global Research Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,147,384    $ 161,952  
         $ (152,313 )
         $ (9,639 )
   2007      889,244      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )

AB Global Technology Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,150,268    $ 164,836  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (11,023 )
   2007      888,244      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )

AB Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,148,726    $ 163,294  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (9,481 )
   2007      888,244      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )

AB Growth & Income Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,151,691    $ 166,259  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (12,446 )
   2007      889,289      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )

AB High Yield Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,147,867    $ 162,435  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (8,622 )
   2007      888,244      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )

AB International Value Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,149,710    $ 164,278  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (10,465 )
   2007      889,278      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )

AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,149,896    $ 164,464  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (10,651 )
   2007      888,261      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )


AB Money Market Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,147,880    $ 162,448  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (8,635 )
   2007      888,244      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )

AB Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,152,934    $ 167,502  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (13,689 )
   2007      899,244      200,842  
           (180,955 )
           (19,887 )

AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,148,464    $ 163,032  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (9,219 )
   2007      888,244      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )

AB Small Cap Value Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,148,797    $ 163,365  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (9,552 )
   2007      889,252      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )

AB Balanced Shares

   2006    $ 1,148,639    $ 163,207  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (9,394 )
   2007      889,244      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )

AB U.S. Government/High Grade Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,147,942    $ 162,510  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (8,697 )
   2007      888,244      189,842  
           (180,955 )
           (8,887 )

AB U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Port

   2006    $ 1,148,386    $ 162,954  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (9,141 )
   2007      889,244      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )


AB Utility Income Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,148,456    $ 163,024  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (9,211 )
   2007      889,244      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )

AB Value Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,148,629    $ 163,197  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (9,384 )
   2007      889,244      190,842  
           (180,955 )
           (9,887 )

AB Wealth Appreciation Strategy Port

   2006    $ 1,153,466    $ 168,034  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (14,221 )
   2007      899,244      200,842  
           (180,955 )
           (19,887 )

AB International Growth Portfolio

   2006    $ 1,156,973    $ 171,541  
         $ (153,813 )
         $ (17,728 )
   2007      892,244      189,197  
           (179,310 )
           (9,887 )

(h) The Audit Committee of the Fund has considered whether the provision of any non-audit services not pre-approved by the Audit Committee provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser and Service Affiliates is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

 

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-3(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 significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:

 

EXHIBIT NO.

  

DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

12 (a) (1)

   Code of ethics that is subject to the disclosure of Item 2 hereof

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: February 14, 2008

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: February 14, 2008

 

By:  

/s/ Joseph J. Mantineo

  Joseph J. Mantineo
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 14, 2008