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

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-05398

 

 

 

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Joseph J. Mantineo

Alliance Bernstein L.P.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2008

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2008


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Balanced Shares Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 884.71    $   3.80    0.81 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,020.84    $ 4.07    0.81 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 883.62    $ 4.96    1.06 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.59    $ 5.32    1.06 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Federal National Mortgage Association
(Bonds & Preferred Stock)

   $ 7,859,799      5.8 %

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     4,741,394      3.5  

ConocoPhillips

     4,474,086      3.3  

Total SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

     3,751,880      2.8  

Chevron Corp.

     3,469,550      2.6  

Eli Lilly & Co.

     3,369,680      2.5  

ACE Ltd.

     3,354,981      2.5  

Merck & Co., Inc.

     3,294,106      2.5  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     3,226,182      2.4  

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Bonds & Common Stock)

     2,821,397      2.1  
                 
     $   40,363,055      30.0 %

SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Common Stocks

   $ 98,275,994      72.9 %

Corporate-Investment Grades

     14,577,056      10.8  

Mortgage Pass Throughs

     7,937,811      5.9  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     5,596,545      4.2  

Governments-Treasuries

     2,385,194      1.8  

Asset-Backed Securities

     1,294,253      1.0  

Non-Convertible-Preferred Stocks

     976,171      0.7  

Corporate-Non-Investment Grades

     960,909      0.7  

Governments-Sovereign Bonds

     542,917      0.4  

Agencies

     435,473      0.3  

Quasi-Sovereigns

     383,332      0.3  

CMOS

     284,346      0.2  

Other*

     453,066      0.3  

Short-Term Investments

     675,000      0.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $   134,778,067      100.0 %

 

 

 

* “Other” represents less than 0.2% weightings in the following types: Inflation-Linked Securities and Governments-Sovereign Agencies.

 

2


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–73.0%

   
   

ENERGY–14.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.0%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  10   $ 873
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–14.4%

   

Chevron Corp.

  35,000     3,469,550

ConocoPhillips

  47,400     4,474,086

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  53,800     4,741,394

Marathon Oil Corp.

  21,000     1,089,270

Noble Energy, Inc.

  17,900     1,800,024

Total SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  44,000     3,751,880
       
      19,326,204
       
      19,327,077
       

FINANCIALS–13.5%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.8%

   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

  15,120     571,990

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  1,600     146,640

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  8,100     1,416,690

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  12,900     255,549
       
      2,390,869
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.5%

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

  29,500     700,625
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.8%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  36,600     873,642

Citigroup, Inc.

  26,100     437,436

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

  74,400     2,552,664
       
      3,863,742
       

INSURANCE–7.2%

   

ACE Ltd.

  60,900     3,354,981

American International Group, Inc.

  18,700     494,802

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

  78,400     2,337,104

Chubb Corp.

  6,200     303,862

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  36,200     2,337,434

MetLife, Inc.

  9,100     480,207

Prudential Financial, Inc.

  5,200     310,648

Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

  2,000     62,740
       
      9,681,778
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.2%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

  80,900     1,578,359
       
      18,215,373
       

HEALTH CARE–11.8%

   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–3.3%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  39,300     1,592,829
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  32,400   $ 850,500

WellPoint, Inc.(a)

  41,800     1,992,188
       
      4,435,517
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.5%

   

Eli Lilly & Co.

  73,000     3,369,680

Johnson & Johnson

  25,410     1,634,879

Merck & Co., Inc.

  87,400     3,294,106

Schering-Plough Corp.

  107,300     2,112,737

Wyeth

  22,500     1,079,100
       
      11,490,502
       
      15,926,019
       

INDUSTRIALS–8.9%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–7.1%

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

  47,300     2,378,244

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  32,700     3,226,182

Raytheon Co.

  29,890     1,682,209

United Technologies Corp.

  37,300     2,301,410
       
      9,588,045
       

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–1.1%

   

Cooper Industries Ltd.–Class A

  12,740     503,230

Emerson Electric Co.

  19,670     972,681
       
      1,475,911
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.7%

   

General Electric Co.

  35,240     940,556
       
      12,004,512
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.5%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  29,200     679,192
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.3%

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  9,400     415,574

International Business
Machines Corp.

  10,100     1,197,153

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  130,025     1,414,672
       
      3,027,399
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.9%

   

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  35,600     1,275,192
       

IT SERVICES–1.2%

   

Accenture Ltd.–Class A

  41,200     1,677,664
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.7%

   

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a)

  44,100     438,354

Intel Corp.

  15,000     322,200

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  10,300     192,816
       
      953,370
       

 

 

3


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

SOFTWARE–2.0%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  13,200   $ 519,948

Microsoft Corp.

  78,200     2,151,282
       
      2,671,230
       
      10,284,047
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–5.8%

   

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–2.1%

   

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.(a)

  26,900     1,041,030

Safeway, Inc.

  62,200     1,775,810
       
      2,816,840
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.2%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  26,000     1,581,060
       

TOBACCO–2.5%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  26,300     540,728

Lorillard, Inc.(a)

  23,300     1,611,428

Philip Morris International, Inc.

  25,000     1,234,750
       
      3,386,906
       
      7,784,806
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–4.9%

   

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.1%

   

Garmin Ltd.

  2,300     98,532
       

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.1%

   

Expedia, Inc.(a)

  7,900     145,202
       

MEDIA–4.7%

   

The DIRECTV Group, Inc.(a)

  39,100     1,013,081

EW Scripps Co.–Class A

  6,700     278,318

Gannett Co., Inc.

  22,400     485,408

Omnicom Group, Inc.

  11,000     493,680

Time Warner, Inc.

  88,400     1,308,320

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  58,990     1,801,555

The Walt Disney Co.

  30,500     951,600
       
      6,331,962
       
      6,575,696
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.6%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.6%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  72,500     2,442,525

CenturyTel, Inc.

  56,900     2,025,071

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  48,000     1,699,200
       
      6,166,796
       

MATERIALS–1.5%

   

CHEMICALS–1.5%

   

Dow Chemical Co.

  46,400     1,619,824

Eastman Chemical Co.

  5,400     371,844
       
      1,991,668
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $100,125,210)

      98,275,994
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

CORPORATES–
INVESTMENT GRADES–10.8%

 

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–5.1%

   

BANKING–2.0%

   

Bank of America Corp.
4.50%, 8/01/10

  $ 145   $ 144,946

BankAmerica Capital II
Series
2 8.00%, 12/15/26

    44     43,951

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

    50     48,594

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

    115     106,286

7.625%, 12/07/09

    95     98,204

Citicorp, Inc.
Series MTNF
6.375%, 11/15/08

    20     20,147

Citigroup, Inc.
2.817%, 6/09/09(d)

    40     39,555

3.625%, 2/09/09

    105     104,847

4.625%, 8/03/10

    100     99,585

5.50%, 4/11/13

    65     63,439

Fleet National Bank
5.75%, 1/15/09

    250     252,491

JP Morgan Chase & Co.
6.00%, 1/15/09–2/15/09

    200     201,268

6.75%, 2/01/11

    65     67,465

Morgan JP & Co., Inc.
6.25%, 1/15/09

    94     94,902

North Fork Bancorporation, Inc.
5.875%, 8/15/12

    100     95,073

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

    125     108,637

Regions Financial Corp.
6.375%, 5/15/12

    95     93,607

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.
4.80%, 9/01/10

    155     137,551

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

    250     249,189

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

    330     338,361

Union Planters Corp.
7.75%, 3/01/11

    63     64,400

Wachovia Corp.
5.50%, 5/01/13

    90     86,139

6.15%, 3/15/09

    100     100,298

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

    8     6,960

Wells Fargo & Co.
4.20%, 1/15/10

    50     50,146
       
      2,716,041
       

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

BROKERAGE–0.7%

   

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

  $ 81   $ 81,003

4.75%, 7/15/13

    45     43,286

5.125%, 1/15/15

    40     38,288

7.35%, 10/01/09

    24     24,648

Lazard Group
6.85%, 6/15/17

    160     141,119

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
6.50%, 7/19/17

    70     64,758

7.875%, 11/01/09–8/15/10

    195     199,762

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

    32     31,634

6.00%, 2/17/09

    100     99,634

Series MTNC
4.125%, 9/10/09

    105     103,746

Morgan Stanley
5.05%, 1/21/11

    100     98,859
       
      926,737
       

FINANCE–1.0%

   

American General Finance Corp.
4.875%, 7/15/12

    45     41,330

5.85%, 6/01/13

    100     88,192

Capital One Bank
6.50%, 6/13/13

    90     88,131

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

    13     11,689

CIT Group Funding Co. of Canada
5.20%, 6/01/15

    120     82,654

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

    100     94,630

5.00%, 2/01/15

    105     72,603

7.625%, 11/30/12

    100     83,118

Countrywide Financial Corp.
Series MTN
5.80%, 6/07/12

    41     38,778

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

    7     6,373

General Electric Capital Corp.
4.80%, 5/01/13

    90     88,170

5.875%, 2/15/12

    185     191,934

HSBC Finance Corp.
7.00%, 5/15/12

    40     41,432

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

    60     59,710

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

    30     24,750

5.65%, 9/15/11

    50     42,750

6.00%, 12/15/10

    200     170,500

Series B
5.95%, 10/15/13

    65     53,300
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

SLM Corp.
5.375%, 1/15/13

  $ 125   $ 110,096
       
      1,390,140
       

INSURANCE–1.1%

   

Allied World Assurance Co.
Holdings Ltd.
7.50%, 8/01/16

    60     56,156

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

    140     140,228

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

    100     94,786

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

    65     65,834

Genworth Financial, Inc.
4.75%, 6/15/09

    38     37,806

5.231%, 5/16/09

    35     35,171

6.515%, 5/22/18

    90     84,247

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

    125     125,804

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

    130     125,491

7.80%, 3/15/37(b)

    65     51,894

North Front Pass Through Trust
5.81%, 12/15/14(b)(c)

    500     465,152

Prudential Financial, Inc.
5.15%, 1/15/13

    60     58,480

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

    70     69,676

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

    50     46,995
       
      1,457,720
       

REITS–0.3%

   

ERP Operating LP
5.25%, 9/15/14

    105     97,592

HCP, Inc.
5.95%, 9/15/11

    155     150,500

Simon Property Group LP
5.00%, 3/01/12

    90     87,693
       
      335,785
       
      6,826,423
       

INDUSTRIAL–4.5%

   

BASIC–0.7%

   

ArcelorMittal
6.125%, 6/01/18(b)

    95     92,839

6.50%, 4/15/14

    45     45,622

BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd.
7.25%, 3/01/16

    68     73,697

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

    10     10,606

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
8.25%, 4/01/15

    40     42,050

8.375%, 4/01/17

    40     42,200

 

 

5


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

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Inco Ltd.
7.75%, 5/15/12

  $ 80   $ 85,413

International Paper Co.
4.25%, 1/15/09

    43     42,859

5.30%, 4/01/15

    70     61,700

7.95%, 6/15/18

    55     54,694

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

    135     129,997

PPG Industries, Inc.
5.75%, 3/15/13

    85     86,425

United States Steel Corp.
5.65%, 6/01/13

    85     82,761

Weyerhaeuser Co.
7.375%, 3/15/32

    110     109,106
       
      959,969
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.4%

   

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

    120     117,134

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

    100     101,328

John Deere Capital Corp.
4.875%, 3/16/09

    100     100,498

Lafarge SA
6.15%, 7/15/11

    77     77,449

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

    115     110,965

Vulcan Materials Co.
5.60%, 11/30/12

    90     89,363
       
      596,737
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.5%

   

British Sky Broadcasting
Group PLC
6.875%, 2/23/09

    100     101,516

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

    85     82,267

Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc.
9.455%, 11/15/22

    50     60,449

Comcast Corp.
5.30%, 1/15/14

    55     53,314

5.50%, 3/15/11

    70     70,053

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

    120     114,403

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

    80     86,209

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

    125     120,076
       
      688,287
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.9%

 

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

    85     90,532

BellSouth Corp.
5.20%, 9/15/14

    94     92,634
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Embarq Corp.
7.082%, 6/01/16

  $ 138   $ 131,066

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

    65     69,203

8.75%, 3/01/31

    40     47,463

Qwest Corp.
7.50%, 10/01/14

    110     105,875

7.875%, 9/01/11

    115     115,000

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

    139     139,341

Telus Corp.
8.00%, 6/01/11

    65     69,788

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

    40     37,953

5.25%, 4/15/13

    55     54,684

Vodafone Group PLC
7.75%, 2/15/10

    85     88,822

7.875%, 2/15/30

    100     109,865
       
      1,152,226
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.0%

 

Daimler Finance North
America LLC
4.875%, 6/15/10

    45     45,270
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
OTHER–0.2%

   

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

    91     89,959

7.875%, 5/01/12

    63     64,106

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

    20     17,320

6.875%, 11/15/12

    95     92,026

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.
6.00%, 12/01/16

    70     61,815
       
      325,226
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
RETAILERS–0.3%

 

CVS Corp.
6.125%, 8/15/16

    100     100,850

Macys Retail Holdings, Inc.
4.80%, 7/15/09

    100     98,001

6.30%, 4/01/09

    100     99,607

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
4.25%, 4/15/13

    40     39,776
       
      338,234
       

CONSUMER NON–
CYCLICAL–0.6%

   

Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp.
5.875%, 5/15/13

    60     58,990

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

    125     119,627

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 92   $ 91,205

Fortune Brands, Inc.
4.875%, 12/01/13

    95     91,044

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

    100     97,302

The Kroger Co.
7.25%, 6/01/09

    70     71,866

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

    84     86,616

7.625%, 6/01/16

    105     109,391

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

    90     90,582

Wyeth
5.50%, 2/01/14

    50     50,404
       
      867,027
       

ENERGY–0.4%

   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
5.15%, 2/01/13

    30     30,052

Gaz Capital SA
6.212%, 11/22/16(b)

    195     180,931

The Premcor Refining Group, Inc.
7.50%, 6/15/15

    74     76,344

Statoilhydro Asa
6.36%, 1/15/09

    45     45,765

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

    80     76,158

6.875%, 4/15/12

    65     67,473

Weatherford International Ltd.
5.15%, 3/15/13

    35     34,796

6.00%, 3/15/18

    15     14,804
       
      526,323
       

SERVICES–0.1%

   

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

    90     88,269
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.3%

   

Computer Sciences Corp.
5.50%, 3/15/13 (b)

    50     49,304

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

    90     92,436

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

    105     78,405

7.50%, 5/15/25

    20     18,707

7.625%, 11/15/10

    44     44,853

Oracle Corp.
4.95%, 4/15/13

    44     44,425

Xerox Corp.
7.625%, 6/15/13

    25     25,960
       
      354,090
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

TRANSPORTATION–
AIRLINES–0.1%

   

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

  $ 92   $ 84,542
       

TRANSPORTATION–
RAILROADS–0.0%

   

Canadian Pacific Railway Co.
6.50%, 5/15/18

    25     24,768

CSX Corp.
5.50%, 8/01/13

    35     34,280
       
      59,048
       

TRANSPORTATION–
SERVICES–0.0%

   

FedEx Corp.
3.50%, 4/01/09

    23     22,922
       
      6,108,170
       

UTILITY–1.2%

   

ELECTRIC–0.8%

   

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

    70     73,437

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

    115     118,001

Series C
7.375%, 11/15/31

    80     86,992

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

    55     48,000

6.65%, 6/15/67(c)

    170     150,282

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

    40     41,141

Nisource Finance Corp.
6.80%, 1/15/19

    95     93,162

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
3.60%, 3/01/09

    100     99,919

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

    40     44,610

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

    250     251,836
       
      1,007,380
       

NATURAL GAS–0.4%

   

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

    100     97,960

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

    350     373,644

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

    120     103,616
       
      575,220
       

 

 

7


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

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

OTHER UTILITY–0.0%

   

Veolia Environnement
6.00%, 6/01/18

  $ 60   $ 59,863
       
      1,642,463
       

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $15,131,623)

      14,577,056
       

MORTGAGE
PASS-THRU’S–5.9%

   

AGENCY FIXED
RATE 30-YEAR–5.9%

   

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

    548     574,875

Federal National Mortgage
Association
Series 2004
6.00%, 11/01/34

    362     366,286

Series 2006
5.00%, 2/01/36

    1,168     1,123,301

6.50%, 9/01/36

    296     305,388

Series 2007
4.50%, 1/01/36

    1,474     1,371,325

Series 2008
5.50%, 8/01/37

    3,550     3,510,194

6.50%, 12/01/37

    666     686,442
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $8,127,452)

      7,937,811
       

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–4.2%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED
RATE CMBS–4.2%

   

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

    896     904,918

Bear Stearns Commercial
Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2006-PW12, Class A4
5.902%, 9/11/38

    150     146,273

Commercial Mortgage Pass
Through Certificates
Series 2007-C9, Class A4
6.01%, 12/10/49

    190     181,850

Credit Suisse Mortgage
Capital Certificates
Series 2006-C3, Class A3
6.021%, 6/15/38

    185     181,458

Series 2006-C5, Class A3
5.311%, 12/15/39

    155     145,564
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 195   $ 181,700

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2006-GG8, Class A2
5.479%, 11/10/39

    185     183,456

JP Morgan Chase Commercial
Mortgage Securities Corp.
Series 2006-CB14, Class A4
5.481%, 12/12/44

    95     91,020

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

    180     175,597

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

    135     129,172

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

    270     254,094

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

    330     312,229

Series 2006-C7, Class A3
5.347%, 11/15/38

    195     183,832

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

    325     310,049

Series 2008-C1, Class A2
6.317%, 4/15/41

    310     303,443

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide
Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-3, Class A4
5.414%, 7/12/46

    200     189,695

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

    1,035     998,395

Wachovia Bank Commercial
Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C27, Class A3
5.765%, 7/15/45

    190     184,101

Series 2007-C31, Class A4
5.509%, 4/15/47

    190     176,998

Series 2007-C32, Class A2
5.924%, 6/15/49

    185     182,418

Series 2007-C32, Class A3
5.929%, 6/15/49

    190     180,283
       

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $5,780,171)

      5,596,545
       

GOVERNMENTS–
TREASURIES–1.8%

 

TREASURIES–1.8%

   

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

    1,470     1,459,550

U.S. Treasury Notes
3.625%, 12/31/12

    625     634,521

    4.25%, 11/15/17

    285     291,123
       

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $2,330,725)

      2,385,194
       

 

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

ASSET-BACKED
SECURITIES–1.0%

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–
FLOATING RATE–0.6%

 

Household Home Equity Loan Trust
Series 2007-1, Class M1
2.862%, 3/20/36(d)

  $ 365   $ 217,850

Newcastle Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2007-1, Class 2A1
2.613%, 4/25/37(d)

    284     258,859

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2007-2, Class M1
2.843%, 3/25/37(d)

    125     14,350

RAAC Series
Series 2006-SP3,
Class A1
2.563%, 8/25/36(d)

    40     37,978

Soundview Home Equity Loan Trust
Series 2007-OPT2, Class 2A2
2.612%, 7/25/37(d)

    300     245,719
       
      774,756
       

HOME EQUITY LOANS–
FIXED RATE–0.4%

 

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

    370     282,302

Credit-Based Asset Servicing &
Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.95%, 1/25/33(e)

    184     157,869

Series 2005-CB7, Class AF2
5.147%, 11/25/35(e)

    46     43,099

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

    38     36,227
       
      519,497
       

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $1,704,336)

      1,294,253
       
    Share    

NON-CONVERTIBLE–
PREFERRED STOCKS–0.7%

 

UTILITY–0.4%

   

OTHER UTILITY–0.4%

 

Dte Energy Trust I
7.80%

    20,000     502,200
       

INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

   

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1%

 

Centaur Funding Corp.
9.08%(b)

    200     197,312
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.1%

 

BANKING–0.1%

   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
5.75%

    10,000   $ 161,200
       

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.1%

 

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT
SPONSORED–0.1%

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Series Z
8.375%(c)

    2,225     54,068

Federal National Mortgage
Association
8.25%

    2,675     61,391
       
      115,459
       

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

      976,171
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

CORPORATES–NON-
INVESTMENT
GRADES–0.7%

 

INDUSTRIAL–0.4%

 

CAPITAL GOODS–0.0%

 

Owens Corning, Inc.
6.50%, 12/01/16

  $ 63     57,360
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.1%

   

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

    100     60,000

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

    13     12,025

7.125%, 2/01/16

    32     29,520
       
      101,545
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.2%

 

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

    165     132,412

Sprint Capital Corp.
7.625%, 1/30/11

    90     88,425
       
      220,837
       

CONSUMER
CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1%

 

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

    76     40,850

5.75%, 10/01/17

    5     2,625

6.50%, 6/01/16

    24     13,080

MGM Mirage
6.75%, 9/01/12

    40     35,900
       
      92,455
       

 

 

9


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

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER
NON-CYCLICAL–0.0%

 

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

  $ 40   $ 36,350
       
      508,547
       

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.2%

   

BANKING–0.2%

   

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

    445     255,875
       

FINANCE–0.0%

   

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

    92     81,912
       
      337,787
       

UTILITY–0.1%

   

ELECTRIC–0.1%

   

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

    45     43,650

Edison Mission Energy
7.00%, 5/15/17

    35     32,725

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

    40     38,200
       
      114,575
       

Total Corporates–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $1,279,782)

      960,909
       

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.4%

 

Republic of Brazil
8.25%, 1/20/34

    45     55,350

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

    330     370,349

United Mexican States
5.625%, 1/15/17

    116     117,218
       

Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds
(cost $548,867)

      542,917
       

AGENCIES–0.3%

   

AGENCY DEBENTURES–0.3%

 

Federal National Mortgage Association
6.25%, 5/15/29

    280     316,767

6.625%, 11/15/30

    100     118,706
       

Total Agencies
(cost $450,481)

      435,473
       

QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–0.3%

   

QUASI-SOVEREIGN
BONDS–0.3%

 

RSHB Capital SA for OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank 6.299%, 5/15/17(b)

    100     89,332

7.75%, 5/29/18(b)

    300     294,000
       

Total Quasi-Sovereigns
(cost $394,744)

      383,332
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   

CMOS–0.2%

   

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.1%

   

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust
Series 2006-3, Class 22A1
6.176%, 5/25/36(c)

  $ 206   $ 146,485  
         

NON-AGENCY FIXED
RATE–0.1%

 

Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-WF1, Class 1A1
5.087%, 6/26/35(b)

    118     117,293  
         

NON-AGENCY FLOATING
RATE–0.0%

 

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2007-OA3, Class M1 2.793%, 4/25/47(d)(f)

    110     20,568  
         

Total CMOs
(cost $434,530)

      284,346  
         

INFLATION-LINKED
SECURITIES–0.2%

 

U.S. Treasury Notes
2.375%, 4/15/11 (TIPS)
(cost $235,445)

    238     252,250  
         

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN AGENCIES–0.1%

 

Korea Development Bank 5.75%, 9/10/13
(cost $199,548)

    200     200,816  
         

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–0.5%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.5%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $675,000)

    675     675,000  
         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.1%
(cost $138,523,030)

      134,778,067  

Other assets less liabilities–(0.1)%

      (187,978 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 134,590,089  
         

 

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $3,231,785 or 2.4% of net assets.

 

(c) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2008.

 

(d) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2008.

 

(e) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2008.

 

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

The fund 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 June 30, 2008, the fund’s total exposure to subprime investments was 1.09%. These investments are valued in accordance with the fund’s Valuation Policies (see Note A.1 for additional details).

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $ 98,275,994      $ –0

Level 2

       34,291,225        –0

Level 3

       2,210,848        –0
                   

Total

     $   134,778,067      $             –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $ 6,187,085      $             –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

       (3,616 )      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       1,823        –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       (309,162 )      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       (3,576,942 )      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       (88,340 )      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $   2,210,848      $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ (293,390 )    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

12


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $138,523,030)

   $ 134,778,067  

Cash

     15,470  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,140,505  

Dividends and interest receivable

     495,375  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     2,379  
        

Total assets

     136,431,796  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     1,417,528  

Printing fee payable

     159,208  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     114,121  

Advisory fee payable

     63,599  

Administrative fee payable

     25,103  

Distribution fee payable

     6,825  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     55,238  
        

Total liabilities

     1,841,707  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 134,590,089  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 8,809  

Additional paid-in capital

     135,801,685  

Undistributed net investment income

     1,675,335  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     849,223  

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (3,744,963 )
        
   $ 134,590,089  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   102,702,257      6,713,038      $   15.30

B

     $ 31,887,832      2,096,279      $ 15.21

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

13


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $11,257)

   $ 1,217,439  

Interest

     1,191,446  
        

Total investment income

     2,408,885  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     414,002  

Distribution fee—Class B

     43,712  

Transfer agency—Class A

     902  

Transfer agency—Class B

     271  

Printing

     122,212  

Custodian

     68,999  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     4,804  

Legal

     7,218  

Directors’ fees

     884  

Miscellaneous

     1,895  
        

Total expenses

     710,999  
        

Net investment income

     1,697,886  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     994,549  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (21,503,606 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (20,509,057 )
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     11,758  
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (18,799,413 )
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,697,886     $ 4,739,207  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     994,549       14,787,087  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (21,503,606 )     (13,736,973 )

Contribution from Adviser

     11,758       352,186  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (18,799,413 )     6,141,507  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (3,707,840 )     (4,174,710 )

Class B

     (1,033,940 )     (1,026,872 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (11,184,205 )     (3,457,536 )

Class B

     (3,433,427 )     (940,614 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     2,282,264       (34,292,453 )
                

Total decrease

     (35,876,561 )     (37,750,678 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     170,466,650       208,217,328  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,675,335 and $4,719,229, respectively)

   $ 134,590,089     $ 170,466,650  
                

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return consistent with reasonable risk, through a combination of income and long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek to achieve a high return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

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 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 Directors’ 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Adviser made a payment of $11,758 to the Portfolio in connection with a trading error.

 

17


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

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008 amounted to $60,407, 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 68,132,941    $ 74,588,908

U.S. government securities

     33,424,793      37,054,224

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 8,842,097  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (12,587,060 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (3,744,963 )
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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.

 

18


    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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio did not participate in dollar roll transactions.

4. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

 

19


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

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  48,362     225,484       $ 852,105     $ 4,649,008  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  924,972     378,584         14,892,045       7,632,246  

Shares redeemed

  (866,729 )   (2,052,043 )       (15,415,017 )     (41,503,596 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  106,605     (1,447,975 )     $ 329,133     $ (29,222,342 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  37,302     94,706       $ 696,620     $ 1,901,488  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  278,862     98,129         4,467,367       1,967,486  

Shares redeemed

  (180,349 )   (443,051 )       (3,210,856 )     (8,939,085 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  135,815     (250,216 )     $ 1,953,131     $ (5,070,111 )
                             

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

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. 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 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

 

21


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

 

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

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing a fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded in the current period. Adoption of FIN 48 is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. On June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

NOTE K: Acquisition of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

On June 11, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the acquisition of the Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.—AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition does not require approval by the Portfolio’s shareholders. The Acquisition is expected to become effective late in the third quarter of 2008. As a result of the acquisition, shareholders of the Portfolio will receive shares of AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio equivalent to the aggregate net asset value of the shares they held in the Portfolio.

 

22


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $19.93     $20.31     $19.18     $18.94     $17.76     $15.30  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .20     .51     .49     .43     .46 (b)   .42  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (2.38 )   .08     1.66     .30     1.12     2.47  

Contribution from Adviser

  .00 (c)   .04     –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.18 )   .63     2.15     .73     1.58     2.89  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.61 )   (.55 )   (.49 )   (.49 )   (.40 )   (.43 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.84 )   (.46 )   (.53 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (2.45 )   (1.01 )   (1.02 )   (.49 )   (.40 )   (.43 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $15.30     $19.93     $20.31     $19.18     $18.94     $17.76  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (11.53 )%*   3.05 %**   11.79 %   3.91 %   9.07 %   19.05 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $102,702     $131,663     $163,608     $175,005     $193,600     $197,334  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .81 %(e)(f)   .73 %   .73 %(e)   .71 %   .71 %   .79 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .81 %(e)(f)   .73 %   .73 %(e)   .71 %   .76 %   .79 %

Net investment income

  2.39 %(e)(f)   2.51 %   2.53 %(e)   2.29 %   2.57 %(b)   2.60 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  68 %   67 %   40 %   52 %   60 %   81 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 24.

 

23


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

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $19.79     $20.18     $19.05     $18.83     $17.69     $15.27  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .18     .46     .44     .38     .43 (b)   .36  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (2.36 )   .07     1.66     .29     1.10     2.48  

Contribution from Adviser

  .00 (c)   .04     –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.18 )   .57     2.10     .67     1.53     2.84  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.56 )   (.50 )   (.44 )   (.45 )   (.39 )   (.42 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.84 )   (.46 )   (.53 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (2.40 )   (.96 )   (.97 )   (.45 )   (.39 )   (.42 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $15.21     $19.79     $20.18     $19.05     $18.83     $17.69  
                                   

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (11.64 )%*   2.75 %**   11.56 %   3.61 %   8.79 %   18.78 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $31,888     $38,804     $44,609     $45,493     $45,047     $23,417  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.06 %(e)(f)   .98 %   .98 %(e)   .96 %   .96 %   1.05 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.06 %(e)(f)   .98 %   .98 %(e)   .96 %   1.01 %   1.05 %

Net investment income

  2.14 %(e)(f)   2.26 %   2.28 %(e)   2.04 %   2.35 %(b)   2.29 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  68 %   67 %   40 %   52 %   60 %   81 %

 

 

 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Net of expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser.

 

(c) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

(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.

 

* 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 by 0.07%.

 

** 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).

 

24


 
BALANCED SHARES PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

25


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

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to a composite index (60% Russell 1000 Value Index/40% Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Index) (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (December 1992 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 5th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 1st quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 10-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 fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

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

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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. The directors view expense ratio

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 5 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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.

 

27


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 a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Balanced

  55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
45 bp on next $2.5 billion 40 bp on the balance
  $ 153.8   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 $94,000 (0.05 % 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

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, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings 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

 

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. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 (%)
  Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)

Balanced Shares Portfolio

  Balanced Shares, Inc.   0.60% on first $200 million
0.50% on next $200 million
0.40% on the balance
  0.600   0.550

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

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

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

 

29


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      0.638      3/18

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

   0.731    0.747    6/18    0.747    15/36

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

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

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $105,170 (or 0.25% of the Portfolio’s average net assets) 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $537,703 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.

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of approximately $786 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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,11 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 make 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 12 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first revisited with the Board of Directors the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size). In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile of their comparable peers. 13 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 

 

 

10 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

11 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

12 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

13 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

31


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

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio14 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)15 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.16

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   1.64    0.16    0.86    14/18    71/84

3 year

     5.01    6.71    7.01    14/16    46/52

5 year

     8.64    10.12    10.24    11/16    35/44

10 year

     6.68    4.62    5.04    2/16    5/37

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)17 versus its benchmark.

 

     

Periods Ending January 31, 2008

Annualized Performance

      1
Year
(%)
   3
Year
(%)
   5
Year
(%)
   10
Year
(%)
   Since
Inception
(%)
              

Balanced Shares Portfolio

   1.64    5.01    8.64    6.68    8.65

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

     0.26    7.16    10.50    7.14    9.88

Russell 1000 Value Index

   5.38    8.48    14.25    7.40    11.65

Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Bond Index

     8.81    4.92    4.75    6.01    6.53

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 5, 2008

 

 

 

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 may have had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

17 The performance returns shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio.

 

32


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 915.39    $   3.57    0.75 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,021.13    $ 3.77    0.75 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 913.23    $ 4.76    1.00 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.89    $ 5.02    1.00 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Federal National Mortgage Association (Common Stock and Bonds)

   $ 20,754,673      8.0 %

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

     18,537,212      7.2  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (Common Stock and Bonds)

     5,966,409      2.3  

JPMorgan Chase (Common Stock and Bonds)

     4,051,797      1.6  

Federal Home Loan Bank

     3,662,471      1.4  

Apple, Inc.

     3,280,150      1.3  

Google, Inc.—Class A

     3,279,597      1.3  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     3,022,859      1.2  

LB UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust

     2,637,527      1.0  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     2,431,550      0.9  
                 
     $   67,624,245      26.2 %

SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Common Stocks

   $   158,680,947      62.0 %

Corporates—Investment Grades

     20,443,832      8.0  

Governments—Treasuries

     18,537,212      7.2  

Mortgage Pass-Thru’s

     18,395,893      7.2  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     13,582,058      5.3  

Agencies

     11,637,538      4.6  

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

     1,313,324      0.5  

CMOs

     1,120,594      0.4  

Asset-Backed Securities

     924,787      0.4  

Quasi-Sovereigns

     884,697      0.3  

Non-Convertible—Preferred Stocks

     218,137      0.1  

Government-Related—Non-U.S. Issuers

     209,842      0.1  

Other**

     322,184      0.1  

Short-Term Investments

     9,704,000      3.8  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 255,975,045      100.0 %

 

 

 

* Long-term investments.

 

** “Other” represents less than 0.1% weightings in the following security types: Governments—Sovereign Bonds, Rights and Supranationals.

 

2


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–61.5%

   
   

FINANCIALS–18.8%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–2.4%

   

3i Group PLC

  10,080   $ 164,889

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

  2,800     113,876

The Blackstone Group LP

  10,175     185,287

Credit Suisse Group AG

  9,547     434,551

Deutsche Bank AG

  5,500     471,152

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  8,995     824,392

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  7,575     1,324,867

ICAP PLC

  19,640     210,369

Julius Baer Holding AG

  7,268     487,414

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  2,800     55,468

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  3,156     146,929

Man Group PLC

  59,469     734,639

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  17,600     558,096

Morgan Stanley

  13,600     490,552
       
      6,202,481
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.8%

   

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

  27,071     493,887

Barclays PLC

  51,100     289,914

BNP Paribas SA

  3,100     279,053

Comerica, Inc.

  3,800     97,394

Credit Agricole SA

  21,348     433,374

Fifth Third Bancorp

  5,400     54,972

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

  3,100     119,287

HBOS PLC

  80,890     442,857

Keycorp

  4,100     45,018

Kookmin Bank

  1,200     70,527

National City Corp.

  2,200     10,494

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (London Virt-X)

  97,031     413,074

Societe Generale

  3,825     331,625

Standard Chartered PLC

  13,035     369,144

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  30     225,606

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  5,100     184,722

U.S. Bancorp

  4,600     128,294

Wachovia Corp.

  21,100     327,683

Wells Fargo & Co.

  9,200     218,500
       
      4,535,425
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.2%

   

Discover Financial Services

  16,600     218,622

ORIX Corp.

  1,820     260,673
       
      479,295
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.4%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  45,200     1,078,924

Citigroup, Inc.

  56,600     948,616

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  4,610     1,766,506

Deutsche Boerse AG

  1,601     181,003

Fortis (Euronext Brussels)

  16,666     264,731

ING Groep NV

  16,600     524,854
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

  34,000   $ 1,166,540

NYSE Euronext

  5,800     293,828
       
      6,225,002
       

INSURANCE–2.4%

   

ACE Ltd.

  6,100     336,049

Allianz SE

  3,400     597,591

Allstate Corp.

  8,800     401,192

American International Group, Inc.

  26,500     701,190

Aviva PLC

  15,154     150,238

Chubb Corp.

  6,700     328,367

Everest Re Group Ltd.

  1,900     151,449

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

  200     51,192

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A

  6,200     78,120

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (ordinary shares)

  1,700     56,025

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (saving shares)

  700     15,576

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A

  17,600     313,456

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  6,200     400,334

MetLife, Inc.

  6,500     343,005

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  1,700     298,197

Old Republic International Corp.

  7,900     93,536

PartnerRe Ltd.

  3,600     248,868

The Progressive Corp.

  17,700     331,344

Prudential PLC

  14,577     153,754

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  8,904     191,447

Safeco Corp.

  2,400     161,184

The Travelers Co.,Inc.

  9,300     403,620

Unum Group

  9,900     202,455

XL Capital Ltd.–Class A

  5,700     117,192
       
      6,125,381
       

PROPERTY–CASUALTY INSURANCE–0.0%

   

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

  3,300     147,411
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–6.7%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  2,625     255,518

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

  8,496     168,304

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

  5,402     183,992

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

  256,000     415,068

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  23,600     109,032

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

  1,300     115,908

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

  6,100     149,633

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

  2,687     100,529

 

 

3


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Boston Properties, Inc.

  2,500   $ 225,550

British Land Co. PLC

  20,544     288,899

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

  8,470     243,127

CapitaMall Trust

  179,600     396,132

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

  4,300     98,212

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

  7,129     153,459

Corio NV

  1,500     116,835

DB RREEF Trust

  277,831     367,803

Derwent Valley Holdings PLC

  5,750     114,954

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

  18,700     203,643

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  9,100     372,281

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust

  4,400     134,714

Entertainment Properties Trust

  6,150     304,056

Equity Residential

  7,550     288,938

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  1,225     130,462

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

  7,700     118,272

Federal Realty Investment Trust

  1,850     127,650

Fonciere Des Murs

  4,300     155,031

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  9,500     332,785

Great Portland Estates PLC

  15,400     103,342

H&R Real Estate Investment

  1     16

Hammerson PLC

  5,950     105,388

HCP, Inc.

  6,300     200,403

Health Care REIT, Inc.

  7,600     338,200

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

  3,800     119,396

Home Properties, Inc.

  3,400     163,404

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  15,029     205,146

ING Office Fund

  152,100     167,855

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.–Class A

  38     401,355

Kimco Realty Corp.

  7,950     274,434

Klepierre

  16,349     819,632

Land Securities Group PLC

  15,082     368,045

Liberty International PLC

  6,300     107,521

Macerich Co.

  2,750     170,857

Macquarie CountryWide Trust

  94,200     81,271

Mercialys SA

  2,600     114,262

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  3,250     165,880

Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust

  10,700     140,610

National Retail Properties, Inc.

  8,900     186,010

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  7,450     234,600

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.–Class A

  21     247,646

Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.–Class A

  12     90,376

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  11,800     196,470

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. (REIT)

  3,200     136,672

Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust

  10,283     184,649

Prologis

  13,875     754,106
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Public Storage

  3,800   $ 307,002

Rayonier, Inc.

  4,000     169,840

Regency Centers Corp.

  2,400     141,888

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,400     27,267

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (UIT)

  5,688     110,774

Segro PLC

  7,769     60,747

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  10,050     903,395

SL Green Realty Corp.

  1,900     157,168

Stockland

  20,532     106,167

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  7,600     71,212

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

  13,000     215,800

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  6,650     238,935

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  6,400     311,360

UDR, Inc.

  5,200     116,376

Unibail

  5,078     1,169,350

Ventas, Inc.

  7,200     306,504

Vornado Realty Trust

  4,700     413,600

Wereldhave NV

  1,500     157,554

Westfield Group

  38,289     598,291

Westfield Group–New(a)

  1,104     17,061
       
      17,348,624
       

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–2.6%

   

Brookfield Properties Corp.

  14,725     261,958

Castellum AB

  25,900     245,742

Citycon Oyj

  31,442     158,089

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.–Class A

  4,100     132,102

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

  157,000     504,028

Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.

  81,000     506,432

Hufvudstaden AB–Class A

  12,000     115,196

Kerry Properties Ltd.

  101,131     531,857

Lend Lease Corp. Ltd.

  55,200     505,763

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

  26,000     595,260

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

  27,100     580,021

New World Development Co., Ltd.

  216,051     441,302

Norwegian Property ASA

  28,300     131,536

NTT Urban Development Corp.(b)

  533     698,753

Sumitomo Realty & Development

  9,000     179,038

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

  62,700     852,348

Tokyu Land Corp.

  43,000     244,851
       
      6,684,276
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.3%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  12,000     196,800

Federal National Mortgage Association

  30,500     595,055

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  6,600     32,538
       
      824,393
       
      48,572,288
       

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–8.0%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.6%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  3,250   $ 283,855

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  7,850     434,497

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a)

  5,500     487,960

Schlumberger Ltd.

  18,300     1,965,969

Technip SA

  2,774     255,984

Transocean, Inc.(a)

  4,425     674,326
       
      4,102,591
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–6.4%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

  6,200     464,008

Apache Corp.

  6,000     834,000

BG Group PLC

  7,890     205,041

BP PLC

  5,300     61,430

Chevron Corp.

  17,700     1,754,601

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

  308,000     287,894

ConocoPhillips

  14,500     1,368,655

Devon Energy Corp.

  5,600     672,896

ENI SpA

  9,800     364,074

EOG Resources, Inc.

  10,350     1,357,920

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  34,300     3,022,859

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)(c)

  6,159     357,222

LUKOIL (Sponsored) (ADR)

  2,900     284,780

Marathon Oil Corp.

  5,200     269,724

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  2,800     251,608

Petro-Canada

  5,700     319,238

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR)

  7,700     545,391

Repsol YPF SA

  1,600     62,791

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

  9,327     382,327

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (London Virt-X)–Class A

  23,300     952,807

StatoilHydro ASA

  25,185     939,647

Sunoco, Inc.

  3,300     134,277

Total SA

  15,614     1,329,042

Valero Energy Corp.

  6,100     251,198
       
      16,473,430
       
      20,576,021
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–7.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  61,050     1,420,023

Motorola, Inc.

  17,800     130,652

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored)–Class A (ADR)

  10,000     245,000

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  12,400     550,188

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  14,125     1,651,212
       
      3,997,075
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.7%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  19,590   $ 3,280,150

Asustek Computer, Inc.

  61,000     165,687

Compal Electronics, Inc.

  56,280     60,724

Fujitsu Ltd.

  47,000     349,013

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  55,000     2,431,550

International Business Machines Corp.

  1,000     118,530

Lexmark International, Inc.–Class A(a)

  4,100     137,063

Toshiba Corp.

  26,000     191,816

Western Digital Corp.(a)

  9,200     317,676
       
      7,052,209
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.3%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  7,000     215,040

Avnet, Inc.(a)

  8,800     240,064

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  1,300     12,220

Ingram Micro, Inc.–Class A(a)

  9,100     161,525

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  9,400     12,032

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  2,600     88,114

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  1,250     44,775

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

  7,900     70,073
       
      843,843
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.3%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  6,230     3,279,597
       

IT SERVICES–0.1%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  12,200     300,608
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.0%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  9,100     248,339

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(a)

  7,400     176,567

Intel Corp.

  7,400     158,952

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a)

  14,700     904,638

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  33,725     631,332

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  140     83,641

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  6,300     177,408

United Microelectronics Corp.

  398,207     210,473
       
      2,591,350
       

SOFTWARE–0.6%

   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

  4,200     186,606

Microsoft Corp.

  6,100     167,811

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

  1,100     623,781

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  4,600     313,858

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  5,350     288,151
       
      1,580,207
       
      19,644,889
       

 

 

5


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE–6.2%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.8%

   

Amgen, Inc.(a)

  13,800   $ 650,808

Celgene Corp.(a)

  19,750     1,261,432

CSL Ltd./Australia

  4,832     165,404

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  10,300     781,770

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  34,250     1,813,538
       
      4,672,952
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.0%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  8,725     1,420,343

Baxter International, Inc.

  8,200     524,308

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  5,200     422,760

Essilor International SA

  3,708     226,186
       
      2,593,597
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.8%

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A

  5,000     199,950

Cardinal Health, Inc.

  5,300     273,374

Celesio AG

  3,300     119,243

McKesson Corp.

  3,200     178,912

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  23,450     1,106,840
       
      1,878,319
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–2.6%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  18,200     964,054

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

  13,900     307,270

Johnson & Johnson

  12,100     778,514

Merck & Co., Inc.

  18,600     701,034

Novartis AG

  4,134     227,503

Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B

  2,695     177,413

Pfizer, Inc.

  64,700     1,130,309

Sanofi-Aventis SA

  4,100     272,441

Schering-Plough Corp.

  12,200     240,218

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  33,650     1,541,170

Wyeth

  8,900     426,844
       
      6,766,770
       
      15,911,638
       

MATERIALS–5.1%

   

CHEMICALS–2.4%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  7,400     731,564

Ashland, Inc.

  3,500     168,700

BASF SE

  10,200     699,952

Bayer AG

  5,316     446,276

Dow Chemical Co.

  13,200     460,812

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  8,700     373,143

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

  1,187     210,183

Koninklijke Dsm NV

  3,700     216,864

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  36,000     209,628

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.(b)

  12,400     61,234

Monsanto Co.

  15,810     1,999,016

Nova Chemicals Corp.

  1,900     46,768

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan

  1,196     273,370
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Solvay SA–Class A

  1,400   $ 182,393

Syngenta AG

  517     167,494
       
      6,247,397
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.2%

   

Amcor Ltd.

  17,300     83,810

Ball Corp.

  5,000     238,700

Bemis, Inc.

  6,100     136,762

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  3,300     137,577

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  7,000     28,490
       
      625,339
       

METALS & MINING–2.4%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  11,900     423,878

Anglo American PLC

  5,146     361,422

Antofagasta PLC

  11,100     144,330

ArcelorMittal

  3,568     352,227

Barrick Gold Corp.

  1,000     45,710

BHP Billiton PLC

  12,702     487,121

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  11,100     397,602

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  6,100     182,024

Inmet Mining Corp.

  1,200     79,647

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  10,000     504,182

Kazakhmys PLC

  2,800     88,284

MMC Norilsk Nickel (ADR)

  10,550     265,860

Norsk Hydro ASA

  12,600     183,726

Rio Tinto PLC

  8,375     1,008,575

Rio Tinto PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  885     438,075

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

  9,000     137,667

Xstrata PLC

  11,960     952,738
       
      6,053,068
       

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Stora Enso Oyj–Class R

  11,300     105,279

Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B

  4,600     64,725
       
      170,004
       
      13,095,808
       

INDUSTRIALS–4.5%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.8%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  39,746     348,863

Honeywell International, Inc.

  24,625     1,238,145

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  1,000     98,660

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  5,500     367,950
       
      2,053,618
       

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Air France-KLM

  3,200     76,329

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  8,400     180,985

Qantas Airways Ltd.

  40,200     117,148

UAL Corp.

  6,300     32,886
       
      407,348
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.1%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.(a)

  21,000     265,020
       

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.3%

   

Fluor Corp.

  2,975   $ 553,588

Foster Wheeler Ltd.(a)

  2,600     190,190
       
      743,778
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

ABB Ltd.

  24,464     692,474

Emerson Electric Co.

  4,250     210,163

First Solar, Inc.(a)

  190     51,836
       
      954,473
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.0%

   

3M Co.

  1,800     125,262

General Electric Co.

  61,000     1,628,090

Textron, Inc.

  9,800     469,714

Tyco International Ltd.

  8,100     324,324
       
      2,547,390
       

MACHINERY–0.8%

   

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

  13,241     193,654

Caterpillar, Inc.

  2,900     214,078

Crane Co.

  3,200     123,296

Cummins, Inc.

  2,800     183,456

Deere & Co.

  9,600     692,448

Dover Corp.

  5,800     280,546

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

  1,700     80,767

Parker Hannifin Corp.

  4,000     285,280
       
      2,053,525
       

MARINE–0.1%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  14,000     199,667

Nippon Yusen KK(b)

  16,000     154,109
       
      353,776
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.2%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  3,600     30,132

East Japan Railway Co.

  23     187,342

Ryder System, Inc.

  3,200     220,416

Union Pacific Corp.

  1,900     143,450
       
      581,340
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.6%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  16,900     556,867

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  40,000     882,844

WW Grainger, Inc.

  1,400     114,520
       
      1,554,231
       

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.0%

   

Macquarie Infrastructure Group

  39,900     88,778
       
      11,603,277
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–4.5%

   

BEVERAGES–0.7%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  9,700     504,206

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  15,900     275,070

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

  3,800     206,454
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

  9,600   $ 268,032

PepsiCo, Inc.

  8,750     556,412
       
      1,810,174
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.0%

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

  10,150     711,921

Koninklijke Ahold NV

  21,260     285,004

The Kroger Co.

  5,200     150,124

Safeway, Inc.

  11,100     316,905

Supervalu, Inc.

  8,700     268,743

Tesco PLC

  60,625     443,429

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  9,500     533,900
       
      2,710,026
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

  11,300     381,375

Associated British Foods PLC

  9,400     141,591

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

  4,100     79,048

Del Monte Foods Co.

  9,100     64,610

General Mills, Inc.

  2,425     147,367

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  2,300     65,435

Nestle SA

  15,310     689,940

Sara Lee Corp.

  12,700     155,575

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  12,100     180,774

Unilever PLC

  12,251     348,074

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  15,250     1,186,145
       
      3,439,934
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.8%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  6,700     462,970

Procter & Gamble Co.

  17,200     1,045,932

Reckitt Benckiser PLC

  8,706     439,723
       
      1,948,625
       

TOBACCO–0.7%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  16,300     335,128

British American Tobacco PLC

  12,116     417,927

Philip Morris International, Inc.

  13,600     671,704

Reynolds American, Inc.

  5,700     266,019
       
      1,690,778
       
      11,599,537
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–3.1%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.2%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  4,200     195,804

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

  1,700     121,560

Hyundai Mobis

  2,250     182,130

Lear Corp.(a)

  3,100     43,958

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

  1,900     35,093
       
      578,545
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.6%

   

General Motors Corp.

  11,100     127,650

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

  6,200     211,586

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

  57,700     479,226

 

 

7


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Porsche Automobil Holding SE

  703   $ 108,048

Renault SA

  4,500     366,240

Toyota Motor Corp.

  5,100     240,741
       
      1,533,491
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.4%

   

Marriott International, Inc.–Class A

  5,000     131,200

McDonald’s Corp.

  6,300     354,186

Starbucks Corp.(a)

  12,900     203,046

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  2,600     104,182

TUI AG

  3,900     90,285

TUI Travel PLC

  19,000     77,211

Yum! Brands, Inc.

  3,650     128,078
       
      1,088,188
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.2%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  1,400     80,514

Centex Corp.

  7,100     94,927

KB Home

  5,000     84,650

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

  1,900     31,901

Sharp Corp.

  11,000     179,314
       
      471,306
       

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  6,200     65,720

Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.

  4,200     47,624
       
      113,344
       

MEDIA–0.9%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  7,800     152,022

Gannett Co., Inc.

  10,000     216,700

ITV PLC

  76,560     67,791

Lagardere SCA

  2,900     164,049

News Corp.–Class A

  19,800     297,792

SES SA (FDR)(a)

  7,084     176,987

Time Warner, Inc.

  41,300     611,240

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  4,700     143,538

The Walt Disney Co.

  11,400     355,680
       
      2,185,799
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.3%

   

Dollar Tree, Inc.(a)

  900     29,421

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  4,800     95,712

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  7,325     293,293

Macy’s, Inc.

  14,900     289,358

New World Department Store China Ltd.(a)

  872     769

Target Corp.

  2,450     113,901
       
      822,454
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.3%

   

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

  11,700     117,234

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  16,500     171,806

The Gap, Inc.

  8,400     140,028
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Home Depot, Inc.

  14,100   $ 330,222

Lowe’s Cos, Inc.

  5,800     120,350
       
      879,640
       

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.2%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  12,600     173,250

Nike, Inc.–Class B

  4,600     274,206
       
      447,456
       
      8,120,223
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.5%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  47,200     1,590,168

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  59,000     160,467

Deutsche Telekom AG–Class W

  12,500     205,272

France Telecom SA

  6,200     181,828

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.(b)

  50     246,714

Tele2 AB–Class B

  6,600     128,348

Telecom Italia SpA

  97,500     195,010

Telefonica SA

  18,730     495,668

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  25,500     902,700
       
      4,106,175
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.9%

   

America Movil SAB de CV
Series L (ADR)

  12,800     675,200

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  53,600     509,200

Vodafone Group PLC

  361,814     1,066,016
       
      2,250,416
       
      6,356,591
       

UTILITIES–1.2%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.7%

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

  5,300     213,219

CEZ

  1,908     169,453

E.ON AG

  4,395     885,374

Entergy Corp.

  900     108,432

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

  5,700     175,389

The Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc

  12,000     308,981
       
      1,860,848
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.2%

   

Iberdrola Renovables SA(a)

  25,867     199,284

International Power PLC

  29,628     253,814
       
      453,098
       

 

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.3%

   

A2A SpA

    36,700   $ 133,997

Ameren Corp.

    4,100     173,143

CMS Energy Corp.

    3,000     44,700

Suez SA

    6,323     428,622

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    2,350     106,267
       
      886,729
       
      3,200,675
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $166,618,522)

      158,680,947
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–7.9%

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–3.6%

   

BANKING–1.4%

   

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

  $ 70     69,714

4.50%, 8/01/10

    100     99,963

BankAmerica Capital II
Series 2
8.00%, 12/15/26

    50     49,944

Citicorp, Inc.
Series MTNF
6.375%, 11/15/08

    31     31,228

Citigroup, Inc.
2.817%, 6/09/09(d)

    20     19,778

3.625%, 2/09/09

    135     134,804

4.625%, 8/03/10

    75     74,689

5.50%, 4/11/13

    125     121,997

Compass Bank
5.50%, 4/01/20

    215     185,942

JP Morgan Chase & Co.
6.00%, 2/15/09

    170     170,996

6.75%, 2/01/11

    80     83,034

JPM Chase Capital XXV
Series Y
6.80%, 10/01/37

    51     45,777

M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
4.85%, 6/16/15

    250     203,005

5.00%, 1/17/17

    205     167,717

Mellon Funding Corp.
3.25%, 4/01/09

    105     103,923

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

    157     158,506

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

    250     227,193

Regions Financial Corp.
6.375%, 5/15/12

    180     177,361

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

    108     109,427

SouthTrust Corp.
5.80%, 6/15/14

    175     177,475
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

UBS Preferred Funding Trust I
8.622%, 10/01/10

  $ 40   $ 40,194

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

    250     237,149

Union Planters Corp.
7.75%, 3/01/11

    120     122,667

US Bancorp
5.30%, 4/28/09

    185     186,109

Wachovia Corp.
5.50%, 5/01/13

    200     191,420

5.625%, 12/15/08

    46     45,973

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

    14     12,180

Wells Fargo & Co.
3.125%, 4/01/09

    190     189,142

4.20%, 1/15/10

    35     35,102

Zions Bancorporation
5.50%, 11/16/15

    35     27,877
       
      3,500,286
       

BROKERAGE–0.6%

   

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

    165     152,497

5.70%, 11/15/14

    145     140,130

7.625%, 12/07/09

    98     101,306

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

    134     134,004

4.75%, 7/15/13

    115     110,619

6.65%, 5/15/09

    105     107,066

7.35%, 10/01/09

    36     36,972

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

    60     58,179

6.20%, 9/26/14

    33     31,497

6.50%, 7/19/17

    54     49,956

7.875%, 11/01/09

    175     178,456

Series MTNG
4.80%, 3/13/14

    42     37,710

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

    52     51,405

4.79%, 8/04/10

    105     102,084

6.00%, 2/17/09

    167     166,389

6.05%, 5/16/16

    245     226,012
       
      1,684,282
       

FINANCE–0.9%

   

American General Finance Corp.
4.625%, 5/15/09

    191     189,467

Capital One Bank
4.25%, 12/01/08

    160     159,706

6.50%, 6/13/13

    65     63,650

Capital One Financial Corp.
4.80%, 2/21/12

    155     144,121

5.50%, 6/01/15

    20     17,983

6.75%, 9/15/17

    43     42,606

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

    75     51,860

5.85%, 9/15/16

    150     103,496

7.625%, 11/30/12

    135     112,209

 

 

9


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

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Series MTN
5.125%, 9/30/14

  $ 40   $ 28,650

Countrywide Financial Corp.
Series MTN
5.80%, 6/07/12

    55     52,019

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

    52     47,340

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

    25     25,055

4.80%, 5/01/13

    210     205,730

6.75%, 3/15/32

    255     256,772

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

    90     89,860

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

    80     80,640

7.00%, 5/15/12

    85     88,043

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

    105     86,625

5.65%, 9/15/11

    95     81,225

SLM Corp.
5.375%, 1/15/13–5/15/14

    375     329,818
       
      2,256,875
       

INSURANCE–0.4%

   

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings Ltd.
7.50%, 8/01/16

    75     70,195

The Allstate Corp.
6.125%, 5/15/37

    210     190,533

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

    35     33,175

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

    50     50,642

Genworth Financial, Inc.
4.75%, 6/15/09

    70     69,643

5.231%, 5/16/09

    62     62,302

6.515%, 5/22/18

    210     196,577

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

    35     33,786

Prudential Financial, Inc.
5.15%, 1/15/13

    110     107,214

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

    67     66,393

5.25%, 3/15/11

    165     164,236

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

    80     79,195
       
      1,123,891
       

REITS–0.3%

   

HCP, Inc.
5.95%, 9/15/11

    185     179,630

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.
5.125%, 4/01/14

    101     89,416

8.125%, 5/01/11

    175     180,140

Mack-Cali Realty LP
7.25%, 3/15/09

    35     35,388
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.
6.50%, 7/15/11

  $ 180   $ 182,284

Simon Property Group LP
5.625%, 8/15/14

    139     134,407
       
      801,265
       
      9,366,599
       

INDUSTRIAL–3.5%

   

BASIC–0.6%

   

ArcelorMittal
6.125%, 6/01/18(c)

    220     214,996

6.50%, 4/15/14

    60     60,829

BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd.
7.25%, 3/01/16

    135     146,309

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

    10     10,606

International Paper Co.
4.25%, 1/15/09

    75     74,755

5.30%, 4/01/15

    149     131,333

7.95%, 6/15/18

    125     124,304

Lubrizol Corp.
4.625%, 10/01/09

    20     19,906

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

    30     29,311

PPG Industries, Inc.
5.75%, 3/15/13

    165     167,765

Stora Enso Oyj
7.375%, 5/15/11

    175     172,283

United States Steel Corp.
5.65%, 6/01/13

    166     161,628

6.05%, 6/01/17

    10     9,340

Weyerhaeuser Co.
5.95%, 11/01/08

    96     96,695
       
      1,420,060
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.3%

   

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

    35     35,133

Caterpillar Financial Services
4.50%, 6/15/09

    46     46,301

John Deere Capital Corp.
4.875%, 3/16/09

    185     185,921

Lafarge SA
6.15%, 7/15/11

    95     95,554

Mohawk Industries, Inc.
6.125%, 1/15/16

    195     186,422

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

    85     82,018

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

    40     40,789
       
      672,138
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.4%

   

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC
6.875%, 2/23/09

    180     182,729

8.20%, 7/15/09

    20     20,642

 

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 59   $ 57,103

Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc.
9.455%, 11/15/22

    115     139,033

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

    66     66,242

6.875%, 6/15/09

    50     51,349

Comcast Corp.
5.30%, 1/15/14

    135     130,861

5.50%, 3/15/11

    50     50,038

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

    45     44,025

9.25%, 2/01/13

    59     67,600

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

    25     22,909

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

    226     243,539

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

    25     24,015
       
      1,100,085
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.8%

 

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

    40     42,603

8.00%, 11/15/31

    15     17,220

British Telecommunications PLC
8.625%, 12/15/10

    100     107,375

Embarq Corp.
6.738%, 6/01/13

    5     4,824

7.082%, 6/01/16

    335     318,168

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

    210     223,578

8.75%, 3/01/31

    105     124,591

Qwest Corp.
5.625%, 11/15/08

    110     109,725

7.875%, 9/01/11

    150     150,000

8.875%, 3/15/12

    110     112,200

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

    120     118,387

6.00%, 9/30/34

    65     55,628

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

    157     157,385

US Cellular Corp.
6.70%, 12/15/33

    60     53,752

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

    78     74,008

5.25%, 4/15/13

    105     104,396

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

    109     110,519

Vodafone Group PLC
5.50%, 6/15/11

    60     60,589
       
      1,944,948
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.0%

 

Daimler Finance North America LLC
4.875%, 6/15/10

  $ 25   $ 25,150
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
OTHER–0.1%

 

MDC Holdings, Inc.
5.50%, 5/15/13

    140     134,846

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

    81     80,074

7.875%, 5/01/12

    84     85,474

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

    20     17,320

6.875%, 11/15/12

    40     38,748
       
      356,462
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
RETAILERS–0.0%

 

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

    25     22,716

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
4.25%, 4/15/13

    85     84,524
       
      107,240
       

CONSUMER
NON- CYCLICAL–0.5%

   

Abbott Laboratories
3.50%, 2/17/09

    185     185,250

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

    69     62,755

5.875%, 5/15/13

    120     117,979

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

    135     129,197

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

    19     20,085

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

    94     93,188

6.75%, 8/15/14

    29     29,707

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

    115     114,827

5.25%, 10/01/13

    69     67,138

The Kroger Co.
7.25%, 6/01/09

    180     184,797

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

    150     155,060

7.625%, 6/01/16

    145     151,063

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

    18     18,012

6.50%, 3/01/11

    15     15,514

Wyeth
5.50%, 2/01/14

    40     40,323
       
      1,384,895
       

 

 

11


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

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–0.5%

   

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

  $ 55   $ 63,080

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
5.15%, 2/01/13

    55     55,095

Conoco, Inc.
6.95%, 4/15/29

    66     72,386

ConocoPhillips
6.375%, 3/30/09

    180     183,439

Gaz Capital SA
6.212%, 11/22/16(c)

    315     292,274

The Premcor Refining Group, Inc.
7.50%, 6/15/15

    87     89,756

Texaco Capital, Inc.
5.50%, 1/15/09

    185     186,421

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

    200     207,609

Weatherford International Ltd.
5.15%, 3/15/13

    70     69,592

6.00%, 3/15/18

    35     34,542
       
      1,254,194
       

TECHNOLOGY–0.3%

   

Computer Sciences Corp.
5.50%, 3/15/13(c)

    100     98,608

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

    235     241,361

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

    20     20,239

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

    70     52,270

7.50%, 5/15/25

    15     14,031

7.625%, 11/15/10

    5     5,097

Oracle Corp.
4.95%, 4/15/13

    88     88,850

Xerox Corp.
7.625%, 6/15/13

    30     31,152

9.75%, 1/15/09

    111     114,260
       
      665,868
       

TRANSPORTATION–
AIRLINES–0.0%

   

United Air Lines, Inc.
6.636%, 7/02/22

    83     67,251
       

TRANSPORTATION–
RAILROADS–0.0%

   

Canadian Pacific Railway Co.
6.50%, 5/15/18

    50     49,537
       

TRANSPORTATION–
SERVICES–0.0%

 

FedEx Corp.
3.50%, 4/01/09

    28     27,905
       
      9,075,733
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

UTILITY–0.8%

   

ELECTRIC–0.6%

   

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

  $ 185   $ 194,083

Exelon Corp.
6.75%, 5/01/11

    25     25,683

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

    170     174,437

Series C
7.375%, 11/15/31

    165     179,421

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

    100     102,854

Nisource Finance Corp.
6.80%, 1/15/19

    225     220,646

7.875%, 11/15/10

    40     41,481

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
3.60%, 3/01/09

    190     189,846

4.80%, 3/01/14

    65     63,337

6.05%, 3/01/34

    38     36,641

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

    19     19,992

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

    90     100,372

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

    238     239,748
       
      1,588,541
       

NATURAL GAS–0.1%

   

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

    15     15,742

Enterprise Products Operating LP

   

Series B
5.60%, 10/15/14

    25     24,490

Sempra Energy
4.75%, 5/15/09

    185     185,660

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

    40     42,400
       
      268,292
       

OTHER UTILITY–0.1%

   

Veolia Environnement
6.00%, 6/01/18

    145     144,667
       
      2,001,500
       

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $21,055,852)

      20,443,832
       

GOVERNMENTS–
TREASURIES–7.2%

 

TREASURIES–7.2%

   

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

    3,420     3,395,687

U.S. Treasury Notes
2.125%, 1/31/10

    3,280     3,263,089

 

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

2.625%, 5/31/10

  $ 6,270   $ 6,273,919

3.625%, 12/31/12

    4,030     4,091,393

4.25%, 11/15/17

    1,481     1,513,124
       

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $18,473,886)

      18,537,212
       

MORTGAGE
PASS-THRU’S–7.1%

 

AGENCY FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–7.1%

   

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35

    231     214,056

Series 2007
5.50%, 7/01/35

    239     237,411

7.00%, 2/01/37

    116     122,194

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

   

Series 2007
7.00%, 2/01/37

    477     501,030

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2003
5.00%, 11/01/33

    655     632,113

Series 2004
5.50%, 2/01/34–11/01/34

    1,006     996,948

6.00%, 9/01/34

    527     534,135

Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35–9/01/35

    1,743     1,617,401

Series 2006
5.00%, 2/01/36

    1,623     1,561,547

6.50%, 9/01/36

    2,086     2,150,364

Series 2007
4.50%, 9/01/35–8/01/37

    1,681     1,560,039

5.00%, 11/01/35–7/01/36

    706     679,592

5.50%, 11/01/36–8/01/37

    4,695     4,647,110

Series 2008
5.50%, 3/01/37

    2,298     2,271,806

6.50%, 1/01/38

    541     558,089
       
      18,283,835
       

AGENCY ARMS–0.0%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2006
5.849%, 11/01/36(d)

    109     112,058
       

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $18,361,431)

      18,395,893
       

COMMERCIAL
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–5.3%

 

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–5.3%

   

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

    162     163,258
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 200   $ 200,000

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

    140     139,010

Series 2005-6, Class A4
5.352%, 9/10/47

    315     302,768

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

    355     337,167

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2006-PW12, Class A4
5.902%, 9/11/38

    100     97,515

Series 2007-PW18, Class A4
5.70%, 6/11/50

    365     343,726

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

    110     108,239

Series 2008-C7, Class A4
6.299%, 12/10/49

    440     429,727

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates
Series 2007-C9, Class A4
6.01%, 12/10/49

    460     440,268

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.
Series 2003-CK2, Class A2
3.861%, 3/15/36

    6     6,367

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

    70     67,821

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates
Series 2006-C3, Class A3
6.021%, 6/15/38

    435     426,671

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

    235     223,383

Series 2006-C5, Class A3
5.311%, 12/15/39

    190     178,434

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

    360     358,308

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp.
Series 2007-GG9, Class A2
5.381%, 3/10/39

    520     508,576

Series 2007-GG9, Class A4
5.444%, 3/10/39

    475     442,602

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

    605     619,130

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

    80     78,343

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

    60     58,253

 

 

13


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

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 170   $ 165,009

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

    100     99,290

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

    198     197,060

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

    60     59,803

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

    220     210,782

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

    415     404,849

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

    200     191,366

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

    350     331,521

Series 2007-CB18, Class A4
5.44%, 6/12/47

    445     413,894

Series 2007-CB19, Class A4
5.937%, 2/12/49

    475     453,625

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

    150     143,810

Series 2004-C4, Class A4
5.295%, 6/15/29

    40     39,460

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

    125     124,070

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

    120     113,154

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

    50     48,046

Series 2006-C1, Class A4
5.156%, 2/15/31

    825     776,399

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

    285     276,236

Series 2006-C4, Class A4
6.08%, 6/15/38

    275     270,803

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

    330     312,229

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

    210     200,510

Series 2008-C1, Class A2
6.317%, 4/15/41

    340     332,809

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust
Series 2005-CKI1, Class A6
5.416%, 11/12/37

    40     38,608

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

    320     319,588

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-2, Class A4
6.104%, 6/12/46

    110     108,371

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

    280     265,574

Series 2007-9, Class A4
5.70%, 9/12/17

    440     414,303
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

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

  $ 190   $ 184,802

Series 2007-T27, Class A4
5.803%, 6/13/42

    210     199,055

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C27, Class A3
5.765%, 7/15/45

    440     426,339

Series 2007-C32, Class A2
5.924%, 6/15/49

    455     448,649

Series 2007-C32, Class A3
5.929%, 6/15/49

    435     412,752
       
      13,512,332
       

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE
CMBS–0.0%

 

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2007-EOP, Class E
2.89%, 3/06/20(c)(d)

    75     69,726
       

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $13,992,219)

      13,582,058
       

AGENCIES–4.5%

   

AGENCY DEBENTURES–4.5%

   

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

    470     481,385

5.00%, 11/17/17

    3,120     3,181,087

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
4.125%, 12/21/12

    1,660     1,665,732

5.125%, 11/17/17

    2,670     2,743,059

5.50%, 8/23/17

    755     798,431

Federal National Mortgage Association
3.25%, 4/09/13

    1,660     1,597,368

6.25%, 5/15/29

    740     837,169

6.625%, 11/15/30

    110     130,576

Series 2005
3.875%, 2/15/10

    200     202,731
       

Total Agencies
(cost $11,800,623)

      11,637,538
       

CORPORATES–
NON-INVESTMENT
GRADES–0.5%

 

INDUSTRIAL–0.4%

   

BASIC–0.0%

   

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

    75     49,313

Westvaco Corp.
8.20%, 1/15/30

    15     14,521
       
      63,834
       

CAPITAL GOODS–0.0%

   

Owens Corning, Inc.
6.50%, 12/01/16

    115     104,705
       

 

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.1%

 

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

  $ 45   $ 42,525

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

    85     51,000

DirecTV Holdings LLC
6.375%, 6/15/15

    40     37,500

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

    17     15,725

7.125%, 2/01/16

    48     44,280
       
      191,030
       

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.1%

 

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

    45     38,025

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

    25     23,750

Series B
7.50%, 2/15/14

    15     14,250

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

    120     118,800
       
      194,825
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

 

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

    160     145,725

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

    70     40,775
       
      186,500
       

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
OTHER–0.1%

 

Centex Corp.
5.45%, 8/15/12

    134     111,555

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

    30     16,125

5.75%, 10/01/17

    11     5,775

6.50%, 6/01/16

    39     21,255

MGM Mirage
8.375%, 2/01/11

    40     38,600
       
      193,310
       

CONSUMER NON-
CYCLICAL–0.0%

 

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

    96     87,239
       

TRANSPORTATION–
SERVICES–0.0%

 

Hertz Corp.
8.875%, 1/01/14

    35     32,025
       
      1,053,468
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

UTILITY–0.1%

   

ELECTRIC–0.1%

   

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

  $ 70   $ 67,900

Edison Mission Energy
7.00%, 5/15/17

    60     56,100

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

    65     62,075

7.375%, 2/01/16

    35     32,944
       
      219,019
       

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.0%

   

REITS–0.0%

   

Icahn Enterprises
7.125%, 2/15/13

    45     40,837
       

Total Corporates–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $1,501,653)

      1,313,324
       

CMOS–0.4%

   

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.2%

   

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust
Series 2006-1, Class 22A1
5.381%, 2/25/36(e)

    203     162,601

Series 2006-3, Class 22A1
6.176%, 5/25/36(e)

    57     40,565

Series 2007-1, Class 21A1
5.72%, 1/25/47(e)

    63     48,652

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.
Series 2005-2, Class 1A4
5.113%, 5/25/35(e)

    127     120,088

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

    134     120,429

Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-AR7, Class 4A1
6.214%, 5/25/36(e)

    81     66,101

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-SA3, Class 3A
5.24%, 8/25/35(e)

    130     124,803
       
      683,239
       

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.1%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2005-62, Class 2A1
4.528%, 12/25/35(d)

    56     42,945

Series 2006-OA14, Class 3A1
4.378%, 11/25/46(d)

    188     124,351

Series 2007-OA3, Class M1
2.793%, 4/25/47(d)(f)

    75     14,024

Lehman XS Trust
Series 2007-4N, Class M1
2.933%, 3/25/47(d)(f)

    265     50,359
       
      231,679
       

 

 

15


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

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.1%

   

Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-WF1, Class 1A1
5.087%, 6/26/35(c)

  $ 116   $ 115,305

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

    98     90,371
       
      205,676
       

Total CMOs
(cost $1,587,259)

      1,120,594
       

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–0.4%

   

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.3%

   

Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.
Series 2007-HE3, Class M1
2.933%, 4/25/37(d)

    100     12,360

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

    49     45,792

Home Equity Asset Trust
Series 2007-3, Class M1
2.833%, 8/25/37(d)

    275     44,729

HSI Asset Securitization Corp. Trust
Series 2006-OPT2, Class 2A1
2.563%, 1/25/36(d)

    2     2,253

Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust
Series 2006-D, Class 2A2
2.593%, 11/25/36(d)

    295     270,248

IXIS Real Estate Capital Trust
Series 2006-HE3, Class A2
2.583%, 1/25/37(d)

    195     183,053

RAAC Series
Series 2006-SP3, Class A1
2.563%, 8/25/36(d)

    84     79,753

Residential Asset Securities Corp.
Series 2003-KS3, Class A2
3.083%, 5/25/33(d)

    2     1,812

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance
Series 2006-BC1, Class A2A
2.563%, 12/25/36(d)

    0     161
       
      640,161
       

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.1%

   

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

    271     207,022
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.95%, 1/25/33

  $ 35   $ 30,472

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

    20     18,603

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

    29     28,529
       
      284,626
       

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $1,351,738)

      924,787
       

QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–0.3%

   

QUASI-SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.3%

   

RSHB Capital SA for OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank
6.299%, 5/15/17(c)

    195     174,197

7.75%, 5/29/18(c)

    725     710,500
       

Total Quasi-Sovereigns
(cost $910,712)

      884,697
       
    Shares    

NON-CONVERTIBLE–
PREFERRED STOCKS–0.1%

   

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.1%

   

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.1%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series Z
8.375%(e)

    2,525     61,358

Federal National Mortgage Association
8.25%

    3,075     70,571
       
      131,929
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.0%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.0%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    200     86,208
       

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

      218,137
       

 

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
   

GOVERNMENT-RELATED–NON–U.S. ISSUERS–0.1%

   

Russian Federation

   

7.50%, 3/31/30(b)(c)
(cost $205,308)

  $ 187   $ 209,842
       

SUPRANATIONALS–0.1%

   

European Investment Bank

   

5.125%, 5/30/17
(cost $180,309)

    175     183,629
       

GOVERNMENTS–
SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.0%

 

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.0%

   

SOVEREIGN–0.0%

   

Republic of Brazil

   

8.25%, 1/20/34
(cost $132,845)

    105     129,150
       
    Shares    

RIGHTS–0.0%

   

FINANCIALS–0.0%

   

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.0%

   

Barclays PLC(a)

    10,950     2,072

HBOS PLC(a)

    32,356     6,928
       
      9,000
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.0%

   

Norwegian Property ASA(a)

    25,797   $ 405
       

Total Rights
(cost $0)

      9,405
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.8%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–3.8%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $9,704,000)

  $ 9,704     9,704,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.2%
(cost $266,109,350)

      255,975,045

Other assets less liabilities–0.8%

      1,984,945
       

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 257,959,990
       

 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Month    Original
Value
   Value at
June 30,
2008
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Purchased Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index

   2    September 2008    $   112,577    $   106,433    $   (6,144)

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

      Contract
Amount
(000)
   U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
   U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2008
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

           

Polish Zloty settling 7/09/08

   1,834    $   830,904    $   859,917    $   29,013  

Sale Contracts:

           

Polish Zloty settling 7/09/08

   1,834      831,808      859,916      (28,108 )

 

 

17


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

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize forward currency exchange contracts. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $1,370,652.

 

(c) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $3,370,947 or 1.3% of net assets.

 

(d) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2008.

 

(e) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2008.

 

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

 

(g) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2008.

The fund 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 June 30, 2008, the fund’s total exposure to subprime investments was 0.70%. These investments are valued in accordance with the fund’s Valuation Policies (see Note A.1 for additional details).

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

FDR— Fiduciary Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

18


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $ 107,062,098      $ (6,144 )

Level 2

       146,487,967              905  

Level 3

       2,424,980        –0
                   

Total

     $   255,975,045      $ (5,239 )
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments
In Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

     $ 6,201,501      $             –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       5,151        –0

Realized gain (loss)

       150,176        –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       (673,029 )      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       (3,258,819 )      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ 2,424,980      $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ (641,166 )    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

19


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $266,109,350)

   $ 255,975,045  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $792,188)

     808,328 (a)

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     29,013  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     2,653,201  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     1,401,468  

Dividends and interest receivable

     997,978  
        

Total assets

     261,865,033  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     10,941  

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     28,108  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     3,505,409  

Advisory fee payable

     63,311  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     52,902  

Distribution fee payable

     52,307  

Administrative fee payable

     21,381  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

     441  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     170,158  
        

Total liabilities

     3,905,043  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 257,959,990  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 22,641  

Additional paid-in capital

     267,698,500  

Undistributed net investment income

     1,735,831  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (1,365,658 )

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

     (10,131,324 )
        
   $ 257,959,990  
        

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

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

   $ 8,772      765      $ 11.47

B

   $   257,951,218      22,640,033      $   11.39

 

 

 

 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $8,798 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2008.

See notes to financial statements.

 

20


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 1,998,712  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $137,628)

     1,905,357  
        

Total investment income

     3,904,069  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     622,625  

Distribution fee—Class B

     283,000  

Transfer agency—Class B

     859  

Custodian

     109,416  

Printing

     106,560  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     25,000  

Legal

     6,602  

Directors’ fees

     884  

Miscellaneous

     7,469  
        

Total expenses

     1,208,515  

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

     (76,482 )
        

Net expenses

     1,132,033  
        

Net investment income

     2,772,036  
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     (1,096,736 )

Futures

     (74,171 )

Foreign currency transactions

     190,577  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (22,600,044 )

Futures

     (8,564 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (61,627 )
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (23,650,565 )
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     6  
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (20,878,523 )
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

21


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,772,036     $ 3,613,764  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (980,330 )     6,009,612  

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

     (22,670,235 )     (2,159,527 )

Contribution from Adviser

     6       –0
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (20,878,523 )     7,463,849  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (167 )     (272,718 )

Class B

     (3,718,891 )     (3,511,139 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (217 )     (188,141 )

Class B

     (5,342,366 )     (2,585,906 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     76,449,733       74,441,052  
                

Total increase

     46,509,569       75,346,997  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     211,450,421       136,103,424  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,735,831 and $2,682,853, respectively)

   $ 257,959,990     $ 211,450,421  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

22


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to 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 eighteen 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.

 

23


BALANCED WEALTH 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 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.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Adviser made a payment of $6 to the Portfolio in connection with a trading error.

The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .75% and 1.00% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. Prior to February 12, 2007, the Portfolio’s total operating expenses on an annual basis were limited to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Adviser waived advisory fees in the amount of $51,763.

Pursuant to the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio has agreed to reimburse the Adviser for the cost of providing the Portfolio with certain legal and accounting services. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 the total amount of such fees was $46,100. Due to the Adviser’s agreement to limit total operating expenses as described above, the Adviser waived reimbursement for a portion of such services in the amount of $24,719.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $67,637, of which $207 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008 were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 103,442,350    $ 46,365,879

U.S. government securities

     39,447,244      25,644,189

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 12,482,988  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (22,617,293 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (10,134,305 )
        

 

25


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   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. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

4. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio did not participate in dollar roll transactions.

5. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  –0   35,342       $ –0   $ 460,859  

Shares redeemed

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

Net decrease

  –0   (862,266 )     $ –0   $ (11,107,224 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  6,265,147     7,204,056       $ 75,714,066     $ 94,036,364  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  753,222     470,089         9,061,257       6,097,045  

Shares redeemed

  (686,808 )   (1,125,031 )       (8,325,590 )     (14,585,133 )
                             

Net increase

  6,331,561     6,549,114       $ 76,449,733     $ 85,548,276  
                             

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

 

27


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

 

to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit risk rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

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. 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

 

28


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

NOTE L: Acquisition of Balanced Shares Portfolio by Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

On June 11, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the acquisition of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.—AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares Portfolio by the Portfolio (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition does not require approval by the Portfolio’s shareholders. The Acquisition is expected to become effective late in the third quarter of 2008.

 

29


 
BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
    2007     2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.05     $12.87     $11.39     $10.69     $10.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .16     .31     .25     .18     .07  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.24 )   .41     1.32     .60     .62  

Contribution from Adviser

  .00 (d)   –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.08 )   .72     1.57     .78     .69  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.22 )   (.32 )   (.09 )   (.05 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.28 )   (.22 )   –0   (.03 )   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.50 )   (.54 )   (.09 )   (.08 )   –0
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.47     $13.05     $12.87     $11.39     $10.69  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (e)

  (8.46 )%   5.55 %   13.92 %   7.30 %   6.90 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

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

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .75 %(f)(g)   .76 %   .99 %(f)   1.20 %   1.20 %(g)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .81 %(f)(g)   .85 %   1.07 %(f)   1.54 %   2.87 %(g)

Net investment income (c)

  2.68 %(f)(g)   2.33 %   2.08 %(f)   1.64 %   1.36 %(g)

Portfolio turnover rate

  33 %   77 %   203 %   139 %   44 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 31.

 

30


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
    2007     2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $12.97     $12.81     $11.34     $10.67     $10.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .15     .27     .22     .15     .06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.25 )   .41     1.33     .60     .61  

Contribution from Adviser

  .00 (d)   –0   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.10 )   .68     1.55     .75     .67  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment
income

  (.20 )   (.30 )   (.08 )   (.05 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.28 )   (.22 )   –0   (.03 )   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (.48 )   (.52 )   (.08 )   (.08 )   –0
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.39     $12.97     $12.81     $11.34     $10.67  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (e)

  (8.68 )%   5.26 %   13.75 %   7.01 %   6.70 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $257,951     $211,440     $124,992     $64,325     $17,866  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.00 %(f)(g)   1.01 %   1.23 %(f)   1.45 %   1.45 %(g)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

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

Net investment income (c)

  2.45 %(f)(g)   2.11 %   1.84 %(f)   1.31 %   1.49 %(g)

Portfolio turnover rate

  33 %   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) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

(e) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

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

 

(g) Annualized.

 

31


 
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.

 

32


    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.

 

33


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
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

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

34


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

35


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

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the 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.

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

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

36


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

37


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   849.91    $   5.52    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,018.90    $   6.02    1.20 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   849.39    $   6.67    1.45 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,017.65    $   7.27    1.45 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes' annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   $ 445,054      3.5 %

Rio Tinto PLC

     383,198      3.0  

EOG Resources, Inc.

     342,432      2.7  

Xstrata PLC

     306,055      2.4  

Baker Hughes, Inc.

     295,646      2.3  

Noble Energy, Inc.

     271,110      2.1  

Credit Suisse Group AG

     244,517      1.9  

Federal National Mortgage Association

     243,875      1.9  

Nestle SA

     223,250      1.8  

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

     212,549      1.7  
                 
     $   2,967,686      23.3 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 2,142,095      17.0 %

Energy

     1,749,297      13.9  

Information Technology

     1,699,735      13.5  

Industrials

     1,456,282      11.6  

Materials

     1,439,833      11.4  

Consumer Staples

     1,400,145      11.1  

Health Care

     1,247,897      9.9  

Consumer Discretionary

     931,056      7.4  

Utilities

     319,471      2.6  

Telecommunication Services

     204,648      1.6  
                 

Total Investments

   $   12,590,459      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.

 

2


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U .S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 6,607,747      52.5 %

United Kingdom

     1,413,275      11.2  

Switzerland

     1,004,577      8.0  

Japan

     733,489      5.8  

Brazil

     397,067      3.1  

Canada

     306,773      2.4  

Germany

     249,990      2.0  

France

     200,244      1.6  

Australia

     194,227      1.5  

Spain

     185,855      1.5  

Mexico

     183,937      1.5  

Norway

     162,633      1.3  

South Africa

     148,527      1.2  

Other *

     802,118      6.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   12,590,459      100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

* “Other” country weightings represents 1.2% or less in the following countries: China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden and Taiwan.

 

3


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.7%

   
   

FINANCIALS–16.5%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–10.1%

   

3i Group PLC

  3,973   $ 64,991

The Blackstone Group LP

  10,150     184,831

Credit Suisse Group AG

  5,372     244,517

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

  2,800     74,116

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  8,780     173,932

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  2,374     110,523

Man Group PLC

  12,530     154,787

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  3,715     117,803

MF Global Ltd.(a)

  2,600     16,406

Morgan Stanley

  1,000     36,070

UBS AG (Swiss Virt-X)

  5,015     104,504
       
      1,282,480
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.0%

 

Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA

  3,612     73,024

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

  2,844     51,886
       
      124,910
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES–2.2%

   

Bolsa De Mercadorias E Futuros

  2,200     18,952

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  471     180,483

NYSE Euronext

  1,600     81,056
       
      280,491
       

INSURANCE–1.3%

 

American International Group, Inc.

  2,470     65,356

MBIA, Inc.

  4,600     20,194

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  3,893     83,704
       
      169,254
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE
FINANCE–1.9%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

  12,500     243,875
       
      2,101,010
       

ENERGY–13.8%

 

ENERGY EQUIPMENT &
SERVICES–5.1%

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  3,385     295,646

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  3,200     177,120

Technip SA

  1,861     171,733
       
      644,499
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE
FUELS–8.7%

   

Addax Petroleum Corp.

  1,587     76,634

EOG Resources, Inc.

  2,610     342,432

Noble Energy, Inc.

  2,696     271,110

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  2,200     127,490

Sasol Ltd.

  2,115     124,499

StatoilHydro ASA

  4,359     162,633
       
      1,104,798
       
      1,749,297
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–13.4%

 

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT–2.6%

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  5,545   $ 128,977

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  1,905     42,253

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  1,900     84,303

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  600     70,140
       
      325,673
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–2.6%

 

Apple, Inc.(a)

  830     138,975

EMC Corp.(a)

  1,753     25,752

International Business Machines Corp.

  1,350     160,015
       
      324,742
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT &
INSTRUMENTS–0.9%

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

  1,000     44,880

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  1,775     63,580
       
      108,460
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE &
SERVICES–1.5%

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  500     17,395

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  335     176,351
       
      193,746
       

IT SERVICES–0.1%

 

Cap Gemini SA

  307     17,999
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.1%

 

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  1,000     16,939
       

SEMICONDUCTORS &
SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT–3.3%

Analog Devices, Inc.

  1,400     44,478

Applied Materials, Inc.

  3,700     70,633

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  1,530     41,754

Intel Corp.

  5,950     127,806

Intersil Corp.–Class A

  1,100     26,752

Lam Research Corp.(a)

  400     14,460

Linear Technology Corp.

  700     22,799

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  3,301     36,014

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

  700     40,367
       
      425,063
       

SOFTWARE–2.3%

 

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  1,275     50,222

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

  200     113,415

Red Hat, Inc.(a)

  1,400     28,966

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  700     47,761

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

  730     19,819

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  500     26,930
       
      287,113
       
      1,699,735
       

INDUSTRIALS–11.5%

 

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–3.3%

 

BAE Systems PLC

  18,007     158,053

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Honeywell International, Inc.

  1,400   $ 70,392

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  1,140     112,472

United Technologies Corp.

  1,350     83,295
       
      424,212
       

AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.5%

 

United Parcel Service, Inc.
Class B

  1,100     67,617
       

CONSTRUCTION &
ENGINEERING–0.7%

 

Fluor Corp.

  500     93,040
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.9%

 

ABB Ltd.

  3,215     91,003

Ametek, Inc.

  400     18,888

Emerson Electric Co.

  2,155     106,565

First Solar, Inc.(a)

  70     19,098
       
      235,554
       

INDUSTRIAL
CONGLOMERATES–1.1%

 

Siemens AG

  852     93,917

Smiths Group PLC

  1,774     38,224
       
      132,141
       

MACHINERY–1.0%

 

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

  4,297     62,845

Danaher Corp.

  840     64,932
       
      127,777
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.7%

 

Union Pacific Corp.

  1,100     83,050
       

TRADING COMPANIES &
DISTRIBUTORS–2.3%

Mitsubishi Corp.

  4,200     138,393

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  7,000     154,498
       
      292,891
       
      1,456,282
       

MATERIALS–11.3%

 

CHEMICALS–4.2%

 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  2,150     212,549

Monsanto Co.

  1,260     159,314

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan

  700     159,999
       
      531,862
       

METALS & MINING–7.1%

 

BHP Billiton PLC

  131     5,024

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  4,375     156,713

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  700     20,888

Rio Tinto PLC

  3,182     383,198

Sterlite Industries India Ltd. (ADR)(a)

  2,270     36,093

Xstrata PLC

  3,842     306,055
       
      907,971
       
      1,439,833
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–11.0%

 

BEVERAGES–1.0%

 

Asahi Breweries Ltd.

  3,800     71,036

The Coca-Cola Co.

  1,200     62,376
       
      133,412
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–4.9%

 

Tesco PLC

  19,300   $ 141,166

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV Series V

  38,392     152,814

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  5,200     292,240

X 5 Retail Group NV (GDR)(a)(b)

  968     32,449
       
      618,669
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–3.9%

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

  1,650     55,688

Bunge Ltd.

  1,325     142,689

Kellogg Co.

  1,100     52,822

Nestle SA

  4,954     223,250

Wilmar International Ltd.

  6,000     22,295
       
      496,744
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.7%

 

The Estee Lauder Cos, Inc. Class A

  1,100     51,095

Oriflame Cosmetics SA (SDR)

  540     34,508
       
      85,603
       

TOBACCO–0.5%

 

ITC Ltd.

  15,067     65,717
       
      1,400,145
       

HEALTH CARE–9.8%

 

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.5%

 

Basilea Pharmaceutica(a)

  110     17,865

Genentech, Inc. (a)

  1,000     75,900

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  1,950     103,252
       
      197,017
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT &
SUPPLIES–2.8%

Alcon, Inc.

  955     155,464

Baxter International, Inc.

  2,000     127,880

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  950     77,235
       
      360,579
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS &
SERVICES–1.5%

Aetna, Inc.

  2,400     97,272

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  1,920     90,624
       
      187,896
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.0%

 

Allergan, Inc.

  1,000     52,050

Eli Lilly & Co.

  1,305     60,239

Merck & Co., Inc.

  1,975     74,438

Novartis AG

  599     32,964

Roche Holding AG

  751     135,009

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  3,225     147,705
         
      502,405
       
      1,247,897
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–7.3%

 

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.5%

 

Denso Corp.

  1,710     58,895
       

 

 

5


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

AUTOMOBILES–1.3%

 

Fiat SpA

  4,480   $ 72,921

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

  2,600     88,729
       
      161,650
       

DISTRIBUTORS–0.6%

 

Li & Fung Ltd.

  26,000     78,454
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–0.8%

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)

  200     9,156

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

  5,000     89,550
       
      98,706
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.2%

 

Sony Corp.

  700     30,684
       

MEDIA–0.6%

 

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (a)

  1,500     38,865

Eutelsat Communications

  379     10,513

Viacom, Inc.–Class B (a)

  800     24,432
       
      73,810
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–1.5%

 

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  2,985     119,519

Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd.

  253     75,362
       
      194,881
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.1%

 

Belle International Holdings Ltd.

  52,000     46,918

Lowe’s Cos, Inc.

  4,600     95,450
       
      142,368
       

TEXTILES, APPAREL &
LUXURY GOODS–0.7%

Adidas AG

  1,454     91,608
       
      931,056
       

UTILITIES–2.5%

 

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.5%

 

E.ON AG

  320     64,464
       

INDEPENDENT POWER
PRODUCERS & ENERGY
TRADERS–2.0%

Iberdrola Renovables SA(a)

  17,389     133,968

International Power PLC

  14,129     121,039
       
      255,007
       
      319,471
       

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–1.6%

DIVERSIFIED
TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–0.4%

TW Telecom, Inc.–Class A(a)

  1,600   $ 25,648

Vimpel-Communications (Sponsored) (ADR)

  700     20,776
       
      46,424
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–1.2%

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  590     31,123

MTN Group Ltd.

  1,518     24,028

NTT Docomo, Inc.

  14     20,534

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  4,400     41,800

Vodafone Group PLC

  13,827     40,739
       
      158,224
       
      204,648
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $12,356,445)

      12,549,374
       

WARRANTS–0.3%

 

FINANCIALS–0.3%

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE
FINANCE–0.3%

Housing Development Finance Corp., expiring 1/18/11(a)
(cost $46,604)

  899     41,085
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.0% (cost $12,403,049)

      12,590,459

Other assets less liabilities–1.0%

      123,384
       

Net Assets–100.0%

    $ 12,713,843
       

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security is considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the market value of this security amounted to $32,449 or 0.3% of net assets.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

SDR—Swedish Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1–quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2–other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3–significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $ 7,920,552      $             –0

Level 2

       4.628,822        –0

Level 3

       41,085        –0
                   

Total

     $   12,590,459      $ –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $      198,716      $             –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain

       17,886        –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       (69,819 )      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       (105,698 )      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ 41,085      $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ (26,517 )    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

7


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $12,403,049)

   $ 12,590,459  

Cash

     2,917  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $17,369)

     17,422  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     282,618  

Dividends receivable

     24,327  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     7,610  
        

Total assets

     12,925,353  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     96,046  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     41,436  

Custodian fee payable

     29,392  

Audit fee payable

     20,712  

Distribution fee payable

     2,758  

Advisory fee payable

     2,472  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     18,609  
        

Total liabilities

     211,510  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 12,713,843  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 1,107  

Additional paid-in capital

     12,924,636  

Undistributed net investment income

     29,180  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (429,575 )

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

     188,495  
        
   $ 12,713,843  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 112,676      9,771      $   11.53

B

     $   12,601,167      1,096,993      $ 11.49

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $7,932)

   $ 121,075  

Interest

     3,164  
        

Total investment income

     124,239  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     48,026  

Distribution fee—Class B

     15,851  

Transfer agency—Class A

     12  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,034  

Custodian

     61,972  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Legal

     5,133  

Printing

     2,628  

Directors’ fees

     884  

Miscellaneous

     3,596  
        

Total expenses

     209,236  

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

     (116,543 )
        

Net expenses

     92,693  
        

Net investment income

     31,546  
        

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

  

Net realized loss on:

  

Investment transactions

     (350,368 )

Foreign currency transactions

     (3,437 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (1,818,506 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     1,406  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (2,170,905 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (2,139,359 )
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 31,546     $ 1,452  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (353,805 )     1,012,221  

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

     (1,817,100 )     65,716  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (2,139,359 )     1,079,389  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (459 )     (549 )

Class B

     (16,317 )     (14,840 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (10,621 )     (5,328 )

Class B

     (1,043,344 )     (370,285 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     2,851,925       (260,278 )
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (358,175 )     428,109  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     13,072,018       12,643,909  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $29,180 and $14,410, respectively)

   $ 12,713,843     $ 13,072,018  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

11


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 six months ended June 30, 2008, the Adviser waived fees in the amount of $70,443.

 

12


    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 $46,100 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $10,691, 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 7,928,728     $ 5,843,005  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,677,994  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,490,584 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 187,410  
        

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. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

 

13


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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

4. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  –0–     416       $ –0–     $ 5,877  

Shares redeemed

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

Net decrease

  –0–     (398 )     $ –0–     $ (5,623 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  236,947     433,686       $ 3,080,065     $ 6,201,245  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  78,335     27,353         972,927       385,125  

Shares redeemed

  (95,749 )   (500,330 )       (1,201,067 )     (6,841,025 )
                               

Net increase (decrease)

  219,533     (39,291 )     $ 2,851,925     $ (254,655 )
                               

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.

Currency Risk — This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

15


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

 

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

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. 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 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 recog-

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

nized, 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

 

17


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     May 2, 2005(a) to
December 31,
2005
 
      2007     2006    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $14.80     $13.70     $12.11     $10.00  
                       
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .05     .05     .05     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.18 )   1.62     1.74     2.10  
                       

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.13 )   1.67     1.79     2.11  
                       
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

  (.05 )   (.05 )   –0   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.09 )   (.52 )   (.20 )   –0
                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.14 )   (.57 )   (.20 )   –0
                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.53     $14.80     $13.70     $12.11  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (15.01 )%   12.45 %   15.04 %   21.10 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

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

  $113     $145     $139     $121  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %(e)   1.20 %   1.20 %(f)   1.20 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  3.05 %(e)   3.62 %   4.61 %(f)   7.47 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  .71 %(e)   .33 %   .41 %(f)   .13 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  47 %   115 %   64 %   43 %

 

 

 


See footnote summary on page 19.

 

18


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     May 2, 2005(a) to
December 31,
2005
 
      2007     2006    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $14.73     $13.64     $12.09     $10.00  
                       
       

Income From Investment Operations

       

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

  .03     .00 (g)   .02     (.01 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.16 )   1.63     1.73     2.10  
                       

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.13 )   1.63     1.75     2.09  
                       
       

Less: Dividends and Distributions

       

Dividends from net investment income

  (.02 )   (.02 )   –0   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.09 )   (.52 )   (.20 )   –0
                       

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.11 )   (.54 )   (.20 )   –0
                       

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.49     $14.73     $13.64     $12.09  
                       
       

Total Return

       

Total investment return based on net asset
value (d)

  (15.06 )%   12.17 %   14.73 %   20.90 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data

       

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

  $12,601     $12,927     $12,505     $7,063  

Ratio to average net assets of:

       

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %(e)   1.45 %   1.45 %(f)   1.45 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  3.26 %(e)   3.80 %   4.78 %(f)   7.73 %(e)

Net investment income (loss) (c)

  .49 %(e)   .01 %   .14 %(f)   (.14 )%(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  47 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

(g) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

19


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

20


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors noted that the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio was not profitable to it in 2006 and 2007.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Growth Index (Net) (the “MSCI World Growth Index”) and the MSCI World Index (Net) (the “MSCI World Index”), in each case for the 1-year period ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the indices) the since inception period (May 2005 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, and that the Portfolio underperformed the MSCI World Growth Index in the 1-year period but outperformed that index in the since inception period and outperformed the MSCI World 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 fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

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

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

 

21


GLOBAL RESEARCH GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The expense ratio of the Portfolio reflected fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as a result of an expense limitation undertaking by the Adviser. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, the administrative expense reimbursement of 81 basis points had been waived by the Adviser. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser, was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors also noted the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (less than $13 million at February 29, 2008) 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.

 

22


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

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Research Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

   Portfolio

International

   75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 12.4    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 $94,000 (0.81% 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

%

%

   3.62

3.80

%

%

   December 31

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

23


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

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are usually reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

  

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

Fee Schedule

  Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
  

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

Global Research

Growth Portfolio

   $ 12.4    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 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 Global Research Growth Fund, Inc.5 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund
(“ABMF”)

   Fee Schedule   

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee (%)

  

Portfolio

Advisory
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

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

 

24


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the fees set forth for Global Growth Trends Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

Fund    Fee  

Global Growth Trends Portfolio

  

Class A

   1.70 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.90 %

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

 

Portfolio    ITM Mutual Fund      Fee6  

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   Alliance Global Research Growth7      0.30 %8
   Alliance Global Growth Opportunities 17      1.00 %
   Alliance Global Growth Opportunities 27      0.80 %
   Alliance Global Growth Opportunities 37      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”)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.

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.

 

 

 

6 The Japanese Yen-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate quoted at 4 p.m. on March 17, 2008 by Reuters was ¥97.38 per $1. At that currency exchange rate, every ¥1 billion would be equivalent to approximately $10.3 million.

 

7 This ITM fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

8 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.

 

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.

 

25


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

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee11
    

Lipper

Group

Median

     Rank

Global Research Growth Portfolio12

   0.750      0.790      3/12

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.13 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject portfolio.14

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)15

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Global Research Growth Portfolio16

   1.200    1.010    10/12    0.934    30/33

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 2007 and 2006 were negative.

Although the Adviser did not earn a profit for managing the Portfolio’s investments in 2007, 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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007,

 

 

 

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. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waivers or expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

12 The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, four other variable insurance product (“VIP”) Global Growth funds (“GLGE”), three VIP Large-Cap Core Funds (“GLCE”), and four VIP Global Value funds (“GLVE”).

 

13 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.

 

14 Except for asset (size) compatibility, 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.

 

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

 

16 The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP GLGE, GLCE and GLVE funds, excluding outliers.

 

26


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $28,598 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $372,276 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 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

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 make 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 independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th–75th percentile range of their comparable peers.20 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

 

 

 

17 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

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 two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

27


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

 

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 Portfolio21 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)22 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.23

 

      Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   1.62      1.62      0.13      3/5      8/23

Set forth below are the 1 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 January 31, 2008
Annualized Performance
      1 Year (%)      Since
Inception (%)

Global Research Growth Portfolio

   1.62      13.98

MSCI World Index (Net)

   -0.47      11.95

MSCI World Growth (Net)

   3.33      12.32

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 5, 2008

 

 

 

21 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 was 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, is provided instead of Lipper.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

25 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2008.

 

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.

 

28


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Global Technology Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 848.39    $   4.23    0.92 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.29    $   4.62    0.92 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 846.88    $   5.37    1.17 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.05    $   5.87    1.17 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

International Business Machines Corp.

   $ 15,361,488      7.0 %

Apple, Inc.

     14,500,304      6.6  

Intel Corp.

     12,920,220      5.8  

Google, Inc.—Class A

     12,339,285      5.6  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     10,294,876      4.7  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

     9,867,078      4.5  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     8,763,075      4.0  

Research In Motion Ltd.

     6,932,170      3.1  

Applied Materials, Inc.

     6,448,602      2.9  

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

     5,906,718      2.7  
                 
     $   103,333,816      46.9 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

   $ 78,269,830      36.3 %

Software & Services

     68,895,373      32.0  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     46,834,772      21.7  

Telecommunication Services

     12,468,600      5.8  

Media

     4,681,304      2.2  

Capital Goods

     2,089,572      1.0  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     1,534,179      0.7  

Consumer Services

     590,562      0.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $   215,364,192      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.

 

2


COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 172,002,576      79.9 %

Japan

     17,661,377      8.2  

Canada

     6,932,170      3.2  

Taiwan

     3,016,615      1.4  

India

     2,246,882      1.0  

South Africa

     2,091,803      1.0  

China

     2,032,227      1.0  

Mexico

     2,015,050      0.9  

Germany

     1,743,800      0.8  

Russia

     1,715,504      0.8  

France

     1,599,399      0.7  

United Kingdom

     1,197,127      0.6  

Netherlands

     1,109,662      0.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $   215,364,192      100.0 %

 

3


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.8%

   
   

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT–35.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–13.9%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  442,600   $ 10,294,876

CommScope, Inc.(a)

  12,600     664,902

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

  38,700     1,099,854

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  131,000     2,905,580

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  197,500     8,763,075

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  59,300     6,932,170
       
      30,660,457
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–16.9%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  86,600     14,500,304

EMC Corp.(a)

  153,200     2,250,508

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  114,400     5,057,624

International Business Machines Corp.

  129,600     15,361,488
       
      37,169,924
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–4.2%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

  74,200     3,330,096

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  164,900     5,906,718
       
      9,236,814
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.5%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  71,000     1,202,635
       
      78,269,830
       

SOFTWARE &
SERVICES–31.3%

   

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–7.2%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

  81,600     2,838,864

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  23,440     12,339,285

Omniture, Inc.(a)

  39,500     733,515
       
      15,911,664
       

IT SERVICES–4.9%

   

Alliance Data Systems Corp.(a)

  39,200     2,216,760

Cap Gemini SA

  17,765     1,041,518

Global Payments, Inc.

  39,600     1,845,360

Infosys Technologies Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  51,700     2,246,882

Visa, Inc.–Class A

  42,100     3,423,151
       
      10,773,671
       

SOFTWARE–19.2%

   

Activision, Inc.(a)

  51,000     1,737,570

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  115,000     4,529,850

Concur Technologies, Inc.(a)

  25,800     857,334

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

  44,300     1,968,249

McAfee, Inc.(a)

  61,500     2,092,845

Microsoft Corp.

  164,800     4,533,648

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

  17,400     9,867,078

Oracle Corp.(a)

  156,500     3,286,500

Red Hat, Inc.(a)

  130,300     2,695,907
Company  

Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  65,000   $ 4,434,950

SAP AG

  33,439     1,743,800

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

  53,100     1,441,665

SuccessFactors, Inc.(a)

  97,800     1,070,910

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  36,200     1,949,732
       
      42,210,038
       
      68,895,373
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–21.3%

   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–21.3%

   

Analog Devices, Inc.

  111,900     3,555,063

Applied Materials, Inc.

  337,800     6,448,602

ASML Holding NV

  45,336     1,109,662

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  136,150     3,715,534

Intel Corp.

  601,500     12,920,220

Intersil Corp.–Class A

  87,400     2,125,568

Lam Research Corp.(a)

  38,300     1,384,545

Linear Technology Corp.

  60,100     1,957,457

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.(a)

  192,300     3,396,018

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a)

  24,700     1,520,038

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)

  197,400     1,810,158

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  276,500     3,016,615

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

  67,200     3,875,292
       
      46,834,772
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.7%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.5%

   

Tw Telecom, Inc.–Class A(a)

  95,800     1,535,674

Vimpel-Communications (Sponsored) (ADR)

  57,800     1,715,504
       
      3,251,178
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.2%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  38,200     2,015,050

MTN Group Ltd.

  132,150     2,091,803

NTT Docomo, Inc.

  806     1,182,192

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  287,500     2,731,250

Vodafone Group PLC

  406,314     1,197,127
       
      9,217,422
       
      12,468,600
       

MEDIA–2.1%

   

MEDIA–2.1%

   

The DIRECTV Group, Inc.(a)

  127,700     3,308,707

Discovery Holding Co.–Class A(a)

  37,100     814,716

Eutelsat Communications

  20,111     557,881
       
      4,681,304
       

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

  U.S. $ Value
   

CAPITAL GOODS–0.9%

   

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.9%

   

Enersys(a)

  19,600   $ 670,908

First Solar, Inc.(a)

  5,200     1,418,664
       
      2,089,572
       

CONSUMER DURABLES & APPAREL–0.7%

   

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.7%

   

Sony Corp.

  35,000     1,534,179
       

CONSUMER SERVICES–0.3%

   

HOTELS RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.3%

   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)

  12,900     590,562
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–97.8%
(cost $202,924,492)

      215,364,192

Other assets less liabilities–2.2%

      4,779,567
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 220,143,759
       

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1–quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2–other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3–significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

   Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

   $   189,961,024      $             –0

Level 2

     25,403,168        –0

Level 3

     –0      –0
                 

Total

   $ 215,364,192      $ –0
                 

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

     Investments In
Securities
    Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

   $                 –0   $             –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

     –0     –0

Realized gain (loss)

     –0     –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     –0     –0

Net purchases (sales)

     –0     –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

     –0     –0
                

Balance as of 6/30/08

   $ –0   $ –0
                

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

   $ –0   $ –0
                

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

6


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $202,924,492)

   $ 215,364,192  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $3,416,994)

     3,579,239  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     4,593,724  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     124,084  

Dividends receivable

     113,442  
        

Total assets

     223,774,681  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     133,557  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     2,641,188  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     536,470  

Advisory fee payable

     145,908  

Distribution fee payable

     33,196  

Administrative fee payable

     25,532  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     114,986  
        

Total liabilities

     3,630,922  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 220,143,759  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 12,712  

Additional paid-in capital

     427,549,224  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (197,162 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (219,822,240 )

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

     12,601,225  
        
   $ 220,143,759  
        

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

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

   $ 70,540,534      4,015,581      $   17.57

B

   $   149,603,225      8,696,112      $ 17.20

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $34,876)

   $ 1,053,406  

Interest

     47,318  
        

Total investment income

     1,100,724  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     881,950  

Distribution fee—Class B

     198,654  

Transfer agency—Class A

     609  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,267  

Custodian

     76,810  

Administrative

     46,100  

Printing

     37,962  

Audit

     24,000  

Legal

     8,463  

Directors’ fees

     886  

Miscellaneous

     3,268  
        

Total expenses

     1,279,969  
        

Net investment loss

     (179,245 )
        

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

  

Net realized loss on:

  

Investment transactions

     (8,156,071 )

Foreign currency transactions

     (158,608 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (34,554,125 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     128,335  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (42,740,469 )
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     2,781  
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (42,916,933 )
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (179,245 )   $ (853,115 )

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (8,314,679 )     48,858,319  

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

     (34,425,790 )     918,488  

Contribution from Adviser

     2,781       –0
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (42,916,933 )     48,923,692  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (22,332,273 )     (27,699,246 )
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (65,249,206 )     21,224,446  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     285,392,965       264,168,519  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($197,162) and ($17,917), respectively)

   $ 220,143,759     $ 285,392,965  
                

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s objective was to seek growth of capital. Current income was incidental to the Portfolio’s objective. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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

 

10


    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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Adviser made a payment of $2,781 to the Portfolio in connection with a litigation settlement.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $329,020, 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

11


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 six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 150,785,032     $ 171,114,829  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 18,348,515  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (5,908,815 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 12,439,700  
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

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

The Portfolio’s custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Portfolio having a value at least equal to the aggregate amount of the Portfolio’s commitments under forward currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

 

13


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

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  161,331     885,992       $ 2,897,318     $ 17,645,153  

Shares redeemed

  (680,376 )   (1,390,586 )       (12,270,826 )     (26,007,511 )
                             

Net decrease

  (519,045 )   (504,594 )     $ (9,373,508 )   $ (8,362,358 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  1,247,064     4,572,785       $ 21,998,269     $ 87,706,890  

Shares redeemed

  (1,979,296 )   (5,616,216 )       (34,957,034 )     (107,043,778 )
                             

Net decrease

  (732,232 )   (1,043,431 )     $ (12,958,765 )   $ (19,336,888 )
                             

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

 

14


    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. 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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

15


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.71     $17.23     $15.86     $15.27     $14.49     $10.05  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

  .00 (b)   (.03 )   (.05 )   (.05 )   (.03 )(c)   (.11 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (3.14 )   3.51     1.42     .64     .81     4.55  

Contribution from Adviser

  .00 (b)   –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (3.14 )   3.48     1.37     .59     .78     4.44  
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $17.57     $20.71     $17.23     $15.86     $15.27     $14.49  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (15.16 )%   20.20 %   8.64 %   3.86 %   5.38 %   44.18 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $70,541     $93,919     $86,819     $99,781     $117,145     $130,127  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .92 %(e)   .93 %   .92 %(f)   .92 %   .88 %   1.11 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .92 %(e)   .93 %   .92 %(f)   .92 %   1.06 %   1.11 %

Net investment income (loss)

  .01 %(e)   (.15 )%   (.30 )%(f)   (.32 )%   (.22 )%(c)   (.86 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  65 %   132 %   117 %   98 %   86 %   90 %

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $20.31     $16.94     $15.63     $15.08     $14.35     $  9.98  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.02 )   (.07 )   (.09 )   (.08 )   (.07 )(c)   (.14 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (3.09 )   3.44     1.40     .63     .80     4.51  

Contribution from Adviser

  .00 (b)   –0   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (3.11 )   3.37     1.31     .55     .73     4.37  
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $17.20     $20.31     $16.94     $15.63     $15.08     $14.35  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (15.31 )%   19.89 %   8.38 %   3.65 %   5.09 %   43.79 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $149,603     $191,474     $177,350     $148,075     $164,721     $187,319  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.17 %(e)   1.17 %   1.18 %(f)   1.17 %   1.13 %   1.37 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.17 %(e)   1.17 %   1.18 %(f)   1.17 %   1.31 %   1.37 %

Net investment loss

  (.23 )%(e)   (.40 )%   (.55 )%(f)   (.57 )%   (.47 )%(c)   (1.11 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  65 %   132 %   117 %   98 %   86 %   90 %

 

 

 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

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

 

(d) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

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

 

17


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Information Technology Index (Net) (the “MSCI World IT Index”) and the MSCI World Index (Net) (the “MSCI World Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the indices) the since inception period (January 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1- and 3-year periods, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 1st out of 1 of the Performance Group and 3rd out of 4 of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the MSCI World IT Index in the 1-, 3- and 10-year periods but underperformed that index in the 5-year and since inception periods and outperformed the MSCI World Index in the 1-year period but underperformed that index in all other periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The Adviser informed the directors that there are no institutional products managed by it which have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and noted that it charged institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized 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., equity securities). The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund except that the Portfolio’s fee rate is a monthly fee based on average daily net assets whereas the Corresponding Fund’s fee rate is a quarterly fee based on net asset value at the end of each quarter.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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

 

19


GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY 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. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 3 basis points, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was essentially the same as the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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.

 

20


 
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Specialty

  75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion   $ 228.5   Global Technology
  65 bp on next $2.5 billion     Portfolio
  60 bp on the balance    

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $94,000 (0.03% 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 Technology Portfolio

 

Class A    0.93%

Class B    1.17%

  December 31

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

21


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

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 similar investment style as the Portfolio. However, with respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no institutional product that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser manages AllianceBernstein Global Technology Fund, Inc. (“Global Technology Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of Global Technology Fund, Inc.4 and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of Global Technology Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio.

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective
ABMF

Adv. Fee
(%)

  Portfolio
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

  0.750   0.750

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 fees set forth for International Technology Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

 

 

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.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fund    Fee

International Technology Portfolio

Class A

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.

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

Global Technology Portfolio

   0.750    0.775    4/10

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.

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)10
   Lipper
Group
Median (%)
  

Lipper

Group
Rank

   Lipper
Universe
Median (%)
   Lipper
Universe
Rank

Global Technology Portfolio

   0.925    0.909    6/10    0.970    7/17

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

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

 

9 Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting 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 Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

23


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

 

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $457,877 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $549,893 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 from the Portfolio.11

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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,12 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 make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

 

 

 

11 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

12 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

24


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli13 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.14 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 January 31, 2008.17

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   0.80    1.24    1.50    6/10    12/17

3 year

   7.36    8.48    9.93    6/10    10/15

5 year

   12.21    13.11    13.51    8/10    11/15

10 year

   5.19    5.19    6.69    1/1    3/4

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)18 versus its benchmarks.19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.20

 

 

 

13 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

14 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

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 and PU are identical to the Portfolio’s EG and 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 January 31, 2008. It should be noted that the “since inception” performance returns of the Portfolio’s benchmark goes back only through the nearest month-end after inception date. In contrast, the Portfolio’s since inception return goes back to the Portfolio’s actual inception date.

 

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

 

25


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

 

    

Periods Ending January 31, 2008

Annualized Performance

    

1

Year
(%)

 

3

Year
(%)

 

5

Year
(%)

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

Global Technology Portfolio

  0.80   7.36   12.21   5.19   6.09   16.72   0.17   5

MSCI World IT Index (Net)19

  0.48   7.06   12.37   3.39   7.28   15.18   0.18   5

MSCI World Index (Net)19

  -0.47   10.64   15.83   5.86   7.36   N/A   N/A   N/A

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 5, 2008

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 858.58    $   4.25    0.92 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,020.29    $ 4.62    0.92 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 857.72    $ 5.40    1.17 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.05    $ 5.87    1.17 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Google, Inc.—Class A

   $ 7,333,031      4.9 %

Cameron International Corp.

     6,769,305      4.5  

Apple, Inc.

     6,602,829      4.4  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     5,975,408      4.0  

Celgene Corp.

     5,637,805      3.8  

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

     5,411,008      3.6  

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

     5,307,639      3.6  

Danaher Corp.

     4,653,460      3.1  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

     4,636,792      3.1  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     4,568,998      3.1  
                 
     $   56,896,275      38.1 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 49,986,866      33.6 %

Health Care

     33,011,676      22.2  

Industrials

     20,751,550      14.0  

Energy

     16,968,782      11.4  

Financials

     11,364,468      7.6  

Consumer Discretionary

     8,248,395      5.5  

Materials

     5,283,348      3.6  

Utilities

     1,573,920      1.1  

Consumer Staples

     711,477      0.5  

Telecommunication Services

     676,466      0.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $   148,576,948      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.

 

2


GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.6%

   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–33.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–7.0%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  122,660   $ 2,853,072

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  128,670     2,853,901

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  74,420     3,302,015

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  12,040     1,407,476
       
      10,416,464
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–5.5%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  39,434     6,602,829

International Business Machines Corp.

  13,200     1,564,596
       
      8,167,425
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–4.9%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

  80,250     3,601,620

Dolby Laboratories, Inc.–Class A(a)

  90,790     3,658,837
       
      7,260,457
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–4.9%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  13,930     7,333,031
       

IT SERVICES–1.6%

   

Iron Mountain, Inc.(a)

  68,710     1,824,250

Visa, Inc.–Class A

  6,800     552,908
       
      2,377,158
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.0%

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

  20,900     398,981

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  46,700     1,274,443

Intel Corp.

  60,980     1,309,850

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a)

  25,270     1,555,116
       
      4,538,390
       

SOFTWARE 6.6%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  101,880     4,013,053

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  61,800     4,216,614

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  30,900     1,664,274
       
      9,893,941
       
      49,986,866
       

HEALTH CARE–22.1%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–10.5%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  88,270     5,637,805

Cepheid, Inc.(a)

  41,900     1,178,228

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  37,620     2,855,358

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  112,850     5,975,408
       
      15,646,799
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–4.9%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  25,670   $ 4,178,819

Baxter International, Inc.

  29,700     1,899,018

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

  4,600     1,239,240
       
      7,317,077
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–3.6%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  114,640     5,411,008
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.1%

   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  101,240     4,636,792
       
      33,011,676
       

INDUSTRIALS–13.9%

   

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–6.1%

   

Fluor Corp.

  20,450     3,805,336

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.(a)

  65,770     5,307,639
       
      9,112,975
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–4.7%

   

Ametek, Inc.

  84,410     3,985,840

Baldor Electric Co.

  15,130     529,247

Emerson Electric Co.

  49,950     2,470,028
       
      6,985,115
       

MACHINERY–3.1%

   

Danaher Corp.

  60,200     4,653,460
       
      20,751,550
       

ENERGY–11.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–11.4%

   

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  122,300     6,769,305

FMC Technologies, Inc.(a)

  37,900     2,915,647

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a)

  30,600     2,714,832

Schlumberger Ltd.

  42,530     4,568,998
       
      16,968,782
       

FINANCIALS–7.6%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.4%

   

The Charles Schwab Corp.

  77,490     1,591,645

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  19,290     3,373,821

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

  30,060     1,619,031
       
      6,584,497
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–3.2%

   

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  5,723     2,192,997

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

  75,400     2,586,974
       
      4,779,971
       
      11,364,468
       

 

 

3


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–5.5%

   

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.4%

   

Strayer Education, Inc.

  10,120   $ 2,115,788
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.9%

   

NVR, Inc.(a)

  2,760     1,380,221
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–2.1%

   

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.(a)

  93,080     1,651,239

J Crew Group, Inc.(a)

  23,700     782,337

Tiffany & Co.

  16,800     684,600
       
      3,118,176
       

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.1%

   

Coach, Inc.(a)

  17,720     511,754

Nike, Inc.–Class B

  18,830     1,122,456
       
      1,634,210
       
      8,248,395
       

MATERIALS–3.5%

   

CHEMICALS–3.5%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  17,200     1,700,392

Monsanto Co.

  22,300     2,819,612

Praxair, Inc.

  8,100     763,344
       
      5,283,348
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

UTILITIES–1.1%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.1%

   

FPL Group, Inc.

  24,000   $ 1,573,920
       

CONSUMER STAPLES– 0.5%

   

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  11,700     711,477
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.5%

   

Tw Telecom, Inc.-Class A(a)

  42,200     676,466
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.6%
(cost $128,061,672)

      148,576,948

Other assets less
liabilities–0.4%

      631,561
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 149,208,509
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   148,576,948      $             –0

Level 2

       –0      –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $ 148,576,948      $ –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

     $               –0    $             –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 06/30/2008

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 06/30/2008

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 06/30/2008 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

5


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $128,061,672)

   $ 148,576,948  

Cash

     352,591  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     2,333,338  

Dividends receivable

     56,239  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     12,674  
        

Total assets

     151,331,790  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     1,699,110  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     123,946  

Advisory fee payable

     97,102  

Administrative fee payable

     25,422  

Distribution fee payable

     19,827  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     82  

Accrued expenses

     157,792  
        

Total liabilities

     2,123,281  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 149,208,509  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 7,690  

Additional paid-in capital

     177,817,549  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (317,634 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (48,814,372 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     20,515,276  
        
   $ 149,208,509  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   58,074,819      2,951,909      $   19.67

B

     $ 91,133,690      4,738,276      $ 19.23

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $12,893)

   $ 542,262  

Interest

     14,981  
        

Total investment income

     557,243  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     610,165  

Distribution fee—Class B

     125,507  

Transfer agency—Class A

     442  

Transfer agency—Class B

     713  

Administrative

     46,100  

Custodian

     43,627  

Audit

     24,000  

Printing

     12,941  

Legal

     7,110  

Directors’ fees

     750  

Miscellaneous

     3,522  
        

Total expenses

     874,877  
        

Net investment loss

     (317,634 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized loss on investment transactions

     (131,090 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (26,979,179 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (27,110,269 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (27,427,903 )
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (317,634 )   $ (824,793 )

Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions

     (131,090 )     31,363,050  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (26,979,179 )     (4,569,779 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (27,427,903 )     25,968,478  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (20,719,016 )     (53,409,240 )
                

Total decrease

     (48,146,919 )     (27,440,762 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     197,355,428       224,796,190  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($317,634)
and $0, respectively)

   $ 149,208,509     $ 197,355,428  
                

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek to provide long-term growth of capital. Current income was incidental to the Portfolio’s objective. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

9


GROWTH 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 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 $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $102,122, of which $916 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 84,399,663     $ 102,642,050  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 26,534,693  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (6,019,417 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 20,515,276  
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

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

The Portfolio’s custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Portfolio having a value at least equal to the aggregate amount of the Portfolio’s commitments under forward currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.

 

11


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

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  57,118     185,625       $ 1,176,158     $ 4,112,743  

Shares redeemed

  (416,041 )   (1,484,406 )       (8,437,976 )     (32,276,016 )
                             

Net decrease

  (358,923 )   (1,298,781 )     $ (7,261,818 )   $ (28,163,273 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  55,989     261,088       $ 1,094,068     $ 5,551,562  

Shares redeemed

  (737,900 )   (1,442,424 )       (14,551,266 )     (30,797,529 )
                             

Net decrease

  (681,911 )   (1,181,336 )     $ (13,457,198 )   $ (25,245,967 )
                             

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

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. 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

 

13


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

 

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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

14


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

     CLASS A  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
       2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $22.91     $20.27     $20.49     $18.30     $15.95     $11.81  
                                    
            

Income From Investment Operations

            

Net investment loss (a)

   (.02 )   (.05 )   (.04 )   (.08 )   (.07 )   (.06 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

   (3.22 )   2.69     (.18 )   2.27     2.42     4.20  
                                    

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

   (3.24 )   2.64     (.22 )   2.19     2.35     4.14  
                                    

Net asset value, end of period

   $19.67     $22.91     $20.27     $20.49     $18.30     $15.95  
                                    
            

Total Return

            

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

   (14.14 )%   13.02 %   (1.07 )%   11.97 %   14.73 %   35.06 %
            

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

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

   $58,075     $75,834     $93,459     $123,535     $137,345     $141,809  

Ratio to average net assets of:

            

Expenses

   .92 %(c)   .90 %   .90 %(d)   .88 %   .88 %   .89 %

Net investment loss

   (.24 )%(c)   (.23 )%   (.22 )%(d)   (.43 )%   (.43 )%   (.43 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

   52 %   60 %   55 %   49 %   56 %   49 %

 

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

     CLASS B  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
       2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $22.42     $19.90     $20.15     $18.05     $15.76     $11.70  
                                    
            

Income From Investment Operations

            

Net investment loss (a)

   (.05 )   (.10 )   (.09 )   (.12 )   (.11 )   (.09 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

   (3.14 )   2.62     (.16 )   2.22     2.40     4.15  
                                    

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

   (3.19 )   2.52     (.25 )   2.10     2.29     4.06  
                                    

Net asset value, end of period

   $19.23     $22.42     $19.90     $20.15     $18.05     $15.76  
                                    
            

Total Return

            

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

   (14.23 )%   12.66 %   (1.24 )%   11.64 %   14.53 %   34.70 %
            

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

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

   $91,134     $121,521     $131,337     $167,595     $152,899     $120,460  

Ratio to average net assets of:

            

Expenses

   1.17 %(c)   1.15 %   1.15 %(d)   1.13 %   1.13 %   1.14 %

Net investment loss

   (.49 )%(c)   (.49 )%   (.47 )%(d)   (.68 )%   (.68 )%   (.68 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

   52 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

16


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between 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.

 

17


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(conitnued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 3000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (September 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 5th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in the 1- and 3-year periods but outperformed the Index in the 5- and 10-year and since inception periods. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser (including the Adviser’s view that its “high conviction” and “pure” style of growth investing had been out of favor for several years), and of the enhancements to its investment process being implemented by the Adviser with a view to improving investment performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s investment performance was understandable. The directors informed the Adviser that they planned to continue to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors 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 because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

 

18


    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. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 4 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 noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (less than $160 million at February 29, 2008) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in 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.

 

19


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Growth

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 159.4   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 $94,000 (0.04% 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

Growth Portfolio

 

Class A    0.90%

Class B    1.15%

  December 31

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

    

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

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
    

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Growth Portfolio

   $159.4     

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 $25m

   0.441 %    0.750 %

The Adviser also manages The AllianceBernstein Portfolios Growth Fund (“Growth Fund”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of the Growth Fund and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Growth Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:5

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund
(“ABMF”)

     Fee Schedule   

Effective
ABMF

Adv. Fee

     Portfolio
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

   0.550 %    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 It should be noted that the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund was also affected by the settlement between the Adviser and the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule as the AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund.

 

21


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

 

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

 

Portfolio   ITM Mutual Fund   Fee (%)

Growth Portfolio

  AllianceBernstein U.S.
Growth Stock Fund Hedged/Unhedged
  0.750
  AllianceBernstein U.S.
Growth Stock Fund F/FVA
6
  0.700

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    0.778    5/14

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

   0.900    0.882    8/14    0.815    38/54

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 ITM 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.

 

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, ABI received $320,421 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $292,023 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 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 2007.

 

23


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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,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 make 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 independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.15 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 Portfolio16 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)17 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.18

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   –2.88    0.81    1.58    10/14    47/62

3 year

   4.75    8.00    7.33    9/11    42/47

5 year

   11.51    12.15    12.44    7/10    34/42

10 year

   2.99    4.56    4.71    7/7    20/26

 

 

 

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 two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

16 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.

 

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 in or excluding a fund from a PU is 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 fund even if a fund had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

24


    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)19 versus its benchmark.20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.21

 

     Periods Ending January 31, 2008 Annualized Performance
    

1

Year
(%)

 

3

Year
(%)

 

5

Year
(%)

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

Growth Portfolio

  2.88   4.75   11.51   2.99   9.09   20.31   0.07    10

Russell 3000 Growth Index20

  0.07   6.94   11.13   2.72   8.29   18.94   0.04    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 5, 2008

 

 

 

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 periods through January 31, 2008. 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.

 

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

 

25


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Growth & Income Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $      830.67    $   2.73    0.60 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,021.88    $   3.02    0.60 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $     829.93    $   3.87    0.85 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.64    $   4.27    0.85 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $ 67,199,125      4.1 %

Total SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

     58,154,140      3.5  

ACE Ltd.

     57,425,816      3.5  

Honeywell International, Inc.

     57,082,884      3.5  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     53,740,102      3.2  

Schering-Plough Corp.

     49,260,442      3.0  

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

     47,067,009      2.8  

Safeway, Inc.

     45,899,835      2.8  

Raytheon Co.

     43,887,144      2.7  

Eli Lilly & Co.

     41,816,344      2.5  
                 
     $   521,532,841      31.6 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Energy

   $ 270,003,639      16.2 %

Financials

     264,064,709      15.8  

Industrials

     245,113,862      14.7  

Health Care

     240,310,838      14.4  

Information Technology

     198,866,423      11.9  

Consumer Discretionary

     174,629,455      10.4  

Consumer Staples

     139,015,798      8.3  

Telecommunication Services

     84,835,103      5.1  

Materials

     27,632,079      1.6  

Utilities

     2,874,700      0.2  

Short-Term Investments

     23,065,000      1.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   1,670,411,606      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.

 

2


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.9%

   
   

ENERGY–16.4%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–16.4%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

  36,800   $ 2,754,112

Chevron Corp.

  285,500     28,301,615

ConocoPhillips

  348,900     32,932,671

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  762,500     67,199,125

Marathon Oil Corp.

  410,000     21,266,700

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  318,800     28,647,368

StatoilHydro ASA (ADR)

  725,300     27,111,714

Total SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  682,000     58,154,140

Valero Energy Corp.

  88,300     3,636,194
       
      270,003,639
       

FINANCIALS–16.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–2.4%

   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

  71,700     2,712,411

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  85,000     7,790,250

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  1,051,900     20,838,139

Morgan Stanley

  229,800     8,288,886
       
      39,629,686
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.1%

   

Zions Bancorporation

  80,500     2,534,945
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.3%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  456,600     10,899,042

Citigroup, Inc.

  750,000     12,570,000

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

  412,700     14,159,737
       
      37,628,779
       

INSURANCE–9.0%

   

ACE Ltd.

  1,042,400     57,425,816

American International Group, Inc.

  455,500     12,052,530

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

  1,578,900     47,067,009

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  182,500     11,784,025

MetLife, Inc.

  289,300     15,266,361

Prudential Financial, Inc.

  76,700     4,582,058
       
      148,177,799
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–2.2%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

  1,850,000     36,093,500
       
      264,064,709
       

INDUSTRIALS–14.9%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–11.8%

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

  1,135,300     57,082,884

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.–Class 3

  159,500     14,493,765

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  544,700     53,740,102
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

Raytheon Co.

  779,800   $ 43,887,144

United Technologies Corp.

  410,000     25,297,000
       
      194,500,895
       

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Continental Airlines, Inc.–Class B(a)

  372,600     3,766,986
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.8%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  522,300     25,827,735

Enersys(a)

  120,100     4,111,023
       
      29,938,758
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.8%

   

General Electric Co.

  457,100     12,199,999
       

MACHINERY–0.3%

   

Dover Corp.

  59,900     2,897,363

Eaton Corp.

  21,300     1,809,861
       
      4,707,224
       
      245,113,862
       

HEALTH CARE–14.6%

   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.6%

   

Aetna, Inc.

  362,600     14,696,178

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

  461,100     12,103,875
       
      26,800,053
       

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–0.3%

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(a)

  68,700     3,828,651
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–12.7%

   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

  724,600     14,876,038

Eli Lilly & Co.

  905,900     41,816,344

Johnson & Johnson

  366,200     23,561,308

Merck & Co., Inc.

  1,044,200     39,355,898

Schering-Plough Corp.

  2,501,800     49,260,442

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  604,800     27,699,840

Wyeth

  273,400     13,112,264
       
      209,682,134
       
      240,310,838
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–12.0%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.2%

   

Ciena Corp.(a)

  117,000     2,710,890

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  525,000     12,211,500

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

  228,700     5,072,566
       
      19,994,956
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.0%

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  252,900     11,180,709

Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)

  2,051,800     22,323,584
       
      33,504,293
       

 

 

3


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.9%

   

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

  874,200   $ 31,313,844
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–0.6%

   

Yahoo!, Inc.(a)

  500,000     10,330,000
       

IT SERVICES–2.0%

   

Accenture Ltd.–Class A

  820,900     33,427,048
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.1%

   

Analog Devices, Inc.

  363,700     11,554,749

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  319,200     8,710,968

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a)

  460,000     4,572,400

Intersil Corp.–Class A

  262,470     6,383,270

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  203,000     3,800,160
       
      35,021,547
       

SOFTWARE–2.2%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

  286,500     11,285,235

Microsoft Corp.

  450,000     12,379,500

Symantec Corp.(a)

  600,000     11,610,000
       
      35,274,735
       
      198,866,423
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–10.6%

   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.1%

   

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

  141,800     2,539,638
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.6%

   

Centex Corp.

  458,700     6,132,819

DR Horton, Inc.

  1,365,800     14,818,930

Pulte Homes, Inc.

  589,600     5,677,848
       
      26,629,597
       

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.7%

   

Expedia, Inc.(a)

  587,500     10,798,250
       

MEDIA–8.2%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  1,040,900     20,287,141

The DIRECTV Group, Inc.(a)

  914,010     23,681,999

EW Scripps Co.–Class A

  36,361     1,510,436

Gannett Co., Inc.

  638,700     13,840,629

Omnicom Group, Inc.

  700,000     31,416,000

Time Warner, Inc.

  910,500     13,475,400

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  997,065     30,450,365
       
      134,661,970
       
      174,629,455
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value  
   

CONSUMER STAPLES–8.4%

   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.8%

   

Safeway, Inc.

    1,607,700   $ 45,899,835  
         

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

    363,600     22,110,516  
         

TOBACCO–4.3%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

    675,000     13,878,000  

Lorillard, Inc.(a)

    372,539     25,764,797  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    635,000     31,362,650  
         
      71,005,447  
         
      139,015,798  
         

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.1%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.1%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    589,900     19,873,731  

CenturyTel, Inc.

    906,800     32,273,012  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    923,400     32,688,360  
         
      84,835,103  
         

MATERIALS–1.7%

   

CHEMICALS–1.7%

   

Dow Chemical Co.

    285,000     9,949,350  

Eastman Chemical Co.

    205,524     14,152,383  

Lubrizol Corp.

    76,200     3,530,346  
         
      27,632,079  
         

UTILITIES–0.2%

   

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.2%

   

NSTAR

    85,000     2,874,700  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $1,765,686,919)

      1,647,346,606  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.4%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $23,065,000)

  $ 23,065     23,065,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.3%
(cost $1,788,751,919)

      1,670,411,606  

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.3)%

      (22,122,239 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 1,648,289,367  
         

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

4


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   1,647,346,606      $             –0

Level 2

       23,065,000        –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $ 1,670,411,606      $ –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $             –0    $             –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

5


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $1,788,751,919)

   $ 1,670,411,606  

Cash

     339  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     32,071,210  

Dividends and interest receivable

     2,832,905  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     776,299  
        

Total assets

     1,706,092,359  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     54,697,686  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     1,753,977  

Advisory fee payable

     792,782  

Distribution fee payable

     286,710  

Administrative fee payable

     25,485  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     246,267  
        

Total liabilities

     57,802,992  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 1,648,289,367  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 90,647  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,731,172,542  

Undistributed net investment income

     11,166,080  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     24,200,411  

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (118,340,313 )
        
   $ 1,648,289,367  
        

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

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

   $ 338,340,327      18,465,356      $   18.32

B

   $   1,309,949,040      72,181,389      $ 18.15

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $318,497)

   $ 18,733,215  

Interest

     179,074  
        

Total investment income

     18,912,289  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     5,186,183  

Distribution fee—Class B

     1,874,174  

Transfer agency—Class A

     744  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,883  

Printing

     214,758  

Custodian

     124,190  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Legal

     18,716  

Directors’ fees

     872  

Miscellaneous

     15,434  
        

Total expenses

     7,508,054  
        

Net investment income

     11,404,235  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     33,335,063  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (403,991,831 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (370,656,768 )
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     11,869  
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (359,240,664 )
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 11,404,235     $ 29,698,091  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     33,335,063       290,992,505  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (403,991,831 )     (204,861,762 )

Contribution from Adviser

     11,869       5,490,338  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (359,240,664 )     121,319,172  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (6,963,791 )     (7,215,789 )

Class B

     (22,799,055 )     (23,356,429 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (59,285,909 )     (24,491,029 )

Class B

     (235,239,159 )     (96,075,101 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     117,449,405       (299,607,323 )

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

    

Proceeds from third party regulatory settlement (see Note E)

     –0     99,405  
                

Total decrease

     (566,079,173 )     (329,327,094 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     2,214,368,540       2,543,695,634  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $11,166,080 and $29,524,691, respectively)

   $ 1,648,289,367     $ 2,214,368,540  
                

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek reasonable current income and reasonable opportunity for appreciation through investments primarily in dividend-paying, common stocks of good quality. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.

The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.

1. Security Valuation

Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

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

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

 

9


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 Directors’ 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Adviser made a payment of $11,869 to the portfolio in connection with a claim for class action settlement.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008 amounted to $2,324,236, of which $48,539 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 1,629,890,432     $ 1,797,228,494  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 73,053,380  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (191,393,693 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (118,340,313 )
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

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

 

11


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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  744,884     1,718,639       $ 17,608,931     $ 46,751,786  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  3,373,203     1,167,409         66,249,700       31,706,818  

Shares redeemed

  (2,663,157 )   (5,359,346 )       (61,748,743 )     (146,319,071 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  1,454,930     (2,473,298 )     $ 22,109,888     $ (67,860,467 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  838,830     1,665,190       $ 18,949,960     $ 45,161,027  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  13,259,929     4,434,888         258,038,214       119,431,530  

Shares redeemed

  (8,133,947 )   (14,662,672 )       (181,648,657 )     (396,339,413 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  5,964,812     (8,562,594 )     $ 95,339,517     $ (231,746,856 )
                             

During the period ended December 31, 2007, 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.

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

13


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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. 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 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

 

14


 
 
    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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

15


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.82     $27.19     $24.88     $24.08     $21.80     $16.62  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment
income (a)

  .16     .39     .36     .31     .36 (b)   .23  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (4.41 )   .97     3.66     .85     2.12     5.15  

Contribution from
Adviser

  .00 (c)   .06     –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in
net asset value from operations

  (4.25 )   1.42     4.02     1.16     2.48     5.38  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net
investment income

  (.45 )   (.41 )   (.37 )   (.36 )   (.20 )   (.20 )

Distributions from net
realized gain on
investment transactions

  (3.80 )   (1.38 )   (1.34 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (4.25 )   (1.79 )   (1.71 )   (.36 )   (.20 )   (.20 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $18.32     $26.82     $27.19     $24.88     $24.08     $21.80  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (16.93 )%*   5.12 %**   17.29 %   4.86 %   11.46 %   32.50 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $338,340     $456,159     $529,732     $571,372     $627,689     $603,673  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .60 %(e)   .59 %   .61 %(f)   .59 %   .60 %   .66 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .60 %(e)   .59 %   .61 %(f)   .59 %   .65 %   .66 %

Net investment income

  1.41 %(e)   1.43 %   1.42 %(f)   1.29 %   1.62 %(b)   1.25 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  87 %   74 %   60 %   72 %   50 %   57 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $26.55     $26.93     $24.65     $23.87     $21.62     $16.49  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .13     .32     .29     .25     .31 (b)   .18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (4.36 )   .96     3.63     .83     2.10     5.11  

Contribution from Adviser

  .00 (c)   .06     –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (4.23 )   1.34     3.92     1.08     2.41     5.29  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.37 )   (.34 )   (.30 )   (.30 )   (.16 )   (.16 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (3.80 )   (1.38 )   (1.34 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (4.17 )   (1.72 )   (1.64 )   (.30 )   (.16 )   (.16 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $18.15     $26.55     $26.93     $24.65     $23.87     $21.62  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (17.01 )%*   4.86 %**   16.98 %   4.60 %   11.22 %   32.18 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $1,309,949     $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

  .85 %(e)   .84 %   .86 %(f)   .85 %   .85 %   .91 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .85 %(e)   .84 %   .86 %(f)   .85 %   .90 %   .91 %

Net investment income

  1.16 %(e)   1.18 %   1.17 %(f)   1.05 %   1.39 %(b)   .99 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  87 %   74 %   60 %   72 %   50 %   57 %

 

 

 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by the Adviser.

 

(c) Amount less than $0.005.

 

(d) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(e) Annualized.

 

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

 

* 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 by 0.01%.

 

** 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).

 

17


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (January 1991 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 2nd out of 4 of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1- and 10-year periods but underperformed the Index in the 3- and 5-year and since inception periods. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser, as well as the improvement in relative performance in the most recent year, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s investment performance was satisfactory. The directors informed the Adviser that they planned to continue to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

19


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the less than 1 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was the same as the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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.

 

20


 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Value

 

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 1,912.8   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 $94,000 (0.004% 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

Growth & Income Portfolio

  Class A    0.59%   December 31
  Class B    0.84%  

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

21


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund, since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
  

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

Growth & Income Portfolio

   $1,912.8   

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 $25m

   0.265    0.550

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc. (“Growth & Income Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below are the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, Inc.5 and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of Growth & Income Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee (%)

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

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the fees set forth for American Value Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. It should be noted that Class A shares of the Luxembourg funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

Fund      Fee  

American Value Portfolio

    

Class A

     1.50 %

Class I (Institutional)

     0.70 %

The Adviser provides sub-advisory investment services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the following fees for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio   Sub-Advised
Fund
  Fee Schedule   Sub-advised
Fund Effective
Fee (%)
  Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)

Growth & Income Portfolio

  Client No. 1  

0.30% on first $1 billion

0.25% on next $500 million

0.20% thereafter

  0.265   0.550
 

Client No.26

  0.30%   0.300   0.550

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”)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.

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
Fee9
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Growth & Income Portfolio10

   0.550    0.567    8/20

 

 

 

6 The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

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 The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, seven other variable insurance product (“VIP”) Large-Cap Value funds (“LCVE”) and twelve VIP Large-Cap Core funds (“LCCE”).

 

23


GROWTH & INCOME 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.11 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.12

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Growth & Income Portfolio14

   0.613    0.613    11/20    0.802    19/105

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $4,811,927 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $1,621,722 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

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

 

 

 

11 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.

 

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.

 

14 The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP LCVE and LCCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 from the Portfolio.15

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

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 make 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 17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.18 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 

 

 

15 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

16 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

17 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

18 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

25


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio19 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.21

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   –2.77    –5.08    –3.58    2/8    20/44

3 year

   6.97    6.97    8.23    4/7    30/40

5 year

   12.73    12.59    12.99    3/7    21/36

10 year

   7.96    6.09    5.59    2/4    3/14

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)22 versus its benchmark.23 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.24

 

     Periods Ending January 31, 2008
Annualized Performance
    

1

Year
(%)

 

3

Year
(%)

 

5

Year
(%)

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

Growth & Income Portfolio

  2.77   6.97   12.73   7.96   10.87   15.68   0.33   10

Russell 1000 Value Index

  5.38   8.48   14.25   7.40   12.81   13.93   0.32   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 5, 2008

 

 

 

19 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.

 

20 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.

 

21 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.

 

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

 

23 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through December 31, 2007.

 

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

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

International Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 927.84    $ 4.55    0.95 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.14    $   4.77    0.95 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 926.96    $ 5.75    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.90    $ 6.02    1.20 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Rio Tinto PLC

   $ 7,365,671      3.5 %

Xstrata PLC

     7,004,932      3.3  

Sasol Ltd.

     6,539,994      3.1  

BHP Billiton PLC

     4,981,088      2.3  

Evraz Group SA (Sponsored) (GDR)

     4,877,506      2.3  

StatoilHyro ASA

     4,790,536      2.3  

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

     4,734,333      2.2  

Cia Vale Do Rio Doce (ADR and Sponsored ADR)

     4,658,643      2.2  

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)

     4,574,170      2.1  

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

     4,566,835      2.1  
                 
     $   54,093,708      25.4 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 44,403,017      21.2 %

Materials

     39,556,636      18.9  

Energy

     29,043,860      13.8  

Industrials

     21,669,502      10.3  

Telecommunication Services

     14,273,726      6.8  

Consumer Staples

     13,054,635      6.2  

Consumer Discretionary

     12,997,860      6.2  

Information Technology

     11,558,411      5.5  

Health Care

     11,413,126      5.4  

Utilities

     5,596,341      2.7  

Short-Term Investments

     6,190,000      3.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   209,757,114      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.

 

2


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United Kingdom

   $ 48,733,254      23.2 %

Switzerland

     21,642,309      10.3  

Japan

     18,501,670      8.8  

Australia

     13,467,960      6.4  

Russia

     12,754,912      6.1  

France

     11,806,069      5.6  

Brazil

     10,224,794      4.9  

South Africa

     8,740,445      4.2  

Germany

     8,094,274      3.9  

Spain

     7,039,959      3.4  

China

     6,383,641      3.0  

Canada

     5,480,476      2.6  

Other*

     30,697,351      14.6  

Short-Term Investments

     6,190,000      3.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   209,757,114      100.0 %

 

 

 

 

* “Other” country weightings represents 2.3% or less in the following countries: Argentina, Cayman Islands, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–94.9%

   
   

FINANCIALS–20.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–8.0%

   

Credit Suisse Group AG

  39,722   $ 1,808,026

Gottex Fund Management Holdings Ltd.

  38,391     1,109,999

ICAP PLC

  167,709     1,796,370

Julius Baer Holding AG

  67,971     4,558,338

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  28,770     1,339,404

Man Group PLC

  314,075     3,879,868

Partners Group Holding AG

  18,418     2,534,075
       
      17,026,080
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–9.8%

   

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

  250,318     4,566,836

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.–Class H

  5,613,000     3,837,757

Itausa-Investimentos Itau SA

  531,005     3,371,986

National Bank of Greece SA

  56,173     2,528,174

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA

  85,403     1,835,245

Siam Commercial Bank PCL

  804,000     1,863,616

Standard Chartered PLC

  98,687     2,794,759
       
      20,798,373
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.0%

   

Deutsche Boerse AG

  8,346     943,568

IG Group Holdings PLC

  174,939     1,145,590
       
      2,089,158
       

INSURANCE–1.2%

   

Prudential PLC

  236,964     2,499,433
       
      42,413,044
       

MATERIALS–18.6%

   

CHEMICALS–3.0%

   

Bayer AG

  19,107     1,604,025

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

  26,737     4,734,333
       
      6,338,358
       

METALS & MINING–15.6%

   

BHP Billiton PLC

  129,885     4,981,088

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  14,804     530,279

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  138,350     4,128,364

Equinox Minerals Ltd.(a)

  381,448     1,660,909

Evraz Group SA (Sponsored) (GDR)(b)

  41,867     4,877,506

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.(a)

  234,972     2,669,529

Rio Tinto PLC

  61,163     7,365,671

Xstrata PLC

  87,935     7,004,932
       
      33,218,278
       
      39,556,636
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–13.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.1%

   

Tenaris SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  45,300   $ 3,374,850

WorleyParsons Ltd.

  88,716     3,214,500
       
      6,589,350
       

MISCELLANEOUS–0.2%

   

SMA Solar Technology AG(a)

  4,554     392,920
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–10.4%

   

Addax Petroleum Corp.

  48,002     2,317,955

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)(b)

  78,865     4,574,170

Sasol Ltd.

  111,102     6,539,994

StatoilHydro ASA

  128,399     4,790,536

Total SA

  45,101     3,838,935
       
      22,061,590
       
      29,043,860
       

INDUSTRIALS–10.2%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.4%

 

BAE Systems PLC

  347,924     3,053,834
       

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

EasyJet PLC(a)

  92,957     497,103
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.7%

   

Capita Group PLC

  106,313     1,450,249
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.5%

   

China Communications Construction Co. Ltd.–Class H

  576,000     987,474
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

ABB Ltd.

  63,058     1,784,910
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.0%

   

Barloworld Ltd.

  62,527     637,068

Siemens AG

  19,207     2,117,217

Smiths Group PLC

  64,768     1,395,533
       
      4,149,818
       

MACHINERY–1.2%

   

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

  86,123     1,259,580

Komatsu Ltd.

  47,200     1,318,114
       
      2,577,694
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.7%

   

Central Japan Railway Co.

  129     1,421,898
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–2.7%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  90,000     2,965,565

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  126,000     2,780,957
       
      5,746,522
       
      21,669,502
       

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.7%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.8%

   

Global Village Telecom Holding SA(a)

  36,000   $ 874,680

Iliad SA

  12,514     1,212,288

Telefonica SA

  93,453     2,473,124

Vimpel-Communications (Sponsored) (ADR)

  44,885     1,332,187
       
      5,892,279
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.9%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  26,300     1,387,325

China Unicom Ltd

  482,000     894,585

MTN Group Ltd.

  98,767     1,563,385

NTT Docomo, Inc.

  585     858,043

Vodafone Group PLC

  1,248,378     3,678,109
       
      8,381,447
       
      14,273,726
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–6.2%

   

BEVERAGES–0.9%

   

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (Sponsored) (ADR)

  24,568     1,118,090

Pernod-Ricard SA

  8,474     864,731
       
      1,982,821
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.7%

   

Tesco PLC

  490,977     3,591,153
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.8%

   

Nestle SA

  84,710     3,817,428
       

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

L’Oreal SA

  3,572     387,442
       

TOBACCO–1.6%

   

British American Tobacco PLC

  57,795     1,993,570

ITC Ltd.

  150,239     655,287

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

  147     626,934
       
      3,275,791
       
      13,054,635
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–6.1%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.6%

   

Denso Corp.

  38,100     1,312,217
       

AUTOMOBILES–1.9%

   

Fiat SpA

  95,357     1,552,123

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

  49,800     1,699,508

Porsche Automobil Holding SE

  5,850     899,122
       
      4,150,753
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.1%

   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)

  11,600   $ 531,048

Ladbrokes PLC

  114,723     582,909

OPAP, SA

  33,905     1,186,301
       
      2,300,258
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.3%

   

Sony Corp.

  14,000     613,672
       

MEDIA–1.6%

   

Eutelsat Communications

  73,158     2,029,411

SES SA

  7,873     198,880

SES SA (FDR)(a)

  43,720     1,092,300
       
      3,320,591
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.2%

   

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd

  167,182     494,764
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.4%

   

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  77,369     805,605
       
      12,997,860
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–5.4%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.4%

   

Nokia OYJ

  60,569     1,480,485

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  12,793     1,501,613
       
      2,982,098
       

IT SERVICES–0.6%

   

Cap Gemini SA

  21,365     1,252,577
       

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.4%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

  60,000     1,016,311
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.1%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.

  960,000     860,563

Elpida Memory, Inc.(a)

  19,500     625,383

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

  14,300     824,653
       
      2,310,599
       

SOFTWARE–1.9%

   

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

  4,300     2,438,416

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

  57,400     1,558,410
       
      3,996,826
       
      11,558,411
       

HEALTH CARE–5.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.6%

   

Basilea Pharmaceutica(a)

  1,710     277,713

CSL Ltd./Australia

  29,664     1,015,429
       
      1,293,142
       

 

 

5


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

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.1%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  3,800   $ 618,602

Essilor International SA

  27,919     1,703,042
       
      2,321,644
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.8%

   

Fresenius Medical Care AG

  20,486     1,126,142

Orpea(a)

  10,491     517,642
       
      1,643,784
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–2.9%

   

Novartis AG

  42,519     2,339,914

Roche Holding AG

  15,538     2,793,302

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  22,300     1,021,340
       
      6,154,556
       
      11,413,126
       

UTILITIES–2.6%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–2.1%

   

CEZ

  25,463     2,261,414

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Sponsored) (ADR)

  52,976     1,300,561

E.ON AG

  5,020     1,011,281
       
      4,573,256
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.5%

   

International Power PLC

  119,426     1,023,085
       
      5,596,341
       

Total Common Stocks (cost $177,176,049)

      201,577,141
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

WARRANTS–1.0%

   

FINANCIALS–1.0%

   

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.0%

   

Sberbank, expiring 2/23/10(a) (cost $2,711,359)

    625   $ 1,971,050
       

RIGHTS–0.0%

   

FINANCIALS–0.0%

   

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.0%

   

Itausa-Investimentos Itau SA(a) (cost $14,595)

    2,980     18,923
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.9%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.9%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08 (cost $6,190,000)

  $   6,190     6,190,000
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.8% (cost $186,092,003)

      209,757,114

Other assets less
liabilities–1.2%

      2,629,632
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 212,386,746
       

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $9,451,676 or 4.5% of net assets.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

   Investments In
Securities
   Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

   $ 31,917,547    $ –0

Level 2

     174,004,901      –0

Level 3

     3,834,666      –0
               

Total

   $   209,757,114    $             –0
               

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

   $ 857,664      $ –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

     –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

     (363,196 )      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     (1,096,943 )      –0

Net purchases (sales)

     1,829,667        –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

     2,607,474        –0
                 

Balance as of 6/30/08

   $    3,834,666      $ –0
                 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

   $ (1,319,510 )    $             –0
                 

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $186,092,003)

   $ 209,757,114  

Cash

     517,770  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $1,269,878)

     1,279,135  

Dividends and interest receivable

     785,533  

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency contracts

     694,792  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     212,185  
        

Total assets

     213,246,529  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     336,994  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     177,375  

Advisory fee payable

     133,153  

Printing fee payable

     95,623  

Custody fee payable

     68,276  

Administrative fee payable

     21,166  

Distribution fee payable

     13,857  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     13,254  
        

Total liabilities

     859,783  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 212,386,746  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 9,373  

Additional paid-in capital

     190,945,597  

Undistributed net investment income

     2,559,861  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (4,839,587 )

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

     23,711,502  
        
   $ 212,386,746  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   144,699,865      6,370,712      $   22.71

B

     $ 67,686,881      3,002,471      $ 22.54

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $279,967)

   $ 3,567,598  

Interest

     57,012  
        

Total investment income

     3,624,610  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     786,292  

Distribution fee—Class B

     75,111  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,199  

Transfer agency—Class B

     480  

Custodian

     95,085  

Administrative

     46,100  

Printing

     28,093  

Audit

     26,071  

Legal

     4,581  

Directors’ fees

     931  

Miscellaneous

     6,082  
        

Total expenses

     1,070,025  
        

Net investment income

     2,554,585  
        

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

  

Net realized loss on:

  

Investment transactions

     (4,362,681 )

Foreign currency transactions

     (94,773 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (14,945,142 )(a)

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     101,531  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (19,301,065 )
        

Contribution from Adviser (see Note B)

     13,762  
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (16,732,718 )
        

 

 

 

(a) Net of accrued foreign capital gain taxes of $3,055.

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,554,585     $ 805,704  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (4,457,454 )     33,503,642  

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

     (14,843,611 )     (16,023,325 )

Contribution from Adviser

     13,762       –0
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (16,732,718 )     18,286,021  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0     (1,623,430 )

Class B

     –0     (541,864 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (2,519,650 )     (30,458,866 )

Class B

     (1,046,092 )     (13,413,214 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     9,410,482       134,049,650  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (10,887,978 )     106,298,297  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     223,274,724       116,976,427  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,559,861 and $5,276, respectively)

   $ 212,386,746     $ 223,274,724  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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


INTERNATIONAL 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. Pur- 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Adviser made a payment of $13,762 to the Portfolio in connection with a trading error.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $203,210, 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12B-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 87,989,447     $ 77,122,911  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 35,607,256  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (11,942,145 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 23,665,111  
        

 

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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.

 

13


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

 

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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold .

  515,870     1,016,139       $ 12,057,476     $ 31,451,472  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  106,991     1,204,872         2,519,650       32,082,296  

Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of International Research Growth Portfolio

  -0-     2,759,700         -0-       70,857,563  

Shares redeemed

  (908,211 )   (1,013,182 )       (20,848,965 )     (30,677,501 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (285,350 )   3,967,529       $ (6,271,839 )   $ 103,713,830  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold .

  996,314     523,872       $ 23,004,001     $ 15,467,703  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  44,724     527,837         1,046,092       13,955,078  

Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of International Research Growth Portfolio

  -0-     497,531         -0-       12,694,504  

Shares redeemed

  (368,830 )   (388,549 )       (8,367,772 )     (11,781,465 )
                             

Net increase

  672,208     1,160,691       $ 15,682,321     $ 30,335,820  
                             

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

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

 

15


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

 

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 $23,068,175 of net unrealized appreciation 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 to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

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. 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 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.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

NOTE 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

17


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.89     $30.37     $24.27     $20.18     $16.28     $11.48  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .29     .20     .30     .25     .11 (b)   .04  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.07 )   5.16     6.18     3.94     3.83     4.91  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.78 )   5.36     6.48     4.19     3.94     4.95  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  –0   (.56 )   (.23 )   (.10 )   (.04 )   (.15 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.40 )   (10.28 )   (.15 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.40 )   (10.84 )   (.38 )   (.10 )   (.04 )   (.15 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $22.71     $24.89     $30.37     $24.27     $20.18     $16.28  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (7.22 )%   18.13 %   27.04 %   20.84 %   24.27 %   43.46 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $144,700     $165,642     $81,655     $58,438     $41,198     $34,302  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .95 %(d)   1.21 %(e)   1.23 %(e)   1.41 %   1.65 %   2.17 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .95 %(d)   1.21 %(e)   1.23 %(e)   1.41 %   1.81 %   2.17 %

Net investment income

  2.49 %(d)   .66 %(e)   1.11 %(e)   1.16 %   .65 %(b)   .34 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  38 %   126 %   74 %   43 %   60 %   44 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 19.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.73     $30.20     $24.16     $20.11     $16.24     $11.47  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .26     .13     .22     .21     .07 (b)   .02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.05 )   5.11     6.16     3.91     3.82     4.88  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.79 )   5.24     6.38     4.12     3.89     4.90  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  –0   (.43 )   (.19 )   (.07 )   (.02 )   (.13 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (.40 )   (10.28 )   (.15 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.40 )   (10.71 )   (.34 )   (.07 )   (.02 )   (.13 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $22.54     $24.73     $30.20     $24.16     $20.11     $16.24  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (7.30 )%   17.78 %   26.70 %   20.55 %   23.97 %   43.07 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $67,687     $57,633     $35,321     $25,215     $14,501     $7,376  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %(d)   1.45 %(e)   1.48 %(e)   1.66 %   1.90 %   2.41 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %(d)   1.45 %(e)   1.48 %(e)   1.66 %   2.06 %   2.41 %

Net investment income

  2.29 %(d)   .45 %(e)   .81 %(e)   .95 %   .41 %(b)   .13 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  38 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

19


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between 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.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World (ex US) Index (Net) (the “MSCI All Country World Index”) and the MSCI World (ex US) Index (Net) (the “MSCI World Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008, except as noted below and (in the case of the MSCI World Index) the since inception period (September 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 1- and 5-year periods, 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 1st quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period and 1st quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the MSCI All Country World Index in the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods (no information was available for the 10-year and since inception periods) and outperformed the MSCI World Index in all periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

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

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

 

21


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The Lipper information included the pro forma expense ratio for Class A Shares provided by the Adviser to reflect the Portfolio’s acquisition of the Fund’s AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Portfolio effective December 7, 2007. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points, plus the 4 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s pro forma total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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.

 

22


 
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 a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

International

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 207.9   International Growth Portfolio4

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 $94,000 (0.04% 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    1.21%

Class B    1.45%

  December 31

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings 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 The Fund merged with the International Research Growth Portfolio on December 7, 2007.

 

23


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. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 similar investment style as the Portfolio.5 In addition to the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein Institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on February 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
02/29/08
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
   Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)

International Growth Portfolio

   $ 207.9   

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

   0.496    0.750

 

 

 

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 Fees shown for the International Large Cap Growth Strategy, which is similar but more concentrated that the Portfolio’s strategy.

 

24


    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 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)
  Fee Schedule   Effective ABMF
Adv. Fee (%)
  Portfolio
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

  0.750   0.750

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    0.948    2/14

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.

It should be noted that pro-forma information (shown in bold and italicized) is also provided to account for the projected expenses after the Portfolio’s December 2007 merger with AllianceBernstein Variable Series Products Series Fund, Inc.—International Research Growth Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)12

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

International Growth Portfolio

   1.227    1.125    11/14    1.087    19/22

pro-forma

   1.044    1.125    4/14    1.087    10/22

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.

 

 

 

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 large average account sizes. Note that there are limitations on Lipper expense category data because different funds categorize expenses differently.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

25


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 2007, relative to 2006.

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $101,122 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $528,334 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 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.

 

 

 

13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

26


    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,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 make 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 independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.16 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

 

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 January 31, 2008.19

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   5.51    2.71    2.88    5/14    12/31

3 year

   18.57    16.03    15.50    4/13    5/26

5 year

   24.69    19.32    19.68    3/13    5/24

10 year

   12.08    7.67    7.67    1/11    2/15

 

 

 

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.

 

16 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

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 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.

 

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.

 

27


INTERNATIONAL 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)20 versus its benchmark.21 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.22

 

     Periods Ending January 31, 2008
Annualized Performance
    1
Year
(%)
  3
Year
(%)
  5
Year
(%)
  10
Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
               Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

International Growth Portfolio

  5.51   18.57   24.69   12.08   12.17   13.30   1.48   5

MSCI All Country World ex US Index (Net)

  4.97   16.56   22.39   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   5

MSCI World ex US Index (Net)

  1.68   14.51   20.77   7.52   7.40   12.10   1.46   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 5, 2008

 

 

 

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 January 31, 2008.

 

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.

 

28


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

International Value Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 862.19    $ 3.70    0.80 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,020.89    $   4.02    0.80 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 861.29    $ 4.81    1.04 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.69    $ 5.22    1.04 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC—Class A

   $ 130,923,069      4.6 %

BASF SE

     101,396,953      3.6  

Total SA

     93,936,917      3.3  

JFE Holdings, Inc.

     89,411,639      3.2  

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

     74,486,032      2.7  

StatoilHydro ASA

     68,664,884      2.4  

Allianz SE

     67,369,634      2.4  

ING Groep N.V.

     65,476,243      2.3  

Eni SpA

     65,143,248      2.3  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

     64,301,936      2.3  
                 
     $   821,110,555      29.1 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 789,124,798      28.1 %

Energy

     490,055,252      17.4  

Materials

     453,236,419      16.1  

Consumer Discretionary

     251,982,729      9.0  

Information Technology

     212,437,025      7.6  

Telecommunications Services

     178,416,044      6.3  

Industrials

     143,303,241      5.1  

Utilities

     97,436,071      3.5  

Health Care

     87,633,467      3.1  

Consumer Staples

     67,273,070      2.4  

Short-Term Investments

     38,527,000      1.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,809,425,116      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.

 

2


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Japan

   $ 537,326,430      19.1 %

France

     408,849,050      14.6  

United Kingdom

     408,040,820      14.5  

Germany

     355,894,951      12.7  

Netherlands

     268,011,499      9.5  

South Korea

     108,113,203      3.8  

Italy

     106,068,227      3.8  

China

     77,418,958      2.8  

Taiwan

     76,568,051      2.7  

Norway

     68,664,884      2.4  

Belgium

     67,101,012      2.4  

Luxembourg

     53,942,099      1.9  

Other*

     234,898,932      8.4  

Short-Term Investments

     38,527,000      1.4  
                 

Total Investments

   $   2,809,425,116      100.0 %

 

 

 

 

* “Other” country weightings represents 1.7% or less in the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.5%

   
   

FINANCIALS–27.9%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.8%

 

Credit Suisse Group AG

  972,800   $ 44,278,939

Deutsche Bank AG

  738,800     63,288,587
       
      107,567,526
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–13.6%

 

Barclays PLC

  7,983,900     45,296,391

BNP Paribas SA

  570,620     51,365,592

Credit Agricole SA

  2,678,057     54,365,788

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

  374,500     14,410,648

HBOS PLC

  10,246,190     56,095,895

Kookmin Bank

  247,600     14,552,053

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (London Virt-X)

  15,104,528     64,301,936

Societe Generale

  586,988     50,891,396

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  4,552     34,231,988
       
      385,511,687
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–1.5%

 

ORIX Corp.

  285,120     40,836,866
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES–3.8%

 

Fortis (Euronext Brussels)

  2,623,332     41,670,246

ING Groep NV

  2,070,871     65,476,243
       
      107,146,489
       

INSURANCE–5.2%

   

Allianz SE

  383,300     67,369,634

Aviva PLC

  2,515,285     24,936,768

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (ordinary shares)

  339,737     11,196,290

Fondiaria-Sai SpA (saving shares)

  51,100     1,137,048

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  240,700     42,221,184
       
      146,860,924
       
      787,923,492
       

ENERGY–17.3%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE
FUELS–17.3%

 

BP PLC

  641,400     7,434,197

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

  50,538,000     47,238,844

ENI SpA

  1,753,500     65,143,248

LUKOIL (Sponsored) (ADR)

  355,050     34,865,910

Petro-Canada

  747,200     41,848,183

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (London Virt-X)–Class A

  3,201,600     130,923,069

StatoilHydro ASA

  1,840,400     68,664,884

Total SA

  1,103,600     93,936,917
       
      490,055,252
       

MATERIALS–16.0%

 

CHEMICALS–7.5%

 

BASF SE

  1,477,600     101,396,953

Koninklijke Dsm NV

  543,300     31,843,867
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  5,846,500   $ 34,044,213

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

  2,457,000     12,133,178

Nova Chemicals Corp.

  259,400     6,385,153

Solvay SA–Class A

  195,200     25,430,766
       
      211,234,130
       

METALS & MINING–7.1%

 

Antofagasta PLC

  864,300     11,238,253

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  1,028,300     30,684,472

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  1,773,400     89,411,639

Kazakhmys PLC

  785,100     24,754,069

MMC Norilsk Nickel (Sponsored) (ADR)

  373,250     9,405,900

Xstrata PLC

  448,760     35,748,371
       
      201,242,704
       

PAPER & FOREST
PRODUCTS–1.4%

 

Stora Enso Oyj–Class R

  1,675,300     15,608,247

Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B

  1,787,500     25,151,338
       
      40,759,585
       
      453,236,419
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–8.9%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–1.9%

 

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

  395,100     28,252,096

Hyundai Mobis

  313,312     25,361,506
       
      53,613,602
       

AUTOMOBILES–4.8%

   

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

  8,968,300     74,486,032

Renault SA

  656,000     53,389,695

Toyota Motor Corp.

  141,500     6,679,367
       
      134,555,094
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–0.4%

 

TUI Travel PLC

  2,775,200     11,277,615
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.0%

 

Sharp Corp.

  1,807,000     29,456,403
       

MEDIA–0.8%

   

Lagardere SCA

  408,000     23,080,015
       
      251,982,729
       

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–7.0%

   

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–4.2%

   

Asustek Computer, Inc.

  9,620,000     26,129,750

Compal Electronics, Inc. (GDR)(a)

  2,174,835     11,750,851

Fujitsu Ltd.

  6,977,000     51,809,936

Toshiba Corp.

  4,103,000     30,270,043
       
      119,960,580
       

 

 

4


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.8%

   

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(b)

  1,012,200   $ 24,151,517

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  25,510     15,240,654

United Microelectronics Corp.

  73,195,350     38,687,450
       
      78,079,621
       
      198,040,201
       

TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–6.3%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.5%

   

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  11,096,500     30,180,115

Deutsche Telekom AG–Class W

  823,000     13,515,126

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

  7,301     36,025,147

Tele2 AB–Class B

  936,900     18,219,568

Telecom Italia SpA

  14,295,100     28,591,640
       
      126,531,596
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.8%

   

Vodafone Group PLC

  17,609,975     51,884,448
       
      178,416,044
       

INDUSTRIALS–5.1%

   

AIRLINES–1.4%

   

Air France-KLM

  515,700     12,300,905

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  898,200     19,352,486

Qantas Airways Ltd.

  2,900,100     8,451,223
       
      40,104,614
       

MARINE–1.8%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  2,103,000     29,992,913

Nippon Yusen KK

  2,000,000     19,263,615
       
      49,256,528
       

STEEL–1.9%

   

ArcelorMittal

  546,424     53,942,099
       
      143,303,241
       

UTILITIES–3.5%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–3.5%

   

E.ON AG

  242,000     48,750,981

The Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc

  1,890,800     48,685,090
       
      97,436,071
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE–3.1%

   

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.1%

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    2,097,500   $ 46,366,820

Sanofi-Aventis SA

    621,027     41,266,647
       
      87,633,467
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–2.4%

 

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–1.4%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    2,966,540     39,768,320
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.0%

   

Associated British Foods PLC

    1,826,000     27,504,750
       
      67,273,070
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $2,965,676,305)

      2,755,299,986
       

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     14,396,824
       

RIGHTS–0.0%

   
   

FINANCIALS–0.0%

   

COMMERCIAL
BANKS–0.0%

   

Barclays PLC(b)

    1,710,835     323,732

HBOS PLC(b)

    4,098,476     877,574
       

Total Rights
(cost $0)

      1,201,306
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–1.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.4%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $38,527,000)

  $ 38,527     38,527,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.4%
(cost $3,019,396,250)

      2,809,425,116

Other assets less
liabilities–0.6%

      15,826,488
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 2,825,251,604
       

 

 

5


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration
Month
   Original
Value
   Value at
June 30,
2008
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Purchased Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index

   193    September 2008    $   10,863,706    $   10,270,806    $   (592,900 )

S&P/TSE 60 IX FUT

     60    September 2008      10,337,055      10,193,586      (143,469 )
                    
               $ (736,369 )
                    

 

 

 

 

(a) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security is considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the market value of this security amounted to $11,750,851 or 0.4% of net assets.

 

(b) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR —American Depositary Receipt

GDR —Global Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $ 78,917,807      $ (736,369 )

Level 2

       2,729,306,003        –0

Level 3

       1,201,306                   –0
                   

Total

     $   2,809,425,116      $ (736,369 )
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $ –0    $ –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain

       –0      –0 – *

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       1,201,306        –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ 1,201,306      $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $   1,201,306      $             –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $3,019,396,250)

   $ 2,809,425,116  

Cash

     203,604  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $8,855,776)

     10,721,809 (a)

Dividends and interest receivable

     5,551,280  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     5,292,678  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     58,664  
        

Total assets

     2,831,253,151  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     2,250,534  

Advisory fee payable

     1,762,743  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     1,195,598  

Distribution fee payable

     549,867  

Administrative fee payable

     25,306  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     217,414  
        

Total liabilities

     6,001,547  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 2,825,251,604  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 140,116  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,891,641,288  

Undistributed net investment income

     56,614,915  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     86,931,230  

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

     (210,075,945 )
        
   $ 2,825,251,604  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 250,033,827      12,286,104      $ 20.35

B

     $   2,575,217,777      127,829,699      $   20.15

 

 

 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $1,394,997 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding as of June 30, 2008.

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $9,223,369)

   $ 72,787,749  

Interest

     499,400  
        

Total investment income

     73,287,149  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     10,615,542  

Distribution fee—Class B

     3,326,575  

Transfer agency—Class A

     163  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,948  

Custodian

     348,821  

Printing

     326,247  

Administrative

     46,100  

Legal

     26,420  

Audit

     24,000  

Directors’ fees

     887  

Miscellaneous

     49,165  
        

Total expenses

     14,765,868  
        

Net investment income

     58,521,281  
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     92,628,106  

Futures

     (5,035,402 )

Foreign currency transactions

     (56,937 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (577,235,344 )

Futures

     (1,052,194 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     835,418  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (489,916,353 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (431,395,072 )
        

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 58,521,281     $ 37,474,866  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     87,535,767       159,223,959  

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

     (577,452,120 )     (89,091,817 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (431,395,072 )     107,607,008  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (2,216,163 )     (2,121,228 )

Class B

     (20,468,604 )     (24,321,058 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (12,223,065 )     (7,015,301 )

Class B

     (146,438,238 )     (91,158,928 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     399,994,375       1,036,460,716  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (212,746,767 )     1,019,451,209  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     3,037,998,371       2,018,547,162  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $56,614,915 and $20,778,401, respectively)

   $ 2,825,251,604     $ 3,037,998,371  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio commenced operations on May 10, 2001. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL VALUE 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.

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 six months ended June 30, 2008, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $1,191,335, 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 784,887,130     $ 458,482,090  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 288,886,641  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (498,857,775 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (209,971,134 )
        

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. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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.

 

13


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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

4. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  4,066,612     5,055,084       $ 88,992,739     $ 129,630,173  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  635,809     352,353         14,439,228       9,136,529  

Shares redeemed

  (1,155,742 )   (1,869,224 )       (25,909,404 )     (47,870,603 )
                             

Net increase

  3,546,679     3,538,213       $ 77,522,563     $ 90,896,099  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  12,368,198     35,264,989       $ 274,901,333     $ 901,580,223  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  7,421,380     4,493,385         166,906,842       115,479,986  

Shares redeemed

  (5,251,384 )   (2,802,922 )       (119,336,363 )     (71,495,592 )
                             

Net increase

  14,538,194     36,955,452       $ 322,471,812     $ 945,564,617  
                             

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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
             

 

15


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.

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. 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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

17


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $25.14     $24.96     $19.07     $16.70     $13.45     $9.35  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .48     .43     .38     .26 (b)   .20 (b)   .13 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investment and foreign currency
transactions

  (3.79 )   1.07     6.21     2.49     3.16     4.01  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
from operations

  (3.31 )   1.50     6.59     2.75     3.36     4.14  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment
income

  (.23 )   (.31 )   (.30 )   (.10 )   (.08 )   (.04 )

Distributions from net realized gain on
investment and foreign currency
transactions

  (1.25 )   (1.01 )   (.40 )   (.28 )   (.03 )   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.48 )   (1.32 )   (.70 )   (.38 )   (.11 )   (.04 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $20.35     $25.14     $24.96     $19.07     $16.70     $13.45  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net
asset value (c)

  (13.78 )%   5.84 %   35.36 %   16.92 %   25.12 %   44.36 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $250,034     $219,691     $129,837     $56,692     $47,095     $31,628  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements

  .80 %(d)   .81 %   .85 %(e)   .86 %   .95 %   1.20 %

Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements

  .80 %(d)   .81 %   .85 %(e)   .87 %   1.13 %   1.49 %

Net investment income

  4.37 %(d)   1.68 %   1.75 %(e)   1.54 %(b)   1.42 %(b)   1.16 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  16 %   23 %   25 %   18 %   23 %   14 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 19.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $24.88     $24.74     $18.93     $16.61     $13.39     $9.33  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .45     .36     .33     .19 (b)   .15 (b)   .08 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investment and foreign currency
transactions

  (3.75 )   1.06     6.16     2.50     3.16     4.01  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
from operations

  (3.30 )   1.42     6.49     2.69     3.31     4.09  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment
income

  (.18 )   (.27 )   (.28 )   (.09 )   (.06 )   (.03 )

Distributions from net realized gain on
investment and foreign currency
transactions

  (1.25 )   (1.01 )   (.40 )   (.28 )   (.03 )   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.43 )   (1.28 )   (.68 )   (.37 )   (.09 )   (.03 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $20.15     $24.88     $24.74     $18.93     $16.61     $13.39  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net
asset value (c)

  (13.87 )%   5.58 %   35.05 %   16.58 %   24.86 %   43.95 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $2,575,218     $2,818,307     $1,888,710     $840,572     $284,443     $112,336  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements

  1.04 %(d)   1.06 %   1.10 %(e)   1.11 %   1.20 %   1.45 %

Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements

  1.04 %(d)   1.06 %   1.10 %(e)   1.12 %   1.38 %   1.74 %

Net investment income

  4.03 %(d)   1.41 %   1.53 %(e)   1.08 %(b)   1.07 %(b)   .38 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  16 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

19


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index (Net) (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was 3rd out of 3 of the Performance Group and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 1st out of 2 of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period and 1st out of 2 of the Performance Group and 1st quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and that the Fund underperformed the Index in the 1-year period but outperformed the Index in the 3- and 5-year and since inception periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

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

 

21


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 73.2 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 0.4 basis points. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints and that the Portfolio’s net assets were in excess of the first breakpoint level. Accordingly, the Portfolio’s current effective advisory fee rate reflected a reduction due to the effect of the breakpoints and would be further reduced to the extent the net assets of the Portfolio increase further. 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 were acceptable and were resulting in a sharing of economies of scale.

 

22


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

International

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 2,803.7   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 $94,000 (0.004% 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, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

23


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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:

 

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

International Value Portfolio

 

Class A    1.20%

Class B    1.45%

  0.81%

1.06%

  December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

  

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

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
  

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

International Value Portfolio

   $2,803.7   

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

   0.507    0.739

 

 

 

 

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.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Value Fund, a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein International Value Fund.5 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the AllianceBernstein International Value Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee (%)

  Portfolio
Adv.
Fee (%)

International Value Portfolio

  International Value Fund  

0.75% on first $2.5 billion

0.65% on next $2.5 billion

0.60% on the balance

  0.739   0.739

The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), 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 ITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio    ITM Mutual Fund      Fee6

International Value Portfolio

   AllianceBernstein Kokusai Value Stock7      0.70%
   Bernstein Kokusai Strategic Value7     

0.95% on first ¥1 billion

0.85% on next ¥1.5 billion

0.75% 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 that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for the following sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio          Fee Schedule     

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee (%)

     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)

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

     0.326      0.739
   Client # 28,9   

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

     0.525      0.739
   Client # 3   

0.70% on 1st $25 million

0.45% on next $25 million

0.35% on next $200 million

0.33% thereafter

     0.336      0.739

 

 

 

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 Japanese Yen-U.S. dollar currency exchange rate quoted at 4 p.m. on March 17, 2008 by Reuters was ¥97.38 per $1. At that currency exchange rate, every ¥1 billion would be equivalent to approximately $10.3 million.

 

7 This ITM Fund is privately placed or institutional.

 

8 Assets are aggregated with other Specialty Equity Portfolios for purposes of calculating the investment advisory fee.

 

9 The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

25


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio          Fee Schedule     

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee (%)

       Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
   Client # 4   

0.45% on 1st $200 million

0.36% on next $300 million

0.32% thereafter

     0.334        0.739
   Client # 5   

0.55% on 1st $150 million

0.50% on next $150 million

0.45% thereafter

     0.458        0.739
   Client # 6    0.50%      0.500        0.739
   Client # 7    0.30%      0.300        0.739
   Client # 8   

0.22% on 1st $1 billion

0.18% on next $1.5 billion

0.16% thereafter

+/- Performance Fee10

     0.192 11      0.739
   Client # 9   

0.60% on 1st $50 million

0.40% on next $50 million

0.30% on next $300 million

0.25% thereafter

     0.264        0.739
   Client # 10   

0.50% on 1st $100 million

0.46% on next $300 million

0.41% thereafter

     0.419        0.739
   Client # 11   

0.40% on 1st $500 million

0.35% on next $1.5 billion

0.30% thereafter

     0.345        0.739
   Client # 12   

0.35% on 1st $1 billion

0.30% on next $1 billion

0.25% thereafter

     0.350        0.739

It is fair to note that the services the Adviser provides pursuant to sub-advisory agreements are generally confined to the services related to the investment process; in other words, they are not as comprehensive as the services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. 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

 

 

 

10 The performance fee is calculated by multiplying the Base Fee during the period by an adjustment factor that considers the excess or under performance of the fund versus its benchmark over a 60 month rolling period. The performance adjustment factor can range from -60% to +60 of the base fee.

 

11 The calculation excludes the performance fee.

 

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

 

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

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

   0.732    0.732    7/12

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 EU16 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
(%)17

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

International Value Portfolio18

   0.855    0.893    5/12    0.975    10/53

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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.

 

 

 

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, two other variable insurance product (“VIP”) International Value funds (“IFVE”) and nine VIP International Core funds (“IFCE”).

 

16 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.

 

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

 

18 The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP IFVE and IFCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

27


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio has adopted a distribution plan for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 40 Act. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $6,083,687 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $2,702,577 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 from the Portfolio.19

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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,20 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 make 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 21 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.22 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees

 

 

 

19 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

20 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

21 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

22 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 Portfolio23 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)24 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.25

 

      Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   –3.46      1.32      0.42      3/3      14/18

3 year

   15.49      14.38      13.27      1/2      5/15

5 year

   22.81      20.53      19.73      1/2      3/15

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)26 versus its benchmark.27 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.28

 

    

Periods Ending January 31, 2008

Annualized Performance

   

1

Year
(%)

 

3

Year
(%)

 

5

Year
(%)

  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
             Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

International Value Portfolio

  3.46   15.49   22.81   15.16   12.79   1.42   5

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

  0.22   13.82   20.28   8.40   11.39   1.39   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 5, 2008

 

 

 

23 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.

 

24 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.

 

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

 

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

 

27 The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through January 31, 2008.

 

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

 

29


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   883.37    $   3.89    0.83 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.74    $   4.17    0.83 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $   882.18    $   5.05    1.08 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.49    $   5.42    1.08 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Apple, Inc.

   $ 42,317,111      7.0 %

Google, Inc.—Class A

     41,747,738      6.9  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     31,236,576      5.1  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     25,686,513      4.2  

Monsanto Co.

     25,055,983      4.1  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     23,917,515      3.9  

CME Group, Inc.—Class A

     22,882,191      3.8  

EOG Resources, Inc.

     20,270,400      3.3  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     18,949,922      3.1  

Research In Motion Ltd.

     18,497,087      3.0  
                 
     $   270,561,036      44.4 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $   198,026,323      32.0 %

Health Care

     119,749,922      19.4  

Energy

     71,294,289      11.5  

Financials

     60,195,602      9.7  

Consumer Staples

     54,726,192      8.8  

Industrials

     47,286,962      7.6  

Materials

     41,158,826      6.7  

Consumer Discretionary

     15,775,133      2.6  

Telecommunication Services

     8,661,550      1.4  

Short-Term Investments

     1,776,000      0.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $   618,650,799      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.

 

2


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–101.2%

   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–32.5%

   

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT–7.7%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  814,700   $ 18,949,922

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored)–Class A (ADR)

  105,800     2,592,100

Nortel Networks Corp.(a)

  37,071     304,724

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  149,000     6,611,130

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  158,230     18,497,087
       
      46,954,963
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–12.1%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  252,730     42,317,111

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  706,550     31,236,576
       
      73,553,687
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE &
SERVICES–6.8%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  79,305     41,747,738
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–4.0%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  84,350     2,301,911

Intel Corp.

  91,500     1,965,420

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a)

  189,400     11,655,676

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  438,400     8,206,848
       
      24,129,855
       

SOFTWARE–1.9%

   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

  42,200     1,874,946

Microsoft Corp.

  57,300     1,576,323

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  64,800     4,421,304

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  69,950     3,767,507
       
      11,640,080
       
      198,026,323
       

HEALTH CARE–19.6%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–8.3%

   

Celgene Corp.(a)

  255,000     16,286,850

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  137,600     10,443,840

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  451,700     23,917,515
       
      50,648,205
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT &
SUPPLIES–4.4%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  91,700     14,927,843

Baxter International, Inc.

  111,200     7,110,128

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  62,500     5,081,250
       
      27,119,221
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS &
SERVICES–2.4%

   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  307,200     14,499,840
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.5%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  234,800     12,437,356
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  328,500   $ 15,045,300
       
      27,482,656
       
      119,749,922
       

ENERGY–11.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–8.4%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  47,150     4,118,081

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  108,200     5,988,870

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a)

  78,400     6,955,648

Schlumberger Ltd.

  239,100     25,686,513

Transocean, Inc.(a)

  54,300     8,274,777
       
      51,023,889
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–3.3%

   

EOG Resources, Inc.

  154,500     20,270,400
       
      71,294,289
       

FINANCIALS–9.9%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.8%

   

The Blackstone Group LP

  139,100     2,533,011

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  118,200     10,833,030

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  61,210     10,705,629

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  162,800     5,162,388
       
      29,234,058
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.4%

   

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  59,715     22,882,191

NYSE Euronext

  78,800     3,992,008
       
      26,874,199
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.7%

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

  209,500     4,087,345
       
      60,195,602
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.0%

   

BEVERAGES–2.3%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  120,500     6,263,590

PepsiCo, Inc.

  120,300     7,649,877
       
      13,913,467
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.7%

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

  146,600     10,282,524

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  108,500     6,097,700
       
      16,380,224
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–2.4%

   

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  184,700     14,365,966
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.2%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  110,300     7,621,730
       

TOBACCO–0.4%

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

  49,500     2,444,805
       
      54,726,192
       

 

 

3


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

INDUSTRIALS–7.8%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.7%

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

  327,550   $ 16,469,214
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.6%

   

Fluor Corp.

  37,550     6,987,304

Foster Wheeler Ltd.(a)

  39,400     2,882,110
       
      9,869,414
       

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  53,100     2,625,795

First Solar, Inc.(a)

  2,500     682,050
       
      3,307,845
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.0%

   

Textron, Inc.

  129,300     6,197,349
       

MACHINERY–1.6%

   

Deere & Co.

  131,850     9,510,340
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.3%

   

Union Pacific Corp.

  25,600     1,932,800
       
      47,286,962
       

MATERIALS–6.7%

   

CHEMICALS–5.7%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  102,550     10,138,093

Monsanto Co.

  198,165     25,055,983
       
      35,194,076
       

METALS & MINING–1.0%

   

Rio Tinto PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  12,050     5,964,750
       
      41,158,826
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–2.6%

   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS &
LEISURE–1.3%

   

McDonald’s Corp.

  93,400     5,250,948

Starbucks Corp.(a)

  179,200     2,820,608
       
      8,071,556
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.7%

   

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  105,900     4,240,236
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value  
   

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.6%

   

Nike, Inc.–Class B

  58,100   $ 3,463,341  
         
      15,775,133  
         

TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES–1.4%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.4%

   

America Movil SAB de CV
Series L (ADR)

  164,200     8,661,550  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $548,090,641)

      616,874,799  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.3%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.3%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $1,776,000)

  $  1,776     1,776,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.5%
(cost $549,866,641)

      618,650,799  

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.5)%

      (9,207,690 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 609,443,109  
         

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

4


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   616,874,799      $             –0

Level 2

       1,776,000        –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $   618,650,799      $             –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

        Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

     $ –0    $ –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 06/30/2008

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 06/30/2008

     $             –0    $             –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 06/30/2008 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

5


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $549,866,641)

   $ 618,650,799  

Cash

     916  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     7,899,707  

Dividends and interest receivable

     408,208  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     23,964  
        

Total assets

     626,983,594  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     9,762,165  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     7,109,134  

Advisory fee payable

     406,618  

Distribution fee payable

     68,057  

Administrative fee payable

     25,392  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     84  

Accrued expenses

     169,035  
        

Total liabilities

     17,540,485  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 609,443,109  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 22,806  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,006,168,137  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (186,836 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (465,345,156 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     68,784,158  
        
   $ 609,443,109  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   294,984,549      10,907,175      $   27.04

B

     $   314,458,560      11,898,717      $   26.43

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $207,449)

   $ 3,015,023  

Interest

     16,684  
        

Total investment income

     3,031,707  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     2,541,387  

Distribution fee—Class B

     421,976  

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,160  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,143  

Custodian

     91,649  

Printing

     71,763  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Legal

     10,235  

Directors’ fees

     872  

Miscellaneous

     6,258  
        

Total expenses

     3,218,543  
        

Net investment loss

     (186,836 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized loss on investment transactions

     (1,898,580 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (87,945,562 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (89,844,142 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (90,030,978 )
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (186,836 )   $ (1,268,145 )

Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions

     (1,898,580 )     104,546,740  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (87,945,562 )     5,859,413  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (90,030,978 )     109,138,008  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (89,718,348 )     (250,389,037 )
                

Total decrease

     (179,749,326 )     (141,251,029 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     789,192,435       930,443,464  
                

End of period (including net investment loss of ($186,836) and $0, respectively)

   $ 609,443,109     $ 789,192,435  
                

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment policies. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.

The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.

1. Security Valuation

Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

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

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

 

9


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 $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $349,782, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 313,237,222     $ 404,047,990  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 105,297,625  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (36,513,467 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 68,784,158  
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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.

 

11


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  226,552     1,666,056       $ 6,160,371     $ 48,013,927  

Shares redeemed

  (2,242,988 )   (6,383,242 )       (62,205,342 )     (182,395,685 )
                             

Net decrease

  (2,016,436 )   (4,717,186 )     $ (56,044,971 )   $ (134,381,758 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  397,645     808,324       $ 10,608,695     $ 22,865,431  

Shares redeemed

  (1,635,752 )   (4,979,977 )       (44,282,072 )     (138,872,710 )
                             

Net decrease

  (1,238,107 )   (4,171,653 )     $ (33,673,377 )   $ (116,007,279 )
                             

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

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. 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”).

 

13


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

On April 21, 2006, the Adviser and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

14


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $30.61     $26.87     $26.99     $23.44     $21.58     $17.45  
                                   
           

Income From Investment

Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

  .01     (.01 )   (.03 )   (.07 )   (.03 )(b)   (.05 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (3.58 )   3.75     (.09 )   3.62     1.89     4.18  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (3.57 )   3.74     (.12 )   3.55     1.86     4.13  
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $27.04     $30.61     $26.87     $26.99     $23.44     $21.58  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (11.66 )%   13.92 %*   (.44 )%   15.15 %   8.62 %   23.67 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental

Data

           

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

  $294,984     $395,655     $474,069     $618,980     $656,544     $917,935  

Ratio to average net
assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .83 %(d)   .82 %   .84 %(e)   .81 %   .81 %   1.04 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .83 %(d)   .82 %   .84 %(e)   .81 %   .98 %   1.05 %

Net investment income (loss)

  .07 %(d)   (.03 )%   (.12 )%(e)   (.28 )%   (.13 )%(b)   (.24 )%(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  46 %   92 %   81 %   54 %   73 %   79 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $29.96     $26.37     $26.55     $23.11     $21.33     $17.29  
                                   
           

Income From Investment

Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.02 )   (.08 )   (.09 )   (.12 )   (.08 )(b)   (.09 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (3.51 )   3.67     (.09 )   3.56     1.86     4.13  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (3.53 )   3.59     (.18 )   3.44     1.78     4.04  
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $26.43     $29.96     $26.37     $26.55     $23.11     $21.33  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (11.78 )%   13.61 %*   (.68 )%   14.89 %   8.34 %   23.37 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental

Data

           

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

  $314,459     $393,537     $456,374     $624,453     $603,050     $693,764  

Ratio to average net
assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.08 %(d)   1.07 %   1.08 %(e)   1.06 %   1.06 %   1.29 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.08 %(d)   1.07 %   1.08 %(e)   1.06 %   1.24 %   1.30 %

Net investment loss

  (.18 )%(d)   (.27 )%   (.37 )%(e)   (.53 )%   (.38 )%(b)   (.49 )%(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

  46 %   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) Annualized.

 

(e) 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%.

 

16


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

17


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (June 1992 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period and 4th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe in all other periods reviewed, and that the Portfolio underperformed the Index in the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods but outperformed the Index in the 10-year and since inception periods. Based on their review and their discussion of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance with the Adviser (including the Adviser’s view that its “high conviction” and “pure” style of growth investing had been out of favor for several years), and of the enhancements to its investment process being implemented by the Adviser with a view to improving investment performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to advise the Portfolio and concluded that the Portfolio’s investment performance was understandable. The directors informed the Adviser that they planned to continue to closely monitor the Portfolio’s performance.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 1 basis point. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Fund’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


 
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 a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Growth

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 665.3   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 $94,000 (0.01% 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

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  Class A    0.82%   December 31
  Class B    1.07%  

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

  

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

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
  

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $665.3   

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 $25m

   0.299    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.

 

21


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective
ABMF

Adv. Fee (%)

  Portfolio
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

  0.750   0.750

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. It should be noted that Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

Fund    Fee  

American Growth Portfolio

  

Class A

   1.50 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.70 %

The AllianceBernstein Investment Trust Management mutual funds (“ITM”), 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 ITM mutual fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio is as follows:

 

Portfolio   ITM Mutual Fund   Fee

Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

  AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Growth Equity—Hedged/Non-Hedged   0.95%

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule   Effective
Sub-Adv.
Fee
  Portfolio
Advisory
Fee

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  Client #16,7  

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

  0.600   0.750
  Client #2  

0.35% on 1st $50 million

0.30% on next $100 million

0.25% thereafter

  0.265   0.750
  Client #3  

0.40% on first $200 million

0.35% on next $300 million

0.25% thereafter

  0.365   0.750
  Client #4   0.35%   0.350   0.750

 

 

 

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 Assets are aggregated with other Specialty Equity Portfolios for purposes of calculating the investment advisory fee.

 

7 The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

22


    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 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

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.642    12/15

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

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   0.835      0.665      14/15      0.795      44/68

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.

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 2007, relative to 2006.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

23


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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $1,040,105 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $508,552 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 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

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 make 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 independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their

 

 

 

13 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

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.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

comparable peers.16 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 January 31, 2008.19

 

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG
Median
   PU
Median
   PG
Rank
   PU
Rank

1 year

   –0.22    0.45    0.56    13/15    56/88

3 year

   6.60    6.91    7.08    11/15    52/85

5 year

   9.94    11.06    10.76    12/15    51/76

10 year

   3.42    4.16    4.20    8/10    24/38

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 January 31, 2008
Annualized Performance
     1
Year
(%)
  3
Year
(%)
  5
Year
(%)
  10
Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
            Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  –0.22   6.60   9.94   3.42   9.85   19.29   0.08   10

Russell 1000 Growth Index

  0.51   6.98   10.84   2.69   8.41   18.75   0.04   10

Inception Date: June 26, 1992

         

 

 

 

16 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

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 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.

 

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.

 

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 January 31, 2008.

 

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.

 

25


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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.

Dated: June 5, 2008

 

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $      968.86    $   4.65    0.95 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,020.14    $   4.77    0.95 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $      967.54    $   5.87    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,018.90    $   6.02    1.20 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes' annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

   $ 6,076,564      10.0 %

ProLogis

     3,989,290      6.6  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

     3,276,891      5.4  

Vornado Realty Trust

     3,071,200      5.1  

Ventas, Inc.

     2,422,233      4.0  

General Growth Properties, Inc.

     2,280,453      3.8  

Equity Residential

     2,146,947      3.5  

Rayonier, Inc.

     2,139,984      3.5  

Public Storage

     2,068,224      3.4  

Health Care REIT, Inc.

     2,015,850      3.3  
                 
     $   29,487,636      48.6 %

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

INDUSTRY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Diversified/Specialty

   $ 12,908,696      21.4 %

Regional Mall

     11,368,473      18.9  

Health Care

     7,161,603      11.9  

Multi-Family

     6,596,760      11.0  

Shopping Center/Other Retail

     5,294,030      8.8  

Lodging

     4,963,017      8.3  

Office

     4,108,684      6.8  

Industrial Warehouse Distribution

     3,989,290      6.6  

Self Storage

     2,403,072      4.0  

Real Estate—Other

     1,387,760      2.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $   60,181,385      100.0 %

 

 

 

Please note: The industry classifications presented herein are based on the industry categorization methodology of the Adviser.

 

2


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.1%

   
   

EQUITY: OTHER–35.3%

   

DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–21.2%

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  17,900   $ 1,742,386

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

  32,000     784,960

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  80,100     3,276,891

Entertainment Properties Trust

  25,800     1,275,552

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.–Class A

  8,700     280,314

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. (REIT)

  7,900     337,409

Rayonier, Inc.

  50,400     2,139,984

Vornado Realty Trust

  34,900     3,071,200
       
      12,908,696
       

HEALTH CARE–11.8%

   

HCP, Inc.

  19,200     610,752

Health Care REIT, Inc.

  45,300     2,015,850

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  38,700     1,218,663

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  53,700     894,105

Ventas, Inc.

  56,900     2,422,233
       
      7,161,603
       

REAL ESTATE–OTHER–2.3%

   

National Retail Properties, Inc.

  66,400     1,387,760
       
      21,458,059
       

RETAIL–27.4%

   
   

REGIONAL MALL–18.7%

   

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

  12,700     290,068

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  65,100     2,280,453

Macerich Co.

  17,100     1,062,423

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  67,600     6,076,564

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  34,100     1,658,965
       
      11,368,473
       

SHOPPING CENTER/OTHER RETAIL–8.7%

   

Federal Realty Investment Trust

  12,200     841,800

Kimco Realty Corp.

  54,700     1,888,244

Regency Centers Corp.

  9,700     573,464

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  55,400     1,990,522
       
      5,294,030
       
      16,662,503
       

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

RESIDENTIAL–14.8%

   

MULTI-FAMILY–10.9%

   

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

  22,017   $ 749,899

Equity Residential

  56,100     2,146,947

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  5,700     607,050

Home Properties, Inc.

  16,907     812,550

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  24,200     1,235,168

UDR, Inc.

  46,700     1,045,146
       
      6,596,760
       

SELF STORAGE–3.9%

   

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

  21,800     334,848

Public Storage

  25,600     2,068,224
       
      2,403,072
       
      8,999,832
       

LODGING–8.2%

   

LODGING–8.2%

   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  52,400     242,088

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

  110,800     1,206,612

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  100,640     1,373,736

Marriott International, Inc.–Class A

  19,700     516,928

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  10,200     408,714

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  48,700     456,319

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

  45,700     758,620
       
      4,963,017
       

OFFICE–6.8%

   

OFFICE–6.8%

   

Boston Properties, Inc.

  17,300     1,560,806

Brookfield Properties Corp.

  58,850     1,046,942

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

  19,600     615,832

SL Green Realty Corp.

  10,700     885,104
       
      4,108,684
       

INDUSTRIAL–6.6%

   

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION–6.6%

   

ProLogis

  73,400     3,989,290
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–99.1%
(cost $45,758,492)

      60,181,385

Other assets less liabilities–0.9%

      538,008
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 60,719,393
       

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

3


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1–quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2–other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3–significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   60,181,385      $             –0

Level 2

       –0      –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $ 60,181,385      $ –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

     $             –0    $             –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

4


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $45,758,492)

   $ 60,181,385  

Cash

     484,990  

Dividends receivable

     188,838  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     32,040  
        

Total assets

     60,887,253  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     41,112  

Advisory fee payable

     29,506  

Custodian fee payable

     25,175  

Administrative fee payable

     25,100  

Audit fee payable

     21,035  

Printing fee payable

     12,963  

Distribution fee payable

     4,238  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     8,646  
        

Total liabilities

     167,860  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 60,719,393  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 5,128  

Additional paid-in capital

     45,156,602  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (295,702 )

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     1,430,472  

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     14,422,893  
        
   $ 60,719,393  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   41,430,181      3,499,934      $   11.84

B

     $   19,289,212      1,627,670      $   11.85

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $2,631)

   $ 19,524  

Interest

     7,145  
        

Total investment income

     26,669  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     182,150  

Distribution fee—Class B

     25,402  

Transfer agency—Class A

     786  

Transfer agency—Class B

     347  

Administrative

     46,100  

Custodian

     44,349  

Audit

     25,000  

Printing

     8,003  

Legal

     3,980  

Directors’ fees

     887  

Miscellaneous

     3,125  
        

Total expenses

     340,129  
        

Net investment loss

     (313,460 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     1,546,068  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (3,368,007 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (1,821,939 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (2,135,399 )
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (313,460 )   $ 975,288  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     1,546,068       15,553,558  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (3,368,007 )     (29,845,850 )
                

Net decrease in net assets from operations

     (2,135,399 )     (13,317,004 )

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (713,047 )     (931,803 )

Class B

     (234,778 )     (356,998 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (10,858,993 )     (11,126,096 )

Class B

     (4,707,359 )     (5,149,348 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     7,073,420       (10,601,127 )
                

Total decrease

     (11,576,156 )     (41,482,376 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     72,295,549       113,777,925  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income and undistributed net investment income of ($295,702) and $965,583, respectively)

   $ 60,719,393     $ 72,295,549  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital and income. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s objective was to seek total return from long-term growth of capital and income principally through investing in equity securities of companies that are primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.

The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.

1. Security Valuation

Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

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

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

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and asked prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.

Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, foreign currency exchange contracts, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

3. Taxes

It is the 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 $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008 amounted to $15,811, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC, and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

9


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U. S. government securities)

   $ 14,083,434     $ 21,231,573  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,322,513  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,899,620 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 14,422,893  
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

     SHARES          AMOUNT  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
         Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

           

Shares sold

   157,010     469,829        $ 2,366,768     $ 9,707,237  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   892,904     624,115          11,572,040       12,057,899  

Shares redeemed

   (631,552 )   (1,530,559 )        (9,570,586 )     (30,880,909 )
                               

Net increase (decrease)

   418,362     (436,615 )      $ 4,368,222     $ (9,115,773 )
                               

Class B

           

Shares sold

   117,115     218,581        $ 1,568,334     $ 4,401,956  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   380,750     285,155          4,942,137       5,506,346  

Shares redeemed

   (245,290 )   (596,277 )        (3,805,273 )     (11,393,656 )
                               

Net increase (decrease)

   252,575     (92,541 )      $ 2,705,198     $ (1,485,354 )
                               

 

11


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. 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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

13


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

     CLASS A  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $16.23     $22.83     $19.98     $20.66     $15.62     $11.52  
                                    
            

Income From Investment Operations

            

Net investment income (loss) (a)

   (.06 )   .22     .29     .32     .39 (b)   .46  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

   (.08 )   (2.91 )   6.02     1.84     5.05     3.99  
                                    

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

   (.14 )   (2.69 )   6.31     2.16     5.44     4.45  
                                    
            

Less: Dividends and Distributions

            

Dividends from net investment income

   (.26 )   (.30 )   (.47 )   (.68 )   (.40 )   (.35 )

Distributions from net realized gain
on investment transactions

   (3.99 )   (3.61 )   (2.99 )   (2.16 )   –0   –0
                                    

Total dividends and distributions

   (4.25 )   (3.91 )   (3.46 )   (2.84 )   (.40 )   (.35 )
                                    

Net asset value, end of period

   $11.84     $16.23     $22.83     $19.98     $20.66     $15.62  
                                    
            

Total Return

            

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

   (3.11 )%   (14.53 )%   35.22 %   11.67 %   35.63 %   39.30 %
            

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

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

   $41,430     $50,015     $80,317     $67,161     $88,441     $68,717  

Ratio to average net assets of:

            

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

   .95 %(d)   .85 %   .83 %(e)   .83 %   .77 %   1.24 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

   .95 %(d)   .85 %   .83 %(e)   .83 %   .99 %   1.24 %

Net investment income (loss)

   (.81 )%(d)   1.09 %   1.33 %(e)   1.64 %   2.26 %(b)   3.50 %

Portfolio turnover rate

   22 %   51 %   47 %   46 %   35 %   23 %

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 15.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

     CLASS B  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $16.20     $22.80     $19.94     $20.54     $15.55     $11.48  
                                    
            

Income From Investment Operations

            

Net investment income (loss) (a)

   (.09 )   .16     .22     .38     .34 (b)   .43  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

   (.07 )   (2.90 )   6.03     1.72     5.03     3.98  
                                    

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

   (.16 )   (2.74 )   6.25     2.10     5.37     4.41  
                                    
            

Less: Dividends and Distributions

            

Dividends from net investment income

   (.20 )   (.25 )   (.40 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.34 )

Distributions from net realized gain
on investment transactions

   (3.99 )   (3.61 )   (2.99 )   (2.16 )   –0   –0
                                    

Total dividends and distributions

   (4.19 )   (3.86 )   (3.39 )   (2.70 )   (.38 )   (.34 )
                                    

Net asset value, end of period

   $11.85     $16.20     $22.80     $19.94     $20.54     $15.55  
                                    
            

Total Return

            

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

   (3.25 )%   (14.76 )%   34.88 %   11.40 %   35.28 %   39.02 %
            

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

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

   $19,289     $22,281     $33,461     $24,875     $67,457     $43,919  

Ratio to average net assets of:

            

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

   1.20 %(d)   1.10 %   1.08 %(e)   1.06 %   1.02 %   1.49 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

   1.20 %(d)   1.10 %   1.08 %(e)   1.06 %   1.24 %   1.49 %

Net investment income (loss)

   (1.25 )%(d)   .80 %   1.04 %(e)   2.11 %   2.02 %(b)   3.22 %

Portfolio turnover rate

   22 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

15


 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Real Estate Investment Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between 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.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts Equity Index (the “NAREIT Equity Index”) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (the “S&P 500 Stock Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the indices) the since inception period (January 1997 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 1- and 5-year periods, 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 3-year period and 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the NAREIT Equity Index in the 1-, 3- and 5-year and since inception periods but underperformed that index in the 10-year period and underperformed the S&P 500 Stock Index in the 1-year period but outperformed that index in all other periods reviewed. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio although the initial fee rates in the institutional fee schedule were higher, and that the application of such fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be higher than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement prior to taking account of the administrative expense reimbursements made to the Adviser. The directors noted that adding the ten basis point administrative expense reimbursement to the Adviser resulted in a lower rate of total compensation to the Adviser under the institutional fee schedule than what is paid by the Portfolio. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the Adviser advises another AllianceBernstein fund with a substantially 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 and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be relatively stable. In light of these facts, the directors did not place significant weight on these fee comparisons.

 

17


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds comparable to the Portfolio and an Expense Universe as a broader group, consisting of all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar load type as the Portfolio. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 10 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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.

 

18


 
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 a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Value

 

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 64.3   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 $94,000 (0.10% 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

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

  Class A    0.85%   December 31
  Class B    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

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

2 Future references to the Fund and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings 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.

 

19


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

  

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

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)5
  

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

Real Estate Investment
Portfolio

   $64.3   

U.S. 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 $25m

   0.617    0.550

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. a retail mutual fund, which has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.6 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio   

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective
ABMF

Adv. Fee (%)

  Portfolio
Adv. Fee (%)

Real Estate Investment Portfolio7

  

Global Real Estate

Investment Fund, Inc.

 

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

  0.550   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.

 

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.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages and sponsors retail mutual funds, which are organized in jurisdictions outside the United States, generally Luxembourg and Japan, and sold to non-United States resident investors. The Adviser charges the following fees for the Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio8. It should be noted that Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

Fund    Fee  

Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio

  

Class A

   1.75 %

Class I (Institutional)

   0.95 %

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

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

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)9 at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio.10

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

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee11
    

Lipper

Group

Median

     Rank

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   0.550      0.842      1/14

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

Real Estate Investment
Portfolio

   0.832    0.907    3/14    0.879    6/21

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 It should be noted that the Portfolio’s investment guidelines are more restrictive than that of the Luxembourg fund. 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 Luxembourg fund, which may invest in equities of non-U.S. REITS and other non-U.S. real estate industry companies.

 

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.

 

21


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT 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 2007, relative to 2006.

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $73,972 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $154,379 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,15 subsidies and enhancement to services. Based on some of the professional literature that has considered economies of scale in the mutual

 

 

 

14 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

15 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 make 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 Deli16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.17 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.20

 

      Portfolio
Return
   PG
Median
   PU
Median
   PG
Rank
   PU
Rank

1 year

   –22.31        –23.44        –23.71        4/14    6/23

3 year

   11.80    11.75    11.90    7/14    12/21

5 year

   19.71    19.46    19.45    3/11    4/16

10 year

   10.35    10.55    10.35    4/6    5/9

 

 

 

16 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

17 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

18 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.

 

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 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.

 

23


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT 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)21 versus its benchmark.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23

 

    

Periods Ending January 31, 2008

Annualized Performance

    

1

Year
(%)

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

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

  22.31   11.80   19.71   10.35   11.33   15.41   0.47   10

NAREIT Equity Index22

  –23.04   11.33   18.63   10.43   11.12   14.88   0.49   10

S&P 500 Stock Index

  –2.31   7.28   12.04   5.14   7.29   N/A   N/A   N/A

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 5, 2008

 

 

 

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 January 31, 2008. 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.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 865.63    $   5.80    1.25 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,018.65    $ 6.27    1.25 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 865.05    $ 7.00    1.51 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.35    $ 7.57    1.51 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Complete Production Services, Inc.

   $ 1,318,404      2.0 %

FTI Consulting, Inc.

     1,218,588      1.9  

Baldor Electric Co.

     1,150,842      1.8  

Strayer Education, Inc.

     1,087,164      1.7  

IDEX Corp.

     1,085,122      1.7  

ON Semiconductor Corp.

     1,071,973      1.6  

NuVasive, Inc.

     1,071,840      1.6  

Icon PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

     1,011,968      1.6  

Hexcel Corp.

     1,007,460      1.6  

Chart Industries, Inc.

     987,392      1.5  
                 
     $   11,010,753      17.0 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 14,734,478      22.5 %

Health Care

     14,213,189      21.8  

Industrials

     12,784,288      19.6  

Consumer Discretionary

     11,782,383      18.0  

Energy

     7,815,108      12.0  

Financials

     2,631,290      4.0  

Materials

     364,856      0.6  

Short-Term Investments

     1,000,000      1.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $   65,325,592      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.

 

2


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.1%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–22.7%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.4%

   

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

  12,200   $ 346,724

Foundry Networks, Inc.(a)

  39,800     470,436

Netgear, Inc.(a)

  5,130     71,102
       
      888,262
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–0.7%

   

3PAR, Inc.(a)

  57,100     447,664
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–4.9%

   

comScore, Inc.(a)

  27,500     600,050

Constant Contact, Inc.(a)

  28,300     533,455

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.(a)

  14,800     208,828

Omniture, Inc.(a)

  5,800     107,706

VistaPrint Ltd.(a)

  35,600     952,656

Websense, Inc.(a)

  48,700     820,108
       
      3,222,803
       

IT SERVICES–1.1%

   

CyberSource Corp.(a)

  44,400     742,812
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–9.9%

   

Cavium Networks, Inc.(a)

  11,600     243,600

Hittite Microwave Corp.(a)

  23,000     819,260

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a)

  68,200     677,908

Intellon Corp.(a)

  65,800     217,140

MKS Instruments, Inc.(a)

  35,100     768,690

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)

  116,900     1,071,973

PMC–Sierra, Inc.(a)

  85,500     654,075

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(a)

  15,800     570,222

Silicon Motion Technology Corp. (ADR)(a)

  52,400     757,180

Verigy Ltd.(a)

  27,500     624,525
       
      6,404,573
       

SOFTWARE–4.7%

   

Blackbaud, Inc.

  20,720     443,408

Commvault Systems, Inc.(a)

  41,500     690,560

Informatica Corp.(a)

  24,310     365,622

MICROS Systems, Inc.(a)

  7,700     234,773

SuccessFactors, Inc.(a)

  38,500     421,575

Taleo Corp.–Class A(a)

  5,700     111,663

THQ, Inc.(a)

  37,550     760,763
       
      3,028,364
       
      14,734,478
       

HEALTH CARE–21.9%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–6.8%

   

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

  17,000     558,110

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  9,800     710,500

Allos Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

  60,700     419,437

Cougar Biotechnology, Inc.(a)

  12,000     285,960

Genomic Health, Inc.(a)

  26,300     503,645

Incyte Corp. Ltd.(a)

  21,200     161,332

OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  13,200     545,424

Pharmasset, Inc.(a)

  11,100     209,568

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  15,800     399,740
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

United Therapeutics Corp.(a)

  6,200   $ 606,050
       
      4,399,766
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–7.6%

   

Abaxis, Inc.(a)

  23,200     559,816

ArthroCare Corp.(a)

  15,500     632,555

Hansen Medical, Inc.(a)

  41,620     695,887

Insulet Corp.(a)

  40,800     641,784

Masimo Corp.(a)

  20,600     707,610

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

  23,850     642,042

NuVasive, Inc.(a)

  24,000     1,071,840
       
      4,951,534
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–2.4%

   

HealthExtras, Inc.(a)

  27,100     816,794

LHC Group, Inc.(a)

  32,000     744,000
       
      1,560,794
       

HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–2.2%

   

MedAssets, Inc.(a)

  42,000     716,100

Trizetto Group(a)

  34,300     733,334
       
      1,449,434
       

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–2.4%

   

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  16,100     549,010

Icon PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)(a)

  13,400     1,011,968
       
      1,560,978
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–0.5%

   

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

  29,200     115,048

XenoPort, Inc.(a)

  4,500     175,635
       
      290,683
       
      14,213,189
       

INDUSTRIALS–19.7%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.6%

   

Hexcel Corp.(a)

  52,200     1,007,460
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–3.3%

   

Duff & Phelps Corp.–Class A(a)

  13,300     220,248

FTI Consulting, Inc.(a)

  17,800     1,218,588

Stericycle, Inc.(a)

  13,280     686,576
       
      2,125,412
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.8%

   

Dycom Industries, Inc.(a)

  29,800     432,696

Granite Construction, Inc.

  23,400     737,802
       
      1,170,498
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–3.4%

   

Baldor Electric Co.

  32,900     1,150,842

EnerSys(a)

  18,200     622,986

Polypore International, Inc.(a)

  17,500     443,275
       
      2,217,103
       

MACHINERY–7.8%

   

Actuant Corp.–Class A

  13,100     410,685

Astec Industries, Inc.(a)

  15,800     507,812

Bucyrus International, Inc.–Class A

  8,300     606,066

Chart Industries, Inc.(a)

  20,300     987,392

 

 

3


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

Colfax Corp.(a)

  12,200   $ 306,098

IDEX Corp.

  29,455     1,085,122

Kaydon Corp.

  11,900     611,779

RBC Bearings, Inc.(a)

  17,200     573,104
       
      5,088,058
       

MARINE–1.2%

   

Kirby Corp.(a)

  16,500     792,000
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.6%

   

MSC Industrial Direct Co.–
Class A

  8,700     383,757
       
   
      12,784,288
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–18.2%

   

DISTRIBUTORS–1.2%

   

LKQ Corp.(a)

  44,020     795,442
       

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–3.8%

   

American Public Education, Inc.(a)

  16,700     651,968

K12, Inc.(a)

  33,610     720,262

Strayer Education, Inc.

  5,200     1,087,164
       
      2,459,394
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–4.1%

   

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.(a)

  3,800     94,354

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.(a)

  68,400     298,908

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.–
Class A

  15,500     673,320

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(a)

  21,950     608,893

Sonic Corp.(a)

  22,900     338,920

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.–Class A(a)

  70,500     632,385
       
      2,646,780
       

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–1.1%

   

NetFlix, Inc.(a)

  27,000     703,890
       

MEDIA–3.1%

   

Morningstar, Inc.(a)

  11,800     849,954

National CineMedia, Inc.

  44,600     475,436

RHI Entertainment, Inc.(a)

  52,400     680,676
       
      2,006,066
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.8%

   

Citi Trends, Inc.(a)

  42,200     956,252

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.(a)

  14,600     259,004

Hibbett Sports, Inc.(a)

  34,000     717,400

J Crew Group, Inc.(a)

  15,500     511,655
       
      2,444,311
       

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.1%

   

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(a)

  25,000     726,500
       
      11,782,383
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value  
   

ENERGY–12.0%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–7.7%

   

Complete Production Services, Inc.(a)

    36,200   $ 1,318,404  

Core Laboratories NV(a)

    4,984     709,472  

Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)

    12,500     787,500  

Oil States International, Inc.(a)

    2,100     133,224  

T-3 Energy Services, Inc.–Class 3(a)

    8,400     667,548  

Tesco Corp.(a)

    21,500     686,925  

W-H Energy Services, Inc.–Class H(a)

    7,600     727,624  
         
      5,030,697  
         

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.3%

   

Bill Barrett Corp.(a)

    13,400     796,094  

BPZ Resources, Inc.(a)

    10,400     305,760  

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.(a)

    6,500     442,585  

EXCO Resources, Inc.(a)

    15,000     553,650  

Penn Virginia Corp.

    9,100     686,322  
         
      2,784,411  
         
      7,815,108  
         

FINANCIALS–4.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–4.0%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

    7,600     684,456  

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

    13,300     716,338  

KBW, Inc.(a)

    600     12,348  

MF Global Ltd.(a)

    43,600     275,116  

optionsXpress Holdings, Inc.

    26,280     587,095  

Stifel Financial Corp.(a)

    10,350     355,937  
         
      2,631,290  
         

MATERIALS–0.6%

   

CHEMICALS–0.6%

   

Calgon Carbon Corp.(a)

    23,600     364,856  
         

Total Common Stocks
(cost $60,738,298)

      64,325,592  
         
    Principal
Amount
(000)
     

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–1.6%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.6%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $1,000,000)

  $   1,000     1,000,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.7%
(cost $61,738,298)

      65,325,592  

Other assets less
liabilities–(0.7)%

      (435,108 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 64,890,484  
         

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

4


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   64,325,592      $             –0

Level 2

       1,000,000        –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $ 65,325,592      $ –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation / depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

     $             –0    $             –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

5


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $61,738,298)

   $ 65,325,592  

Cash

     3,980  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     402,790  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     64,095  

Dividends and interest receivable

     3,070  
        

Total assets

     65,799,527  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     638,406  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     113,768  

Advisory fee payable

     42,074  

Administrative fee payable

     25,392  

Distribution fee payable

     3,906  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     85,412  
        

Total liabilities

     909,043  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 64,890,484  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 4,868  

Additional paid-in capital

     103,176,762  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (296,387 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (41,582,053 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     3,587,294  
        
   $ 64,890,484  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   46,795,158      3,490,963      $   13.40

B

     $   18,095,326      1,376,939      $   13.14

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

   $ 72,779  

Interest

     10,139  
        

Total investment income

     82,918  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     213,467  

Distribution fee—Class B

     23,254  

Transfer agency—Class A

     683  

Transfer agency—Class B

     349  

Custodian

     59,060  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Legal

     5,387  

Printing

     4,946  

Directors’ fees

     872  

Miscellaneous

     1,187  
        

Total expenses

     379,305  
        

Net investment loss

     (296,387 )
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     287,544  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (8,820,128 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (8,532,584 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (8,828,971 )
        

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (296,387 )   $ (597,742 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     287,544       10,977,805  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (8,820,128 )     (1,648,015 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (8,828,971 )     8,732,048  

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     8,915,160       (14,495,834 )
                

Total increase (decrease)

     86,189       (5,763,786 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     64,804,295       70,568,081  
                

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($296,387) and $0, respectively)

   $ 64,890,484     $ 64,804,295  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30,2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment policies. Current income is incidental to the Portfolio’s objective. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio offers Class A and Class B shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidating and other rights, except that Class B shares bear a distribution expense and have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Class B distribution plan.

The Portfolio offers and sells its shares only to separate accounts of certain life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Sales are made without a sales charge at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share.

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.

1. Security Valuation

Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

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

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

 

9


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and asked prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.

Net realized gain and loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed income investments, foreign currency exchange contracts, holdings of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

3. Taxes

It is the policy of the Portfolio to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are required. The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Portfolio is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the 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 $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008 amounted to $74,781, of which $132 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 41,034,234     $ 31,188,972  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 8,647,400  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (5,060,106 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,587,294  
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

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

The Portfolio’s custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Portfolio having a value at least equal to the aggregate amount of the Portfolio’s commitments under forward currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.

 

11


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  1,224,231     186,246       $ 16,659,215     $ 2,803,322  

Shares redeemed

  (308,712 )   (1,184,120 )       (4,177,958 )     (17,508,568 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  915,519     (997,874 )     $ 12,481,257     $ (14,705,246 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  196,006     699,573       $ 2,599,577     $ 10,754,724  

Shares redeemed

  (460,260 )   (710,933 )       (6,165,674 )     (10,545,312 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (264,254 )   (11,360 )     $ (3,566,097 )   $ 209,412  
                             

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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 carryforward 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.

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. 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

 

13


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

14


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $15.48     $13.57     $12.26     $11.65     $10.17     $6.83  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.06 )   (.12 )   (.12 )   (.11 )   (.10 )(b)   (.09 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (2.02 )   2.03     1.43     .72     1.58     3.43  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.08 )   1.91     1.31     .61     1.48     3.34  
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.40     $15.48     $13.57     $12.26     $11.65     $10.17  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (13.44 )%*   14.08 %   10.69 %   5.24 %   14.55 %   48.90 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $46,795     $39,867     $48,498     $49,453     $61,661     $61,079  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.25 %(d)   1.20 %   1.16 %(e)   1.18 %   1.14 %   1.36 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.25 %(d)   1.20 %   1.16 %(e)   1.18 %   1.30 %   1.36 %

Net investment loss

  (.95 )%(d)   (.81 )%   (.90 )%(e)   (.93 )%   (.93 )%(b)   (1.10 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  55 %   88 %   76 %   90 %   92 %   129 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $15.19     $13.36     $12.09     $11.53     $10.08     $6.78  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

  (.08 )   (.15 )   (.15 )   (.13 )   (.12 )(b)   (.11 )

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (1.97 )   1.98     1.42     .69     1.57     3.41  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.05 )   1.83     1.27     .56     1.45     3.30  
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $13.14     $15.19     $13.36     $12.09     $11.53     $10.08  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (13.50 )%*   13.70 %   10.51 %   4.86 %   14.39 %   48.67 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $18,095     $24,937     $22,070     $22,467     $24,448     $15,846  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.51 %(d)   1.44 %   1.41 %(e)   1.43 %   1.40 %   1.61 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.51 %(d)   1.44 %   1.41 %(e)   1.43 %   1.56 %   1.61 %

Net investment loss

  (1.22 )%(d)   (1.05 )%   (1.15 )%(e)   (1.18 )%   (1.19 )%(b)   (1.37 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

  55 %   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) Annualized.

 

(e) 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 by .06%.

 

16


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

17


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (August 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 5-year period and 5th quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 10-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1- and 5-year periods, matched the Index in the 3-year period and underperformed the Index in the 10-year and since inception periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio although the institutional fee schedule provided for higher rates on the first $150 million of assets, and that the application of such fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be higher than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement, even after taking into account the 14 basis point expense ratio impact of the administrative expense reimbursement provision in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund except that the Portfolio’s fee is a monthly fee based on average daily net assets and the Corresponding Fund’s fee is a quarterly fee based on net asset value at the end of each quarter.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points, plus the 14 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (approximately $50 million as of February 29, 2008) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce the expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable in the Portfolio’s particular circumstances.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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


 
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 a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Growth

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 49.2   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 $94,000 (0.14% 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

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

Class A    1.20%

Class B    1.44%

  December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

  

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

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
  

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   $ 49.2   

Small Cap Growth Schedule

100 bp on 1st $50m

85 bp on next $50m

75 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

   1.000    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 Portfolio5. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule   Effective
ABMF Adv.
Fee (%)
  Portfolio
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

  0.750   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 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.

 

21


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio              Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee (%)

 

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

     Client #17,8     

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

  0.600   0.750
     Client #2     

0.65% on 1st $25 million

0.60% on next $75 million

0.55% thereafter

  0.625   0.750

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”)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

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   0.750    0.900    2/17

 

 

 

7 This is a fee schedule of a Portfolio managed by an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

8 Assets are aggregated with other Specialty Equity Portfolios for purposes of calculating the Investment advisory fee.

 

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 small 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.

 

22


    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 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

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   1.160    1.017    14/17    0.999    36/41

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $55,818 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $434,976 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”). 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 Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

23


SMALL CAP GROWTH 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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,15 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 make 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 16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.17 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 

 

 

15 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

16 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

17 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended December 31, 2007.20

 

      Portfolio Return    PG Median    PU Median    PG Rank    PU Rank

1 year

   –2.09    –2.09    –2.54    9/17    23/49

3 year

   6.32    7.55    6.87    11/16    27/45

5 year

   15.23    14.09    14.01    6/16    15/43

10 year

   1.94    7.26    5.91    5/5    18/21

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 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 January 31, 2008 Annualized Performance
   

1

Year
(%)

 

3

Year
(%)

 

5

Year
(%)

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

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

  –2.09   6.32   15.23   1.94   3.99   23.04   0.04   10

Russell 2000 Growth Index

  –4.55   6.32   14.91   3.46   4.75   25.45   0.12   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 5, 2008

 

 

 

18 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.

 

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.

 

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 January 31, 2008.

 

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.

 

25


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 929.35    $   4.08    0.85 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,020.64    $ 4.27    0.85 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 928.33    $ 5.27    1.10 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.39    $ 5.52    1.10 %

 

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Oil States International, Inc.

   $ 8,710,312      2.1 %

Arch Capital Group Ltd.

     7,573,744      1.8  

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

     7,557,303      1.8  

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.

     7,523,760      1.8  

Ruddick Corp.

     7,290,875      1.8  

Ryder System, Inc.

     6,819,120      1.6  

Commercial Metals Co.

     6,721,910      1.6  

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

     6,489,390      1.6  

PerkinElmer, Inc.

     6,386,005      1.5  

Hess Corp.

     6,208,548      1.5  
                 
     $   71,280,967      17.1 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Industrials

   $ 89,849,210      21.4 %

Financials

     75,783,111      18.1  

Materials

     49,505,299      11.8  

Consumer Staples

     37,857,510      9.0  

Information Technology

     36,538,564      8.7  

Consumer Discretionary

     30,853,756      7.4  

Utilities

     26,374,697      6.3  

Health Care

     25,805,494      6.1  

Energy

     22,491,416      5.4  

Short-Term Investments

     24,370,000      5.8  
                 

Total Investments

   $   419,429,057      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.

 

2


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–94.7%

   

INDUSTRIALS–21.5%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.6%

   

Goodrich Corp.

  50,600   $ 2,401,476
       

AIRLINES–1.0%

   

Alaska Air Group, Inc.(a)

  109,700     1,682,798

Continental Airlines,
Inc.–Class B(a)

  94,700     957,417

Skywest, Inc.

  131,900     1,668,535
       
      4,308,750
       

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Quanex Building Products Corp.

  126,700     1,882,762
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES &
SUPPLIES–3.2%

   

IKON Office Solutions, Inc.

  447,500     5,047,800

Kelly Services, Inc.–Class A

  244,200     4,720,386

United Stationers, Inc.(a)

  98,795     3,650,475
       
      13,418,661
       

ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT–3.7%

   

Acuity Brands, Inc.

  72,500     3,485,800

Cooper Industries Ltd.–Class A

  84,400     3,333,800

EnerSys(a)

  86,600     2,964,318

Regal-Beloit Corp.

  129,200     5,458,700
       
      15,242,618
       

MACHINERY–6.3%

   

AGCO Corp.(a)

  73,700     3,862,617

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

  199,000     2,523,320

Kennametal, Inc.

  157,600     5,129,880

Mueller Industries, Inc.

  159,200     5,126,240

SPX Corp.

  45,200     5,954,196

Terex Corp.(a)

  71,000     3,647,270
       
      26,243,523
       

ROAD & RAIL–4.8%

   

Arkansas Best Corp.

  86,300     3,162,032

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  280,600     2,348,622

Con-way, Inc.

  70,700     3,341,282

Ryder System, Inc.

  99,000     6,819,120

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

  245,100     4,553,958
       
      20,225,014
       

TRADING COMPANIES &
DISTRIBUTORS–1.5%

   

GATX Corp.

  138,200     6,126,406
       
      89,849,210
       

FINANCIALS–18.2%

   

COMMERCIAL BANKS–4.2%

   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

  206,400     2,200,224

The South Financial Group, Inc.

  321,200     1,259,104

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

  218,600     2,992,634

Trustmark Corp.

  224,306     3,959,001

UnionBanCal Corp.

  45,900     1,855,278

Webster Financial Corp.

  171,600     3,191,760

Whitney Holding Corp.

  116,500     2,131,950
       
      17,589,951
       

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

INSURANCE–8.1%

   

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a)

  114,200   $ 7,573,744

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.

  229,400     5,429,898

Fidelity National Financial,
Inc.–Class A

  231,000     2,910,600

Old Republic International Corp.

  286,875     3,396,600

PartnerRe Ltd.

  17,700     1,223,601

Platinum Underwriters
Holdings, Ltd.

  199,000     6,489,390

Renaissancere Holdings Ltd.

  33,600     1,500,912

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

  107,400     5,043,504
       
      33,568,249
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)–3.4%

   

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  211,000     974,820

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  104,800     4,287,368

Mid-America Apartment
Communities, Inc.

  60,000     3,062,400

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  85,500     801,135

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

  57,800     959,480

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  63,600     2,285,148

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  40,300     1,960,595
       
      14,330,946
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–2.5%

   

Astoria Financial Corp.

  163,200     3,277,056

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

  146,800     1,887,848

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

  366,100     5,129,061
       
      10,293,965
       
      75,783,111
       

MATERIALS–11.9%

   

CHEMICALS–6.7%

   

Arch Chemicals, Inc

  22,800     755,820

Ashland, Inc.

  120,825     5,823,765

Chemtura Corp.

  265,600     1,551,104

Cytec Industries, Inc.

  104,700     5,712,432

Lubrizol Corp.

  10,800     500,364

Methanex Corp.

  112,700     3,157,854

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.(a)

  216,200     7,523,760

Westlake Chemical Corp.

  190,900     2,836,774
       
      27,861,873
       

CONTAINERS &
PACKAGING–2.1%

   

Aptargroup, Inc.

  75,900     3,184,005

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

  68,400     3,470,616

Sonoco Products Co.

  66,800     2,067,460
       
      8,722,081
       

METALS & MINING–3.1%

   

Commercial Metals Co.

  178,300     6,721,910

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

  49,300     3,800,537

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

  61,400     2,398,898
       
      12,921,345
       
      49,505,299
       

 

 

3


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.1%

   

BEVERAGES–1.8%

   

Molson Coors Brewing
Co.–Class B

  139,100   $ 7,557,303
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.9%

   

Ruddick Corp.

  212,500     7,290,875

Supervalu, Inc.

  152,400     4,707,636
       
      11,998,511
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–3.0%

   

Corn Products International, Inc.

  35,000     1,718,850

Del Monte Foods Co.

  482,200     3,423,620

Smithfield Foods, Inc.(a)

  182,900     3,636,052

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  261,200     3,902,328
       
      12,680,850
       

TOBACCO–1.4%

   

Universal Corp.

  124,300     5,620,846
       
      37,857,510
       

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY–8.7%

   

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT–1.3%

   

CommScope, Inc.(a)

  104,700     5,525,019
       

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–0.6%

   

Lexmark International,
Inc.–Class A(a)

  79,600     2,661,028
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–4.6%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  143,200     4,399,104

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  32,852     308,809

Ingram Micro, Inc.–Class A(a)

  184,400     3,273,100

Insight Enterprises, Inc.(a)

  239,400     2,808,162

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  411,679     526,949

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  112,200     3,802,458

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

  442,300     3,923,201
       
      19,041,783
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.2%

   

Amkor Technology, Inc.(a)

  385,200     4,009,932

Spansion, Inc.–Class A(a)

  240,000     540,000

Teradyne, Inc.(a)

  159,600     1,766,772

Zoran Corp.(a)

  255,900     2,994,030
       
      9,310,734
       
      36,538,564
       

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–7.4%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–2.5%

   

ArvinMeritor, Inc.

  333,200     4,158,336

Autoliv, Inc.

  38,500     1,794,870

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

  245,100     4,526,997
       
      10,480,203
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

AUTOMOBILES–1.0%

   

Thor Industries, Inc.

  205,600   $ 4,371,056
       

HOUSEHOLD
DURABLES–0.8%

   

Furniture Brands
International, Inc.

  186,000     2,484,960

KB Home

  52,000     880,360
       
      3,365,320
       

LEISURE, EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–1.3%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  269,300     2,854,580

Callaway Golf Co.

  209,200     2,474,836
       
      5,329,416
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.2%

   

Dillard’s, Inc.-Class A

  79,100     915,187
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.1%

   

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

  215,849     2,162,807

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc.

  104,800     1,707,192

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  55,000     601,700
       
      4,471,699
       

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.5%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  139,700     1,920,875
       
      30,853,756
       

UTILITIES–6.3%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.7%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

  40,500     2,029,455

Northeast Utilities

  204,300     5,215,779
       
      7,245,234
       

GAS UTILITIES–1.1%

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

  158,800     4,378,116
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–2.0%

   

Constellation Energy
Group, Inc.

  36,600     3,004,860

Reliant Energy, Inc.(a)

  255,700     5,438,739
       
      8,443,599
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.5%

   

Puget Energy, Inc.

  81,600     1,957,584

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

  96,200     4,350,164
       
      6,307,748
       
      26,374,697
       

HEALTH CARE–6.2%

   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS &
SERVICES–4.7%

   

AMERIGROUP Corp.(a)

  194,000     4,035,200

Apria Healthcare
Group, Inc.(a)

  98,100     1,902,159

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.(a)

  106,945     3,026,543

Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a)

  162,925     3,965,595

Omnicare, Inc.

  78,500     2,058,270

Universal Health Services,
Inc.–Class B

  70,100     4,431,722
       
      19,419,489
       

 

 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–1.5%

   

PerkinElmer, Inc.

  229,300   $ 6,386,005
       
      25,805,494
       

ENERGY–5.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.9%

   

Exterran Holdings, Inc.(a)

  26,300     1,880,187

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

  44,700     3,219,294

Oil States International, Inc.(a)

  137,300     8,710,312

Rowan Cos., Inc.

  52,900     2,473,075
       
      16,282,868
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.5%

   

Hess Corp.

  49,200     6,208,548
       
      22,491,416
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $420,873,692)

      395,059,057
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–5.8%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–5.8%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $24,370,000)

  $ 24,370   $ 24,370,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.5%
(cost $445,243,692)

      419,429,057  

Other assets less
liabilities–(0.5)%

      (2,124,480 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 417,304,577  
         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   395,059,057      $             –0

Level 2

       24,370,000        –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $   419,429,057      $ –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $                 –0    $             –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

6


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $445,243,692)

   $ 419,429,057  

Cash

     27,478  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     1,005,185  

Dividends and interest receivable

     310,467  
        

Total assets

     420,772,187  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     2,167,601  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     878,974  

Advisory fee payable

     265,802  

Distribution fee payable

     59,768  

Administrative fee payable

     25,098  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     83  

Accrued expenses

     70,284  
        

Total liabilities

     3,467,610  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 417,304,577  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 29,230  

Additional paid-in capital

     427,676,826  

Undistributed net investment income

     794,633  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,618,523  

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (25,814,635 )
        
   $ 417,304,577  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   142,669,659      9,968,233      $   14.31

B

     $ 274,634,918      19,261,671      $ 14.26

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $4,987)

   $ 2,887,415  

Interest

     63,585  
        

Total investment income

     2,951,000  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,561,402  

Distribution fee—Class B

     351,624  

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,045  

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,179  

Custodian

     67,148  

Printing

     51,625  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Legal

     9,215  

Directors’ fees

     884  

Miscellaneous

     3,338  
        

Total expenses

     2,118,560  
        

Net investment income

     832,440  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,838,821  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments.

     (48,716,827 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (33,878,006 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (33,045,566 )
        

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 832,440     $ 2,020,528  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     14,838,821       39,210,437  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (48,716,827 )     (37,944,019 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (33,045,566 )     3,286,946  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (886,590 )     (1,546,634 )

Class B

     (1,131,047 )     (2,098,492 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (12,603,957 )     (11,437,901 )

Class B

     (26,638,678 )     (19,627,077 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     50,596,411       61,220,944  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (23,709,427 )     29,797,786  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     441,014,004       411,216,218  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of
$794,633 and $1,979,830, respectively)

   $ 417,304,577     $ 441,014,004  
                

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   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 eighteen 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.

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.

 

10


    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 .75% of the first $2.5 billion, .65% of the next $2.5 billion and .60% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $124,687, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

11


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 78,736,568     $ 82,274,713  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 59,521,207  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (85,335,842 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (25,814,635 )
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  1,814,120     2,402,324       $ 28,051,541     $ 45,953,766  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  888,120     671,730         13,490,547       12,984,535  

Shares redeemed

  (1,285,935 )   (3,362,398 )       (20,590,881 )     (62,942,413 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  1,416,305     (288,344 )     $ 20,951,207     $ (4,004,112 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  2,371,327     5,080,121       $ 37,182,992     $ 96,210,635  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  1,834,196     1,128,015         27,769,725       21,725,569  

Shares redeemed

  (2,247,203 )   (2,872,598 )       (35,307,513 )     (52,711,148 )
                             

Net increase

  1,958,320     3,335,538       $ 29,645,204     $ 65,225,056  
                             

 

13


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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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,

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. 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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

15


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

     CLASS A  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
       2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $17.11     $18.08     $17.06     $16.84     $14.49     $10.46  
                                    
            

Income From Investment Operations

            

Net investment income (a)

   .04     .11     .20     .09 (b)   .14 (b)   .04 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

   (1.15 )   .36     2.14     1.02     2.60     4.23  
                                    

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

   (1.11 )   .47     2.34     1.11     2.74     4.27  
                                    
            

Less: Dividends and Distributions

            

Dividends from net investment income

   (.11 )   (.17 )   (.08 )   (.13 )   (.03 )   (.07 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

   (1.58 )   (1.27 )   (1.24 )   (.76 )   (.36 )   (.17 )
                                    

Total dividends and distributions

   (1.69 )   (1.44 )   (1.32 )   (.89 )   (.39 )   (.24 )
                                    

Net asset value, end of period

   $14.31     $17.11     $18.08     $17.06     $16.84     $14.49  
                                    
            

Total Return

            

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

   (7.07 )%   1.71 %   14.42 %   6.91 %   19.30 %   41.26 %
            

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

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

   $142,670     $146,350     $159,804     $134,235     $118,981     $90,949  

Ratio to average net assets of:

            

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

   .85 %(d)   .83 %   .86 %(e)   .87 %   .86 %   1.20 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

   .85 %(d)   .83 %   .86 %(e)   .87 %   1.09 %   1.28 %

Net investment income

   .55 %(d)   .59 %   1.15 %(e)   .53 %(b)   .96 %(b)   .34 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

   19 %   32 %   46 %   33 %   30 %   21 %

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

     CLASS B  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
       2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $17.03     $18.00     $16.99     $16.79     $14.46     $10.46  
                                    
            

Income From Investment Operations

            

Net investment income (a)

   .03     .07     .16     .05 (b)   .11 (b)   .01 (b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

   (1.15 )   .37     2.13     1.01     2.59     4.22  
                                    

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

   (1.12 )   .44     2.29     1.06     2.70     4.23  
                                    
            

Less: Dividends and Distributions

            

Dividends from net investment income

   (.07 )   (.14 )   (.04 )   (.10 )   (.01 )   (.06 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

   (1.58 )   (1.27 )   (1.24 )   (.76 )   (.36 )   (.17 )
                                    

Total dividends and distributions

   (1.65 )   (1.41 )   (1.28 )   (.86 )   (.37 )   (.23 )
                                    

Net asset value, end of period

   $14.26     $17.03     $18.00     $16.99     $16.79     $14.46  
                                    
            

Total Return

            

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

   (7.17 )%   1.53 %   14.20 %   6.63 %   19.08 %   40.89 %
            

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

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

   $274,635     $294,664     $251,412     $186,415     $142,516     $82,954  

Ratio to average net assets of:

            

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

   1.10 %(d)   1.08 %   1.11 %(e)   1.12 %   1.12 %   1.45 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

   1.10 %(d)   1.08 %   1.11 %(e)   1.12 %   1.34 %   1.53 %

Net investment income

   .33 %(d)   .35 %   .91 %(e)   .29 %(b)   .75 %(b)   .05 %(b)

Portfolio turnover rate

   19 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

17


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio before taxes and distribution expenses. The directors concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Portfolio was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 2500 Value Index and the Russell 2500 Index, in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the indices) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 1-year period, 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the 3-year period and 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and that the Portfolio outperformed the Russell 2500 Value Index in the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods but underperformed that index in the 5-year period and outperformed the Russell 2500 Index in the 1-year and since inception periods but underperformed that index in the 3- and 5-year periods. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

19


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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 view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 75 basis points was higher than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was 2 basis points. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap), was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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.

 

20


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 a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Specialty

  75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion
65 bp on next $2.5 billion
60 bp on the balance
  $ 403.3   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 $94,000 (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.

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8.

 

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

 

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

 

21


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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:

 

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

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Class A    1.20%   0.83%   December 31
  Class B    1.45%   1.08%  

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 Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

02/29/08

($MIL)

  

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

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   $403.3   

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 $25m

   0.600 %    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.

 

22


 
 
    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 Fund5. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Small Mid/Cap Value Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund (“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective
ABMF

Adv. Fee

  Portfolio
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

  0.750%   0.750%

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee

  Portfolio
Advisory
Fee

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Client #1   0.50%   0.500%   0.750%
 

Client #2

  0.72% on 1st $25 million
0.54% on next $225 million
0.50% thereafter
  0.536%   0.750%
 

Client #3

  0.80% on 1st $25 million
0.60% thereafter
  0.612%   0.750%
 

Client #4

  0.613% on 1st $150 million
0.495% thereafter
  0.539%   0.750%

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

 

 

 

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 Small 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.

 

23


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE 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
Fee8
   Lipper
Group
Median
   Rank

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   0.750    0.718    11/18

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.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)10

  

Lipper

Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

  

Lipper

Universe

Median (%)

  

Lipper
Universe

Rank

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   0.860    0.869    9/18    0.869    13/26

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $738,258 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payment in the amount of $549,986 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

 

 

 

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. 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.

 

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

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 from the Portfolio.11

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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,12 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 make 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 13 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their comparable peers.14 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

 

 

 

11 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

12 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

13 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

14 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

25


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 January 31, 2008.17

 

      Portfolio
Return
     PG
Median
     PU
Median
     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank

1 year

   –4.21      –6.23      –6.40      7/18      10/32

3 year

   7.33      7.16      6.99      8/16      13/27

5 year

   15.71      15.41      14.95      6/14      8/23

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)18 versus its benchmark.19 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.20

 

     Periods Ending January 31, 2008
Annualized Performance
     1
Year
(%)
  3
Year
(%)
  5
Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
          Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  4.21   7.33   15.71   11.77   12.03   1.00   5

Russell 2500 Value Index

  –12.53   6.16   16.04   10.27   12.32   1.00   5

Russell 2500 Index

  –7.32   7.34   16.15   8.18   N/A   N/A   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 5, 2008

 

 

 

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 January 31, 2008.

 

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.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Utility Income Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 964.33    $ 4.49    0.92 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,020.29    $   4.62    0.92 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 963.27    $ 5.71    1.17 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.05    $ 5.87    1.17 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Entergy Corp. (Common and Preferred)

   $ 2,802,116      3.7 %

Williams Cos, Inc.

     2,396,429      3.2  

Sempra Energy

     2,386,367      3.2  

Exelon Corp.

     2,293,980      3.1  

Equitable Resources, Inc.

     2,285,886      3.0  

FirstEnergy Corp.

     2,272,308      3.0  

AES Tiete SA

     2,265,878      3.0  

PPL Corp.

     1,960,125      2.6  

NRG Energy, Inc.

     1,934,790      2.6  

FPL Group, Inc.

     1,783,776      2.4  
                 
     $   22,381,655      29.8 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Utilities

   $ 56,791,936      74.9 %

Telecommunication Services

     10,444,926      13.8  

Energy

     5,189,184      6.8  

Industrials

     1,479,336      1.9  

Other Instruments

     860,200      1.1  

Short-Term Investments

     1,115,000      1.5  
                 

Total Investments

   $   75,880,582      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.

 

2


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–94.4%

   
   

UTILITIES–73.5%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–36.4%

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

  35,350   $ 1,771,388

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

  18,983     763,686

CEZ

  6,200     550,633

CLP Holdings Ltd.

  163,000     1,397,855

CPFL Energia SA (ADR)

  9,400     642,584

Duke Energy Corp.

  61,948     1,076,656

E.ON AG

  6,400     1,289,282

Edison International

  27,500     1,412,950

Electricite de France

  8,000     757,849

Eletropaulo Metropolitana Eletricidade de Sao Paulo SA–Class B

  35,744     838,360

Enel SpA

  70,750     671,165

Entergy Corp.

  10,700     1,289,136

Exelon Corp.

  25,500     2,293,980

FirstEnergy Corp.

  27,600     2,272,308

Fortum Oyj

  31,700     1,604,516

FPL Group, Inc.

  27,200     1,783,776

ITC Holdings Corp.

  29,300     1,497,523

PPL Corp.

  37,500     1,960,125

Progress Energy, Inc.

  24,800     1,037,384

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC

  42,291     1,178,344

The Southern Co.

  35,500     1,239,660
       
      27,329,160
       

GAS UTILITIES–10.1%

   

Equitable Resources, Inc.

  33,100     2,285,886

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

  514,250     1,223,692

New Jersey Resources Corp.

  19,650     641,572

Oneok, Inc.

  36,500     1,782,295

Questar Corp.

  23,500     1,669,440
       
      7,602,885
       

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–11.8%

   

The AES Corp.(a)

  47,400     910,554

AES Tiete SA

  186,374     2,265,878

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

  12,400     1,018,040

Dynegy, Inc.–Class A(a)

  117,663     1,006,019

NRG Energy, Inc.(a)

  45,100     1,934,790

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

  18,600     914,748

Tractebel Energia SA

  56,500     842,337
       
      8,892,366
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–15.2%

   

Centerpoint Energy, Inc.

  102,100     1,638,705

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

  17,900     623,994

National Grid PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  11,238     741,371

NSTAR

  45,400     1,535,428

PG&E Corp.

  16,600     658,854

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

  38,600     1,772,898

Sempra Energy

  42,274     2,386,367
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Suez SA

  7,100   $ 481,293

Xcel Energy, Inc.

  80,500     1,615,635
       
      11,454,545
       
      55,278,956
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–13.9%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–9.7%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  31,905     1,074,880

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. (ADR)

  37,909     961,751

Telefonica SA

  21,400     566,326

Tw Telecom, Inc.–Class A(a)

  80,200     1,285,606

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  43,600     1,543,440

Vimpel-Communications (Sponsored) (ADR)

  38,900     1,154,552

Windstream Corp.

  57,000     703,380
       
      7,289,935
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.2%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  18,960     1,000,140

MTN Group Ltd.

  45,000     712,305

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  43,000     408,500

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  35,100     1,034,046
       
      3,154,991
       
      10,444,926
       

ENERGY–5.0%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–5.0%

   

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd.–Class H

  141,500     556,900

Peabody Energy Corp.

  4,800     422,640

Spectra Energy Corp

  14,300     410,982

Williams Cos, Inc.

  59,450     2,396,429
       
      3,786,951
       

INDUSTRIALS–2.0%

   

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–2.0%

   

Fluor Corp.

  7,950     1,479,336
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $52,075,623)

      70,990,169
       

CONVERTIBLE–PREFERRED STOCKS–2.0%

   

UTILITIES–2.0%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–2.0%

   

Entergy Corp. 7.625%
(cost $1,065,400)

  21,400     1,512,980
       

 

 

3


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–1.9%

   

ENERGY–1.9%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–1.9%

   

Tortoise Energy Capital Corp.
(cost $1,411,234)

  55,534   $ 1,402,233
       

NON-CONVERTIBLE–
PREFERRED STOCKS–1.1%

   

OTHER INSTRUMENTS–1.1%

   

Georgia Power Co. 6.00%
(cost $861,200)

  34,000     860,200
       
Company       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–1.5%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–1.5%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $1,115,000)

  $ 1,115   $ 1,115,000  
         

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.9%
(cost $56,528,457)

      75,880,582  

Other assets less liabilities–(0.9)%

      (708,369 )
         

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 75,172,213  
         

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

4


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   61,402,243      $ –0

Level 2

     $ 14,478,339        –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $ 75,880,582      $             –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $ –0    $ –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $             –0    $             –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

5


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $56,528,457)

   $ 75,880,582

Cash

     13,801

Dividends and interest receivable

     184,541

Receivable for capital stock sold

     24,549
      

Total assets

     76,103,473
      

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     596,434

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     193,351

Advisory fee payable

     34,540

Administrative fee payable

     25,345

Distribution fee payable

     3,174

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85

Accrued expenses

     78,331
      

Total liabilities

     931,260
      

NET ASSETS

   $ 75,172,213
      

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,017

Additional paid-in capital

     52,085,343

Undistributed net investment income

     966,180

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,764,751

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

     19,352,922
      
   $ 75,172,213
      

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   59,940,787      2,403,152      $   24.94

B

     $   15,231,426      614,009      $   24.81

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $29,749)

   $ 1,335,166  

Interest

     12,110  
        

Total investment income

     1,347,276  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     212,831  

Distribution fee—Class B

     19,352  

Transfer agency—Class A

     945  

Transfer agency—Class B

     234  

Custodian

     50,455  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Printing

     8,079  

Legal

     7,225  

Directors’ fees

     872  

Miscellaneous

     3,703  
        

Total expenses

     373,796  
        

Net investment income

     973,480  
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     2,838,838  

Foreign currency transactions

     (14,536 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (7,408,705 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     543  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (4,583,860 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (3,610,380 )
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 973,480     $ 1,953,308  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     2,824,302       8,218,893  

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

     (7,408,162 )     6,272,021  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (3,610,380 )     16,444,222  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (1,577,599 )     (1,533,201 )

Class B

     (353,633 )     (318,889 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (6,441,134 )     (51,536 )

Class B

     (1,605,745 )     (11,702 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     2,311,459       (7,465,877 )
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (11,277,032 )     7,063,017  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     86,449,245       79,386,228  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of
$966,180 and $1,923,932, respectively)

   $ 75,172,213     $ 86,449,245  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is current income and long-term growth of capital. Prior to February 1, 2006, the Portfolio’s investment objective was to seek current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the utilities industry. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

9


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 $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008 amounted to $35,863, of which $348 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 14,256,860     $ 20,057,855  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 20,176,375  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (824,250 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 19,352,125  
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

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

The Portfolio’s custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Portfolio having a value at least equal to the aggregate amount of the Portfolio’s commitments under forward currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.

 

11


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  713,428     526,823       $ 18,258,136     $ 14,519,248  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  325,832     58,456         8,018,733       1,584,737  

Shares redeemed

  (951,268 )   (905,371 )       (24,254,994 )     (24,466,121 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  87,992     (320,092 )     $ 2,021,875     $ (8,362,136 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  51,467     181,156       $ 1,361,308     $ 4,923,828  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  80,007     12,249         1,959,378       330,591  

Shares redeemed

  (113,604 )   (159,441 )       (3,031,102 )     (4,358,160 )
                             

Net increase

  17,870     33,964       $ 289,584     $ 896,259  
                             

 

12


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

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,

 

13


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. 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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

14


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $29.73     $24.85     $20.64     $18.17     $14.95     $12.86  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .34     .65     .59     .53     .43 (b)   .35  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.45 )   4.85     4.20     2.35     3.13     2.18  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.11 )   5.50     4.79     2.88     3.56     2.53  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.72 )   (.60 )   (.58 )   (.41 )   (.34 )   (.44 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.96 )   (.02 )   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.68 )   (.62 )   (.58 )   (.41 )   (.34 )   (.44 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $24.94     $29.73     $24.85     $20.64     $18.17     $14.95  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (3.57 )%*   22.35 %*   23.76 %   16.05 %   24.33 %   19.88 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $59,941     $68,833     $65,490     $58,468     $52,391     $43,323  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .92 %(d)   .90 %   .95 %(e)   .97 %   1.08 %   1.48 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .92 %(d)   .90 %   .95 %(e)   .97 %   1.21 %   1.48 %

Net investment income

  2.56 %(d)   2.39 %   2.67 %(e)   2.72 %   2.69 %(b)   2.60 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  19 %   34 %   48 %   52 %   48 %   76 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


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  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31 ,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $29.55     $24.72     $20.54     $18.10     $14.92     $12.86  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .30     .58     .53     .48     .38 (b)   .28  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.43 )   4.82     4.19     2.34     3.13     2.21  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.13 )   5.40     4.72     2.82     3.51     2.49  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.65 )   (.55 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.33 )   (.43 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (2.96 )   (.02 )   –0   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (3.61 )   (.57 )   (.54 )   (.38 )   (.33 )   (.43 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $24.81     $29.55     $24.72     $20.54     $18.10     $14.92  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (3.67 )%*   22.04 %*   23.49 %   15.76 %   24.01 %   19.64 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $15,231     $17,616     $13,896     $9,766     $6,517     $2,802  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.17 %(d)   1.16 %   1.20 %(e)   1.22 %   1.30 %   1.73 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.17 %(d)   1.16 %   1.20 %(e)   1.22 %   1.43 %   1.73 %

Net investment income

  2.32 %(d)   2.14 %   2.41 %(e)   2.45 %   2.41 %(b)   2.07 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  19 %   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) Annualized.

 

(e) 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.03% and 0.27%, respectively.

 

16


 
UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Utility Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between fund advisory contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability

 

17


UTILITY 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 also understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Portfolio.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Standard & Poor’s 500 GICS Utilities Composite (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended January 31, 2008 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 for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for 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 fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The Adviser informed the directors that there are no institutional products managed by it which have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and noted that it charged institutional clients lower fees for advising comparably sized 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., equity securities). The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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.

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors noted that the Portfolio’s contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 11 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was higher than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors noted that the Portfolio’s relatively modest size (less than $80 million as of February 29, 2008) adversely affected the Portfolio’s expense ratio. For example, it resulted in the administrative expense reimbursement, which does not vary with a Portfolio’s size, having a significant effect on the Portfolio’s expense ratio. The directors also noted that the Adviser had reviewed with them steps being taken that are intended to reduce expenses of the AllianceBernstein Funds. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s expense ratio was acceptable in the Portfolio’s particular circumstances.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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


 
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 a September 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

02/29/08

($MIL)

  Portfolio

Value

 

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 76.9   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 $94,000 (0.11% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

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

 

Portfolio   Total Expense Ratio   Fiscal Year

Utility Income Portfolio

  Class A    0.90%   December 31
  Class B    1.16%  

 

 

 

1 It should be noted that the information in the fee summary was completed on April 23, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

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

 

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

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are reimbursed by the Portfolio to the Adviser. Also, retail mutual funds managed by the Adviser are widely held. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors is more time consuming and labor intensive compared to institutional clients since the Adviser needs to communicate with a more extensive network of financial intermediaries and shareholders. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Utility Income Fund, Inc. been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund

(“ABMF”)

  Fee Schedule  

Effective ABMF

Adv. Fee
(%)

  Portfolio
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

  0.550   0.550

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.

 

21


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers. Lipper’s analysis included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the proposed management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)5 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. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee7
  

Lipper

Group

Median

   Rank

Utility Income Portfolio

   0.550    0.675    1/8

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 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

Utility Income Portfolio

   0.950    0.807    8/8    0.809    10/11

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 2007, relative to 2006.

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’

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $39,985 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $85,306 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 from the Portfolio.10

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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,11 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 make 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 12 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their

 

 

 

10 The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

11 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

12 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

23


UTILITY INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

comparable peers.13 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 January 31, 3008.16

 

      Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   13.80      13.02      13.02      4/8      6/12

3 year

   18.26      18.25      18.27      4/7      6/10

5 year

   20.57      20.57      20.90      4/7      6/10

10 year

   9.48      9.13      9.13      2/6      3/8

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

 

     

Periods Ending January 31, 2008

Annualized Performance

      1
Year
(%)
   3
Year
(%)
   5
Year
(%)
  

10
Year

(%)

   Since
Inception
(%)

Utility Income Portfolio

   13.80    18.26    20.57    9.48    10.66

S&P 500 GICS Utility Composite

   11.54    15.50    20.54    7.46    9.84

Inception Date: May 11, 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 5, 2008

 

 

 

13 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

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 January 31, 2008.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Value Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 837.77    $ 2.92    0.64 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,021.68    $   3.22    0.64 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 836.22    $ 4.11    0.90 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.39    $ 4.52    0.90 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


VALUE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $ 20,243,461      6.9 %

Chevron Corp.

     12,302,033      4.2  

AT&T, Inc.

     11,201,925      3.8  

General Electric Co.

     9,800,568      3.4  

ConocoPhillips

     9,391,805      3.2  

Pfizer, Inc.

     7,529,570      2.6  

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

     7,143,342      2.4  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     6,170,220      2.1  

Procter & Gamble Co.

     5,910,732      2.0  

Bank of America Corp.

     5,829,054      2.0  
                 
     $   95,522,710      32.6 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 67,214,303      23.1 %

Energy

     59,826,409      20.6  

Consumer Staples

     28,120,186      9.7  

Health Care

     27,132,470      9.3  

Telecommunication Services

     21,554,453      7.4  

Industrials

     20,896,173      7.2  

Consumer Discretionary

     20,742,496      7.1  

Materials

     17,868,021      6.2  

Information Technology

     15,534,576      5.4  

Utilities

     3,767,800      1.3  

Short-Term Investments

     7,833,000      2.7  
                 

Total Investments

   $   290,489,887      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.

 

2


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–96.6%

   
   

FINANCIALS–23.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–2.1%

   

Deutsche Bank AG

  12,100   $ 1,032,735

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  3,600     629,640

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  18,100     358,561

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  33,100     1,049,601

Morgan Stanley

  84,500     3,047,915
       
      6,118,452
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.7%

   

BB&T Corp.

  13,500     307,395

Comerica, Inc.

  33,800     866,294

Fifth Third Bancorp

  35,900     365,462

Keycorp

  37,200     408,456

National City Corp.

  67,300     321,021

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  19,600     709,912

U.S. Bancorp

  37,400     1,043,086

Wachovia Corp.

  113,600     1,764,208

Wells Fargo & Co.

  85,300     2,025,875
       
      7,811,709
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.6%

   

Discover Financial Services

  144,000     1,896,480
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–6.2%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  244,200     5,829,054

Citigroup, Inc.

  302,800     5,074,928

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

  208,200     7,143,342
       
      18,047,324
       

INSURANCE–9.7%

   

ACE Ltd.

  42,100     2,319,289

Allstate Corp.

  65,000     2,963,350

American International Group, Inc.

  139,400     3,688,524

Chubb Corp.

  51,200     2,509,312

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A

  62,700     790,020

Genworth Financial, Inc.– Class A

  91,100     1,622,491

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  40,700     2,627,999

MetLife, Inc.

  46,000     2,427,420

Old Republic International Corp.

  70,300     832,352

PartnerRe Ltd.

  4,300     297,259

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

  16,300     728,121

Safeco Corp.

  20,700     1,390,212

Torchmark Corp.

  12,700     744,855

The Travelers Co., Inc.

  63,600     2,760,240

Unum Group

  95,000     1,942,750

XL Capital Ltd.–Class A

  31,700     651,752
       
      28,295,946
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.7%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  96,300     1,579,320

Federal National Mortgage Association

  120,800     2,356,808
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

Washington Mutual, Inc. (Private Placement)(a)

  163,600   $ 806,548

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  61,200     301,716
       
      5,044,392
       
      67,214,303
       

ENERGY–20.4%

   

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–20.4%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

  46,900     3,509,996

Apache Corp.

  16,500     2,293,500

BP PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  24,800     1,725,336

Chevron Corp.

  124,100     12,302,033

ConocoPhillips

  99,500     9,391,805

Devon Energy Corp.

  8,100     973,296

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  229,700     20,243,461

Marathon Oil Corp.

  35,600     1,846,572

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  16,900     1,518,634

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (ADR)

  21,900     1,789,449

Sunoco, Inc.

  14,900     606,281

Total SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  23,400     1,995,318

Valero Energy Corp.

  39,600     1,630,728
       
      59,826,409
       

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.6%

   

BEVERAGES–1.6%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  11,500     597,770

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  93,000     1,608,900

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

  17,300     939,909

Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

  54,000     1,507,680
       
      4,654,259
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.2%

   

The Kroger Co.

  59,500     1,717,765

Safeway, Inc.

  63,200     1,804,360

Supervalu, Inc.

  68,100     2,103,609

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  14,500     814,900
       
      6,440,634
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.7%

   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

  53,000     1,021,840

Del Monte Foods Co.

  76,600     543,860

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  22,400     637,280

Sara Lee Corp.

  119,800     1,467,550

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  80,200     1,198,188
       
      4,868,718
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.0%

   

Procter & Gamble Co.

  97,200     5,910,732
       

TOBACCO–2.1%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  76,900     1,581,064

Philip Morris International, Inc.

  66,100     3,264,679

Reynolds American, Inc.

  30,000     1,400,100
       
      6,245,843
       
      28,120,186
       

 

 

3


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

HEALTH CARE–9.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.6%

   

Amgen, Inc.(a)

  37,800   $ 1,782,648
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.4%

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.– Class A

  16,600     663,834

Cardinal Health, Inc.

  28,700     1,480,346

McKesson Corp.

  31,800     1,777,938
       
      3,922,118
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–7.3%

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  34,500     1,525,590

Johnson & Johnson

  53,500     3,442,190

Merck & Co., Inc.

  92,300     3,478,787

Pfizer, Inc.

  431,000     7,529,570

Sanofi-Aventis SA (ADR)

  38,500     1,279,355

Schering-Plough Corp.

  82,800     1,630,332

Wyeth

  53,000     2,541,880
       
      21,427,704
       
      27,132,470
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–7.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–6.0%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  332,500     11,201,925

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  174,300     6,170,220
       
      17,372,145
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.4%

   

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  254,800     2,420,600

Vodafone Group PLC Sponsored (ADR)

  59,800     1,761,708
       
      4,182,308
       
      21,554,453
       

INDUSTRIALS–7.1%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.7%

   

Lockheed Martin Corp.

  5,700     562,362

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  25,000     1,672,500
       
      2,234,862
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.6%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.(a)

  137,100     1,730,202
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–4.6%

   

3M Co.

  12,500     869,875

General Electric Co.

  367,200     9,800,568

Tyco International Ltd.

  67,770     2,713,511
       
      13,383,954
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MACHINERY–0.6%

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

  22,500   $ 1,660,950
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.6%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  36,900     308,853

Ryder System, Inc.

  22,900     1,577,352
       
      1,886,205
       
      20,896,173
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–7.1%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.7%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  27,900     1,300,698

Magna International, Inc.– Class A

  14,500     858,980
       
      2,159,678
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.3%

   

General Motors Corp.

  80,700     928,050
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.2%

   

McDonald’s Corp.

  9,000     505,980
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.6%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  13,500     776,385

Centex Corp.

  29,600     395,752

KB Home

  31,200     528,216

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

  13,100     219,949
       
      1,920,302
       

LEISURE, EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  53,500     567,100
       

MEDIA–2.1%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  83,300     1,623,517

Gannett Co., Inc.

  63,000     1,365,210

Time Warner, Inc.

  91,800     1,358,640

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  41,300     1,261,302

The Walt Disney Co.

  13,500     421,200
       
      6,029,869
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.9%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  48,800     973,072

Macy’s, Inc.

  79,700     1,547,774
       
      2,520,846
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.6%

   

The Gap, Inc.

  89,200     1,486,964

Home Depot, Inc.

  86,100     2,016,462

Limited Brands, Inc.

  39,500     665,575

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

  43,000     470,420
       
      4,639,421
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.5%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  107,000     1,471,250
       
      20,742,496
       

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MATERIALS–6.1%

   

CHEMICALS–2.5%

   

Ashland, Inc.

  22,300   $ 1,074,860

Dow Chemical Co.

  91,600     3,197,756

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  69,200     2,967,988
       
      7,240,604
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–1.6%

   

Ball Corp.

  38,300     1,828,442

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  34,900     1,454,981

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  82,700     336,589

Sonoco Products Co.

  40,400     1,250,380
       
      4,870,392
       

METALS & MINING–2.0%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  81,800     2,913,716

ArcelorMittal

  28,700     2,843,309
       
      5,757,025
       
      17,868,021
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–5.3%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.3%

   

Motorola, Inc.

  124,500     913,830
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–1.1%

   

International Business Machines Corp.

  8,300     983,799

Lexmark International, Inc.–Class A(a)

  36,100     1,206,823

Western Digital Corp.(a)

  31,600     1,091,148
       
      3,281,770
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–2.5%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  42,800     1,314,816

Avnet, Inc.(a)

  55,600     1,516,768

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  211,318     1,986,389

Ingram Micro, Inc.–Class A(a)

  55,200     979,800

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  111,000     142,080

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  21,100     715,079

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

  66,500     589,855
       
      7,244,787
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

IT SERVICES–0.7%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

    81,900   $ 2,018,016
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.7%

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

    190,300     2,076,173
       
      15,534,576
       

UTILITIES–1.3%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.7%

   

Entergy Corp.

    9,400     1,132,512

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    26,600     818,482
       
      1,950,994
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.6%

   

Dominion Resources, Inc.

    35,400     1,681,146

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    3,000     135,660
       
      1,816,806
       
      3,767,800
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $320,237,810)

      282,656,887
       
    Principal
Amount
(000)
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.7%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.7%

   

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $7,833,000)

  $   7,833     7,833,000
       

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–99.3%
(cost $328,070,810)

      290,489,887

Other assets less liabilities–0.7%

      2,097,845
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 292,587,732
       

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $ 281,850,339      $ –0

Level 2

       7,833,000        –0

Level 3

       806,548        –0
                   

Total

     $   290,489,887      $             –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

     $ –0    $ –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       (624,952 )      –0

Net purchases (sales)

         1,431,500        –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 06/30/08

     $ 806,548      $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ (624,952 )    $             –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

6


VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $328,070,810)

   $ 290,489,887  

Cash

     612  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,190,342  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     615,706  

Dividends and interest receivable

     588,494  
        

Total assets

     292,885,041  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Advisory fee payable

     140,411  

Distribution fee payable

     63,327  

Custodian fee payable

     31,240  

Administrative fee payable

     25,098  

Audit fee payable

     17,922  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     5,093  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     84  

Accrued expenses

     14,134  
        

Total liabilities

     297,309  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 292,587,732  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 27,178  

Additional paid-in capital

     322,617,982  

Undistributed net investment income

     3,230,294  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     4,293,201  

Net unrealized depreciation of investments

     (37,580,923 )
        
   $ 292,587,732  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 2,232,415      205,514      $ 10.86

B

     $   290,355,317      26,972,235      $   10.76

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $42,612)

   $ 4,657,319  

Interest

     61,248  
        

Total investment income

     4,718,567  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     875,318  

Distribution fee—Class B

     394,417  

Transfer agency—Class A

     17  

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,864  

Custodian

     51,925  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Printing

     17,238  

Legal

     8,376  

Directors’ fees

     887  

Miscellaneous

     1,757  
        

Total expenses

     1,421,899  
        

Net investment income

     3,296,668  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     5,267,284  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (64,917,506 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (59,650,222 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (56,353,554 )
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 3,296,668     $ 6,065,733  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     5,267,284       14,647,507  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (64,917,506 )     (35,981,133 )
                

Net decrease in net assets from operations

     (56,353,554 )     (15,267,893 )

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (57,044 )     (49,063 )

Class B

     (6,041,578 )     (3,942,894 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (127,985 )     (96,737 )

Class B

     (15,403,529 )     (9,006,172 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     38,048,736       51,206,829  
                

Total increase (decrease)

     (39,934,954 )     22,844,070  

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     332,522,686       309,678,616  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,230,294 and $6,032,248, respectively)

   $ 292,587,732     $ 332,522,686  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


VALUE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio commenced operations on May 1, 2001. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

10


    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 six months ended June 30, 2008, there were no such expenses waived by the Adviser.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $56,242, none of which was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

11


VALUE 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 63,980,406     $ 45,926,462  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 34,558,787  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (72,139,710 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (37,580,923 )
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions.

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

The Portfolio’s custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Portfolio having a value at least equal to the aggregate amount of the Portfolio’s commitments under forward currency exchange contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Portfolio has in that particular currency contract.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  12,049     206,091       $ 147,780     $ 3,225,348  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  15,317     9,376         185,029       145,800  

Shares redeemed

  (59,229 )   (47,296 )       (739,159 )     (696,046 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  (31,863 )   168,171       $ (406,350 )   $ 2,675,102  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  2,702,027     5,790,699       $ 34,427,363     $ 86,474,219  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  1,790,076     839,758         21,445,107       12,949,066  

Shares redeemed

  (1,394,182 )   (3,402,775 )       (17,417,384 )     (50,891,558 )
                             

Net increase

  3,097,921     3,227,682       $ 38,455,086     $ 48,531,727  
                             

 

13


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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. 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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

15


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004(a)     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.92     $15.08     $12.94     $12.63     $11.20     $8.76  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (b)

  .14     .32     .26     .22 (c)   .25 (c)   .16 (c)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (2.30 )   (.85 )   2.42     .49     1.18     2.36  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.16 )   (.53 )   2.68     .71     1.43     2.52  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.28 )   (.21 )   (.16 )   (.18 )   –0   (.08 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.62 )   (.42 )   (.38 )   (.22 )   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.90 )   (.63 )   (.54 )   (.40 )   –0   (.08 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $10.86     $13.92     $15.08     $12.94     $12.63     $11.20  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (16.22 )%   (3.95 )%   21.32 %   5.74 %   12.77 %   28.94 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period

  $2,233     $3,305,460     $1,043,677     $290,673     $5,699     $239  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .64 %(e)   .65 %   .69 %(f)   .73 %   .79 %(e)   .99 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

 

.64

%(e)

  .65 %   .69 %(f)   .74 %   .98 %(e)   1.06 %

Net investment income

  2.30 %(e)   2.17 %   1.89 %(f)   1.74 %(c)   2.02 %(c)(e)   1.51 %(c)

Portfolio turnover rate

  15 %   20 %   17 %   21 %   27 %   27 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.79     $14.95     $12.84     $12.54     $11.16     $8.75  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (b)

  .13     .27     .22     .17 (c)   .17 (c)   .12 (c)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (2.30 )   (.83 )   2.40     .50     1.31     2.36  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (2.17 )   (.56 )   2.62     .67     1.48     2.48  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.24 )   (.18 )   (.13 )   (.15 )   (.10 )   (.07 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (.62 )   (.42 )   (.38 )   (.22 )   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.86 )   (.60 )   (.51 )   (.37 )   (.10 )   (.07 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $10.76     $13.79     $14.95     $12.84     $12.54     $11.16  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

 

(16.38

)%

  (4.16 )%   21.03 %   5.48 %   13.37 %   28.46 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $290,355     $329,217     $308,635     $191,583     $151,793     $117,561  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .90 %(e)   .90 %   .94 %(f)   .98 %   .97 %   1.24 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .90 %(e)   .90 %   .94 %(f)   .99 %   1.15 %   1.33 %

Net investment income

  2.07 %(e)   1.82 %   1.64 %(f)   1.38 %(c)   1.45 %(c)   1.29 %(c)

Portfolio turnover rate

  15 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

17


 
VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 6-8, 2008.

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

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

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

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Portfolio. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Portfolio’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Portfolio will reimburse the Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services provided at the Portfolio’s request by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. Requests for these reimbursements are approved by the directors on a quarterly basis and, to the extent requested and paid, result in a higher rate of total compensation from the Portfolio to the Adviser than the fee rate 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 2006 and 2007 that had been prepared with an updated expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors reviewed the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and noted that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Portfolio, including those relating to its subsidiaries which provide transfer agency, distribution and brokerage services to the Portfolio. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability between 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.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

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

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Portfolio at each regular Board meeting during the year. The directors noted that the Portfolio is a clone of another fund managed by the Adviser (the “Corresponding Fund”) and is managed to track the investment performance of its Corresponding Fund, although investment results may differ between the Portfolio and its Corresponding Fund due to differences in their expense ratios and other factors. At the May 2008 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared to a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared to a broader array of funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Universe”), and information prepared by the Adviser showing performance of the Class A Shares as compared to the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended January 31, 2008 and (in the case of the Index) the since inception period (July 2002 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period and 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3- and 5-year periods, 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 fee rates paid by other funds in the same Lipper category as the Portfolio at a common asset level. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds.

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges other clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. For this purpose, they reviewed information in the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer disclosing the institutional fee schedule for institutional products managed by the Adviser that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule for clients with a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio had breakpoints at lower asset levels than those in the fee schedule applicable to the Portfolio and that the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a fee rate that would be lower than that in the Portfolio’s Advisory Agreement. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors also reviewed information that indicated that the Portfolio pays a higher fee rate than certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style as the Portfolio that are sub-advised by the Adviser. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that because mutual funds are constantly issuing and redeeming shares, they are more difficult to manage than an institutional account, where the assets tend to be 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

 

19


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services since 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 contractual effective advisory fee rate, at approximate current size, of 55 basis points, plus the 3 basis point impact of the latest fiscal year administrative expense reimbursement by the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio, which had been capped by the Adviser (although the expense ratio was currently lower than the cap) was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians. The directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was satisfactory.

Economies of Scale

The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio contains breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors also considered presentations by an independent consultant discussing economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, 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.

 

20


 
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 a September 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
02/29/08
($MIL)
  Portfolio

Value

 

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 313.7   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 $94,000 (0.03% 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, 2008 and presented to the Board of Directors on May 6-8, 2008.

 

2 Future references to the Portfolio and the Portfolio do not include “AllianceBernstein.” References in the fee summary pertaining to performance and expense ratio rankings 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.

 

21


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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%   0.65%   December 31
  Class B    1.45%   0.90%  

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. The Adviser also believes that it incurs substantial entrepreneurial risk when offering a new mutual fund since establishing a new mutual fund requires a large upfront investment, and it may take a long time for the fund to achieve profitability since the fund must be priced to scale from inception in order to be competitive and assets are acquired one account at a time. 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 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 29, 2008 net assets:

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
02/29/08
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
   Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)

Value Portfolio

   $ 313.7   

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 $25m

   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.

 

22


    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 Fund5. Also shown is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the Value Fund been applicable to the Portfolio:

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
(“ABMF”)
   Fee Schedule    Effective
ABMF
Adv. Fee (%)
   Portfolio
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

   0.550    0.550

The Adviser provides sub-advisory services to certain other investment companies managed by other fund families that have an investment style similar to that of the Portfolio. The Adviser charges the fees set forth below for each of these sub-advisory relationships:

 

Portfolio           Fee Schedule   Effective
Sub-Adv.
Fee (%)
    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)

Value Portfolio

  Client #1     

0.25% on 1st $500 million

0.20% thereafter

  0.250     0.550
 

Client #26

    

0.50% on 1st $1 billion

0.40% on next $1 billion

0.30% on next $1 billion

0.20% thereafter

  0.500     0.550
 

Client #3

    

0.23% on 1st $300 million

0.20% thereafter

  0.229     0.550
 

Client #4

    

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

  0.271     0.550
 

Client #6

    

0.27% on 1st $300 million

0.16% on next $700 million

0.13% thereafter

  0.265     0.550
 

Client #7

    

0.15% on 1st $1 billion

0.14% on next $2 billion

0.12% on next $2 billion

0.10% thereafter

+/- Performance Fee7

  0.150 8   0.550
 

Client #8

     0.35%   0.350     0.550

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.

 

 

 

5 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.

 

6 This is the fee schedule of a Portfolio managed by an affiliate of the Adviser. Assets are aggregated with other General Equity Portfolios for purposes of calculating the investment advisory fee.

 

7 The performance fee is calculated by multiplying the Base Fee during the period by an adjustment factor that considers the excess or under performance of the fund versus its benchmark over a cumulative 36-month period. The performance adjustment factor can range from –50% to +50% of the base fee.

 

8 This calculation excludes the performance fee.

 

23


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

 

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

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

Value Portfolio

   0.550    0.750    3/15

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

Value Portfolio

   0.688    0.800    3/15    0.806    7/30

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has equally favorable rankings on a management fee basis and a total expense ratio basis.

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

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

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

The Portfolio’s profitability information, prepared by the Adviser for the Board of Directors, was reviewed by the Senior Officer and the consultant. The Adviser’s profitability from providing investment advisory services to the Portfolio increased during calendar year 2007, relative to 2006.

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

 

 

 

9 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.

 

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. 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.

 

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.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. Under the distribution plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to its principal underwriter, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The current annual rate that the Portfolio pays to ABI for 12b-1 fees is 0.25%. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $825,695 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, 2007, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $703,976 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”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $786 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

The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures,15 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 make 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 16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics. The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors. In this regard, it was noted that the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally within the 25th – 75th percentile range of their

 

 

 

14 The Portfolio (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Portfolio) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2007.

 

15 Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.

 

16 The Deli study was originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data.

 

25


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

 

comparable peers.17 The independent consultant then discussed the results of the regression model that was utilized to study the effects of various factors on advisory fees. The regression model output indicated that the bulk of the variation in fees predicted were explained by various factors, but substantially by fund AUM, family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. The independent consultant observed that the actual advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were generally lower than the fees predicted by the study’s regression model.

The independent consultant also compared the advisory fees of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds to similar funds managed by 19 other large asset managers, regardless of the fund size and each Adviser’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets. The independent consultant observed that the advisory fees of certain AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds were higher than the medians of these select groups of funds.

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

With assets under management of approximately $746 billion as of February 29, 2008, 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 Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended January 31, 2008.20

 

      Portfolio
Return
     PG Median      PU Median      PG Rank      PU Rank

1 year

   –8.16      –4.50      –6.65      13/15      28/42

3 year

   6.51      7.37      6.72      11/14      21/37

5 year

   12.02      12.24      12.29      9/14      20/35

 

 

 

17 The two dimensional analysis also showed 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.

 

18 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.

 

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 or excluding a Portfolio 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 Portfolio even if a Portfolio had a different investment classification/objective at a different point in time.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmark.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.23

 

     Periods Ending January 31, 2008
Annualized Performance
     1
Year
(%)
  3
Year
(%)
  5
Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
          Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

Value Portfolio

  8.16   6.51   12.02   12.17   9.41   0.91   5

Russell 1000 Value Index

  5.38   8.48   14.25   13.87   9.28   1.13   5

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 5, 2008

 

 

 

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 January 31, 2008.

 

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.

 

27


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

U.S. Large Cap Blended Style

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $      852.88    $   5.53    1.20 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.90    $ 6.02    1.20 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 851.30    $ 6.67    1.45 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,017.65    $ 7.27    1.45 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $     475,902      3.5 %

Apple, Inc.

     471,344      3.5  

Google, Inc.—Class A

     463,250      3.4  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     350,143      2.6  

Chevron Corp.

     302,347      2.2  

AT&T, Inc.

     282,996      2.1  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     282,004      2.1  

Monsanto Co.

     278,168      2.1  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     263,426      2.0  

CME Group, Inc.—Class A

     249,073      1.8  
                 
     $ 3,418,653      25.3 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $     2,466,224      18.5 %

Financials

     2,321,428      17.4  

Energy

     2,210,432      16.6  

Health Care

     1,797,097      13.5  

Consumer Staples

     1,242,609      9.3  

Industrials

     912,244      6.8  

Materials

     865,543      6.5  

Consumer Discretionary

     724,005      5.4  

Telecommunication Services

     680,206      5.1  

Utilities

     124,321      0.9  
                 

Total Investments

   $ 13,344,109      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.

 

2


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.9%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–18.3%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–4.2%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  8,875   $ 206,433

Motorola, Inc.

  6,600     48,444

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored)–Class A (ADR)

  1,450     35,525

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  1,625     72,101

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  1,760     205,744
       
      568,247
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–6.5%

 

Apple, Inc.(a)

  2,815     471,344

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  7,920     350,143

International Business Machines Corp.

  200     23,706

Lexmark International, Inc.–Class A(a)

  900     30,087
       
      875,280
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–1.1%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  1,000     30,720

Avnet, Inc.(a)

  1,200     32,736

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  3,600     33,840

Ingram Micro, Inc.–Class A(a)

  1,300     23,075

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  3,000     3,840

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  500     16,945
       
      141,156
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–3.4%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  880     463,250
       

IT SERVICES–0.1%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  500     12,320
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.1%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  1,337     36,486

Intel Corp.

  1,100     23,628

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a)

  2,170     133,542

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  4,825     90,324
       
      283,980
       

SOFTWARE–0.9%

   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

  450     19,993

Microsoft Corp.

  650     17,882

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  700     47,761

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  675     36,355
       
      121,991
       
      2,466,224
       

FINANCIALS–17.2%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.6%

   

The Blackstone Group LP

  1,675     30,502

Deutsche Bank AG

  375     32,006
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   
   

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  1,315   $ 120,520

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  675     118,057

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

  500     9,905

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  3,000     95,130

Morgan Stanley

  2,000     72,140
       
      478,260
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–1.5%

   

Comerica, Inc.

  900     23,067

Fifth Third Bancorp

  1,700     17,306

Keycorp

  600     6,588

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  135     4,890

U.S. Bancorp

  800     22,312

Wachovia Corp.

  3,800     59,014

Wells Fargo & Co.

  2,800     66,500
       
      199,677
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.3%

   

Discover Financial Services

  3,400     44,778
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–5.5%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  6,400     152,768

Citigroup, Inc.

  7,600     127,376

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  650     249,073

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

  5,100     174,981

NYSE Euronext

  810     41,035
       
      745,233
       

INSURANCE–5.3%

   

ACE Ltd.

  1,100     60,599

Allstate Corp.

  1,500     68,385

American International Group, Inc.

  3,300     87,318

Chubb Corp.

  275     13,478

Everest Re Group Ltd.

  475     37,862

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A

  2,400     42,744

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  900     58,113

MetLife, Inc.

  1,500     79,155

Old Republic International Corp.

  1,800     21,312

Renaissancere Holdings Ltd.

  800     35,736

Safeco Corp.

  500     33,580

Torchmark Corp.

  600     35,190

The Travelers Co., Inc.

  2,000     86,800

Unum Group

  2,100     42,945

XL Capital Ltd.–Class A

  600     12,336
       
      715,553
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–1.0%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  2,100     34,440

Federal National Mortgage Association

  4,900     95,599

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  1,600     7,888
       
      137,927
       
      2,321,428
       

 

 

3


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

ENERGY–16.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.2%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  525   $ 45,853

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  1,200     66,420

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a)

  850     75,412

Schlumberger Ltd.

  2,625     282,004

Transocean, Inc.(a)

  610     92,958
       
      562,647
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–12.2%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

  1,100     82,324

Apache Corp.

  625     86,875

BP PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  600     41,742

Chevron Corp.

  3,050     302,347

ConocoPhillips

  2,400     226,536

Devon Energy Corp.

  200     24,032

EOG Resources, Inc.

  1,475     193,520

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  5,400     475,902

Marathon Oil Corp.

  700     36,309

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  400     35,944

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (ADR)

  500     40,855

Sunoco, Inc.

  425     17,293

Total SA (Sponsored) (ADR)

  600     51,162

Valero Energy Corp.

  800     32,944
       
      1,647,785
       
      2,210,432
       

HEALTH CARE–13.3%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–4.4%

   

Amgen, Inc.(a)

  700     33,012

Celgene Corp.(a)

  2,950     188,416

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  1,475     111,953

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  4,975     263,426
       
      596,807
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–2.2%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  1,050     170,930

Baxter International, Inc.

  1,150     73,531

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  650     52,845
       
      297,306
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.4%

   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

  600     30,948

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  3,400     160,480
       
      191,428
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.3%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  2,600     137,722

Johnson & Johnson

  1,200     77,208

Merck & Co., Inc.

  2,000     75,380

Pfizer, Inc.

  10,500     183,435

Sanofi-Aventis SA (ADR)

  1,000     33,230

Schering-Plough Corp.

  1,900     37,411

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  3,650     167,170
       
      711,556
       
      1,797,097
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.2%

   

BEVERAGES–1.7%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  1,475   $ 76,671

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  2,100     36,330

Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

  1,200     33,504

PepsiCo, Inc.

  1,275     81,077
       
      227,582
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.6%

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

  1,600     112,224

The Kroger Co.

  2,200     63,514

Safeway, Inc.

  1,600     45,680

Supervalu, Inc.

  1,800     55,602

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  1,450     81,490
       
      358,510
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.6%

   

Del Monte Foods Co.

  1,800     12,780

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  600     17,070

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  2,000     29,880

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  2,025     157,504
       
      217,234
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.9%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  950     65,645

Procter & Gamble Co.

  3,065     186,383
       
      252,028
       

TOBACCO–1.4%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  1,900     39,064

Philip Morris International, Inc.

  2,150     106,188

Reynolds American, Inc.

  900     42,003
       
      187,255
       
      1,242,609
       

INDUSTRIALS–6.8%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.7%

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

  3,650     183,522

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  600     40,140
       
      223,662
       

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.3%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.(a)

  3,500     44,170
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.9%

   

Fluor Corp.

  470     87,458

Foster Wheeler Ltd.(a)

  400     29,260
       
      116,718
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.2%

   

Emerson Electric Co.

  500     24,725

First Solar, Inc.(a)

  30     8,185
       
      32,910
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.4%

   

General Electric Co.

  8,900     237,541

Textron, Inc.

  1,450     69,498

Tyco International Ltd.

  300     12,012
       
      319,051
       

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MACHINERY–1.1%

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

  600   $ 44,292

Deere & Co.

  1,430     103,146
       
      147,438
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.2%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  900     7,533

Union Pacific Corp.

  275     20,762
       
      28,295
       
      912,244
       

MATERIALS–6.4%

   

CHEMICALS–4.1%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  1,075     106,275

Ashland, Inc.

  500     24,100

Dow Chemical Co.

  2,200     76,802

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  1,625     69,696

Monsanto Co.

  2,200     278,168
       
      555,041
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.9%

   

Ball Corp.

  800     38,192

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  1,000     41,690

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  1,900     7,733

Sonoco Products Co.

  900     27,855
       
      115,470
       

METALS & MINING–1.4%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  2,000     71,240

ArcelorMittal

  600     59,442

Rio Tinto PLC (ADR)

  130     64,350
       
      195,032
       
      865,543
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–5.4%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.4%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  850     39,627

Magna International, Inc.–Class A

  250     14,810
       
      54,437
       

AUTOMOBILES–0.2%

   

General Motors Corp.

  2,200     25,300
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.7%

   

McDonald’s Corp.

  875     49,193

Starbucks Corp.(a)

  1,800     28,332

Yum! Brands, Inc.

  550     19,299
       
      96,824
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.2%

   

Centex Corp.

  900     12,033

KB Home

  800     13,544
       
      25,577
       
    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

LEISURE, EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  1,300   $ 13,780
       

MEDIA–1.6%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  2,375     46,289

Gannett Co., Inc.

  1,400     30,338

Time Warner, Inc.

  5,600     82,880

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  1,000     30,540

The Walt Disney Co.

  600     18,720
       
      208,767
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.9%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  1,100     21,934

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  1,110     44,444

Macy’s, Inc.

  1,900     36,898

Target Corp.

  375     17,434
       
      120,710
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.8%

   

The Gap, Inc.

  1,700     28,339

Home Depot, Inc.

  2,200     51,524

Lowe’s Cos, Inc.

  1,500     31,125
       
      110,988
       

TEXTILES APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.5%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  2,100     28,875

Nike, Inc.–Class B

  650     38,747
       
      67,622
       
      724,005
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–5.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.4%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  8,400     282,996

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  4,900     173,460
       
      456,456
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  1,875     98,906

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  8,800     83,600

Vodafone Group PLC (ADR)

  1,400     41,244
       
      223,750
       
      680,206
       

UTILITIES–0.9%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.5%

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

  1,400     56,322

Entergy Corp.

  100     12,048
       
      68,370
       

 

 

5


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares   U.S. $ Value
   

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.4%

   

Ameren Corp.

  1,100   $ 46,453

Dominion Resources, Inc.

  200     9,498
       
      55,951
       
      124,321
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.9%
(cost $12,816,065)

      13,344,109

Other assets less liabilities–1.1%

      144,541
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 13,488,650
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

6


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO.157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $   13,344,109      $             –0

Level 2

       –0      –0

Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Total

     $ 13,344,109      $ –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation / depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $             –0    $             –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

7


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $12,816,065)

   $ 13,344,109  

Cash

     170,610  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     56,281  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     17,548  

Dividends receivable

     17,437  
        

Total assets

     13,605,985  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     46,085  

Custodian fee payable

     25,869  

Audit fee payable

     18,609  

Printing fee payable

     11,145  

Legal fee payable

     7,087  

Distribution fee payable

     2,931  

Advisory fee payable

     1,596  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     82  

Accrued expenses

     3,846  
        

Total liabilities

     117,335  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 13,488,650  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 1,289  

Additional paid-in capital

     13,167,889  

Undistributed net investment income

     34,421  

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (242,993 )

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     528,044  
        
   $ 13,488,650  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $           9,413      887      $   10.61

B

     $   13,479,237      1,288,189      $     10.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $3,192)

   $ 145,128  

Interest

     478  
        

Total investment income

     145,606  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     48,079  

Distribution fee—Class B

     18,478  

Transfer agency—Class B

     688  

Custodian

     46,871  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Legal

     4,739  

Printing

     4,103  

Directors’ fees

     887  

Miscellaneous

     2,987  
        

Total expenses

     196,932  

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

     (89,694 )
        

Net expenses

     107,238  
        

Net investment income

     38,368  
        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized loss on investment transactions

     (198,607 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (2,273,981 )
        

Net loss on investment transactions

     (2,472,588 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (2,434,220 )
        

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 38,368     $ 52,884  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions

     (198,607 )     1,260,967  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (2,273,981 )     (612,254 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (2,434,220 )     701,597  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (71 )     (54 )

Class B

     (54,206 )     (30,194 )

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     (935 )     (596 )

Class B

     (1,269,640 )     (792,875 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     462,619       (350,542 )
                

Total decrease

     (3,296,453 )     (472,664 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     16,785,103       17,257,767  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $34,421 and $50,330, respectively)

   $ 13,488,650     $ 16,785,103  
                

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein U.S. Large Cap Blended Style Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

11


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE 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 .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 six months ended June 30, 2008, the Adviser waived fees in the amount of $43,594.

 

12


    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 $46,100 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $5,031, 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 4,538,653     $ 5,437,503  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 2,477,692  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,949,648 )
        

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 528,044  
        

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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.

 

13


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

3. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciation value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  –0   46       $ –0   $ 650  
                             

Net increase

  –0   46       $ –0   $ 650  
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  37,163     205,555       $ 446,430     $ 2,796,494  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  116,947     59,342         1,323,846       823,069  

Shares redeemed

  (110,447 )   (285,970 )       (1,307,657 )     (3,970,755 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  43,663     (21,073 )     $ 462,619     $ (351,192 )
                             

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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
             

 

15


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE 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

   $ 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. 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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

17


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     June 6, 2003(a) to
December 31,
2003
 
      2007     2006     2005     2004    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.67     $13.81     $13.13     $11.98     $10.96     $10.00  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .05     .08     .06     .02     .06     .03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (1.98 )   .55     1.21     1.19     .97     .93  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.93 )   .63     1.27     1.21     1.03     .96  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.08 )   (.06 )   –0   (.06 )   (.01 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.05 )   (.71 )   (.59 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.13 )   (.77 )   (.59 )   (.06 )   (.01 )   –0
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $10.61     $13.67     $13.81     $13.13     $11.98     $10.96  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (14.71 )%*   4.43 %   10.22 %   10.13 %   9.43 %   9.60 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $10     $12     $12     $11     $1,200     $1,096  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.20 %(e)   1.20 %   1.20 %(f)   1.19 %   1.20 %   1.20 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.42 %(e)   2.32 %   2.28 %(f)   2.29 %   2.67 %   6.65 %(e)

Net investment income (c)

  .76 %(e)   .57 %   .42 %(f)   .15 %   .55 %   .45 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  31 %   67 %   53 %   80 %   42 %   13 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 19.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     May 2, 2003(g) to
December 31,
2003
 
      2007     2006     2005     2004    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.48     $13.63     $12.99     $11.89     $10.90     $10.00  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (b)(c)

  .03     .04     .02     (.01 )   .04     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (1.95 )   .55     1.21     1.14     .96     .89  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.92 )   .59     1.23     1.13     1.00     .90  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.05 )   (.03 )   –0   (.03 )   (.01 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  (1.05 )   (.71 )   (.59 )   –0   –0   –0
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.10 )   (.74 )   (.59 )   (.03 )   (.01 )   –0
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $10.46     $13.48     $13.63     $12.99     $11.89     $10.90  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

  (14.87 )%*   4.15 %   10.02 %   9.57 %   9.16 %   9.00 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $13,479     $16,773     $17,246     $16,727     $15,485     $6,600  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.45 %(e)   1.45 %   1.45 %(f)   1.45 %   1.45 %   1.43 %(e)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.66 %(e)   2.57 %   2.53 %(f)   2.59 %   2.95 %   8.25 %(e)

Net investment income (loss) (c)

  .52 %(e)   .31 %   .17 %(f)   (.10 )%   .37 %   .27 %(e)

Portfolio turnover rate

  31 %   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) Annualized.

 

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

 

(g) Commencement of operations.

 

* 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 by 0.01%.

 

19


 
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.

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

  Class A    1.20%   1.99%   December 31

Cap Blended Style Portfolio

  Class B    1.45%   2.25%  

 

 

 

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.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, a portion of these expenses are 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 %

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%

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

21


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE 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 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

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

III. COST 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

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.

 

23


U.S. LARGE CAP BLENDED STYLE 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 $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

            

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

 

 

 

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.

 

24


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 863.43    $   4.17    0.90 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,020.49    $ 4.52    0.90 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 862.01    $ 5.32    1.15 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,019.14    $ 5.77    1.15 %

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Apple, Inc.

   $ 553,389      2.1 %

Google, Inc.—Class A

     547,477      2.1  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     537,593      2.1  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     415,574      1.6  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     338,404      1.3  

Chevron Corp.

     337,042      1.3  

Monsanto Co.

     328,112      1.3  

AT&T, Inc.

     313,317      1.2  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     305,786      1.2  

CME Group, Inc.—Class A

     296,972      1.1  
                 
     $   3,973,666      15.3 %

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 6,747,912      26.6 %

Energy

     3,569,111      14.0  

Information Technology

     3,417,881      13.5  

Health Care

     2,543,809      10.0  

Materials

     2,280,415      9.0  

Consumer Staples

     2,117,998      8.3  

Industrials

     1,786,178      7.0  

Consumer Discretionary

     1,337,075      5.3  

Telecommunication Services

     1,097,390      4.3  

Utilities

     500,910      2.0  
                 

Total Investments

   $   25,398,679      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.

 

2


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.0%

   

FINANCIALS–26.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.8%

   

3i Group PLC

  1,755   $ 28,708

The Blackstone Group LP

  1,586     28,881

Credit Suisse Group AG

  1,585     72,144

Deutsche Bank AG

  900     77,098

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  1,575     144,349

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  915     160,034

ICAP PLC

  3,725     39,899

Julius Baer Holding AG

  1,259     84,432

Macquarie Group Ltd.

  573     26,676

Man Group PLC

  10,345     127,795

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

  3,650     115,742

Morgan Stanley

  2,500     90,175
       
      995,933
       

COMMERCIAL BANKS–3.3%

   

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA

  4,851     88,502

Barclays PLC

  10,100     57,302

BNP Paribas SA

  900     81,015

Comerica, Inc.

  900     23,067

Credit Agricole SA

  3,061     62,140

Fifth Third Bancorp

  2,100     21,378

HBOS PLC

  12,590     68,928

Keycorp

  500     5,490

Kookmin Bank

  600     35,263

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (London Virt-X)

  19,212     81,788

Societe Generale

  662     57,395

Standard Chartered PLC

  2,285     64,710

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

  6     45,121

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  425     15,394

U.S. Bancorp

  800     22,312

Wachovia Corp.

  4,400     68,332

Wells Fargo & Co.

  2,600     61,750
       
      859,887
       

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.4%

   

Discover Financial Services

  3,700     48,729

ORIX Corp.

  360     51,562
       
      100,291
       

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.0%

   

Bank of America Corp.

  6,800     162,316

Citigroup, Inc.

  8,900     149,164

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

  775     296,972

Deutsche Boerse AG

  288     32,560

Fortis (Euronext Brussels)

  3,232     51,339

ING Groep NV

  2,900     91,691

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

  5,700     195,567

NYSE Euronext

  975     49,394
       
      1,029,003
       

INSURANCE–4.5%

   

ACE Ltd.

  1,200     66,108

Allianz SE

  500     87,881
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   
   

Allstate Corp.

  1,800   $ 82,062

American International Group, Inc.

  3,800     100,548

Aviva PLC

  4,170     41,342

Chubb Corp.

  900     44,109

Everest Re Group Ltd.

  225     17,935

Fondiaria–Sai SpA (ordinary shares)

  600     19,773

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A

  2,500     44,525

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

  1,175     75,870

MetLife, Inc.

  1,600     84,432

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

  300     52,623

Old Republic International Corp.

  3,000     35,520

PartnerRe Ltd.

  500     34,565

The Progressive Corp.

  3,400     63,648

Prudential Financial, Inc.

  150     8,961

Prudential PLC

  2,820     29,745

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

  1,555     33,434

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

  700     31,269

Safeco Corp.

  600     40,296

Torchmark Corp.

  150     8,797

The Travelers Co., Inc.

  2,100     91,140

Unum Group

  2,700     55,215

XL Capital Ltd.–Class A

  700     14,392
       
      1,164,190
       

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–6.8%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

  275     26,769

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,116     22,108

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

  498     16,962

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

  24,000     38,913

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

  1,800     8,316

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

  700     17,171

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

  340     12,720

Boston Properties, Inc.

  250     22,555

British Land Co. PLC

  2,476     34,819

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

  993     28,504

CapitaMall Trust

  17,800     39,260

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

  250     5,710

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

  676     14,552

Corio NV

  150     11,683

DB RREEF Trust

  40,902     54,148

Derwent Valley Holdings PLC

  550     10,996

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

  1,700     18,513

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

  1,050     42,955

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust

  500     15,308

 

 

3


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Entertainment Properties Trust

  650   $ 32,136

Equity Residential

  775     29,659

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

  145     15,442

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

  800     12,288

Federal Realty Investment Trust

  150     10,350

Fonciere Des Murs

  500     18,027

General Growth Properties, Inc.

  925     32,403

Great Portland Estates PLC

  1,500     10,066

Hammerson PLC

  750     13,284

HCP, Inc.

  625     19,881

Health Care REIT, Inc.

  750     33,375

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

  400     12,568

Home Properties, Inc.

  275     13,216

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  1,366     18,646

ING Office Fund

  17,300     19,092

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.–Class A

  3     31,686

Kimco Realty Corp.

  725     25,027

Klepierre

  1,593     79,863

Land Securities Group PLC

  1,629     39,752

Liberty International PLC

  725     12,373

Macquarie CountryWide Trust

  9,400     8,110

Mercialys SA

  300     13,184

Mid–America Apartment Communities, Inc.

  350     17,864

Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,000     13,141

National Retail Properties, Inc.

  925     19,333

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

  775     24,405

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.–Class A

  2     23,585

Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.–Class A

  1     7,531

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

  1,000     16,650

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. (REIT)

  350     14,949

Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust

  1,081     19,411

Prologis

  1,375     74,731

Public Storage

  375     30,296

Rayonier, Inc.

  450     19,107

Regency Centers Corp.

  250     14,780

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

  648     12,614

Segro PLC

  930     7,272

Simon Property Group, Inc.

  1,070     96,182

SL Green Realty Corp.

  200     16,544

Stockland

  2,212     11,438

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

  875     8,199

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

  1,550     25,730

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

  725     26,049

Taubman Centers, Inc.

  425     20,676

UDR, Inc.

  600     13,428

Unibail

  500     115,139

Ventas, Inc.

  800     34,056

Vornado Realty Trust

  500     44,000

Wereldhave NV

  175     18,381

Westfield Group

  4,919     76,863
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Westfield Group (REIT)(a)

  150   $ 2,318
       
      1,767,062
       

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–2.6%

   

Brookfield Properties Corp.

  1,425     25,351

Castellum AB

  2,450     23,246

Citycon Oyj

  3,771     18,960

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.–Class A

  350     11,277

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

  19,300     61,960

Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.

  8,000     50,018

Hufvudstaden AB–Class A

  1,500     14,400

Kerry Properties Ltd.

  11,949     62,841

Lend Lease Corp. Ltd.

  5,200     47,644

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

  2,000     45,789

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

  2,900     62,069

New World Development Co., Ltd.

  21,786     44,500

NTT Urban Development Corp.

  52     68,171

Sumitomo Realty & Development

  1,000     19,893

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

  7,700     104,674

Tokyu Land Corp.

  4,000     22,777
       
      683,570
       

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.6%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  2,300     37,720

Federal National Mortgage Association

  5,575     108,768
       
      146,488
       
      6,746,424
       

ENERGY–13.8%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.8%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  625     54,587

Cameron International Corp.(a)

  1,370     75,830

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a)

  1,000     88,720

Schlumberger Ltd.

  3,150     338,404

Technip SA

  501     46,232

Transocean, Inc.(a)

  700     106,673
       
      710,446
       

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–11.0%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

  1,200     89,808

Apache Corp.

  900     125,100

BG Group PLC

  1,427     37,084

Chevron Corp.

  3,400     337,042

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

  64,000     59,822

ConocoPhillips

  2,800     264,292

Devon Energy Corp.

  600     72,096

ENI SpA

  2,200     81,731

EOG Resources, Inc.

  1,790     234,848

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  6,100   $ 537,593

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored) (ADR)(b)

  1,093     63,394

LUKOIL (Sponsored) (ADR)

  500     49,100

Marathon Oil Corp.

  900     46,683

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  500     44,930

Petro-Canada

  900     50,406

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR)

  1,400     99,162

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

  1,630     66,816

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (London Virt-X)–Class A

  3,700     151,304

StatoilHydro ASA

  4,706     175,580

Sunoco, Inc.

  375     15,259

Total SA

  2,531     215,435

Valero Energy Corp.

  1,000     41,180
       
      2,858,665
       
      3,569,111
       

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–13.2%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.7%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

  10,700     248,882

Motorola, Inc.

  8,000     58,720

Nokia OYJ (Sponsored)–Class A (ADR)

  1,300     31,850

QUALCOMM, Inc.

  2,000     88,740

Research In Motion Ltd.(a)

  2,380     278,222
       
      706,414
       

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–4.7%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

  3,305     553,389

Asustek Computer, Inc.

  7,000     19,013

Fujitsu Ltd.

  9,000     66,833

Hewlett-Packard Co.

  9,400     415,574

International Business Machines Corp.

  200     23,706

Lexmark International, Inc.–Class A(a)

  1,000     33,430

Toshiba Corp.

  6,000     44,265

Western Digital Corp.(a)

  1,700     58,701
       
      1,214,911
       

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS–0.7%

   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

  1,350     41,472

Avnet, Inc.(a)

  1,300     35,464

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

  2,100     19,740

Ingram Micro, Inc.–Class A(a)

  1,400     24,850

Sanmina-SCI Corp.(a)

  7,800     9,984

Tech Data Corp.(a)

  500     16,945

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

  2,000     17,740
       
      166,195
       

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–2.1%

   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

  1,040     547,477
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

IT SERVICES–0.2%

   

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

  1,800   $ 44,352
       

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.8%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

  1,275     34,795

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.(a)

  1,400     33,405

Intel Corp.

  800     17,184

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.(a)

  2,585     159,081

Nvidia Corp.(a)

  5,875     109,980

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  80     47,795

Texas Instruments, Inc.

  700     19,712

United Microelectronics Corp.

  97,677     51,627
       
      473,579
       

SOFTWARE–1.0%

   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

  550     24,436

Microsoft Corp.

  750     20,632

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

  200     113,415

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

  850     57,996

VMware, Inc.–Class A(a)

  900     48,474
       
      264,953
       
      3,417,881
       

HEALTH CARE–9.8%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.9%

   

Amgen, Inc.(a)

  1,600     75,456

Celgene Corp.(a)

  3,325     212,368

CSL Ltd./Australia

  849     29,062

Genentech, Inc.(a)

  1,750     132,825

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

  5,775     305,786
       
      755,497
       

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.7%

   

Alcon, Inc.

  1,490     242,557

Baxter International, Inc.

  1,400     89,516

Becton Dickinson & Co.

  800     65,040

Essilor International SA

  646     39,406
       
      436,519
       

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.9%

   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

  800     41,264

Celesio AG

  300     10,840

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

  4,100     193,520
       
      245,624
       

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.3%

   

Abbott Laboratories

  3,075     162,883

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

  2,600     57,475

Johnson & Johnson

  1,700     109,378

Merck & Co., Inc.

  2,400     90,456

Novartis AG

  717     39,458

Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B

  477     31,401

Pfizer, Inc.

  11,700     204,399

Sanofi-Aventis SA

  800     53,159

Schering-Plough Corp.

  2,000     39,380

 

 

5


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sponsored) (ADR)

  5,900   $ 270,220

Wyeth

  1,000     47,960
       
      1,106,169
       
      2,543,809
       

MATERIALS–8.8%

   

CHEMICALS–4.3%

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

  1,310     129,507

Ashland, Inc.

  600     28,920

BASF SE

  1,800     123,521

Bayer AG

  905     75,974

Dow Chemical Co.

  2,300     80,293

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

  1,900     81,491

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

  207     36,654

Koninklijke Dsm NV

  400     23,445

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

  6,500     37,849

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

  8,500     41,975

Monsanto Co.

  2,595     328,112

Nova Chemicals Corp.

  350     8,615

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan

  210     48,000

Solvay SA–Class A

  300     39,084

Syngenta AG

  92     29,805
       
      1,113,245
       

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.5%

   

Amcor Ltd.

  2,500     12,111

Ball Corp.

  900     42,966

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

  1,200     50,028

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(a)

  2,800     11,396

Sonoco Products Co.

  600     18,570
       
      135,071
       

METALS & MINING–3.8%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

  2,400     85,488

Anglo American PLC

  906     63,632

Antofagasta PLC

  2,400     31,206

ArcelorMittal

  678     66,931

BHP Billiton PLC

  2,200     84,370

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (ADR)

  1,940     69,491

Cia Vale do Rio Doce (Sponsored) (ADR)

  1,400     41,776

JFE Holdings, Inc.

  1,600     80,669

Kazakhmys PLC

  1,100     34,683

Rio Tinto PLC

  1,457     175,462

Rio Tinto PLC (Sponsored) (ADR)

  160     79,200

Xstrata PLC

  2,141     170,553
       
      983,461
       

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

Stora Enso Oyj–Class R

  2,200     20,497

Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B

  2,000     28,141
       
      48,638
       
      2,280,415
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

CONSUMER STAPLES–8.2%

   

BEVERAGES–1.2%

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

  1,975   $ 102,661

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

  2,300     39,790

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

  950     51,613

Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

  1,300     36,296

PepsiCo, Inc.

  1,425     90,616
       
      320,976
       

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.1%

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

  1,900     133,266

Koninklijke Ahold NV

  3,800     50,941

The Kroger Co.

  2,500     72,175

Safeway, Inc.

  1,500     42,825

Supervalu, Inc.

  1,700     52,513

Tesco PLC

  10,675     78,080

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

  1,900     106,780
       
      536,580
       

FOOD PRODUCTS–2.2%

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

  1,900     64,125

Associated British Foods PLC

  2,200     33,138

Del Monte Foods Co.

  2,000     14,200

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

  600     17,070

Nestle SA

  2,650     119,421

Sara Lee Corp.

  3,400     41,650

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

  2,100     31,374

Unilever PLC

  2,127     60,432

WM Wrigley Jr Co.

  2,425     188,617
       
      570,027
       

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.5%

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

  1,150     79,465

Procter & Gamble Co.

  3,725     226,517

Reckitt Benckiser PLC

  1,489     75,207
       
      381,189
       

TOBACCO–1.2%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

  3,200     65,792

British American Tobacco PLC

  2,061     71,092

Philip Morris International, Inc.

  2,450     121,005

Reynolds American, Inc.

  1,100     51,337
       
      309,226
       
      2,117,998
       

INDUSTRIALS–6.9%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–1.3%

   

BAE Systems PLC

  6,720     58,983

Honeywell International, Inc.

  4,275     214,947

Northrop Grumman Corp.

  1,100     73,590
       
      347,520
       

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Air France-KLM

  1,000     23,853

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

  1,200     25,855

UAL Corp.

  1,200     6,264
       
      55,972
       

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.(a)

  3,600   $ 45,432
       

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.5%

   

Fluor Corp.

  485     90,249

Foster Wheeler Ltd.(a)

  500     36,575
       
      126,824
       

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

ABB Ltd.

  4,255     120,441

Emerson Electric Co.

  650     32,143

First Solar, Inc.(a)

  30     8,185
       
      160,769
       

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.6%

   

3M Co.

  325     22,617

General Electric Co.

  10,700     285,583

Textron, Inc.

  1,700     81,481

Tyco International Ltd.

  450     18,018
       
      407,699
       

MACHINERY–1.1%

   

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

  2,325     34,004

Caterpillar, Inc.

  600     44,292

Crane Co.

  600     23,118

Deere & Co.

  1,680     121,178

Dover Corp.

  1,100     53,207
       
      275,799
       

MARINE–0.3%

   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

  3,000     42,786

Nippon Yusen KK

  4,000     38,527
       
      81,313
       

ROAD & RAIL–0.1%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

  1,000     8,370

Union Pacific Corp.

  350     26,425
       
      34,795
       

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.0%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

  2,900     95,557

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

  7,000     154,498
       
      250,055
       
      1,786,178
       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–5.2%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.5%

   

Autoliv, Inc.

  1,225     57,110

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

  500     35,753

Hyundai Mobis

  460     37,235
       
      130,098
       
Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

AUTOMOBILES–0.7%

   

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

  10,000   $ 83,055

Porsche Automobil Holding SE

  132     20,288

Renault SA

  800     65,109
       
      168,452
       

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.6%

   

Marriott International, Inc.–Class A

  400     10,496

McDonald’s Corp.

  1,075     60,436

Starbucks Corp.(a)

  2,300     36,202

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  300     12,021

Yum! Brands, Inc.

  650     22,809
       
      141,964
       

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.4%

   

Black & Decker Corp.

  800     46,008

Centex Corp.

  1,000     13,370

KB Home

  1,100     18,623

Sharp Corp.

  2,000     32,603
       
      110,604
       

LEISURE, EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Brunswick Corp.

  1,500     15,900

Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.

  800     9,071
       
      24,971
       

MEDIA–1.4%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

  3,075     59,932

Gannett Co., Inc.

  1,600     34,672

Lagardere SCA

  475     26,870

News Corp.–Class A

  1,100     16,544

SES SA (FDR)(a)

  1,209     30,205

Time Warner, Inc.

  7,000     103,600

Viacom, Inc.–Class B(a)

  1,200     36,648

The Walt Disney Co.

  2,100     65,520
       
      373,991
       

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.6%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

  1,900     37,886

Kohl’s Corp.(a)

  1,350     54,054

Macy’s, Inc.

  2,200     42,724

New World Department Store China Ltd.(a)

  183     162

Target Corp.

  425     19,758
       
      154,584
       

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.6%

   

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

  1,800     18,036

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

  2,900     30,196

The Gap, Inc.

  2,700     45,009

Home Depot, Inc.

  2,400     56,208

Limited Brands, Inc.

  475     8,004
       
      157,453
       

 

 

7


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

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.3%

   

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

  2,200   $ 30,250

Nike, Inc.–Class B

  750     44,708
       
      74,958
       
      1,337,075
       

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.2%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.7%

   

AT&T, Inc.

  9,300     313,317

China Netcom Group Corp. Ltd.

  15,500     42,157

Deutsche Telekom AG–Class W

  1,600     26,275

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

  8     39,474

Tele2 AB–Class B

  600     11,668

Telefonica SA

  3,246     85,901

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  5,100     180,540
       
      699,332
       

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.5%

   

America Movil SAB de CV Series L (ADR)

  2,250     118,688

Sprint Nextel Corp.

  9,900     94,050

Vodafone Group PLC

  62,899     185,320
       
      398,058
       
      1,097,390
       

UTILITIES–1.9%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.1%

   

CEZ

  339     30,107

E.ON AG

  786     158,340

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

  1,100     33,847

The Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc

  2,300     59,221
       
      281,515
       

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
  U.S. $ Value
   

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.2%

   

Iberdrola Renovables SA(a)

  3,137   $ 24,168

International Power PLC

  5,168     44,273
       
      68,441
       

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.6%

   

CMS Energy Corp.

  2,200     32,780

Suez SA

  1,077     72,954

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

  1,000     45,220
       
      150,954
       
      500,910
       

Total Common Stocks
(cost $25,846,931)

      25,397,191
       

RIGHTS–0.0%

   

FINANCIALS–0.0%

   

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.0%

   

Barclays PLC(a)

  2,164     410

HBOS PLC(a)

  5,036     1,078
       

Total Rights
(cost $0)

      1,488
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.0%
(cost $25,846,931)

      25,398,679

Other assets less liabilities–2.0%

      528,144
       

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 25,926,823
       

 

 

 

(a) Non-income producing security.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security is considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the market value of this security amounted to $63,394 or 0.2% of net assets.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

8


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

   Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

   $ 17,470,493      $             –0

Level 2

     7,926,698        –0

Level 3

     1,488        –0
                 

Total

   $   25,398,679      $ –0
                 

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/2007

     $ –0    $             –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain (loss)

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       1,488        –0

Net purchases (sales)

       –0      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $   1,488      $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ 1,488      $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

9


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $25,846,931)

   $ 25,398,679  

Cash

     409,536  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $78,778)

     79,738  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     89,631  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     76,577  

Dividends receivable

     52,411  
        

Total assets

     26,106,572  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Custodian fee payable

     72,876  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency contracts

     61,409  

Audit fee payable

     14,430  

Printing fee payable

     10,646  

Legal fee payable

     9,889  

Distribution fee payable

     5,610  

Advisory fee payable

     2,607  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     470  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     85  

Accrued expenses

     1,727  
        

Total liabilities

     179,749  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 25,926,823  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 2,727  

Additional paid-in capital

     26,583,166  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (8,529 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (204,443 )

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

     (446,098 )
        
   $ 25,926,823  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $ 7,353      770      $ 9.55

B

     $   25,919,470      2,726,022      $   9.51

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $25,482)

   $ 341,009  

Interest

     2,695  
        

Total investment income

     343,704  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     87,299  

Distribution fee—Class B

     33,566  

Transfer agency—Class B

     736  

Custodian

     97,281  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     25,000  

Printing

     9,439  

Legal

     7,626  

Directors’ fees

     872  

Miscellaneous

     6,776  
        

Total expenses

     314,695  

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

     (160,252 )
        

Net expenses

     154,443  
        

Net investment income

     189,261  
        

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     (93,733 )

Futures

     (2,105 )

Foreign currency transactions

     2,031  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (4,163,725 )

Futures

     (761 )

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     605  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (4,257,688 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (4,068,427 )
        

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 189,261     $ 284,235  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (93,807 )     4,283,290  

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

     (4,163,881 )     (2,861,482 )

Contribution from Adviser

     –0     366  
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (4,068,427 )     1,706,409  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (113 )     (158,013 )

Class B

     (265,360 )     (507,869 )

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    

Class A

     (1,326 )     (509,847 )

Class B

     (3,973,479 )     (1,867,042 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     5,005,747       (6,653,103 )
                

Total decrease

     (3,302,958 )     (7,989,465 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     29,229,781       37,219,246  
                

End of period (including (distributions in excess of) and undistributed net investment income of ($8,529) and $67,683, respectively)

   $ 25,926,823     $ 29,229,781  
                

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Wealth Appreciation Strategy Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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.

 

13


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 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


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .65% of the first $2.5 billion, .55% of the next $2.5 billion and .50% in excess of $5 billion, of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to .90% and 1.15% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. Prior to February 12, 2007, the Portfolio’s total operating expenses on an annual basis were limited to 1.20% and 1.45% of the daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Adviser waived fees and reimbursed expenses in the amount of $114,152.

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 $46,100 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2008, amounted to $11,308, of which $11 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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 9,323,422     $ 8,587,158  

U.S. government securities

     –0     –0

 

15


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

 

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,066,637  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (3,514,889 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (448,252 )
        

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. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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 purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 the 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 the premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

 

16


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

4. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  –0 –(a)   –0     $ 1     $ –0

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  –0   49,878         –0     667,860  

Shares redeemed

  –0   (617,500 )       –0     (8,068,342 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  –0   (567,622 )     $ 1     $ (7,400,482 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  205,701     270,018       $ 2,285,296     $ 3,644,988  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

  411,538     178,029         4,238,839       2,374,911  

Shares redeemed

  (139,594 )   (392,913 )       (1,518,389 )     (5,272,520 )
                             

Net increase

  477,645     55,134       $ 5,005,746     $ 747,379  
                             

 

(a) Share amount is less than one full share.

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign

 

17


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

 

currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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
             

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.

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. 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”).

 

18


 
    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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

19


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
      2007     2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.06     $13.53     $11.79     $10.69     $10.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .09     .15     .09     .04     .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.73 )   .56     1.94     1.15     .68  

Contribution from Adviser

  –0   .00 (d)   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.64 )   .71     2.03     1.19     .69  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.15 )   (.28 )   (.02 )   (.05 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.72 )   (.90 )   (.27 )   (.04 )   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.87 )   (1.18 )   (.29 )   (.09 )   –0
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $9.55     $13.06     $13.53     $11.79     $10.69  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (e)

  (13.66 )%   5.00 %   17.60 %   11.22 %   6.90 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $7     $10     $7,688     $6,538     $5,877  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .90 %(f)   .96 %   1.20 %(g)   1.20 %   1.20 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.11 %(f)   1.82 %   1.99 %(g)   2.45 %   4.33 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  1.62 %(f)   1.05 %   .69 %(g)   .42 %   .25 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  32 %   61 %   63 %   61 %   14 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 21.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,     July 1, 2004(a) to
December 31,
2004
 
    2007     2006     2005    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $13.00     $13.46     $11.74     $10.67     $10.00  
                             
         

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income (b)(c)

  .08     .11     .06     .02     .03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.73 )   .57     1.93     1.13     .64  

Contribution from Adviser

  –0   .00 (d)   –0   –0   –0
                             

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (1.65 )   .68     1.99     1.15     .67  
                             
         

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

  (.12 )   (.24 )   –0   (.04 )   –0

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

  (1.72 )   (.90 )   (.27 )   (.04 )   –0
                             

Total dividends and distributions

  (1.84 )   (1.14 )   (.27 )   (.08 )   –0
                             

Net asset value, end of period

  $9.51     $13.00     $13.46     $11.74     $10.67  
                             
         

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on net asset value (e)

  (13.80 )%   4.84 %   17.32 %   10.93 %   6.70 %
         

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $25,920     $29,220     $29,531     $25,420     $10,416  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  1.15 %(f)   1.18 %   1.45 %(g)   1.45 %   1.45 %(f)

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  2.34 %(f)   2.15 %   2.25 %(g)   2.70 %   4.78 %(f)

Net investment income (c)

  1.41 %(f)   .79 %   .46 %(g)   .15 %   .71 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

  32 %   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) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

(e) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(f) Annualized.

 

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

 

21


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

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and 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.

 

 

 

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.

 

22


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse a portion of the Portfolio’s total operating 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 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

  Class A    0.90%   1.20%   2.28%   December 31

Strategy Portfolio

  Class B    1.15%   1.45%   2.53%  

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients 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.

 

23


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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.

 

24


 
 
    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.

 

25


WEALTH APPRECIATION STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)14 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.

 

26


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO  

AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio

(formerly U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio)

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

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

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

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


 
INTERMEDIATE 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 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.

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000    $ 991.51    $ 3.27    0.66 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $   1,021.58    $   3.32    0.66 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 990.73    $ 4.50    0.91 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,020.34    $ 4.57    0.91 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

SECURITY TYPE    U.S. $ VALUE      PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Governments-Treasuries

   $ 60,252,047      28.1 %

Corporate-Investment Grades

     48,067,967      22.4  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     26,916,655      12.6  

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

     22,682,824      10.6  

Corporate-Non-Investment Grades

     15,178,888      7.1  

Agencies

     10,209,122      4.8  

Governments-Sovereign Bonds

     7,049,587      3.3  

Government-Sovereign Agencies

     4,627,880      2.2  

CMO’s

     2,546,013      1.2  

Quasi-Sovereigns

     2,462,943      1.1  

Inflation-Linked Securities

     2,095,714      1.0  

Other*

     2,859,336      1.3  

Short-Term Investments

     9,110,000      4.3  
                 

Total Investments

   $   214,058,976      100.0 %

 

 

 

* “Other” represents less than 1% weightings in the following security types: Asset-Backed Securities, Emerging Markets-Sovereigns, Emerging Markets-Corporate Bonds, Non-convertible - Preferred Stocks and Supranationals.

 

2


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

GOVERNMENT– TREASURIES–28.7%

     

TREASURIES–28.7%

     

Republic of Colombia
12.00%, 10/22/15(a)

  COP   700,000   $ 351,065

Government of Japan Ten
Year Bond
Series 252
1.00%, 6/20/13(a)

  JPY   55,750     521,110

Series 268
1.50%, 3/20/15(a)

    169,700     1,617,963

Series 288
1.70%, 9/20/17(a)

    157,000     1,500,039

Kingdom of the Netherlands
3.75%, 7/15/14(a)

  EUR   1,400     2,089,265

4.00%, 7/15/16(a)

    1,506     2,248,733

U.S. Treasury Bonds
4.75%, 8/15/17(a)

  US$   2,470     2,616,656

6.25%, 5/15/30(a)

    4,850     5,969,666

U.S. Treasury Notes
2.125%, 1/31/10(a)

    14,145     14,072,069

2.625%, 5/31/10(a)

    9,040     9,045,650

3.625%, 12/31/12(a)

    5,270     5,350,283

4.125%, 8/15/10(a)

    4,923     5,072,226

4.625%, 11/15/16(a)

    2,683     2,829,937

U.S. Treasury Strips
Zero Coupon, 2/15/16(a)

    2,400     1,787,938

Zero Coupon, 11/15/21(a)

    9,640     5,179,447
         

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $59,066,986)

        60,252,047
         

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–22.9%

   

INDUSTRIAL–11.1%

     

BASIC–2.4%

     

Alcoa, Inc.
6.50%, 6/01/11(a)

    80     82,339

ArcelorMittal
6.125%, 6/01/18(a)(b)

    555     542,377

6.50%, 4/15/14(a)

    165     167,279

BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd.
7.25%, 3/01/16(a)

    407     441,095

Dow Chemical Co.
5.75%, 12/15/08(a)

    220     221,659

5.97%, 1/15/09(a)

    200     202,038

7.375%, 11/01/29(a)

    20     21,212

ICI Wilmington, Inc.
4.375%, 12/01/08(a)

    225     225,330

International Paper Co.
5.30%, 4/01/15(a)

    190     167,471

7.95%, 6/15/18(a)

    310     308,275

Lubrizol Corp.
4.625%, 10/01/09(a)

    120     119,437

The Mosaic Co.
7.875%, 12/01/16(a)(b)(c)

    290     308,850

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

    155     151,437
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

PPG Industries, Inc.
5.75%, 3/15/13(a)

  US$   455   $ 462,625

Southern Copper Corp.
7.50%, 7/27/35(a)

    295     288,862

United States Steel Corp.
5.65%, 6/01/13(a)

    495     481,963

7.00%, 2/01/18(a)

    80     79,824

Vale Overseas Ltd.
6.875%, 11/21/36(a)

    134     124,451

Weyerhaeuser Co.
5.95%, 11/01/08(a)

    175     176,267

7.375%, 3/15/32(a)

    450     446,342
         
        5,019,133
         

CAPITAL GOODS–1.0%

     

Brookfield Asset Management, Inc.
8.125%, 12/15/08(a)

    215     216,539

Caterpillar Financial Services
4.50%, 6/15/09(a)

    115     115,753

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

    185     187,457

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
5.75%, 3/01/09(a)

    87     88,389

John Deere Capital Corp.
4.875%, 3/16/09(a)

    225     226,120

6.00%, 2/15/09(a)

    220     222,578

Mohawk Industries, Inc.
6.125%, 1/15/16(a)

    550     525,806

Textron Financial Corp.
5.125%, 11/01/10(a)

    100     101,372

Tyco International Group SA
6.00%, 11/15/13(a)

    155     149,561

Waste Management, Inc.
6.875%, 5/15/09(a)

    205     209,044
         
        2,042,619
         

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–1.3%

     

British Sky Broadcasting
Group PLC
6.875%, 2/23/09(a)

    100     101,516

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

    170     164,535

Comcast Cable Communications
Holdings, Inc.
9.455%, 11/15/22(a)

    280     338,514

Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
6.875%, 6/15/09(a)

    250     256,746

Comcast Corp.
5.30%, 1/15/14(a)

    325     315,036

News America Holdings, Inc.
6.55%, 3/15/33(a)

    210     205,451

9.25%, 2/01/13(a)

    160     183,323

 

 

3


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

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

  US$     65   $ 59,562

5.50%, 5/15/15(a)

    185     176,372

TCI Communications, Inc.
7.875%, 2/15/26(a)

    210     227,966

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

    550     592,683

WPP Finance Corp.
5.875%, 6/15/14(a)

    120     115,273
         
        2,736,977
         

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.9%

 

AT&T Corp.
8.00%, 11/15/31(a)

    20     22,960

British Telecommunications PLC
8.625%, 12/15/10(a)

    310     332,863

Embarq Corp.
6.738%, 6/01/13(a)

    20     19,298

7.082%, 6/01/16(a)

    855     812,040

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

    250     296,645

Pacific Bell Telephone Co.
6.625%, 10/15/34(a)

    280     270,649

Qwest Corp.
8.875%, 3/15/12(a)

    365     372,300

Telecom Italia Capital SA
4.00%, 11/15/08–1/15/10(a)

    500     494,873

6.375%, 11/15/33(a)

    40     35,611

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

    203     203,498

US Cellular Corp.
6.70%, 12/15/33(a)

    250     223,969

Verizon Communications, Inc.
4.90%, 9/15/15(a)

    240     227,718

5.25%, 4/15/13(a)

    290     288,331

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

    179     181,494

Vodafone Group PLC
5.50%, 6/15/11(a)

    200     201,963
         
        3,984,212
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

   

Daimler Finance North America LLC
4.875%, 6/15/10(a)

    110     110,660

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.
5.50%, 12/15/08(a)

    220     221,005
         
        331,665
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
OTHER–0.3%

     

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

  US$     379   $ 374,666

7.875%, 5/01/12(a)

    187     190,282

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.
5.15%, 5/15/15(a)

    40     34,640

6.875%, 11/15/12(a)

    95     92,026
         
        691,614
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.2%

   

Limited Brands, Inc.
5.25%, 11/01/14(a)

    133     112,503

6.90%, 7/15/17(a)

    45     40,889

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
4.25%, 4/15/13(a)

    225     223,741
         
        377,133
         

CONSUMER
NON-CYCLICAL–1.9%

   

Abbott Laboratories
3.50%, 2/17/09(a)

    109     109,147

5.375%, 5/15/09(a)

    215     218,958

Bunge Ltd Finance Corp.
4.375%, 12/15/08(a)

    225     225,342

5.10%, 7/15/15(a)

    206     187,355

5.875%, 5/15/13(a)

    350     344,107

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

    350     334,955

ConAgra Foods, Inc.
7.875%, 9/15/10(a)

    102     107,823

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

    230     228,013

6.75%, 8/15/14(a)

    171     175,167

Fortune Brands, Inc.
4.875%, 12/01/13(a)

    230     220,423

5.125%, 1/15/11(a)

    115     114,388

Kraft Foods, Inc.
4.125%, 11/12/09(a)

    415     414,377

5.25%, 10/01/13(a)

    220     214,065

The Kroger Co.
6.80%, 12/15/18(a)

    75     78,244

Pfizer, Inc. Series INTL
1.80%, 2/22/16(a)

    JPY   20,000     184,275

Reynolds American, Inc.
7.25%, 6/01/13(a)

  US$     105     108,542

7.625%, 6/01/16(a)

    395     411,516

Safeway, Inc.
4.125%, 11/01/08(a)

    108     108,070

Ventas Realty LP/Ventas Capital Corp.
6.75%, 4/01/17(a)

    84     80,640

Wyeth
5.50%, 2/01/14(a)

    141     142,140
         
        4,007,547
         

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

ENERGY–1.0%

     

Amerada Hess Corp.
7.875%, 10/01/29(a)

  US$     165   $ 189,240

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
5.15%, 2/01/13(a)

    60     60,104

Conoco, Inc.
6.95%, 4/15/29(a)

    155     169,996

ConocoPhillips
6.375%, 3/30/09(a)

    95     96,815

Gaz Capital SA
6.212%, 11/22/16(a)(b)

    460     426,813

6.51%, 3/07/22(a)(b)

    200     179,500

Statoilhydro Asa
6.36%, 1/15/09(a)

    66     67,121

Valero Energy Corp.
6.875%, 4/15/12(a)

    515     534,592

Vastar Resources, Inc.
6.50%, 4/01/09(a)

    215     219,746

Weatherford International Ltd.
5.15%, 3/15/13(a)

    195     193,864

6.00%, 3/15/18(a)

    35     34,543
         
        2,172,334
         

OTHER INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

   

Usiminas Commercial Ltd
7.25%, 1/18/18(a)(b)

    124     127,100
         

TECHNOLOGY–0.8%

     

Computer Sciences Corp.
5.50%, 3/15/13(a)(b)

    280     276,104

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

    566     581,320

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

    90     91,076

5.375%, 2/01/09(a)

    98     98,958

Motorola, Inc.
6.50%, 9/01/25(a)

    125     93,339

7.50%, 5/15/25(a)

    25     23,384

7.625%, 11/15/10(a)

    22     22,426

Oracle Corp.
4.95%, 4/15/13(a)

    239     241,310

Xerox Corp.
7.625%, 6/15/13(a)

    40     41,536

9.75%, 1/15/09(a)

    146     150,288
         
        1,619,741
         

TRANSPORTATION–RAILROADS–0.1%

   

Canadian Pacific
Railway Co.
6.50%, 5/15/18(a)

    120     118,888

Norfolk Southern Corp.
6.20%, 4/15/09(a)

    110     111,708
         
        230,596
         
        23,340,671
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–9.4%

 

BANKING–3.3%

     

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

  US$     20   $ 19,918

5.875%, 2/15/09(a)

    220     222,426

BankAmerica Capital II
Series
2 8.00%, 12/15/26(a)

    98     97,890

Barclays Bank PLC
5.75%, 9/14/26(a)

    GBP   75     132,074

8.55%, 6/15/11(a)(b)(d)

  US$     365     354,737

Citicorp, Inc. Series MTNF
6.375%, 11/15/08(a)

    43     43,317

Citigroup, Inc.
3.625%, 2/09/09(a)

    230     229,665

4.625%, 8/03/10(a)

    107     106,556

5.50%, 4/11/13(a)

    350     341,592

6.20%, 3/15/09(a)

    180     181,502

Compass Bank
5.50%, 4/01/20(a)

    250     216,212

Credit Suisse USA, Inc.
3.875%, 1/15/09(a)

    195     194,701

Deutsche Bank Financial, Inc.
7.50%, 4/25/09(a)

    215     219,451

Huntington National Bank
4.375%, 1/15/10(a)

    250     232,211

JP Morgan Chase & Co.
6.00%, 1/15/09(a)

    150     151,023

6.75%, 2/01/11(a)

    285     295,807

M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
5.00%, 1/17/17(a)

    175     143,173

Marshall & Ilsley Corp.
4.375%, 8/01/09(a)

    175     171,835

5.626%, 8/17/09(a)

    105     104,376

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

    105     91,013

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

    250     227,194

National Westminster Bank
6.50%, 9/07/21(a)

    GBP   50     95,048

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

  US$     335     291,147

Regions Financial Corp.
6.375%, 5/15/12(a)

    215     211,848

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

    135     124,660

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

    115     111,882

Standard Chartered PLC
6.409%, 1/30/17(a)(b)(d)

    100     80,247

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

    180     180,871

UFJ Finance Aruba AEC
6.75%, 7/15/13(a)

    240     252,130

Union Bank of California
5.95%, 5/11/16(a)

    660     626,073

 

 

5


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Union Planters Corp.
7.75%, 3/01/11(a)

  US$     143   $ 146,179

US Bancorp
5.30%, 4/28/09(a)

    220     221,319

Wachovia Corp.
3.625%, 2/17/09(a)

    225     222,450

5.50%, 5/01/13(a)

    505     483,336

Washington Mutual, Inc.
4.20%, 1/15/10(a)

    18     15,660

Zions Bancorporation
5.50%, 11/16/15(a)

    105     83,631
         
        6,923,154
         

BROKERAGE–1.5%

     

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

    394     364,145

5.70%, 11/15/14(a)

    450     434,888

7.625%, 12/07/09(a)

    215     222,252

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

    230     230,007

4.75%, 7/15/13(a)

    315     302,999

7.35%, 10/01/09(a)

    95     97,564

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
5.75%, 1/03/17(a)

    155     136,782

6.00%, 5/03/32(a)(d)

    225     172,022

6.20%, 9/26/14(a)

    75     71,585

6.50%, 7/19/17(a)

    75     69,384

7.875%, 11/01/09(a)

    43     43,849

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
4.125%, 1/15/09(a)

    66     65,245

6.00%, 2/17/09(a)

    175     174,360

6.05%, 5/16/16(a)

    535     493,536

6.11%, 1/29/37(a)

    250     198,552
         
        3,077,170
         

FINANCE–2.8%

     

American Express Centurion
4.375%, 7/30/09(a)

    250     248,970

American Express Co.
4.75%, 6/17/09(a)

    98     97,634

American General
Finance Corp.
4.625%, 5/15/09(a)

    225     223,194

Capital One Bank
4.25%, 12/01/08(a)

    225     224,587

5.00%, 6/15/09(a)

    100     99,851

6.50%, 6/13/13(a)

    140     137,092

Capital One Financial Corp.
4.80%, 2/21/12(a)

    470     437,012

5.50%, 6/01/15(a)

    42     37,765

6.75%, 9/15/17(a)

    45     44,587

CIT Group, Inc.
5.00%, 2/01/15(a)

    240     165,951

5.85%, 9/15/16(a)

    360     248,389

7.625%, 11/30/12(a)

    435     361,562

Series MTN
5.125%, 9/30/14(a)

    195     139,668
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Countrywide Financial Corp.
Series MTN

     

5.80%, 6/07/12(a)

  US$     229   $ 216,590

Countrywide Home
Loans, Inc. Series MTNL

     

4.00%, 3/22/11(a)

    4     3,641

General Electric Capital Corp.
4.375%, 11/21/11(a)

    155     155,340

4.80%, 5/01/13(a)

    435     426,156

6.75%, 3/15/32(a)

    620     624,309

Household Finance Corp.
4.125%, 12/15/08(a)

    45     44,930

HSBC Finance Corp.
7.00%, 5/15/12(a)

    280     290,024

International Lease
Finance Corp.
3.50%, 4/01/09(a)

    350     341,009

6.375%, 3/15/09(a)

    220     218,938

iStar Financial, Inc.
5.15%, 3/01/12(a)

    320     264,000

SLM Corp.
5.375%, 1/15/13(a)

    385     339,095

5.45%, 4/25/11(a)

    235     214,613

Series MTNA
4.50%, 7/26/10(a)

    90     83,278

VTB Capital SA

     

6.609%, 10/31/12(a)(b)

    135     131,112
         
        5,819,297
         

INSURANCE–1.4%

     

The Allstate Corp.

     

6.125%, 5/15/37(a)

    530     480,869

Allstate Life Global Funding Trust Series 04-1
4.50%, 5/29/09(a)

    97     97,152

Genworth Financial, Inc.
1.60%, 6/20/11(a)

    JPY   15,000     134,480

4.75%, 6/15/09(a)

  US$     83     82,576

5.231%, 5/16/09(a)

    225     226,097

6.515%, 5/22/18(a)

    520     486,761

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
6.10%, 10/01/41(a)

    205     179,874

Humana, Inc.
6.30%, 8/01/18(a)

    215     199,398

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

    145     139,971

7.80%, 3/15/37(a)(b)

    80     63,869

Prudential Financial, Inc.
5.15%, 1/15/13(a)

    325     316,768

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
4.125%, 8/15/09(a)

    82     81,257

5.25%, 3/15/11(a)

    95     94,560

WellPoint, Inc.
4.25%, 12/15/09(a)

    72     71,275

XL Capital Ltd.
5.25%, 9/15/14(a)

    235     213,168

6.25%, 5/15/27(a)

    200     166,864
         
        3,034,939
         

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

OTHER FINANCE–0.0%

     

Aiful Corp.

     

6.00%, 12/12/11(a)(b)

  US$     125   $ 103,310
         

REITS–0.4%

     

HCP, Inc.
5.95%, 9/15/11(a)

    225     218,468

Simon Property Group LP
5.00%, 3/01/12(a)

    220     214,361

5.625%, 8/15/14(a)

    420     406,122
         
        838,951
         
        19,796,821
         

UTILITY–2.1%

     

ELECTRIC–1.7%

     

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

    480     503,567

Exelon Corp.
6.75%, 5/01/11(a)

    95     97,596

FirstEnergy Corp. Series B
6.45%, 11/15/11(a)

    405     415,570

Series C
7.375%, 11/15/31(a)

    420     456,707

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

    240     246,849

Nisource Finance Corp.
6.80%, 1/15/19(a)

    550     539,357

7.875%, 11/15/10(a)

    110     114,072

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

    215     209,500

6.05%, 3/01/34(a)

    125     120,529

Progress Energy, Inc.
7.10%, 3/01/11(a)

    73     76,813

Public Service Company
of Colorado Series 10
7.875%, 10/01/12(a)

    210     234,201

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

    235     236,726

Wisconsin Energy Corp.
6.25%, 5/15/67(a)(d)

    204     175,469
         
        3,426,956
         

NATURAL GAS–0.2%

     

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

    70     73,462

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

    95     93,062

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

    235     202,916

Williams Co., Inc.
7.875%, 9/01/21(a)

    105     111,300
         
        480,740
         

OTHER UTILITY–0.2%

     

Veolia Environnement
6.00%, 6/01/18(a)

    350     349,197
         
        4,256,893
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.3%

 

AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.3%

 

Gaz Capital SA
6.51%, 3/07/22(a)(b)

  US$     657   $ 578,962
         

FOREIGN LOCAL GOVERNMENT– MUNICIPAL–0.0%

   

TNK-BP Finance SA
7.50%, 7/18/16(a)(b)

    100     94,620
         
        673,582
         

Total Corporates—Investment Grades
(cost $48,865,773)

      48,067,967
         

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—12.8%

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–12.8%

     

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

    319     321,852

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

    410     410,000

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

    525     521,286

Series 2005-6, Class A4
5.352%, 9/10/47(a)

    470     451,750

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

    455     432,144

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2005-PWR7, Class A3
5.116%, 2/11/41(a)

    505     483,333

Series 2005-T18, Class A4
4.933%, 2/13/42(a)

    530     501,442

Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-CD4, Class A2B
5.205%, 12/11/49(a)

    1,090     1,060,382

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates
Series 2007-C9, Class A4
6.01%, 12/10/49(a)

    1,085     1,038,458

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2003-CK2, Class A2
3.861%, 3/15/36(a)

    51     50,934

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates Series 2006-C3, Class A3
6.021%, 6/15/38(a)

    1,095     1,074,034

Series 2006-C5, Class A3
5.311%, 12/15/39(a)

    225     211,303

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

    455     452,862

 

 

7


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp. Series
2003-C1, Class A4
4.111%, 7/05/35(a)

  US$     450   $ 420,597

Series 2005-GG3, Class A2
4.305%, 8/10/42(a)

    530     526,193

Series 2007-GG9, Class A2
5.381%, 3/10/39(a)

    1,090     1,066,054

Series 2007-GG9, Class A4
5.444%, 3/10/39(a)

    1,115     1,038,949

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

    300     293,788

Series 2006-GG8, Class A2
5.479%, 11/10/39(a)

    1,070     1,061,071

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-C1, Class A2
4.302%, 1/15/38(a)

    95     92,233

Series 2005-LDP1, Class A4
5.038%, 3/15/46(a)

    550     525,385

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

    405     402,124

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

    440     436,347

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

    360     358,820

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

    545     522,165

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

    1,035     1,009,683

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

    420     397,825

Series 2007-C1, Class A4
5.716%, 11/15/17(a)

    1,115     1,046,319

Series 2007-CB19, Class A4
5.937%, 2/12/49(a)

    1,110     1,060,050

Series 2007-LD11, Class A4 6.007%, 6/15/49(a)

    1,105     1,056,969

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

    430     412,257

Series 2004-C4, Class A4
5.295%, 6/15/29(a)

    830     818,796

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

    420     416,875

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

    365     344,176

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

    340     326,710

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

    475     449,421

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-9, Class A4
5.70%, 9/12/17(a)

    1,105     1,040,467
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Morgan Stanley Capital I Series 2005-T17, Class A5
4.78%, 12/13/41(a)

  US$     655   $ 618,718

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C27, Class A3
5.765%, 7/15/45(a)

    1,080     1,046,468

Series 2007-C31, Class A4
5.509%, 4/15/47(a)

    1,100     1,024,727

Series 2007-C32, Class A2
5.924%, 6/15/49(a)

    1,060     1,045,203

Series 2007-C32, Class A3
5.929%, 6/15/49(a)

    1,105     1,048,485
         

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $27,623,707)

        26,916,655
         

MORTGAGE PASS-
THRU’S–10.8%

     

AGENCY FIXED RATE
30-YEAR—10.4%

     

Federal Gold Loan Mortgage Corp.
Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35–10/01/35(a)

    1,258     1,168,006

Series 2007
5.50%, 7/01/35(a)

    321     318,675

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Series 2007
7.00%, 2/01/37(a)

    883     926,562

Federal National Mortgage Association Series 2002
7.00%, 3/01/32(a)

    37     38,645

Series 2003
5.00%, 11/01/33(a)

    323     311,499

5.50%, 4/01/33–7/01/33(a)

    1,329     1,317,688

Series 2004
5.50%, 4/01/34–11/01/34(a)

    1,098     1,087,929

6.00%, 9/01/34(a)

    632     639,616

Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35(a)

    972     901,994

5.50%, 2/01/35(a)

    1,316     1,304,713

Series 2006
5.00%, 2/01/36(a)

    2,276     2,189,646

6.50%, 9/01/36(a)

    1,298     1,338,492

Series 2007
4.50%, 9/01/35–8/01/37(a)

    1,144     1,062,729

5.00%, 7/01/36(a)

    355     341,972

5.50%, 11/01/36(a)

    1,151     1,137,667

6.50%, 9/01/37(a)

    876     903,098

Series 2008
5.50%, 3/01/37(a)

    2,711     2,680,168

Government National Mortgage Association Series 1994
9.00%, 9/15/24(a)

    6     6,349

Series 2006
6.00%, 7/15/36(a)

    4,006     4,074,333
         
        21,749,781
         

 

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

AGENCY ARMS–0.4%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

     

Series 2007
6.096%, 1/01/37(a)(e)

  US$     243   $ 248,354

Federal National Mortgage Association

     

Series 2006
5.849%, 11/01/36(a)(e)

    668     684,689
         
        933,043
         

Total Mortgage Pass-Thru’s
(cost $22,633,810)

        22,682,824
         

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–7.2%

 

INDUSTRIAL–4.5%

     

BASIC–0.4%

     

Citigroup (JSC Severstal)
9.25%, 4/19/14(a)(b)

    228     237,690

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

    179     117,692

Novelis, Inc.
7.25%, 2/15/15(a)

    170     160,650

Peabody Energy Corp.

     

Series B
6.875%, 3/15/13(a)

    190     190,475

Westvaco Corp.
8.20%, 1/15/30(a)

    50     48,405
         
        754,912
         

CAPITAL GOODS–0.7%

     

Allied Waste North America, Inc.
6.375%, 4/15/11(a)

    174     172,260

Bombardier, Inc.
6.30%, 5/01/14(a)(b)

    270     257,850

8.00%, 11/15/14(a)(b)

    225     230,625

Case Corp.
7.25%, 1/15/16(a)

    170     165,750

Case New Holland, Inc.
7.125%, 3/01/14(a)

    175     171,500

Crown Americas
7.625%, 11/15/13(a)

    155     154,613

Owens Brockway Glass
Container, Inc.
6.75%, 12/01/14(a)

    205     205,000

Russell–Stanley Holdings, Inc.
9.00%, 11/30/08(f)(g)(h)

    36     4,566

United Rentals North America, Inc.
7.75%, 11/15/13(a)

    220     176,000
         
        1,538,164
         

COMMUNICATIONS–
MEDIA–0.8%

     

CCH I Holdings LLC
11.75%, 5/15/14(a)(c)

    420     256,200

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

    238     142,800
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

DirecTV Holdings LLC
6.375%, 6/15/15(a)

  US$     216   $ 202,500

Echostar DBS Corp.
6.625%, 10/01/14(a)

    255     235,875

Idearc, Inc.
8.00%, 11/15/16(a)

    330     207,487

Quebecor Media, Inc.
7.75%, 3/15/16(a)

    230     213,900

RH Donnelley Corp.
8.875%, 10/15/17(a)(b)

    545     324,275

WDAC Subsidiary Corp.
8.375%, 12/01/14(a)(b)

    70     52,500
         
        1,635,537
         

COMMUNICATIONS– TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.8%

 

Alltel Corp.
7.875%, 7/01/32(a)

    170     172,550

Citizens Communications Co.
6.25%, 1/15/13(a)

    210     194,775

Digicel Ltd.
9.25%, 9/01/12(a)(b)

    161     165,629

Inmarsat Finance PLC
10.375%, 11/15/12(a)(i)

    155     156,550

Mobile Telesystems Finance SA
8.00%, 1/28/12(a)(b)

    231     233,599

Nextel Communications, Inc.

     

Series D
7.375%, 8/01/15(a)

    140     116,200

Sprint Capital Corp.
6.875%, 11/15/28(a)

    235     195,637

8.375%, 3/15/12(a)

    365     361,350

8.75%, 3/15/32(a)

    75     71,437
         
        1,667,727
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
AUTOMOTIVE–0.6%

 

Affinia Group, Inc.
9.00%, 11/30/14(a)

    85     68,850

Ford Motor Co.
7.45%, 7/16/31(a)

    364     212,030

Ford Motor Credit Co.
5.46%, 1/13/12(a)(e)

    240     170,587

7.00%, 10/01/13(a)

    204     150,228

General Motors Corp.
8.25%, 7/15/23(a)

    350     203,875

8.375%, 7/15/33(a)

    320     189,600

Lear Corp.

     

Series B
8.75%, 12/01/16(a)

    195     152,100

Visteon Corp.
7.00%, 3/10/14(a)

    165     89,925
         
        1,237,195
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
OTHER–0.7%

 

Broder Brothers Co.

     

Series B
11.25%, 10/15/10(a)

    77     52,168

 

 

9


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Greektown Holdings LLC
10.75%, 12/01/13(b)(h)

  US$     90   $ 66,600

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc.
6.50%, 6/01/16(a)

    237     129,165

10.75%, 2/01/16(a)(b)

    160     132,800

Host Hotels & Resorts LP

     

Series Q
6.75%, 6/01/16(a)

    250     221,875

MGM Mirage
6.625%, 7/15/15(a)

    302     242,355

8.375%, 2/01/11(a)

    280     270,200

Universal City Florida Holding Co.
8.375%, 5/01/10(a)

    60     59,400

Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.
6.625%, 12/01/14(a)

    260     237,900
         
        1,412,463
         

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.0%

     

Rite Aid Corp.
6.875%, 8/15/13(a)

    160     96,000

9.375%, 12/15/15(a)

    10     6,700
         
        102,700
         
     

CONSUMER NON-
CYCLICAL–0.1%

 

Elan Finance PLC/Elan Finance Corp.
7.75%, 11/15/11(a)

    225     218,250

Tyson Foods, Inc.
6.85%, 4/01/16(a)

    103     93,601
         
        311,851
         

ENERGY–0.1%

     

Chesapeake Energy Corp.
7.75%, 1/15/15(a)

    210     217,875
         

SERVICES–0.0%

     

Travelport LLC
9.875%, 9/01/14(a)

    35     31,063
         

TECHNOLOGY–0.3%

     

Amkor Technology, Inc.
9.25%, 6/01/16(a)

    180     171,450

Avago Technologies Finance
10.125%, 12/01/13(a)

    110     116,600

CA, Inc.
4.75%, 12/01/09(a)

    110     108,573

Flextronics International Ltd.
6.50%, 5/15/13(a)

    175     167,125
         
        563,748
         

TRANSPORTATION–
AIRLINES–0.0%

     

Continental Airlines, Inc.

     

Series RJO3
7.875%, 7/02/18(a)

    42     32,018
         
        9,505,253
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–1.7%

 

DERIVATIVES–RACERS -0.9%

 

Racers

     

Series 06-6-T
2.813%, 7/01/08(a)(b)(e)

  US$     1,950   $ 1,779,771
         

DERIVATIVES–TOTAL RETURN SWAPS–0.8%

     

High Yield Total Return Trust

     

Series 2007-1
2.638%, 7/01/08(a)(b)(e)

    1,950     1,746,264
         
        3,526,035
         

UTILITY–1.0%

     

ELECTRIC–0.8%

     

The AES Corp.
7.75%, 3/01/14(a)

    250     246,563

Dynegy Holdings, Inc.
8.375%, 5/01/16(a)

    205     198,850

Dynegy Roseton/Danskammer Pass Through Trust

     

Series B
7.67%, 11/08/16(a)

    195     192,075

Edison Mission Energy
7.00%, 5/15/17(a)

    255     238,425

7.50%, 6/15/13(a)

    150     148,875

Mirant Americas Generation LLC
8.50%, 10/01/21(a)

    175     163,187

NRG Energy, Inc.
7.375%, 2/01/16–1/15/17(a)

    440     415,087

Reliant Energy, Inc.
7.875%, 6/15/17(a)

    155     151,513
         
        1,754,575
         

NATURAL GAS–0.2%

     

Enterprise Products Operating LP
8.375%, 8/01/66(a)(d)

    305     304,912
         
        2,059,487
         

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS—0.0%

 

INSURANCE–0.0%

     

Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.
7.75%, 5/01/17(a)

    95     88,113
         

Total Corporates–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $17,586,637)

        15,178,888
         

AGENCIES–4.9%

     

AGENCY DEBENTURES–4.9%

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
4.75%, 1/19/16(a)

    1,810     1,832,020

5.50%, 8/23/17(a)

    565     597,501

Federal National Mortgage Association
6.25%, 5/15/29(a)

    325     367,676

6.625%, 11/15/30(a)

    135     160,253

Series 2001
5.375%, 11/15/11(a)

    5,000     5,262,530

Series 2004
4.125%, 4/15/14(a)

    2,000     1,989,142
         

Total Agencies
(cost $9,790,401)

        10,209,122
         

 

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

GOVERNMENTS–
SOVEREIGN BONDS–3.3%

   

Republic of Brazil
6.00%, 1/17/17(a)

  US$     611   $ 623,220

7.125%, 1/20/37(a)

    823     907,358

8.75%, 2/04/25(a)

    126     157,689

8.875%, 10/14/19–4/15/24(a)

    946     1,189,804

11.00%, 8/17/40(a)

    141     186,472

Malaysia
7.50%, 7/15/11(a)

    303     328,227

8.75%, 6/01/09(a)

    180     187,762

United Mexican States
5.625%, 1/15/17(a)

    256     258,688

11.375%, 9/15/16(a)

    272     378,352

Series A
8.00%, 9/24/22(a)

    1,158     1,409,286

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

    699     784,919

11.00%, 7/24/18(a)(b)

    240     336,000

Series VII
3.00%, 5/14/11(a)

    160     152,000

Republic of South Africa
7.375%, 4/25/12(a)

    142     149,810
         

Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds
(cost $6,572,029)

        7,049,587
         

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN AGENCIES–2.2%

   

Canada Housing Trust No 1 4.55%, 12/15/12 (a)(b)

    CAD   2,400     2,412,945

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank
1.375%, 4/25/13(a)

    JPY   229,000     2,141,741

5.125%, 2/01/17(a)

  US$     70     73,194
         

Total Governments–Sovereign Agencies
(cost $4,549,479)

        4,627,880
         

CMOS–1.2%

   

NON-AGENCY ARMS–0.8%

     

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust
Series 2006-3, Class 22A1

     

6.176%, 5/25/36(a)(d)

    162     114,934

Series 2007-1, Class 21A1
5.72%, 1/25/47(a)(d)

    243     188,122

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. Series 2005-2, Class 1A4
5.113%, 5/25/35(a)(d)

    452     428,884

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

    519     465,440

Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2006-AR7,
Class 4A1
6.214%, 5/25/36(a)(d)

    225     183,281
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

Residential Funding Mortgage
Securities, Inc.
Series 2005-SA3, Class 3A
5.24%, 8/25/35(a)(d)

  US$     292   $ 280,808
         
        1,661,469
         

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.4%

   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust Series 2005-62,
Class 2A1
4.528%, 12/25/35(a)(e)

    150     115,094

Series 2007-OA3, Class M1
2.793%, 4/25/47(e)(f)

    145     27,112

JPMorgan Alternative Loan
Trust Series 2006-A3,
Class 2A1
6.069%, 7/25/36(a)(d)

    452     342,084

Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass Through
Series 2007-OA1, Class A1A
4.228%, 2/25/47(a)(e)

    356     269,531

Series 2007-OA3, Class B1
2.933%, 4/25/47(e)(f)

    449     90,511
         
        844,332
         

AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.0%

 

Fannie Mae Grantor Trust

     

Series 2004-T5, Class AB4
2.574%, 5/28/35(a)(e)

    50     40,212
         

Total CMOs
(cost $3,490,376)

        2,546,013
         

QUASI–SOVEREIGNS–1.2%

   

QUASI–SOVEREIGN BONDS–1.2%

     

Pemex Project Funding
Master Trust
5.75%, 3/01/18(a)(b)

    90     87,975

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

    426     460,387

RSHB Capital SA for OJSC Russian Agricultural Bank
6.299%, 5/15/17(a)(b)

    377     336,781

7.75%, 5/29/18(a)(b)

    1,610     1,577,800
         

Total Quasi–Sovereigns
(cost $2,519,542)

        2,462,943
         

 

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–1.0%

Government of Canada
3.00%, 12/01/36(a)

    CAD   67     89,178

U.S. Treasury Notes
2.375%, 4/15/11 (TIPS)

  US$     1,894     2,006,536
         

Total Inflation-Linked
Securities
(cost $1,936,990)

        2,095,714
         

 

 

11


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–1.0%

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.6%

     

Asset Backed Funding Certificates

     

Series 2003-WF1, Class A2
3.518%, 12/25/32(a)(e)

  US$     136   $ 121,481

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

    75     70,035

GE-WMC Mortgage Securities LLC Series 2005-2,
Class A2B
2.653%, 12/25/35(a)(e)

    147     142,343

HFC Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Certificates
Series 2005-3, Class A1
2.742%, 1/20/35(a)(e)

    153     126,922

Home Equity Asset Trust
Series 2007-2, Class M1
2.913%, 7/25/37(a)(e)

    475     57,760

Indymac Residential Asset Backed Trust Series 2006-D, Class 2A2
2.593%, 11/25/36(a)(e)

    490     448,886

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2007-2,
Class M1
2.843%, 3/25/37(a)(e)

    160     18,368

RAAC Series Series 2006-SP3, Class A1
2.563%, 8/25/36(a)(e)

    65     62,030

Residential Asset Mortgage Products, Inc.
Series 2005-RS3,
Class AIA2
2.653%, 3/25/35(a)(e)

    50     44,244

Series 2005-RZ1, Class A2
2.683%, 4/25/35(a)(e)

    108     95,702

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance
Series 2006-BC1,
Class A2A
2.563%, 12/25/36(a)(e)

    1     669
         
        1,188,440
         

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.4%

     

Citifinancial Mortgage Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-1, Class AFPT
3.36%, 1/25/33(a)

    116     77,040

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

    468     357,583

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.95%, 1/25/33(a)(c)

    252     216,611
       

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

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

  US$     63   $ 59,726

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

    48     47,548
         
        758,508
         

OTHER ABS–FIXED RATE–0.0%

   

DB Master Finance, LLC Series 2006-1, Class A2
5.779%, 6/20/31(a)(b)

    100     86,000
         

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $2,900,422)

        2,032,948
         

EMERGING MARKETS–SOVEREIGNS–0.1%

     

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.1%

     

SOVEREIGN–0.1%

     

Dominican Republic
8.625%, 4/20/27(a)(b)

    100     102,440

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

    127     165,926
         

Total Emerging Markets–
Sovereigns
(cost $263,751)

        268,366
         

EMERGING MARKETS–CORPORATE BONDS–0.1%

   

INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

     

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–
OTHER–0.1%

     

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
8.75%, 2/02/11(a)

    140     140,875
         

UTILITY–0.0%

     

OTHER UTILITY–0.0%

     

Mmg Fiduc (aes El Salv)
6.75%, 2/01/16(a)(b)

    100     92,693
         

Total Emerging Markets–
Corporate Bonds
(cost $234,171)

        233,568
         
        Shares    

NON-CONVERTIBLE–PREFERRED
STOCKS–0.1%

     

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.1%

     

REITS–0.1%

     

Sovereign REIT
12.00%(a)(b)

    93     90,210
         

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.0%

     

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.0%

     

Federal National Mortgage
Association 8.25%(a)

    2,950     67,702
         

Total Non-Convertible–
Preferred Stocks
(cost $161,409)

        157,912
         

 

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value
     

SUPRANATIONALS–0.0%

   

European Investment Bank
4.875%, 2/15/36(a)
(cost $109,785)

  US$     110   $ 108,222
         
        Shares    

PREFERRED
STOCKS–0.0%

     

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.0%

     

AGENCIES–GOVERNMENT SPONSORED–0.0%

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Series Z
8.375%(a)(d)
(cost $60,000)

    2,400     58,320
         
   

Principal
Amount
(000)

  U.S. $ Value  
     

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–4.3%

     

TIME DEPOSIT–4.3%

     

Bank of New York
1.00%, 7/01/08
(cost $9,110,000)

  US$     9,110   $ 9,110,000  
           

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.8%
(cost $217,475,268)

        214,058,976  

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.8)%

        (3,829,159 )
           

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 210,229,817  
           

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

   $   14,615    6/03/10    BMA *    3.4440 %    $ (9,326 )

Lehman Brothers

     1,500    12/04/11    BMA *    4.8504 %        42,981  

Lehman Brothers

     1,000    3/02/16    BMA *    5.0625 %      49,035  

Lehman Brothers

     6,025    11/28/17    BMA *    4.7225 %      43,903  

FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration
Month
   Original
Value
   Value at
June 30,
2008
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sold Contracts

              

EURO-BOND FUTURE

   16    September 2008    $   2,819,208    $   2,785,401    $    33,807  

JPN 10Y BOND (TSE)

   4    September 2008      5,058,489      5,102,415      (43,926 )
                    
               $ (10,119 )
                    

 

 

13


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

      Contract
Amount
(000)
   U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
   U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2008
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/13/08

   56    $ 55,073    $ 54,839    $ (234 )

Canadian Dollar settling 8/13/08

   4,089      3,998,188      4,008,701      10,513  

Euro settling 7/29/08

   576      892,831      906,016      13,185  

Euro settling 7/29/08

   1,681      2,624,724      2,642,231      17,507  

Great British Pound settling 8/11/08

   395      775,793      783,925      8,132  

Japanese Yen settling 7/17/08

   58,912      546,977      555,350      8,373  

New Zealand Dollar settling 7/08/08

   253      191,081      192,563      1,482  

Norwegian Krone settling 8/12/08

   28,839      5,496,363      5,640,019      143,656  

Singapore Dollar settling 8/01/08

   205      150,212      150,698      486  

Swedish Krona settling 9/08/08

   5,302      871,751      877,291      5,540  

Swedish Krona settling 9/08/08

   31,951      5,264,572      5,286,923      22,351  

Swiss Franc settling 7/10/08

   2,713      2,652,039      2,656,276      4,237  

Sale Contracts:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/13/08

   323      320,988      317,071      3,917  

Euro settling 7/29/08

   2,031      3,184,224      3,192,583      (8,359 )

Great British Pound settling 8/11/08

   3,051      5,961,952      6,056,041      (94,089 )

Japanese Yen settling 7/17/08

   2,093      19,754      19,731      23  

Japanese Yen settling 7/17/08

   1,083,936        10,417,449        10,217,927        199,522  

New Zealand Dollar settling 7/08/08

   396      302,032      301,699      333  

Norwegian Krone settling 8/12/08

   81      15,647      15,873      (226 )

Singapore Dollar settling 8/01/08

   205      150,068      150,698      (630 )

Swiss Franc settling 7/10/08

   4,261      4,083,102      4,171,938      (88,836 )

Swiss Franc settling 7/10/08

   690      658,266      675,395      (17,129 )

 

 

 

 

(a) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize forward currency exchange contracts. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $202,753,651.

 

(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $16,169,350 or 7.7% of net assets.

 

(c) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2008.

 

(d) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2008.

 

(e) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2008.

 

(f) Illiquid security, valued at fair value. (see Note A)

 

(g) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security, which represents 0.00% of net assets as of June 30, 2008, is considered illiquid and restricted (see Note A).

 

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    0.00 %

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(h) Security is in default and is non-income producing.

 

(i) 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.

 

* Variable interest rate based on the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association, formerly the Bond Market Association (BMA).

The fund 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 June 30, 2008, the fund’s total exposure to subprime investments was 1.98%. These investments are valued in accordance with the fund’s Valuation Policies (see Note A.1 for additional details).

Currency Abbreviations:

CAD—Canadian Dollar

COP—Colombian Peso

EUR—Euro Dollar

GBP—Great British Pound

JPY—Japanese Yen

Glossary:

BMA—Bond Market Association

TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $ –0    $   (10,120 )

Level 2

       196,051,932        364,860  

Level 3

       18,007,044        –0
                   

Total

     $   214,058,976      $ 354,740  
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments in
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $ 8,616,044      $           –0

Accrued discounts/premiums

       (1,349 )      –0

Realized gain

       403,115        –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       (1,964,401 )      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       (3,649,769 )      –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       1,792,048        –0

Securities from Fund Acquisitions

       12,811,356        –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $   18,007,044      $ –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ (1,964,401 )    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

16


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $217,475,268)

   $ 214,058,976  

Cash

     845,182  

Foreign cash, at value (cost $554,100)

     648,505 (a)

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     439,257  

Unrealized appreciation of interest rate swap contracts

     181,234 (b)

Receivable for investment securities sold

     5,415,160  

Dividends and interest receivable

     2,110,880  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     25,258  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     11,866  
        

Total assets

     223,736,318  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     209,503  

Unrealized depreciation of interest rate swap contracts

     9,326  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     11,861,974  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     791,450  

Advisory fee payable

     78,690  

Premium received on swap contracts

     45,315  

Administrative fee payable

     25,098  

Distribution fee payable

     10,664  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     84  

Accrued expenses

     474,397  
        

Total liabilities

     13,506,501  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 210,229,817  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 18,949  

Additional paid-in capital

     209,249,192  

Undistributed net investment income

     2,840,486  

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,148,111  

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

     (3,026,921 )
        
   $ 210,229,817  
        

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

 

Class      Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

     $   158,693,644      14,275,597      $   11.12

B

     $ 51,536,173      4,672,927      $ 11.03

 

 

 

(a) An amount equivalent to U.S. $96,693 has been segregated to collateralized margin requirements for the open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2008.

 

(b) Includes swap premium of $45,315.

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest (net of foreign withholding taxes of $189)

   $ 3,342,166  

Dividends

     4,108  
        

Total investment income

     3,346,274  
        

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     296,011  

Distribution fee—Class B

     39,812  

Transfer agency—Class A

     897  

Transfer agency—Class B

     286  

Custodian

     58,015  

Administrative

     46,100  

Audit

     24,000  

Printing

     7,464  

Legal

     2,045  

Directors’ fees

     887  

Miscellaneous

     1,567  
        

Total expenses

     477,084  
        

Net investment income

     2,869,190  
        

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

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     48,586  

Futures

     118,703  

Swap contracts

     29,550  

Foreign currency transactions

     1,345,120  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     (5,918,644 )

Futures

     (10,119 )

Swap contracts

     6,924  

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     227,582  
        

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (4,152,298 )
        

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (1,283,108 )
        

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

18


 
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 2,869,190     $ 4,112,881  

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,541,959       461,322  

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

     (5,694,257 )     (346,453 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (1,283,108 )     4,227,750  

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (3,089,962 )     (3,234,289 )

Class B

     (996,992 )     (911,329 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase (decrease)

     129,005,445       (7,482,382 )
                

Total increase (decrease)

     123,635,383       (7,400,250 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     86,594,434       93,994,684  
                

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,840,486 and $4,058,250, respectively)

   $ 210,229,817     $ 86,594,434  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

19


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

  AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), formerly AllianceBernstein U.S. Government/High Grade Securities Portfolio, is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to generate income and price appreciation without assuming what the Adviser considers undue 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 eighteen 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.

 

20


 
    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 $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

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 $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

21


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolios to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 39,394,923    $ 55,814,043

U.S. government securities

     55,916,718      32,738,316

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures, swap contracts and foreign currency transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,404,188  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (6,820,480 )
        

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (3,416,292 )
        

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. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

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 or to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as

 

22


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

described below under “Currency Transactions”. A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at 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.

3. Option Transactions

For hedging purposes, the Portfolio may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities, including government securities, and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. The Portfolio may also use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Portfolio has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Portfolio. In writing an option, the Portfolio bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Portfolio could result in the Portfolio’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

4. Swap Agreements

The Portfolio may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, or currencies. The Portfolio may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. 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

 

23


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

5. Currency Transactions

The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and options. The Portfolio may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Portfolio and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Portfolio may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

6. Dollar Rolls

The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio’s simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Portfolio had no transactions in dollar rolls.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

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

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  257,163     781,021       $ 3,003,773     $ 9,157,740  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  275,397     284,709         3,089,962       3,234,289  

Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond Portfolios

  9,547,574     –0       106,562,852       –0

Shares redeemed

  (1,435,167 )   (1,519,605 )       (16,257,920 )     (17,792,556 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  8,644,967     (453,875 )     $ 96,398,667     $ (5,400,527 )
                             

Class B

         

Shares sold

  304,859     338,391       $ 3,555,154     $ 3,902,927  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  89,496     80,863         996,992       911,329  

Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond Portfolios

  3,110,268     –0       34,459,827       –0

Shares redeemed

  (570,023 )   (594,789 )       (6,405,195 )     (6,896,111 )
                             

Net increase (decrease)

  2,934,600     (175,535 )     $ 32,606,778     $ (2,081,855 )
                             

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

 

24


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

Currency Risk—This is the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce the returns of the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolio’s investments in foreign currency-denominated securities or currencies may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (i.e., gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies are weak (i.e., losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar). Currency markets are generally not as regulated as securities markets.

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

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $250 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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.

NOTE I

Acquisition of AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio, AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio, AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio by AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”)

On April 25, 2008, the Portfolio acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of AllianceBernstein Global Dollar Government Portfolio (“Global Dollar Government”), AllianceBernstein High Yield Portfolio (“High Yield”),

 

25


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

AllianceBernstein Americas Government Income Portfolio (“Americas Government Income”) and AllianceBernstein Global Bond Portfolio (“Global Bond”) in a tax free event, pursuant to a Plan of Acquisition and Liquidation.

As a result of the acquisition, stockholders of Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond received shares of the Portfolio equivalent to the aggregate net asset value of the shares they held in their respective Portfolios. Stockholders participating in Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond’s dividend reinvestment plan received full and fractional shares of the Portfolio. Other stockholders received cash in lieu of fractional shares. On April 25, 2008, the acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 12,657,842 shares of the Portfolio for 1,938,390 shares of Global Dollar Government, 5,108,831 shares of High Yield, 3,392,239 shares of Americas Government Income and 3,898,401 shares of Global Bond. The aggregate net assets of the Portfolio, Global Dollar Government, High Yield, Americas Government Income and Global Bond immediately before the acquisition were $85,627,226, $23,506,474, $31,533,721, $40,523,058, and $45,459,426 (including $2,895,655 of net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities), respectively. Immediately after the acquisition, the combined net assets of the Portfolio amounted to $226,649,905.

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. 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 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

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

27


 
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.78     $11.78     $11.82     $12.28     $12.56     $12.54  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .23     .54     .50     .41     .32 (b)   .26  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (.32 )   .01     (.06 )   (.17 )   .12     .23  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (.09 )   .55     .44     .24     .44     .49  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.57 )   (.55 )   (.48 )   (.36 )   (.36 )   (.37 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  –0   –0   –0   (.34 )   (.36 )   (.10 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.57 )   (.55 )   (.48 )   (.70 )   (.72 )   (.47 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.12     $11.78     $11.78     $11.82     $12.28     $12.56  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (.85 )%*   4.85 %   3.93 %   1.98 %   3.77 %   3.88 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $158,694     $66,305     $71,655     $83,329     $102,543     $129,194  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .66 %(d)   .78 %   .77 %(e)   .71 %   .68 %   .77 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .66 %(d)   .78 %   .77 %(e)   .71 %   .78 %   .77 %

Net investment income

  4.42 %(d)   4.58 %   4.25 %(e)   3.37 %   2.46 %(b)   2.10 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  69 %   90 %   327 %   529 %   662 %   748 %

 

 

See footnote summary on page 29.

 

28


 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $11.67     $11.67     $11.72     $12.18     $12.47     $12.47  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

  .22     .50     .46     .38     .28 (b)   .24  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

  (.32 )   .02     (.06 )   (.17 )   .13     .21  
                                   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

  (.10 )   .52     .40     .21     .41     .45  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.54 )   (.52 )   (.45 )   (.33 )   (.34 )   (.35 )

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

  –0   –0   –0   (.34 )   (.36 )   (.10 )
                                   

Total dividends and distributions

  (.54 )   (.52 )   (.45 )   (.67 )   (.70 )   (.45 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $11.03     $11.67     $11.67     $11.72     $12.18     $12.47  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

  (.93 )%*   4.60 %   3.59 %   1.75 %   3.52 %   3.61 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

  $51,536     $20,289     $22,340     $24,716     $25,744     $21,982  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers and reimbursements

  .91 %(d)   1.03 %   1.02 %(e)   .96 %   .93 %   1.03 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .91 %(d)   1.03 %   1.02 %(e)   .96 %   1.03 %   1.03 %

Net investment income

  4.17 %(d)   4.32 %   4.01 %(e)   3.14 %   2.19 %(b)   1.89 %

Portfolio turnover rate

  69 %   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) Annualized.

 

(e) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

* Including 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 by .09%.

 

29


 
INTERMEDIATE 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 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%

Class B    1.02%

  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.

 

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 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

 

 

 

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.

 

31


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Adviser, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that had a similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.

 

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.

 

32


 
    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.

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

33


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information below, prepared by Lipper, shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the 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

Year
(%)

 

3

Year
(%)

 

5

Year
(%)

 

10

Year
(%)

 

Since

Inception
(%)

  Annualized  

Risk

Period
(Year)

               Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

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.

 

34


 

AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio

 

June 30, 2008

 

Semi-Annual Report

LOGO

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AllianceBernstein’s web site at www.alliancebernstein.com or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) web site at www.sec.gov, or call AllianceBernstein at (800) 227-4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

AllianceBernstein® and the AB Logo are registered trademarks and service marks used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each class’ table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each class’ table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. The estimate of expenses does not include fees or other expenses of any variable insurance product. If such expenses were included, the estimate of expenses you paid during the period would be higher and your ending account value would be lower.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions. Therefore, the second line of each class’ table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Money Market Portfolio

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2008
   Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2008
   Expenses Paid
During Period*
   Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,011.73    $ 4.90    0.98 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000    $   1,019.99    $   4.92    0.98 %
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000    $ 1,010.47    $ 6.15    1.23 %

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000    $ 1,018.75    $ 6.17    1.23 %

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to each classes’ annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

1


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    Yield*       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
     

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–101.2%

   

COMMERCIAL PAPER–76.6%

 

AIG Funding Inc.
9/12/08

  2.70%   $    400   $ 397,826

AIG Inc.
7/24/08

  2.48%–2.72%     980     978,373

American Express Credit
9/23/08

  2.68%     800     795,035

Bank of America
9/18/08

  2.71%     1,300     1,292,326

Bank of Montreal
8/22/08

  2.55%     800     797,065

Bank of Nova Scotia
8/18/08

  2.58%     800     797,259

Banque Et Caisse Espargne
9/15/08

  2.67%     1,400     1,392,168

Barclays
8/22/08

  2.70%     700     697,282

Barclays US Funding LLC
7/02/08

  2.26%     400     399,975

Caisse Nationale Des Caisses D’Epargne
8/20/08

  2.59%     800     797,144

Calyon North America
7/02/08

  2.49%     800     799,945

CBA Finance
7/11/08

  2.64%     400     399,709

9/10/08

  2.72%     400     397,870

Citigroup Funding Inc.
8/11/08

  2.53%–2.97%     1,400     1,395,747

Danske Corp.
7/14/08(a)

  2.59%     800     799,255

Deutsche
7/01/08

  2.15%     300     300,000

Dexia Delaware
7/08/08

  2.70%     850     849,557

Eksportfinans Als
7/15/08(a)

  2.49%     1,350     1,348,698

Fortis
8/25/08

  2.70%     700     697,123

General Electric Capital Svcs
9/09/08

  2.44%     1,400     1,393,412

HSBC USA Inc.
8/11/08

  2.54%     800     797,700

Ing
9/24/08

  2.71%     800     794,909

JP Morgan Chase & Co.
9/25/08

  2.57%     750     745,431

7/21/08

  2.62%     600     599,133

Lloyds Bank PLC
7/18/08

  2.45%     1,300     1,298,502

Morgan Stanley
7/14/08

  3.12%     400     399,555

8/07/08

  3.12%     400     398,738
    Yield*       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value
     
     

Nordea
9/11/08

  2.60%   $    800   $ 795,872

Pfizer Inc.
8/08/08(a)

  2.67%     750     747,918

7/07/08(a)

  2.68%     750     749,669

Private Export Fund Corp.
7/01/08(a)

  2.21%     1,400     1,400,000

Prudential PLC
8/08/08(a)

  2.60%     800     797,821

Rabobank USA Fin Corp.
7/09/08

  2.31%     1,000     999,487

Royal Bank of Canada
9/17/08

  2.67%     800     795,407

San Paolo IMI US Finl Co.
7/08/08

  2.53%     650     649,682

Santander Central Hispanano AM
9/16/08

  2.77%     1,400     1,391,765

Societe Generale
8/04/08

  2.66%     450     448,874

Svenska Handelsbank Inc.
7/11/08

  2.75%     750     749,427

Toyota Motor Credit
8/29/08

  2.41%     1,400     1,394,493

UBS Finance Delaware LLC
7/07/08

  2.34%     850     849,669

Wells Fargo & Company
7/23/08

  2.15%–2.31%     1,350     1,348,167
         
        34,877,988
         

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT–18.2%

 

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
8/15/08

  2.60%     800     800,010

Depfa Bank PLC
7/28/08

  3.12%     400     400,000

PNC Bank Series CD
7/25/08

  3.19%     750     750,000

Royal Bank of Scotland NY
7/21/08

  2.85%     1,400     1,400,000

Societe Generale
8/04/08

  3.02%     400     400,000

Suntrust Bank of Atlanta
7/02/08

  2.60%     1,000     1,000,000

Toronto Dominion Bank
7/22/08

  2.35%     800     800,000

US Bank
9/22/08

  2.60%     1,350     1,350,000

Wachovia Bank NA
9/08/08

  2.37%     1,400     1,400,000
         
        8,300,010
         

 

 

2


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    Yield*       
Principal
Amount
(000)
  U.S. $ Value  
     

U.S. GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT SPONSORED AGENCY OBLIGATIONS–6.4%

     

Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes
7/25/08

  2.80%   $ 1,500   $ 1,497,240  

Freddie Mac Discount Notes
8/28/08

  2.06%     1,400     1,395,376  
           
        2,892,616  
           

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.2%
(cost $46,070,614)

        46,070,614  

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.2)%

        (551,259 )
           

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 45,519,355  
           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $5,843,361 or 12.8% of net assets.

 

* Represents annualized yield from date of purchase for discount securities, and stated interest rate for interest-bearing securities.

See notes to financial statements.

 

3


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 157
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FAS 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2008:

 

Level

     Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments*
 

Level 1

     $ –0    $ –0

Level 2

       39,170,604        –0

Level 3

       6,900,010        –0
                   

Total

     $   46,070,614      $             –0
                   

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

       Investments In
Securities
     Other
Financial
Instruments
 

Balance as of 12/31/07

     $ –0    $ –0

Accrued discounts /premiums

       –0      –0

Realized gain

       –0      –0 –*

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       –0      –0

Net purchases (sales)

       6,900,010        –0

Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3

       –0      –0
                   

Balance as of 6/30/08

     $   6,900,010      $             –0
                   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
Investments still held as of 6/30/08

     $ –0    $ –0
                   

 

* The realized gain (loss) recognized during the period ended 6/30/08 for other financial instruments was $0.

 

4


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $46,070,614)

   $ 46,070,614  

Cash

     84,334  

Interest receivable

     40,734  

Receivable for capital stock sold

     767  
        

Total assets

     46,196,449  
        

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     518,836  

Dividends payable

     51,847  

Administrative fee payable

     25,250  

Advisory fee payable

     17,585  

Distribution fee payable

     4,921  

Transfer Agent fee payable

     89  

Accrued expenses

     58,566  
        

Total liabilities

     677,094  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 45,519,355  
        

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 45,536  

Additional paid-in capital

     45,474,252  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (26 )

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (407 )
        
   $ 45,519,355  
        

Net Asset Value Per Share—2 billion shares of capital stock authorized, $.001 par value

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value

A

   $   22,898,572      22,905,236      $   1.00

B

   $   22,620,783      22,630,671      $   1.00

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 805,221
      

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     108,670

Distribution fee—Class B

     30,439

Transfer agency—Class A

     620

Transfer agency—Class B

     631

Administrative

     46,100

Custodian

     42,088

Audit

     24,000

Printing

     5,425

Legal

     5,043

Directors’ fees

     822

Miscellaneous

     2,083
      

Total expenses

     265,921
      

Net investment income

     539,300
      

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 539,300
      

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 539,300     $ 2,128,169  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     –0     44  
                

Net increase in net assets from operations

     539,300       2,128,213  

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     (281,426 )     (1,143,530 )

Class B

     (257,874 )     (984,665 )

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (1,936,917 )     (4,168,132 )
                

Total decrease

     (1,936,917 )     (4,168,114 )

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     47,456,272       51,624,386  
                

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($26) and ($26), respectively)

   $ 45,519,355     $ 47,456,272  
                

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2008 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek safety of principal, excellent liquidity and maximum current income to the extent consistent with the first two objectives. The Portfolio is diversified as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 17, 1987, as an open-end series investment company. The Fund offers eighteen 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 $46,100 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio. Such compensation amounted to $439 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

NOTE C: Distribution Plan

The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) for Class B shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Portfolio pays distribution and servicing fees to AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, at an annual rate of up to .50% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Board of Directors currently limits payments under the Plan to .25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.

The Portfolio is not obligated under the Plan to pay any distribution and servicing fees in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the Distributor under the Plan is to compensate the Distributor for its distribution services with respect to the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. Since the Distributor’s compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plan is characterized by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission as being of the “compensation” variety.

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution and servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

The Plan also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Portfolio’s shares.

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

At June 30, 2008, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes.

1. 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.

NOTE E: Capital Stock

Each class consists of 1,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

    SHARES         AMOUNT  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2007
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

  5,185,296     31,932,856       $ 5,185,296     $ 31,932,856  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  281,426     1,143,530         281,426       1,143,530  

Shares redeemed

  (6,178,543 )   (36,553,183 )       (6,178,543 )     (36,553,183 )
                               

Net decrease

  (711,821 )   (3,476,797 )     $ (711,821 )   $ (3,476,797 )
                               

Class B

         

Shares sold

  14,540,257     36,898,757       $ 14,540,257     $ 36,898,757  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

  257,874     984,665         257,874       984,665  

Shares redeemed

  (16,023,227 )   (38,574,757 )       (16,023,227 )     (38,574,757 )
                               

Net decrease

  (1,225,096 )   (691,335 )     $ (1,225,096 )   $ (691,335 )
                               

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

 

9


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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 to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2008 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. 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. 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 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

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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 June 29, 2007, the Portfolio implemented FIN 48 which supplements FASB 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended December 31, 2004-2006) for purposes of implementing FIN 48, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

On March 19, 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and believes the adoption of FAS 161 will have no material impact on its financial statements.

 

11


 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS A  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008
(unaudited)
    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     $1.00  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income

  .01     .04     .04     .02     .01 (a)   .01  
                                   
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.01 )   (.04 )   (.04 )   (.02 )   (.01 )   (.01 )
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  1.17 %   4.35 %   4.22 %   2.35 %   .71 %   .53 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $22,898     $23,610     $27,087     $30,370     $36,740     $54,847  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of
waivers and reimbursements

  .98 %(c)   .99 %   .93 %(d)   .93 %   .69 %   .66 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  .98 %(c)   .99 %   .93 %(d)   .93 %   .73 %   .66 %

Net investment income

  2.35 %(c)   4.28 %   4.13 %(d)   2.30 %   .68 %(a)   .55 %

 

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 13.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2008

(unaudited)
    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     $1.00  
                                   
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income

  .01     .04     .04     .02     –0 –(a)(e)   –0 –(e)
                                   
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

  (.01 )   (.04 )   (.04 )   (.02 )   –0 –(e)   –0 –(e)
                                   

Net asset value, end of period

  $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00     $1.00  
                                   
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

  1.05 %   4.08 %   3.96 %   2.10 %   .46 %   .28 %
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $22,621     $23,846     $24,537     $25,778     $28,287     $47,946  

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of
waivers and reimbursements

  1.23 %(c)   1.24 %   1.19 %(d)   1.19 %   .94 %   .91 %

Expenses, before waivers and reimbursements

  1.23 %(c)   1.24 %   1.19 %(d)   1.19 %   .98 %   .91 %

Net investment income

  2.12 %(c)   4.00 %   3.89 %(d)   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) Annualized.

 

(d) The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.

 

(e) Amount is less than $.01 per share.

 

13


 
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

 

 

 

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.

 

14


    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 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 %

 

 

 

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.

 

15


MONEY MARKET 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 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

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

17


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli 17 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

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

18


    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

     

1

Year
(%)

 

3

Year
(%)

 

5

Year
(%)

  10
Year
(%)
  Since
Inception
(%)
  Annualized   Risk
Period
(Year)
            Volatility
(%)
  Sharpe
(%)
 

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.

 

19


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable to the registrant.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.


ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:

 

EXHIBIT NO.

  

DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

12 (b) (1)    Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (b) (2)    Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (c)    Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant): AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

By:  

/s/    Marc O. Mayer

  Marc O. Mayer
  President
Date:   August 25, 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:   August 25, 2008
By:  

/s/    Joseph J. Mantineo

  Joseph J. Mantineo
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Date:   August 25, 2008