N-CSRS 1 d374700dncsrs.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, 2012

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2012

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,059.60       $   3.33         0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,021.63       $ 3.27         0.65
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,058.30       $ 4.61         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


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Federal National Mortgage Association

   $ 44,021,158           8.1

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

     31,711,556           5.8   

Apple, Inc.

     8,292,800           1.5   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold

     7,330,327           1.4   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     6,186,112           1.1   

Federal Farm Credit Bank

     5,704,251           1.1   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     4,781,556           0.9   

Pfizer, Inc.

     4,703,500           0.9   

Residual Funding Corp. Principal Strip

     4,156,373           0.8   

Citigroup, Inc.

     3,978,793           0.7   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   120,866,426           22.3

SECURITY TYPE BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

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

Common Stocks

   $   343,081,416           62.2

Corporates—Investment Grades

     52,772,226           9.6   

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

     46,075,737           8.4   

Governments—Treasuries

     31,711,556           5.8   

Asset-Backed Securities

     20,739,415           3.8   

Agencies

     18,446,790           3.3   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     14,402,091           2.6   

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

     2,346,600           0.4   

Quasi-Sovereigns

     2,239,003           0.4   

Inflation-Linked Securities

     1,197,471           0.2   

Governments—Sovereign Bonds

     1,094,521           0.2   

Local Governments—Municipal Bonds

     588,242           0.1   

Other***

     446,326           0.1   

Short-Term Investments

     15,963,978           2.9   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 551,105,372           100.0

 

 

 

* Long-term investments.

 

** The Portfolios security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security collateral lending) and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details).

 

*** “Other” represents less than 0.1% weightings in the following security types: Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, Preferred Stocks and Options Purchased—Puts.

 

2


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–63.2%

   
   

FINANCIALS–17.1%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.0%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

    8,050      $ 881,072   

Blackstone Group LP

    74,917        979,165   

Deutsche Bank AG

    11,900        429,510   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    6,245        598,646   

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    22,587        609,936   

State Street Corp.

    20,500        915,120   

UBS AG(a)

    85,862        1,004,772   
   

 

 

 
      5,418,221   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.8%

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    6,900        157,183   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA(b)

    64,841        463,052   

Banco do Brasil SA

    36,400        353,942   

Banco Santander SA

    69,572        460,236   

Barclays PLC

    120,000        306,630   

BB&T Corp.

    11,200        345,520   

BNP Paribas SA

    12,383        477,423   

CIT Group, Inc.(a)

    50,300        1,792,692   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    197,120        1,736,990   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    233,640        332,527   

Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR)

    13,650        190,008   

KB Financial Group, Inc.

    8,875        289,919   

KeyCorp

    15,100        116,874   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC(a)

    739,400        361,204   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    130,000        622,814   

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    26,400        643,040   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    7,100        433,881   

Regions Financial Corp.

    20,700        139,725   

Societe Generale SA(a)

    18,089        424,179   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    17,100        564,897   

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Tao–
Class D

    96,100        200,372   

US Bancorp

    27,100        871,536   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    104,900        3,507,856   

Westpac Banking Corp.

    10,671        233,014   
   

 

 

 
      15,025,514   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.1%

   

Discover Financial Services

    7,800        269,724   

Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.

    23,765        226,912   
   

 

 

 
      496,636   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.6%

   

Bank of America Corp.

    134,900        1,103,482   

Citigroup, Inc.

    94,000        2,576,540   

IG Group Holdings PLC

    107,132        805,219   

ING Groep NV(a)

    89,110        597,402   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    71,300        2,547,549   
   

Leucadia National Corp.

    14,400      $ 306,288   

Moody’s Corp.

    9,800        358,190   

ORIX Corp.

    3,580        333,641   
   

 

 

 
      8,628,311   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–1.3%

   

Admiral Group PLC(b)

    61,550        1,148,167   

Aegon NV

    77,499        359,408   

AIA Group Ltd.

    411,400        1,420,999   

Allianz SE

    3,790        381,216   

Aviva PLC

    64,630        276,743   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.(a)

    7,600        633,308   

Chubb Corp. (The)

    6,400        466,048   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    3,290        464,232   

Prudential PLC

    63,680        738,371   

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.–Class A

    10,900        579,989   

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    41,970        350,704   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    6,300        402,192   
   

 

 

 
      7,221,377   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–7.4%

   

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

    9,976        284,161   

American Tower Corp.

    3,980        278,242   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    6,180        874,346   

Befimmo SCA Sicafi

    2,510        142,611   

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

    3,280        188,823   

Boston Properties, Inc.

    9,524        1,032,116   

Brandywine Realty Trust

    17,450        215,333   

British Land Co. PLC

    90,091        721,403   

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

    11,560        461,673   

Chartwell Seniors Housing Real Estate Investment Trust

    36,170        344,611   

Cofinimmo

    1,280        142,653   

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

    19,643        463,051   

Commonwealth Property Office Fund

    188,430        196,419   

Corio NV

    12,697        559,015   

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    11,651        273,915   

CubeSmart

    12,480        145,642   

DDR Corp.

    18,195        266,375   

Dexus Property Group

    195,410        186,988   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    7,140        536,000   

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

    22,886        528,667   

Duke Realty Corp.

    25,250        369,660   

Dundee International Real Estate Investment Trust

    13,723        133,981   

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust

    12,646        474,365   

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    5,490        292,617   

Entertainment Properties Trust

    3,110        127,852   

Equity Residential

    19,010        1,185,464   

Eurocommercial Properties NV

    9,900        342,510   

 

3


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

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    22,200      $ 679,320   

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    4,060        422,605   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.(a) (b)

    143,520        674,544   

Fonciere Des Regions

    1,810        130,136   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

    23,210        419,869   

Glimcher Realty Trust

    43,166        441,156   

Goodman Group

    191,956        726,830   

GPT Group

    32,670        110,508   

Hammerson PLC

    35,690        247,873   

HCP, Inc.

    19,330        853,419   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    11,270        657,041   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    11,200        177,184   

InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust

    42,557        196,462   

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    38        348,413   

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

    98        155,453   

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    10,156        491,652   

Klepierre

    19,483        640,286   

Land Securities Group PLC

    27,700        320,931   

Lexington Realty Trust(b)

    30,310        256,726   

Liberty Property Trust(b)

    7,220        265,985   

Link REIT (The)

    161,268        659,971   

LTC Properties, Inc.

    9,530        345,748   

Macerich Co. (The)

    2,500        147,625   

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    9,820        285,467   

Mapletree Logistics Trust

    471,000        366,220   

Mercialys SA

    16,810        312,810   

Mirvac Group

    324,533        426,430   

Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust

    7,350        122,729   

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    8,070        228,300   

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.(b)

    31        299,729   

Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust

    13,800        446,355   

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    19,220        432,450   

Orix JREIT, Inc.

    77        346,116   

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

    14,210        331,235   

Post Properties, Inc.

    5,570        272,651   

ProLogis, Inc.

    22,043        732,489   

Public Storage

    6,300        909,783   

Realty Income Corp.(b)

    4,770        199,243   

Regency Centers Corp.

    12,770        607,469   

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (Toronto)

    7,083        192,711   

Segro PLC

    46,880        159,720   

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    10,780        240,610   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    22,316        3,473,709   

SL Green Realty Corp.

    5,533        443,968   

Sovran Self Storage, Inc.

    7,222        361,750   

Stockland

    171,880        545,530   

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.(a)

    70,310        454,203   

Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust

    205,000        219,563   

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

    22,400        717,920   

UDR, Inc.

    14,470        373,905   

Unibail-Rodamco SE

    8,389        1,545,338   
   

Ventas, Inc.

    23,230      $ 1,466,278   

Vornado Realty Trust

    11,960        1,004,401   

Weingarten Realty Investors

    8,260        217,568   

Westfield Group

    147,870        1,447,851   

Westfield Retail Trust

    268,650        788,000   

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    13,340        298,282   
   

 

 

 
      40,409,013   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–2.8%

   

Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.

    25,300        539,104   

CapitaLand Ltd.

    182,000        392,420   

Castellum AB

    22,274        269,374   

CBRE Group, Inc.(a)

    34,273        560,706   

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

    11,000        135,953   

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    108,000        254,342   

City Developments Ltd.

    18,000        160,450   

Citycon OYJ

    58,590        165,800   

Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.

    6,800        644,586   

Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd.(b)

    1,405,000        727,642   

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.(a)

    76,000        126,522   

Great Eagle Holdings Ltd.

    103,000        266,033   

GSW Immobilien AG(b)

    9,354        319,792   

Hang Lung Group Ltd.

    21,000        129,846   

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    509,000        1,741,095   

Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.

    31,000        172,746   

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

    70,000        403,813   

Hufvudstaden AB–Class A(b)

    32,931        352,998   

Kerry Properties Ltd.

    33,000        141,145   

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

    69,000        1,237,915   

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

    78,100        1,515,361   

New World Development Ltd.

    657,958        774,447   

Soho China Ltd.

    371,500        286,123   

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

    34,000        836,277   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    108,708        1,291,714   

Swire Pacific Ltd.

    12,000        139,415   

Tokyu Land Corp.

    63,000        312,717   

UOL Group Ltd.

    77,516        303,857   

Wharf Holdings Ltd.

    149,000        829,556   
   

 

 

 
      15,031,749   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.1%

   

Housing Development Finance Corp.

    44,040        517,339   
   

 

 

 
      92,748,160   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–9.6%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.3%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    115,700        1,986,569   

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

    15,790        1,572,053   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    5,000      $ 240,550   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    57,925        3,225,264   
   

 

 

 
      7,024,436   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–2.2%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

    14,200        8,292,800   

Dell, Inc.(a)

    6,800        85,136   

EMC Corp./MA(a)

    39,049        1,000,826   

Fujitsu Ltd.

    81,000        387,642   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    106,800        2,147,748   

Wistron Corp.

    121,793        150,344   
   

 

 

 
      12,064,496   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.1%

   

AU Optronics Corp.

    537,310        218,357   

LG Display Co., Ltd.(a)

    15,010        283,380   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    9,100        290,381   
   

 

 

 
      792,118   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–1.2%

   

Baidu, Inc. (Sponsored ADR)(a)

    4,730        543,855   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

    6,540        3,793,658   

LinkedIn Corp.(a)(b)

    6,240        663,125   

Telecity Group PLC(a)

    98,697        1,243,888   
   

 

 

 
      6,244,526   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.9%

   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a)

    41,800        2,508,000   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    10,960        253,045   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    17,860        2,208,032   
   

 

 

 
      4,969,077   
   

 

 

 

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.1%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

    46,500        366,325   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–1.6%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.

    349,685        287,052   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. (ADR)

    56,525        230,057   

Applied Materials, Inc.

    112,700        1,291,542   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

    21,482        726,092   

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.(b)

    639,000        142,102   

Intel Corp.

    76,200        2,030,730   

Lam Research Corp.(a)

    18,900        713,286   

Micron Technology, Inc.(a)

    143,100        902,961   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    290        307,106   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Preference Shares)

    990        653,550   

Sumco Corp.(a)

    15,900        144,636   

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    6,500        304,817   

Xilinx, Inc.

    25,580        858,720   
   

 

 

 
      8,592,651   
   

 

 

 
   

SOFTWARE–2.2%

   

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

    17,975      $ 1,134,402   

Aveva Group PLC

    6,940        177,189   

CA, Inc.

    6,100        165,249   

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

    30,260        2,540,024   

Informatica Corp.(a)

    16,710        707,836   

Intuit, Inc.

    33,010        1,959,144   

Microsoft Corp.

    14,800        452,732   

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

    1,400        163,493   

Oracle Corp.

    87,930        2,611,521   

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

    3,460        478,380   

Temenos Group AG(a)

    12,755        210,888   

TIBCO Software, Inc.(a)

    53,496        1,600,600   
   

 

 

 
      12,201,458   
   

 

 

 
      52,255,087   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–9.3%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.7%

   

BorgWarner, Inc.(a) (b)

    10,608        695,779   

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B(b)

    6,970        456,021   

GKN PLC

    124,100        351,845   

Lear Corp.

    21,200        799,876   

Magna International, Inc. (Toronto)–Class A(b)

    7,540        297,793   

Magna International, Inc.
(New York)–Class A

    12,200        481,412   

NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.

    13,000        171,710   

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

    11,500        149,787   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

    13,900        510,964   
   

 

 

 
      3,915,187   
   

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES–1.0%

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    3,230        233,748   

Ford Motor Co.

    68,100        653,079   

General Motors Co.(a)

    59,600        1,175,312   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    15,721        718,921   

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.(b)

    16,100        561,818   

Kia Motors Corp.

    3,100        204,320   

Mazda Motor Corp.(a)

    215,000        292,777   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    75,200        714,079   

Renault SA

    7,830        312,672   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

    3,920        621,037   
   

 

 

 
      5,487,763   
   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTORS–0.3%

   

Imperial Holdings Ltd.

    6,780        143,113   

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.

    2,000        73,712   

Li & Fung Ltd.

    802,000        1,550,777   
   

 

 

 
      1,767,602   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.3%

   

Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA

    15,800        201,384   

Apollo Group, Inc.–Class A(a)

    23,400        846,846   

Estacio Participacoes SA

    23,400        283,107   
   

 

 

 
      1,331,337   
   

 

 

 

 

5


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

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.3%

   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.–Class A(a)

    1,790      $ 680,110   

Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC

    24,960        600,900   

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    34,690        1,508,668   

MGM Resorts International(a)

    101,700        1,134,972   

Sands China Ltd.

    175,600        564,909   

Shangri-La Asia Ltd.

    159,333        304,394   

Sodexo

    8,700        677,408   

Starbucks Corp.

    27,690        1,476,431   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    5,380        285,355   
   

 

 

 
      7,233,147   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.5%

   

MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA

    41,500        192,158   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    48,400        877,976   

NVR, Inc.(a)

    500        425,000   

Rossi Residencial SA

    98,200        241,039   

Sharp Corp./Japan

    90,000        458,545   

Sony Corp.

    14,800        211,629   
   

 

 

 
      2,406,347   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.4%

   

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    4,185        955,645   

priceline.com, Inc.(a)

    1,490        990,135   

Rakuten, Inc.

    19,800        204,705   
   

 

 

 
      2,150,485   
   

 

 

 

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.0%

   

Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.

    15,900        218,047   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–2.4%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

    26,900        881,782   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    63,580        2,032,652   

DIRECTV(a)

    18,300        893,406   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    54,000        795,420   

Informa PLC

    30,090        179,546   

McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The)

    12,600        567,000   

News Corp.–Class A

    37,400        833,646   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.–
Class A

    17,800        1,461,380   

Viacom, Inc.–Class B

    25,500        1,199,010   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    80,102        3,884,947   
   

 

 

 
      12,728,789   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.6%

   

Dollar General Corp.(a)

    15,143        823,628   

Don Quijote Co., Ltd.(b)

    16,000        551,043   

Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd.(b)

    125,000        257,324   

Macy’s, Inc.

    28,900        992,715   

Target Corp.

    6,800        395,692   
   

 

 

 
      3,020,402   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.8%

   

Belle International Holdings Ltd.

    216,000        370,606   

GameStop Corp.–Class A(b)

    13,400        246,024   
   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    10,300      $ 545,797   

L’Occitane International SA

    15,000        41,630   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    21,100        600,084   

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.

    12,900        1,219,810   

Shimamura Co., Ltd.

    1,000        115,555   

Staples, Inc.

    11,700        152,685   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

    25,050        1,282,519   
   

 

 

 
      4,574,710   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–1.0%

   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    15,570        854,945   

Coach, Inc.

    28,290        1,654,399   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA

    2,066        314,424   

PVH Corp.

    15,072        1,172,451   

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    4,250        595,255   

Trinity Ltd.

    236,000        149,500   

VF Corp.

    6,530        871,428   

Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    9,000        28,063   
   

 

 

 
      5,640,465   
   

 

 

 
      50,474,281   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–7.2%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.5%

   

AMEC PLC

    34,208        539,270   

FMC Technologies, Inc.(a)

    17,620        691,232   

Halliburton Co.

    73,580        2,088,936   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    21,200        921,776   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    25,620        1,650,953   

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    31,442        1,504,814   

Saipem SpA

    4,910        218,663   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    53,855        3,495,728   

Seadrill Ltd.

    10,460        373,061   

Technip SA

    8,580        894,173   

Transocean Ltd./Switzerland

    20,300        908,019   
   

 

 

 
      13,286,625   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.7%

   

Afren PLC(a)

    69,590        113,122   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    16,400        1,085,680   

BG Group PLC

    59,840        1,225,013   

BP PLC

    260,870        1,742,142   

BP PLC (Sponsored ADR)

    40,000        1,621,600   

Chevron Corp.

    22,900        2,415,950   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

    258,000        230,581   

Devon Energy Corp.

    6,500        376,935   

ENI SpA

    20,300        431,276   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    13,755        1,239,463   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    72,293        6,186,112   

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored ADR)(b)

    36,290        344,755   

JX Holdings, Inc.

    57,500        296,356   

LUKOIL OAO (London) (Sponsored ADR)(b)

    4,040        226,563   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    31,500        805,455   

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    27,400      $ 1,230,808   

Nexen, Inc. (Toronto)

    21,652        366,644   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    19,344        1,640,758   

NovaTek OAO (Sponsored GDR)(c)

    820        87,558   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored ADR)(b)

    26,000        471,640   

PTT PCL

    20,800        211,537   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

    35,795        1,208,105   

Suncor Energy, Inc. (New York)

    36,670        1,061,596   

Total SA

    19,130        861,020   

Valero Energy Corp.

    9,600        231,840   
   

 

 

 
      25,712,509   
   

 

 

 
      38,999,134   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–6.5%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.5%

   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(a)

    5,430        783,983   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    36,305        1,861,721   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    4,400        246,048   
   

 

 

 
      2,891,752   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.5%

   

Covidien PLC

    32,705        1,749,717   

Stryker Corp.

    15,280        841,928   
   

 

 

 
      2,591,645   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–1.7%

   

Aetna, Inc.

    6,900        267,513   

Express Scripts Holding Co.(a)

    15,776        880,774   

Health Net, Inc.(a)

    15,100        366,477   

McKesson Corp.

    10,230        959,063   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    81,736        4,781,556   

WellPoint, Inc.

    31,200        1,990,248   
   

 

 

 
      9,245,631   
   

 

 

 

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–0.2%

   

Eurofins Scientific

    3,074        381,736   

Illumina, Inc.(a) (b)

    17,612        711,349   
   

 

 

 
      1,093,085   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.6%

   

Abbott Laboratories

    1,700        109,599   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    18,475        1,710,231   

AstraZeneca PLC

    29,659        1,325,391   

AstraZeneca PLC (Sponsored ADR)

    35,500        1,588,625   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    25,430        577,618   

Johnson & Johnson

    50,700        3,425,292   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    64,800        2,705,400   

Novartis AG

    13,994        782,423   

Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.

    9,100        279,326   

Perrigo Co.

    6,260        738,242   

Pfizer, Inc.

    204,500        4,703,500   

Roche Holding AG

    4,230        730,660   
   

Roche Holding AG (Sponsored ADR)

    12,800      $ 553,216   
   

 

 

 
      19,229,523   
   

 

 

 
      35,051,636   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–5.6%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.9%

   

Boeing Co. (The)

    22,720        1,688,096   

General Dynamics Corp.

    5,800        382,568   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    4,100        261,539   

Precision Castparts Corp.

    13,275        2,183,605   

Safran SA

    12,500        464,205   
   

 

 

 
      4,980,013   
   

 

 

 

AIR FREIGHT &
LOGISTICS–0.2%

   

Kuehne & Nagel International AG

    10,270        1,088,036   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.

    52,000        84,440   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.(a)

    75,900        831,105   
   

 

 

 
      915,545   
   

 

 

 

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.(b)

    58,000        391,279   

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.(a)

    17,300        385,271   
   

 

 

 
      776,550   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Edenred

    7,299        206,922   

Serco Group PLC

    125,675        1,055,423   
   

 

 

 
      1,262,345   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.1%

   

Bouygues SA

    19,525        523,926   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    14,108        704,130   

Emerson Electric Co.

    40,390        1,881,366   

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    10,589        699,509   

Roper Industries, Inc.

    7,280        717,663   

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    36,600        456,068   
   

 

 

 
      4,458,736   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–1.5%

   

Cookson Group PLC

    12,810        118,536   

Danaher Corp.

    64,359        3,351,817   

General Electric Co.

    165,600        3,451,104   

Hopewell Holdings Ltd.

    15,900        45,312   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

    2,400        116,905   

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        122,961   

Keppel Corp., Ltd.

    137,500        1,126,470   
   

 

 

 
      8,333,105   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–0.6%

   

Cummins, Inc.

    8,600        833,426   

Dover Corp.

    21,920        1,175,131   

Flowserve Corp.

    6,949        797,398   

 

7


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

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

IHI Corp.

    32,000      $ 68,448   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    1,900        146,072   
   

 

 

 
      3,020,475   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.7%

   

Bureau Veritas SA

    9,893        880,086   

Capita PLC

    158,430        1,627,967   

Hays PLC

    57,154        66,008   

Intertek Group PLC

    33,532        1,404,852   
   

 

 

 
      3,978,913   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–0.1%

   

DSV A/S

    9,495        188,267   

East Japan Railway Co.

    1,700        106,745   

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    14,500        219,106   
   

 

 

 
      514,118   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.1%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

    18,000        363,857   

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

    13,400        199,122   
   

 

 

 
      562,979   
   

 

 

 
      30,414,741   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–3.6%

   

BEVERAGES–0.1%

   

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    14,500        311,523   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES
RETAILING–1.0%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    21,800        1,018,714   

Delhaize Group SA

    4,637        169,862   

Empire Co., Ltd.

    1,900        100,141   

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

    40,421        683,389   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    36,190        448,296   

Kroger Co. (The)

    72,800        1,688,232   

Olam International Ltd.(b)

    790,412        1,144,790   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

    12,300        403,524   
   

 

 

 
      5,656,948   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    11,100        327,672   

Hershey Co. (The)

    13,890        1,000,497   

Nestle SA

    7,690        458,923   

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

    19,200        361,536   

Unilever PLC

    20,400        684,904   
   

 

 

 
      2,833,532   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    30,800        1,886,500   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    12,830        678,155   
   

 

 

 
      2,564,655   
   

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.2%

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–
Class A

    14,480        783,658   

Natura Cosmeticos SA

    6,400        149,763   
   

 

 

 
      933,421   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–1.3%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

    45,300        1,565,115   

British American Tobacco PLC

    34,952        1,776,959   
   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    12,570      $ 484,300   

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    21,400        633,989   

Lorillard, Inc.

    12,100        1,596,595   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    14,665        1,279,668   
   

 

 

 
      7,336,626   
   

 

 

 
      19,636,705   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.5%

   

CHEMICALS–0.9%

   

Agrium, Inc. (Toronto)(b)

    2,930        259,674   

Air Water, Inc.

    14,000        169,748   

Denki Kagaku Kogyo KK

    30,000        104,871   

Filtrona PLC

    56,720        425,452   

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

    6,901        20,388   

Koninklijke DSM NV

    13,018        641,780   

LyondellBasell Industries NV

    23,800        958,426   

Monsanto Co.

    17,738        1,468,352   

OCI Co., Ltd.

    750        150,096   

Orica Ltd.

    10,056        256,144   

PPG Industries, Inc.

    5,000        530,600   

Teijin Ltd.

    35,000        106,545   

Ube Industries Ltd./Japan

    41,000        95,366   
   

 

 

 
      5,187,442   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS–0.0%

   

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

    87,000        199,772   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–0.6%

   

Anglo American PLC

    15,460        508,098   

Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.

    19,000        117,823   

Exxaro Resources Ltd.

    6,700        156,455   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    17,550        597,929   

Goldcorp, Inc.

    4,010        150,971   

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    4,600        201,317   

OneSteel Ltd.

    96,600        87,115   

Rio Tinto PLC

    12,910        613,531   

ThyssenKrupp AG

    2,500        40,724   

Vale SA (Sponsored ADR) (Local Preference Shares)(b)

    22,700        442,877   

Xstrata PLC

    9,210        115,801   
   

 

 

 
      3,032,641   
   

 

 

 
      8,419,855   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.1%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    64,700        2,307,202   

CenturyLink, Inc.

    51,100        2,017,939   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    20,500        955,925   

Telecom Italia SpA (ordinary shares)

    463,414        457,918   

Telecom Italia SpA (savings shares)

    148,800        120,583   

Vivendi SA

    20,934        388,972   
   

 

 

 
      6,248,539   
   

 

 

 

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
     

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.3%

     

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

      290      $ 482,561   

Vodafone Group PLC

      343,503        965,503   
     

 

 

 
        1,448,064   
     

 

 

 
        7,696,603   
     

 

 

 

UTILITIES–1.3%

     

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.7%

     

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

      21,200        845,880   

E.ON AG

      23,166        500,597   

Edison International

      17,200        794,640   

EDP–Energias de Portugal SA

      91,200        215,743   

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

      28,900        618,749   

NV Energy, Inc.

      56,200        987,996   
     

 

 

 
        3,963,605   
     

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–0.1%

     

Atmos Energy Corp.

      17,100        599,697   
     

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.1%

     

APR Energy PLC

      31,534        335,832   
     

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.4%

     

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

      33,000        682,110   

DTE Energy Co.

      7,800        462,774   

National Grid PLC

      35,730        378,667   

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

      6,900        224,250   

Veolia Environnement SA

      13,520        171,206   
     

 

 

 
        1,919,007   
     

 

 

 
        6,818,141   
     

 

 

 

OTHER INSTRUMENTS–0.1%

     

OTHER INSTRUMENTS–0.1%

     

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.(b)

      47,021        567,073   
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $318,706,388)

        343,081,416   
     

 

 

 
        
Principal
Amount
(000)
       
     

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–9.7%

     
     

INDUSTRIAL–4.7%

     

BASIC–0.5%

     

Alcoa, Inc.
5.40%, 4/15/21

    US$        285        283,794   

AngloGold Ashanti Holdings PLC
5.375%, 4/15/20

      290        298,042   

ArcelorMittal
6.125%, 6/01/18

      279        282,891   

ArcelorMittal USA LLC
6.50%, 4/15/14

      105        111,355   
     

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

  US$          203      $ 244,598   

Dow Chemical Co. (The)
4.125%, 11/15/21

      165        176,979   

5.25%, 11/15/41

      160        176,870   

8.55%, 5/15/19

      253        336,509   

Eastman Chemical Co.
2.40%, 6/01/17

      128        129,356   

3.60%, 8/15/22

      137        139,730   

International Paper Co.
4.75%, 2/15/22

      135        147,358   

7.95%, 6/15/18

      190        239,425   

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

      30        31,643   

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

      129        133,504   

Teck Resources Ltd.
4.75%, 1/15/22

      204        219,199   
     

 

 

 
        2,951,253   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL GOODS–0.2%

     

ADT Corp. (The)
3.50%, 7/15/22(c)

      110        110,369   

Embraer SA
5.15%, 6/15/22

      130        133,445   

Holcim US Finance Sarl & Cie SCS
6.00%, 12/30/19(c)

      40        41,938   

Owens Corning
6.50%, 12/01/16

      178        197,922   

Republic Services, Inc.
3.80%, 5/15/18

      17        18,187   

5.25%, 11/15/21

      165        189,434   

5.50%, 9/15/19

      233        269,615   
     

 

 

 
        960,910   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–MEDIA–1.0%

  

   

CBS Corp.
3.375%, 3/01/22

      305        303,870   

5.75%, 4/15/20

      250        290,769   

8.875%, 5/15/19

      190        251,253   

Comcast Corp.
5.15%, 3/01/20

      740        859,055   

DirecTV Holdings LLC/DirecTV Financing Co., Inc.
3.80%, 3/15/22

      215        217,428   

4.60%, 2/15/21

      255        271,202   

4.75%, 10/01/14

      155        166,381   

Globo Comunicacao e
Participacoes SA
5.307%, 5/11/22(c) (d)

      221        234,260   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)
4.00%, 3/15/22

      47        47,716   

News America, Inc.
6.15%, 3/01/37-2/15/41

      352        403,552   

9.25%, 2/01/13

      144        150,463   

Omnicom Group, Inc.
3.625%, 5/01/22

      165        167,657   

Reed Elsevier Capital, Inc.
8.625%, 1/15/19

      435        551,867   

 

9


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

 

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

Time Warner Cable, Inc.
5.00%, 2/01/20

  US$          157      $ 176,316   

7.50%, 4/01/14

      145        160,760   

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

      311        421,267   

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC
5.25%, 1/15/21

      200        221,567   

WPP Finance 2010
4.75%, 11/21/21

      77        80,800   

WPP Finance UK
8.00%, 9/15/14

      350        394,722   
     

 

 

 
        5,370,905   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–
TELECOMMUNICATIONS–0.6%

   

   

American Tower Corp.
5.05%, 9/01/20

      380        399,142   

AT&T Corp.
8.00%, 11/15/31

      15        22,224   

AT&T, Inc.
4.45%, 5/15/21

      251        284,135   

5.35%, 9/01/40

      328        376,433   

BellSouth Corp.
5.20%, 9/15/14

      94        102,298   

British Telecommunications PLC
2.00%, 6/22/15

      200        202,748   

5.95%, 1/15/18

      121        141,738   

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV
4.875%, 3/06/42(c)

      490        465,521   

Telecom Italia Capital SA
6.00%, 9/30/34

      65        49,888   

6.175%, 6/18/14

      305        307,288   

6.375%, 11/15/33

      60        47,100   

7.175%, 6/18/19

      170        169,150   

Telefonica Emisiones SAU
5.462%, 2/16/21

      185        161,097   

United States Cellular Corp.
6.70%, 12/15/33

      135        139,570   

Vodafone Group PLC
6.15%, 2/27/37

      375        479,297   

7.875%, 2/15/30

      100        141,396   
     

 

 

 
        3,489,025   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.1%

     

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC
3.00%, 6/12/17

      385        382,879   

Harley-Davidson Funding Corp.
5.75%, 12/15/14(c)

      341        369,261   
     

 

 

 
        752,140   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.2%

     

Time Warner, Inc.
4.70%, 1/15/21

      123        137,062   

7.625%, 4/15/31

      275        355,201   
     

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
8.375%, 7/01/13

  US$          225      $ 240,321   

Viacom, Inc.
5.625%, 9/15/19

      473        557,815   
     

 

 

 
        1,290,399   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1%

     

Marriott International, Inc./DE
3.00%, 3/01/19

      242        244,678   

Series J
5.625%, 2/15/13

      216        221,912   
     

 

 

 
        466,590   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.2%

     

CVS Caremark Corp.

     

6.125%, 8/15/16

      100        116,972   

6.60%, 3/15/19

      195        243,175   

Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc.
3.875%, 1/15/22

      475        499,402   
     

 

 

 
        859,549   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.3%

     

Ahold Finance USA LLC
6.875%, 5/01/29

      420        522,166   

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

      69        73,733   

5.875%, 5/15/13

      180        186,805   

8.50%, 6/15/19

      153        191,012   

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

      260        272,355   

Delhaize Group SA
5.875%, 2/01/14

      105        110,568   

Whirlpool Corp.
8.60%, 5/01/14

      45        50,101   
     

 

 

 
        1,406,740   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–0.7%

     

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
5.95%, 9/15/16

      432        490,224   

6.45%, 9/15/36

      109        126,018   

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

      100        102,529   

ConocoPhillips Holding Co.
6.95%, 4/15/29

      66        90,542   

Encana Corp.
3.90%, 11/15/21

      580        573,700   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.
3.50%, 3/01/16

      67        70,232   

5.125%, 3/01/21

      318        356,035   

Nabors Industries, Inc.
9.25%, 1/15/19

      269        349,247   

Noble Energy, Inc.
8.25%, 3/01/19

      303        387,357   

Noble Holding International Ltd.
4.90%, 8/01/20

      36        39,095   

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Phillips 66
4.30%, 4/01/22(c)

  US$          490      $ 515,873   

Southwestern Energy Co.
4.10%, 3/15/22(c)

      135        136,828   

Valero Energy Corp.
6.125%, 2/01/20

      275        317,503   

Weatherford International Ltd./Bermuda
5.125%, 9/15/20

      175        187,871   

9.625%, 3/01/19

      285        371,424   
     

 

 

 
        4,114,478   
     

 

 

 

OTHER INDUSTRIAL–0.1%

     

Noble Group Ltd.
6.75%, 1/29/20(c)

      445        429,425   
     

 

 

 

SERVICES–0.0%

     

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

      90        104,419   
     

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY–0.3%

     

Agilent Technologies, Inc.
5.00%, 7/15/20

      71        80,414   

Hewlett-Packard Co.
4.65%, 12/09/21

      214        224,315   

Intel Corp.
4.80%, 10/01/41

      265        303,487   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.
7.50%, 5/15/25

      35        43,262   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
4.125%, 5/15/22

      495        496,369   

Xerox Corp.
2.95%, 3/15/17

      91        92,031   

8.25%, 5/15/14

      280        312,208   
     

 

 

 
        1,552,086   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–AIRLINES–0.1%

     

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

      307        332,275   

5.75%, 12/15/16

      155        179,092   
     

 

 

 
        511,367   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–RAILROADS–0.1%

     

CSX Corp.
4.75%, 5/30/42

      465        479,439   

5.50%, 8/01/13

      35        36,747   
     

 

 

 
        516,186   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–
SERVICES–0.2%

     

Asciano Finance Ltd.
3.125%, 9/23/15(c)

      470        467,761   

Con-way, Inc.
6.70%, 5/01/34

      291        289,084   

Ryder System, Inc.
5.85%, 11/01/16

      127        144,206   

7.20%, 9/01/15

      127        145,397   
     

 

 

 
        1,046,448   
     

 

 

 
        25,821,920   
     

 

 

 
     

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–3.7%

     

BANKING–2.3%

     

Bank of America Corp.
3.875%, 3/22/17(b)

  US$          360      $ 366,731   

5.70%, 1/24/22

      90        99,117   

5.875%, 1/05/21-2/07/42

      459        502,064   

7.375%, 5/15/14

      340        365,648   

Series L
5.65%, 5/01/18

      90        96,236   

Barclays Bank PLC
5.125%, 1/08/20

      345        374,382   

Bear Stearns Cos. LLC (The)
5.55%, 1/22/17

      290        313,002   

5.70%, 11/15/14

      190        205,597   

Citigroup, Inc.
4.50%, 1/14/22(b)

      395        407,977   

5.375%, 8/09/20

      232        250,698   

5.50%, 4/11/13

      230        236,504   

6.50%, 8/19/13

      260        272,418   

8.50%, 5/22/19

      190        234,656   

Compass Bank
5.50%, 4/01/20

      314        296,745   

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

      92        95,753   

DNB Bank ASA
3.20%, 4/03/17(c)

      485        490,538   

Fifth Third Bancorp
3.50%, 3/15/22

      188        189,988   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
5.25%, 7/27/21

      213        216,369   

5.75%, 1/24/22

      450        475,022   

6.00%, 6/15/20

      440        469,730   

7.50%, 2/15/19

      335        382,035   

HSBC Holdings PLC
4.00%, 3/30/22

      515        534,775   

5.10%, 4/05/21

      320        357,264   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
4.40%, 7/22/20

      390        411,345   

4.50%, 1/24/22

      515        554,767   

4.625%, 5/10/21

      233        249,307   

Macquarie Bank Ltd.
5.00%, 2/22/17(c)

      90        91,665   

Macquarie Group Ltd.
4.875%, 8/10/17(b)(c)

      379        379,898   

Morgan Stanley

     

5.50%, 7/24/20-7/28/21

      676        663,622   

6.625%, 4/01/18

      345        360,721   

National Capital Trust II
5.486%, 3/23/15(c)

      91        84,558   

Nationwide Building Society
6.25%, 2/25/20(c)

      465        501,610   

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

      100        100,469   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (The)
6.125%, 1/11/21

      345        383,266   

Santander US Debt SAU
2.991%, 10/07/13(c)

      500        480,781   

 

11


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

 

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

Societe Generale SA
2.50%, 1/15/14(c)

  US$          245      $ 240,650   

SouthTrust Corp.
5.80%, 6/15/14

      225        241,152   

Unicredit Luxembourg Finance SA
6.00%, 10/31/17(c)

      230        188,315   

Wachovia Corp.
5.50%, 5/01/13

      320        332,505   
     

 

 

 
        12,497,880   
     

 

 

 

FINANCE–0.3%

     

General Electric Capital Corp.
4.65%, 10/17/21

      193        214,332   

5.625%, 5/01/18

      480        551,779   

SLM Corp.
7.25%, 1/25/22

      340        359,550   

Series A
5.375%, 5/15/14

      270        279,440   
     

 

 

 
        1,405,101   
     

 

 

 

INSURANCE–0.8%

     

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

      160        184,475   

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

      209        205,865   

American International Group, Inc.
6.40%, 12/15/20

      300        339,443   

Coventry Health Care, Inc.
5.95%, 3/15/17

      90        102,085   

6.125%, 1/15/15

      40        43,629   

6.30%, 8/15/14

      275        298,924   

Genworth Financial, Inc.
6.515%, 5/22/18

      215        206,031   

Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America
7.375%, 9/30/39(c)

      163        212,672   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
4.00%, 3/30/15

      95        99,633   

5.125%, 4/15/22

      180        185,356   

5.50%, 3/30/20

      242        252,661   

Humana, Inc.
6.45%, 6/01/16

      40        45,490   

7.20%, 6/15/18

      285        342,482   

Lincoln National Corp.
8.75%, 7/01/19

      98        123,409   

Markel Corp.
7.125%, 9/30/19

      230        267,532   

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.
8.875%, 6/01/39(c)

      90        128,959   

MetLife, Inc.
7.717%, 2/15/19

      112        141,848   

10.75%, 8/01/39

      140        195,650   

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
9.375%, 8/15/39(c)

      335        440,751   
     

XL Group PLC
5.25%, 9/15/14

  US$          135      $ 142,205   

6.375%, 11/15/24

      157        175,023   
     

 

 

 
        4,134,123   
     

 

 

 

OTHER FINANCE–0.1%

     

Aviation Capital Group Corp.
7.125%, 10/15/20(c)

      173        175,942   

ORIX Corp.
4.71%, 4/27/15

      369        384,773   
     

 

 

 
        560,715   
     

 

 

 

REITS – 0.2%

     

ERP Operating LP
5.25%, 9/15/14

      105        113,121   

HCP, Inc.
5.375%, 2/01/21

      505        558,430   

Health Care REIT, Inc.
5.25%, 1/15/22

      505        535,686   

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

      131        135,640   
     

 

 

 
        1,342,877   
     

 

 

 
        19,940,696   
     

 

 

 

UTILITY–1.2%

     

ELECTRIC–0.5%

     

Allegheny Energy Supply Co. LLC
5.75%, 10/15/19(c)

      205        220,606   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
5.15%, 12/01/20

      210        232,458   

FirstEnergy Corp. Series C
7.375%, 11/15/31

      275        345,199   

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.
6.125%, 4/01/36

      395        494,242   

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

      502        601,810   

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
4.50%, 12/15/41

      190        201,005   

6.05%, 3/01/34

      38        47,887   

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

      348        362,578   

TECO Finance, Inc.
4.00%, 3/15/16

      100        107,009   

5.15%, 3/15/20

      125        142,876   

Union Electric Co.
6.70%, 2/01/19

      45        56,668   
     

 

 

 
        2,812,338   
     

 

 

 

NATURAL GAS–0.7%

     

DCP Midstream LLC
5.35%, 3/15/20(c)

      137        149,516   

Energy Transfer Partners LP
6.70%, 7/01/18

      127        145,676   

7.50%, 7/01/38

      410        462,397   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC
5.20%, 9/01/20

      305        348,941   

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

EQT Corp.
8.125%, 6/01/19

  US$          234      $ 280,628   

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP
3.95%, 9/01/22

      424        429,559   

4.15%, 3/01/22

      220        226,166   

ONEOK, Inc.
4.25%, 2/01/22

      480        502,684   

Talent Yield Investments Ltd.
4.50%, 4/25/22(c)

      490        501,292   

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.
6.35%, 5/15/67

      120        123,570   

Williams Partners LP
5.25%, 3/15/20

      298        334,820   
     

 

 

 
        3,505,249   
     

 

 

 
        6,317,587   
     

 

 

 

NON CORPORATE
SECTORS–0.1%

   

   

AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.1%

     

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

      290        314,635   

Petrobras International Finance Co. - Pifco
5.75%, 1/20/20

      345        377,388   
     

 

 

 
        692,023   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $49,522,064)

        52,772,226   
     

 

 

 

MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS–8.5%

     

AGENCY FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–7.1%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold
4.50%, 10/01/39

      3,305        3,530,992   

5.50%, 4/01/38

      2,548        2,766,701   

Series 2005
5.50%, 1/01/35

      855        933,791   

Series 2007
5.50%, 7/01/35

      90        98,843   

Federal National Mortgage Association
3.50%, TBA

      2,705        2,843,209   

3.50%, 12/01/41

      2,622        2,756,979   

4.00%, 1/01/41-12/01/41

      6,803        7,250,078   

4.50%, TBA

      2,750        2,949,804   

4.50%, 8/01/40

      1,001        1,074,243   

5.00%, 12/01/39

      477        516,076   

5.50%, 5/01/38-6/01/38

      1,799        1,957,900   

6.00%, 8/01/37-7/01/39

      3,231        3,548,380   

Series 2003
5.00%, 11/01/33

      246        266,923   
     

Series 2004
5.50%, 2/01/34-11/01/34

  US$          348      $ 383,123   

6.00%, 9/01/34-11/01/34

      310        345,157   

Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35

      259        278,134   

Series 2006
5.00%, 2/01/36

      906        980,659   

6.00%, 3/01/36

      128        141,477   

Series 2007
4.50%, 9/01/35

      221        237,552   

5.00%, 11/01/35-7/01/36

      275        298,103   

5.50%, 1/01/37-8/01/37

      1,334        1,465,118   

Series 2008
5.50%, 8/01/37

      619        677,517   

6.00%, 3/01/37-5/01/38

      1,881        2,072,639   

Series 2010
6.00%, 2/01/40-4/01/40

      910        998,200   
     

 

 

 
        38,371,598   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY FIXED RATE 15-YEAR–1.1%

     

Federal National Mortgage Association

     

3.00%, TBA

      1,890        1,980,070   

4.50%, TBA

      790        846,658   

4.50%, 6/01/26

      2,904        3,109,343   
     

 

 

 
        5,936,071   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY ARMS–0.3%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
2.393%, 4/01/35(e)

      913        964,574   

Series 2008
3.071%, 11/01/37(f)

      86        90,138   

Federal National Mortgage Association
3.208%, 8/01/37(e)

      431        450,512   

Series 2007
2.336%, 3/01/34(f)

      250        262,844   
     

 

 

 
        1,768,068   
     

 

 

 

Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs
(cost $44,818,576)

        46,075,737   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–
TREASURIES–5.9%

     

UNITED STATES–5.9%

     

U.S. Treasury Bonds
3.00%, 5/15/42

      900        942,610   

4.50%, 2/15/36

      1,490        2,001,256   

4.625%, 2/15/40

      3,835        5,304,883   

5.375%, 2/15/31

      5        7,286   

U.S. Treasury Notes
0.875%, 11/30/16-1/31/17

      9,360        9,450,326   

1.00%, 8/31/16-3/31/17

      10,490        10,649,275   

1.75%, 5/15/22

      1,200        1,209,750   

2.00%, 11/15/21

      2,070        2,146,170   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $29,700,907)

        31,711,556   
     

 

 

 

 

13


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

 

   

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–3.8%

  

   

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–1.9%

  

   

Ally Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2011-5, Class A2
0.80%, 6/16/14

  US$          614      $ 614,631   

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2011-4, Class A2
0.92%, 3/09/15

      247        246,847   

Series 2011-5, Class A2
1.19%, 8/08/15

      201        201,165   

Series 2011-3, Class A2
0.84%, 11/10/14

      457        457,625   

Bank of America Auto Trust
Series 2012-1, Class A4
1.03%, 12/15/16

      395        394,779   

BMW Vehicle Lease Trust
Series 2011-1, Class A2
0.64%, 9/20/12

      276        276,448   

Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2012-1A, Class A
2.02%, 8/15/16(c)

      332        332,502   

Ford Auto Securitization Trust
Series 2011-R3A, Class A2
1.96%, 7/15/15(c)

    CAD        655        645,305   

Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust
Series 2011-B, Class A2
0.82%, 1/15/14

  US$          285        285,281   

Series 2011-A, Class A2
0.74%, 9/15/13

      520        520,657   

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust
Series 2011-B, Class A2
0.68%, 1/15/14

      344        344,267   

Huntington Auto Trust
Series 2011-1A, Class A3
1.01%, 1/15/16(c)

      297        298,687   

Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust 2011-A
Series 2011-A, Class A2
0.69%, 11/15/13(c)

      262        261,676   

Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust
Series 2011-1A, Class A2
0.79%, 4/15/13(c)

      28        27,802   

Series 2012-A, Class A2
0.66%, 4/15/14

      605        605,054   

Navistar Financial Corp. Owner Trust
Series 2012-A, Class A2
0.85%, 3/18/15(c)

      570        569,983   

Nissan Auto Lease Trust
Series 2012-A, Class A2A
0.68%, 7/15/14

      440        440,153   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2012-3, Class A3
1.08%, 4/15/16

      530        530,115   

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

Series 2012-4, Class A2
1.06%, 8/17/15

    US$        353      $ 352,978   

SMART Trust/Australia
Series 2011-2USA, Class A2A
1.22%, 11/14/13(c)

      461        461,286   

Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust
Series 2011-1, Class A3
1.22%, 6/22/15

      1,040        1,046,786   

World Omni Automobile Lease Securitization Trust
Series 2011-A, Class A2
0.81%, 10/15/13

      605        605,809   

Series 2012-A, Class A3
0.93%, 11/16/15

      572        572,308   
     

 

 

 
        10,092,144   
     

 

 

 

AUTOS–FLOATING RATE–0.8%

  

   

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust
Series 2012-1, Class A
0.712%, 1/15/16(e)

      931        933,806   

GE Dealer Floorplan Master Note Trust
Series 2009-2A, Class A
1.792%, 10/20/14(c) (e)

      794        797,062   

Series 2012-2, Class A
0.994%, 4/22/19(e)

      790        790,000   

Hyundai Floorplan Master Owner Trust
Series 2009-1A, Class A
1.492%, 11/17/14(c) (e)

      595        596,403   

Nissan Master Owner Trust Receivables
Series 2012-A, Class A
0.712%, 5/15/17(e)

      1,022        1,024,624   
     

 

 

 
        4,141,895   
     

 

 

 

CREDIT CARDS–FLOATING RATE–0.7%

     

American Express Credit Account Master Trust
Series 2011-1, Class A
0.412%, 4/17/17(e)

      935        936,079   

Discover Card Master Trust
Series 2010-A1, Class A1
0.892%, 9/15/15(e)

      184        184,734   

Series 2009-A2, Class A
1.542%, 2/17/15(e)

      200        200,264   

GE Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust
Series 2011-1, Class A
0.792%, 1/15/17(e)

      425        427,455   

Series 2011-2, Class A
0.722%, 5/15/19(e)

      715        718,850   

Gracechurch Card Funding PLC
Series 2012-1A, Class A1
0.942%, 2/15/17(c) (e)

      490        490,257   

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

              
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

Penarth Master Issuer PLC
Series 2012-1A, Class A1
0.813%, 3/18/14(c) (e)

  US$          545      $ 545,373   

Series 2010-2A, Class A2

     

0.994%, 12/18/14(c) (e)

      420        420,773   
     

 

 

 
        3,923,785   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ABS–FIXED RATE–0.3%

     

CIT Equipment Collateral
Series 2012-VT1, Class A3
1.10%, 8/22/16(c)

      268        267,624   

CNH Equipment Trust
Series 2010-C, Class A3
1.17%, 5/15/15

      289        289,600   

Series 2012-A, Class A3
0.94%, 5/15/17

      375        375,730   

GE Equipment Midticket LLC
Series 2011-1, Class A3
1.00%, 8/22/14

      195        195,686   

GE Equipment Small Ticket LLC
Series 2011-2A, Class A2
1.14%, 6/23/14(c)

      275        275,166   

John Deere Owner Trust
Series 2011-A, Class A2
0.64%, 6/16/14

      231        231,503   
     

 

 

 
        1,635,309   
     

 

 

 

CREDIT CARDS–FIXED RATE–0.1%

     

Discover Card Master Trust
Series 2012-A1, Class A1
0.81%, 8/15/17

      304        304,749   

Series 2012-A3, Class A3
0.86%, 11/15/17

      260        260,302   
     

 

 

 
        565,051   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.0%

     

Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust
Series 2007-HE3, Class M1
0.695%, 4/25/37(e) (g)

      100        1,566   

HSBC Home Equity Loan Trust
Series 2007-1, Class M1
0.624%, 3/20/36(e)

      365        262,821   

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2007-2, Class M1
0.605%, 3/25/37(e) (g)

      88        671   

RASC Trust
Series 2003-KS3, Class A2
0.845%, 5/25/33(e)

      1        951   
     

 

 

 
        266,009   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.0%

     

Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.95%, 1/25/33

      127        115,222   
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $21,012,649)

        20,739,415   
     

 

 

 
              
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

AGENCIES–3.4%

     

AGENCY DEBENTURES–3.0%

  

   

Federal Farm Credit Bank 0.251%, 11/13/12(e)

    US$        900      $ 900,341   

0.261%, 10/12/12(e)

      1,200        1,200,391   

0.274%, 9/20/12(e)

      1,100        1,100,311   

0.305%, 6/26/13(e)

      2,500        2,503,208   

Federal National Mortgage Association
0.273%, 9/17/12-10/18/12(e)

      1,810        1,810,295   

6.25%, 5/15/29

      740        1,065,628   

6.625%, 11/15/30

      2,277        3,454,537   

Residual Funding Corp. Principal Strip Zero Coupon, 7/15/20

      4,770        4,156,373   
     

 

 

 
        16,191,084   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY SUBORDINATED–0.4%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
2.375%, 1/13/22

      2,198        2,255,706   
     

 

 

 

Total Agencies
(cost $16,813,644)

        18,446,790   
     

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–2.7%

   

   

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–2.3%

   

   

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2004-C1, Class A4 5.534%, 4/15/40

      110        117,339   

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-C1, Class A4 4.75%, 1/15/37

      70        72,599   

Series 2005-C1, Class A4 5.014%, 2/15/38

      260        281,752   

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates Series 2006-C3, Class A3
6.008%, 6/15/38

      620        702,553   

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp. Series 2005-GG5, Class AJ
5.417%, 4/10/37

      215        150,491   

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

      885        981,756   

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

      80        85,693   

Series 2012-GCJ7, Class A4
3.377%, 5/10/45

      960        980,442   

 

15


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

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.
Series 2005-CB11, Class A4 5.335%, 8/12/37

    US$        170      $ 186,770   

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

      315        351,228   

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

      335        378,094   

Series 2007-LD11, Class A4

     

6.009%, 6/15/49

      895        982,535   

Series 2010-C2, Class A1 2.749%, 11/15/43(c)

      408        422,327   

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2004-C4, Class A4
5.447%, 6/15/29

      40        42,561   

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

      1,095        1,219,795   

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

      285        320,120   

Series 2006-C4, Class A4
6.067%, 6/15/38

      275        313,873   

Series 2007-C2, Class A3
5.43%, 2/15/40

      895        999,057   

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust
Series 2005-CIP1,
Class A2
4.96%, 7/12/38

      377        382,570   

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-2, Class A4
6.093%, 6/12/46

      110        124,692   

Series 2006-3, Class A2
5.291%, 7/12/46

      859        876,056   

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

      480        542,491   

Series 2006-4, Class AM
5.204%, 12/12/49

      265        262,170   

Morgan Stanley Capital I Series 2006-IQ12,
Class A4
5.332%, 12/15/43

      780        886,082   

UBS Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2007-C2, Class A4
3.525%, 6/10/22

      524        520,180   

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2011-C3, Class A2
3.24%, 3/15/44(c)

      428        452,521   
     

 

 

 
        12,635,747   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE CMBS–0.2%

     

CW Capital Cobalt Ltd. Series 2007-C3, Class A4
6.007%, 5/15/46(e)

      905        1,000,410   
     

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II Series 2007-EOP, Class E
2.476%, 3/06/20(c) (e)

  US$          75      $ 74,286   
     

 

 

 
        1,074,696   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY CMBS–0.2%

     

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates Series K008, Class A2
3.531%, 6/25/20

      634        691,648   
     

 

 

 

Total Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $13,580,879)

        14,402,091   
     

 

 

 

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT
GRADES–0.4%

     
     

INDUSTRIAL–0.3%

     

BASIC–0.1%

     

LyondellBasell Industries NV 5.75%, 4/15/24(c)

      435        461,740   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL GOODS–0.1%

     

Ball Corp.
5.00%, 3/15/22

      290        301,600   

BE Aerospace, Inc.
5.25%, 4/01/22

      295        303,850   

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

      120        122,700   
     

 

 

 
        728,150   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.1%

     

Host Hotels & Resorts LP 5.25%, 3/15/22(b)(c)

      195        199,875   

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. 5.375%, 3/15/22(b)(c)

      295        292,787   
     

 

 

 
        492,662   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.0%

     

Dollar General Corp.
4.125%, 7/15/17

      79        80,086   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–0.0%

     

Cimarex Energy Co.
5.875%, 5/01/22

      145        150,619   
     

 

 

 
        1,913,257   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.1%

     

BANKING–0.1%

     

ABN Amro Bank NV
4.31%, 3/10/16

    EUR        90        75,171   

LBG Capital No. 1 PLC
8.00%, 6/15/20(c)

    US$        235        197,400   
     

 

 

 
        272,571   
     

 

 

 

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

UTILITY–0.0%

     

ELECTRIC–0.0%

     

CMS Energy Corp.
5.05%, 3/15/22

  US$          155      $ 160,772   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $2,128,714)

        2,346,600   
     

 

 

 

QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–0.4%

  

   
     

QUASI-SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.4%

   

   

INDONESIA–0.0%

     

Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT 5.50%, 11/22/21(c)

      250        261,250   
     

 

 

 

KAZAKHSTAN–0.1%

     

KazMunayGas National Co.
7.00%, 5/05/20(c)

      251        284,885   
     

 

 

 

MALAYSIA–0.1%

     

Petronas Capital Ltd.
5.25%, 8/12/19(c)

      460        528,608   
     

 

 

 

MEXICO–0.0%

     

Petroleos Mexicanos
5.50%, 6/27/44(c)

      182        186,095   
     

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREA–0.1%

     

Korea National Oil Corp.
3.125%, 4/03/17(c)

      485        494,565   
     

 

 

 

UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES–0.1%

     

IPIC GMTN Ltd.
3.75%, 3/01/17(c)

      465        483,600   
     

 

 

 

Total Quasi-Sovereigns
(cost $2,087,409)

        2,239,003   
     

 

 

 

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–0.2%

     

UNITED STATES–0.2%

     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index
3.00%, 7/15/12 (TIPS)
(cost $1,200,029)

      1,197        1,197,471   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.2%

   

   

INDONESIA–0.1%

     

Indonesia Government International Bond
5.25%, 1/17/42(c)

      475        496,969   
     

 

 

 

QATAR–0.0%

     

State of Qatar
4.50%, 1/20/22(c)

      270        297,945   
     

 

 

 

RUSSIA–0.1%

     

Russian Foreign Bond–Eurobond 7.50%, 3/31/30(c)

      250        299,607   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds
(cost $1,010,096)

        1,094,521   
     

 

 

 
     

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS–MUNICIPAL BONDS–0.1%

     

UNITED STATES–0.1%

     

California GO
7.625%, 3/01/40
(cost $464,450)

  US$          455      $ 588,242   

OPTIONS PURCHASED–
PUTS–0.0%

     

OPTION ON EQUITY INDICES–0.0%

     

STOXX Europe Mid 200 Index Expiration: Dec 2012, Exercise Price: $225.00(a)
(cost $292,224)

      14,270        184,198   
     

 

 

 
    Shares        

PREFERRED STOCKS–0.0%

  

   

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS–0.0%

   

   

FINANCE–0.0%

     

Citigroup Capital XII 8.50%
(cost $175,000)

      7,000        175,875   
     

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS–0.0%

     

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.0%

  

   

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. Series 2005-2, Class 1A4
2.771%, 5/25/35

  US$          47        41,354   

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

      28        27,655   
     

 

 

 
        69,009   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.0%

     

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust Series 2005-62, Class 2A1 1.147%, 12/25/35(e)

      31        17,244   
     

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (cost $105,388)

        86,253   
     

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS–3.0%

     

TIME DEPOSIT–2.2%

     

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $12,123,280)

      12,123        12,123,280   
     

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY BILL–0.5%

  

   

U.S. Treasury Bill Zero Coupon, 8/09/12
(cost $2,464,763)

      2,465        2,464,763   
     

 

 

 

 

17


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

 

        
Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  
     

GOVERNMENTS–
TREASURIES–0.3%

     

Japan Treasury Discount Bill
0.01%, 8/20/12
(cost $1,290,148)

    JPY        110,000      $ 1,375,935   
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $15,878,191)

        15,963,978   
     

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–101.5% (cost $517,496,608)

      $ 551,105,372   
     

 

 

 
        
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY
LOANED–2.3%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–2.3%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(h) (cost $12,325,237)

    12,325,237      $ 12,325,237   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–103.8%
(cost $529,821,845)

      563,430,609   

Other assets less
liabilities–(3.8)%

      (20,447,105
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 542,983,504   
   

 

 

 

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Month
     Original
Value
     Value at
June 30,
2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Purchased Contracts

              

Euro STOXX 50 Index Futures

     7         September 2012       $   189,672       $   199,759       $   10,087   

TOPIX Index Futures

     1         September 2012         87,167         96,203         9,036   
              

 

 

 
               $ 19,123   
              

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

           

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale:

           

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     208,045       $   2,632,878       $   2,604,204       $ (28,674

Citibank NA:

           

Hong Kong Dollar settling 8/14/12

     4,236         545,641         546,092                451   

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     96,227         1,228,600         1,204,522         (24,078

Credit Suisse London Branch (GFX):

           

Euro settling 8/14/12

     2,445         3,183,806         3,095,265         (88,541

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     1,306         2,112,420         2,045,174         (67,246

Deutsche Bank AG London:

           

Australian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     342         349,636         348,657         (979

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     1,523         2,425,162         2,384,992         (40,170

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     344         544,002         538,652         (5,350

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     112,467         1,410,775         1,407,806         (2,969

Swedish Krona settling 8/14/12

     3,104         459,797         448,027         (11,770

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     1,354           1,468,894           1,427,966         (40,928

Goldman Sachs International:

           

Norwegian Krone settling 8/14/12

     16,110         2,755,400         2,704,099         (51,301

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts (continued)

           

HSBC BankUSA:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     901       $ 881,398       $ 884,165       $ 2,767   

Hong Kong Dollar settling 8/14/12

     15,422         1,986,524         1,988,158         1,634   

Norwegian Krone settling 9/14/12

     2,312         381,161         387,629         6,468   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:

           

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     183,719         2,320,241         2,299,703         (20,538

State Street Bank & Trust Co.:

           

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     88         136,118         137,795         1,677   

Swedish Krona settling 8/14/12

     26,004         3,785,946         3,753,380         (32,566

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     1,337         1,412,708         1,410,038         (2,670

UBS AG:

           

Swedish Krona settling 9/14/12

     11,481         1,611,848         1,655,345         43,497   

Sale Contracts

           

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale:

           

Euro settling 8/14/12

     1,115         1,413,998         1,411,542         2,456   

Japanese Yen settling 8/20/12

     109,978         1,406,695         1,376,761            29,934   

BNP Paribas SA:

           

Australian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     342         347,520         348,657         (1,137

Citibank NA:

           

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     700         1,123,338         1,096,188         27,150   

Indian Rupee settling 8/14/12(1)

     9,228         166,061         165,230         831   

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     2,247         2,382,025         2,369,749         12,276   

Credit Suisse London Branch (GFX):

           

Australian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     1,041         1,018,232         1,061,264         (43,032

Australian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     412         402,021         418,848         (16,827

Canadian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     1,976         1,967,736         1,939,079         28,657   

Euro settling 8/14/12

     2,115         2,754,090         2,677,499         76,591   

Norwegian Krone settling 8/14/12

     3,500         573,519         587,483         (13,964

Deutsche Bank AG London:

           

Australian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     810         831,708         825,768         5,940   

Canadian Dollar settling 8/10/12

     653         637,236         641,295         (4,059

Euro settling 8/14/12

     724         904,891         916,553         (11,662

Euro settling 9/14/12

     394         492,618         498,951         (6,333

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     814         1,252,732         1,274,710         (21,978

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     322,199         4,041,633         4,033,126         8,507   

Goldman Sachs International:

           

Swedish Krona settling 8/14/12

     13,123         1,822,006         1,894,155         (72,149

HSBC BankUSA:

           

Brazilian Real settling 8/14/12

     844         417,629         416,678         951   

Euro settling 8/14/12

     1,516         1,931,050         1,919,191         11,859   

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     669         1,056,057         1,047,643         8,414   

Hong Kong Dollar settling 8/14/12

     35,980         4,636,986         4,638,433         (1,447

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     444         471,223         468,255         2,968   

Royal Bank of Canada:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     771         746,616         756,072         (9,456

Euro settling 9/14/12

     1,330         1,660,764         1,684,277         (23,513

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:

           

Euro settling 8/14/12

     431         532,953         545,627         (12,674

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     344         531,903         538,698         (6,795

 

19


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

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sale Contracts (continued)

           

Standard Chartered Bank:

           

Euro settling 9/14/12

     330       $ 419,932       $ 417,903       $ 2,029   

Indian Rupee settling 8/14/12

     14,146         263,348         253,288         10,060   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.:

           

Australian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     308         301,554         313,120         (11,566

Euro settling 8/03/12

     127         160,558         160,322         236   

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     121         195,071         189,484                5,587   

Norwegian Krone settling 8/14/12

     757         125,866         127,064         (1,198

Swedish Krona settling 8/14/12

     1,637         226,522         236,283         (9,761

UBS AG:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     2,330           2,256,200           2,286,465         (30,265
           

 

 

 
            $ (424,656
           

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Contract represents non-deliverable forward where payment is received from or paid to a counterparty based on the net realized gain/loss on settlement date.

PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN (see Note D)

 

Description    Contracts      Exercise
Price
     Expiration
Month
     U.S. $
Value
 

STOXX Europe Mid 200 Index
(premium received $(117,034))

     14,270       $   190.00         December 2012       $   (63,205

INTEREST RATE SWAP TRANSACTIONS (see Note D)

 

                   Rate Type         
Swap Counterparty    Notional
Amount
(000)
     Termination
Date
     Payments
made
by the
Fund
     Payments
received
by the
Fund
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   $ 1,970         1/30/17         1.059     
 
3 Month
LIBOR
  
  
   $ (21,004

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     2,200         2/7/22         2.043     
 
3 Month
LIBOR
  
  
     (75,458
              

 

 

 
               $   (96,462
              

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(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, 2012, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $19,520,474 or 3.6% of net assets.

 

(d)   Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2012.

 

(e)   Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2012.

 

(f)   Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2012.

 

(g)   Illiquid security.

 

(h)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Currency Abbreviation:

CAD—Canadian Dollar

EUR—Euro

JPY—Japanese Yen

Glossary:

ABS—Asset-Backed Securities

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

ARMs—Adjustable Rate Mortgages

CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

FHLMC—Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

GO—General Obligation

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates

TBA—To Be Announced

TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

See notes to financial statements.

 

21


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $517,496,608)

   $ 551,105,372 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $12,325,237—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $12,325,237)

     12,325,237   

Cash

     17,372 (b) 

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,443,802)

     1,440,484   

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions

     5,280,202   

Interest and dividends receivable

     2,120,162   

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     290,940   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     122,552   

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     10,580   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     572,712,901   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Options written, at value (premium received $117,034)

     63,205   

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions

     15,851,523   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     12,325,237   

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     715,596   

Advisory fee payable

     248,436   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     122,334   

Distribution fee payable

     103,605   

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swap contracts

     96,462   

Administrative fee payable

     16,971   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     137   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     185,891   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     29,729,397   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 542,983,504   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 47,450   

Additional paid-in capital

     515,276,352   

Undistributed net investment income

     14,919,947   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (20,419,524

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

     33,159,279   
  

 

 

 
   $ 542,983,504   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $ 44,214,971           3,828,588         $ 11.55   

B

     $   498,768,533           43,621,167         $   11.43   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $12,129,734 (see Note E).

 

(b)   An amount of $16,678 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2012.

See notes to financial statements.

 

22


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $167,662)

   $ 4,772,121   

Affiliated issuers

     8,376   

Interest

     2,860,811   

Securities lending income

     94,788   
  

 

 

 
     7,736,096   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,534,562   

Distribution fee—Class B

     635,891   

Transfer agency—Class A

     271   

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,818   

Custodian

     151,194   

Audit

     33,944   

Administrative

     27,854   

Legal

     19,784   

Printing

     16,502   

Directors’ fees

     1,913   

Miscellaneous

     21,146   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     2,445,879   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     5,290,217   
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     13,016,633 (a) 

Futures contracts

     (6,345

Swap contracts

     (211,977

Foreign currency transactions

     (978,867

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     14,890,283 (b) 

Futures contracts

     18,014   

Options written

     53,829   

Swap contracts

     (11,315

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (351,562
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     26,418,693   
  

 

 

 
  

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 31,708,910   
  

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $1,228.

 

(b)   Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $3,629.

See notes to financial statements.

 

23


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

 

 

     Six Months Ended
June  30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 5,290,217      $ 10,292,931   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     11,819,444        23,530,062   

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

     14,599,249        (50,646,990
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     31,708,910        (16,823,997

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (1,640,050

Class B

     –0 –      (11,281,113

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (27,167,832     (19,298,555
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     4,541,078        (49,043,715

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     538,442,426        587,486,141   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $14,919,947 and $9,629,730, respectively)

   $ 542,983,504      $ 538,442,426   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

24


BALANCED WEALTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

25


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

 

2. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

             

Financials

     $ 49,059,751       $ 43,688,409       $ –0 –     $ 92,748,160   

Information Technology

       46,961,273         5,293,814         –0 –       52,255,087   

Consumer Discretionary

       36,031,363         14,442,918         –0 –       50,474,281   

Energy

       29,524,299         9,474,835         –0 –       38,999,134   

Health Care

       30,421,266         4,630,370         –0 –       35,051,636   

Industrials

       19,708,906         10,705,835         –0 –       30,414,741   

Consumer Staples

       11,758,091         7,878,614         –0 –       19,636,705   

Materials

       3,965,952         4,453,903         –0 –       8,419,855   

Telecommunication Services

       4,325,141         3,371,462         –0 –       7,696,603   

Utilities

       5,551,928         1,266,213         –0 –       6,818,141   

Other Instruments

       567,073         –0 –       –0 –       567,073   

Corporates—Investment Grades

       110,369         52,661,857         –0 –       52,772,226   

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

       –0 –       46,075,737         –0 –       46,075,737   

Governments—Treasuries

       –0 –       31,711,556         –0 –       31,711,556   

Asset-Backed Securities

       –0 –       17,932,875         2,806,540         20,739,415   

Agencies

       –0 –       18,446,790         –0 –       18,446,790   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       –0 –       10,933,142         3,468,949         14,402,091   

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

       –0 –       2,346,600         –0 –       2,346,600   

Quasi-Sovereigns

       –0 –       2,239,003         –0 –       2,239,003   

Inflation-Linked Securities

       –0 –       1,197,471         –0 –       1,197,471   

Governments—Sovereign Bonds

       –0 –       1,094,521         –0 –       1,094,521   

Local Governments—Municipal Bonds

       –0 –       588,242         –0 –       588,242   

Preferred Stocks

       175,875         –0 –       –0 –       175,875   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       –0 –       –0 –       86,253         86,253   

Options Purchased—Puts

       –0 –       184,198         –0 –       184,198   

Short-Term Investments:

             

Time Deposit

       –0 –       12,123,280         –0 –       12,123,280   

U.S. Treasury Bill

       –0 –       2,464,763         –0 –       2,464,763   

Governments—Treasuries

       –0 –       1,375,935         –0 –       1,375,935   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       12,325,237         –0 –       –0 –       12,325,237   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       250,486,524         306,582,343      6,361,742         563,430,609   

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Other Financial Instruments* :

             

Assets:

             

Futures Contracts

     $ 19,123       $ –0 –     $ –0 –     $ 19,123

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       290,940         –0 –       290,940   

Liabilities:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       (715,596      –0 –       (715,596

Put Options Written

       –0 –       (63,205      –0 –       (63,205

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

       –0 –       (96,462      –0 –       (96,462
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 250,505,647       $ 305,998,020       $ 6,361,742       $ 562,865,409   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include options written which are valued at market value.

 

+   A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. The transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assumes the financial instrument was transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

     Asset-Backed
Securities
    Commercial
Mortgage-Backed
Securities
    Collateralized
Mortgage Obligations
 

Balance as of 12/31/11

   $ 1,850,013      $ 453,065      $ 311,631   

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     599        9,885        19   

Realized gain (loss)

     (31,028     –0 –      (271,800

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     42,587        35,580        305,924   

Purchases

     1,432,047        2,970,419        –0 – 

Sales

     (487,678     –0 –      (259,521

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/12

   $ 2,806,540      $ 3,468,949      $ 86,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/12*

   $ 42,587      $ 35,580      $ 2,432   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Total              

Balance as of 12/31/11

   $ 2,614,709       

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     10,503       

Realized gain (loss)

     (302,828    

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     384,091       

Purchases

     4,402,466       

Sales

     (747,199    

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –     

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –     
  

 

 

     

Balance as of 6/30/12

   $ 6,361,742       
  

 

 

     

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/12*

   $ 80,599       
  

 

 

     

 

*   The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

27


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

 

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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.

8. Repurchase Agreements

It is the Portfolio’s policy 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 .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 .75% and 1.00% of daily average net assets for

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Class A and Class B shares, respectively (the “Expense Caps”). The Expense Caps extend through May 1, 2013 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $27,854.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $275,425, of which $0 and $263, 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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 or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 182,997,814       $ 183,166,971   

U.S. government securities

     91,954,967         99,988,806   

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

   $ 51,934,488   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (18,325,724
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 33,608,764   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

 

29


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

 

The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market or for investment purposes. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may 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. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures contracts is generally less than privately negotiated futures contracts, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, provides a guarantee of performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin requirements). 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.

Use of long futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held futures contracts for hedging purposes.

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale 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 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 unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes.

 

   

Option Transactions

For hedging and investment 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. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Portfolio pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of 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 selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held purchased options for hedging purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held written options for hedging purposes.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had the following transactions in written options:

 

     Number of
Contracts
     Premiums
Received
 

Options written outstanding as of 12/31/11

     –0 –     $ –0 – 

Options written

     14,270         117,034   

Options expired

     –0 –       –0 – 

Options bought back

     –0 –       –0 – 

Options exercised

     –0 –       –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options written outstanding as of 06/30/12

     14,270       $ 117,034   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   

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 gaining market exposures, including by 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. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide value and recourse to the Portfolio or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap agreement.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover the Portfolio’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Portfolio accrues for the interim payments on swap contracts on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swap contracts.

 

31


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

 

Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of operations.

Interest Rate Swaps:

The Portfolio is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Portfolio holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Portfolio may enter into interest rate swap contracts. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Portfolio may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.

In addition, the Portfolio may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Portfolio anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held interest rate swap contracts for hedging purposes.

Credit Default Swaps:

The Portfolio may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Portfolio, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Portfolio may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap agreement, the Portfolio receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. The accrual for these interim payments is recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities. Upfront premiums paid or received in connection with credit default swap contracts are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. If the Portfolio is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Portfolio will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap contract (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation.

Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Portfolio had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Portfolio is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Portfolio is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Portfolio coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Portfolio.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held credit default swap contracts for hedging purposes.

Implied credit spreads utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.

 

 

32


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements entered into by the Portfolio for the same reference obligation with the same counterparty. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio did not have Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligation and same counterparty for its Sale Contracts outstanding.

Documentation governing the Portfolio’s OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $579,238. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2012, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $579,238 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

 

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value    

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 290,940      Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 715,596   

Equity contracts

  Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures contracts     19,123    

Interest rate contracts

      Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swap contracts     96,462   

Equity contracts

  Investments in securities, at value     184,198       

Equity contracts

      Options written, at value     63,205   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $ 494,261        $ 875,263   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities    $ (657,772   $ (355,798

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts      (6,345     18,014   

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts      31,157        (96,462

 

33


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

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts    $ (243,134   $ 85,147   

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments      –0 –      (108,026

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written      –0 –      53,829   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (876,094   $ (403,296
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the average monthly principal amount of foreign currency exchange contracts was $72,672,135, the average monthly original value of futures contracts was $318,554, and the average monthly notional amount of interest rate swaps was $5,099,515. For two months of the period, the average monthly notional amount of credit default swaps was $4,278,199. For one month of the period, the average monthly cost of purchased options contracts was $293,092.

2. 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 other 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).

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, 2012, the Portfolio earned drop income of $69,824 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.

NOTE E: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a

 

34


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $12,129,734 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $12,325,237. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $94,788 and $8,376 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2011

(000)

   Purchases
at Cost
(000)
   Sales
Proceeds
(000)
   Market Value
June 30,  2012
(000)
   Dividend
Income
(000)

$4,229

   $49,768    $41,672    $12,325    $8

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    36,468        340,171        $ 424,393      $ 3,980,963   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      138,870          –0 –      1,640,050   

Shares redeemed

    (1,291,900     (1,399,958       (14,923,292     (15,753,756
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,255,432     (920,917     $ (14,498,899   $ (10,132,743
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    2,339,947        6,176,389        $ 26,725,675      $ 69,344,485   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      962,552          –0 –      11,281,113   

Shares redeemed

    (3,439,726     (7,981,306       (39,394,608     (89,791,410
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,099,779     (842,365     $ (12,668,933   $ (9,165,812
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

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

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

 

 

35


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

 

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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

     2011      2010  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 12,921,163       $ 13,766,301   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

     12,921,163         13,766,301   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 12,921,163       $ 13,766,301   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 10,669,101   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (26,480,631 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     11,762,319 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (4,049,211
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $23,949,717. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $23,208,874 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a post-October short-term capital loss deferral of $2,530,914, which is deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

(b)   The differences 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 swaps, the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, the tax treatment of Treasury inflation-protected securities and passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), return of capital distributions received from underlying securities, and the tax treatment of partnership investments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

 

36


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $23,949,717 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM AMOUNT

 

LONG-TERM AMOUNT

 

EXPIRATION

$ 23,949,717   n/a   2017

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

37


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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.90        $11.48        $10.66        $8.63        $13.05        $12.87   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .12        .23        .23        .24        .22 (b)      .31 (b) 

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

    .53        (.53     .88        1.89        (3.97     .41   

Contributions from Adviser

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

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .65        (.30     1.11        2.13        (3.75     .72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.28     (.29     (.10     (.39     (.32

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.28     (.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.28     (.29     (.10     (.67     (.54
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.55        $10.90        $11.48        $10.66        $8.63        $13.05   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

    5.96     (2.81 )%*      10.61 %*      24.88 %*      (30.01 )%*      5.55
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $44,215        $55,395        $68,914        $73,120        $67,526        $10   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    .65 %(e)      .66     .68 %(f)      .69     .75 %(f)      .76

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements

    .65 %(e)      .66     .68 %(f)      .69     .78 %(f)      .85

Net investment income

    2.09 %(e)      2.03     2.14 %(f)      2.66     3.08 %(b)(f)      2.33 %(b) 

Portfolio turnover rate

    50     94     101     85     93     77

 

 

See footnote summary on page 40.

 

38


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.80        $11.38        $10.58        $8.58        $12.97        $12.81   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .11        .20        .20        .22        .26 (b)      .27 (b) 

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

    .52        (.53     .87        1.86        (4.02     .41   

Contributions from Adviser

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

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .63        (.33     1.07        2.08        (3.76     .68   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.25     (.27     (.08     (.35     (.30

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.28     (.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.25     (.27     (.08     (.63     (.52
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.43        $10.80        $11.38        $10.58        $8.58        $12.97   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

    5.83     (3.06 )%*      10.30 %*      24.45 %*      (30.20 )%*      5.26
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $498,769        $483,047        $518,572        $458,669        $285,962        $211,440   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    .90 %(e)      .91     .93 %(f)      .95     1.00 %(f)      1.01

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements

    .90 %(e)      .91     .93 %(f)      .95     1.02 %(f)      1.07

Net investment income

    1.88 %(e)      1.78     1.89 %(f)      2.36     2.48 %(b)(f)      2.11 %(b) 

Portfolio turnover rate

    50     94     101     85     93     77

 

 

See footnote summary on page 40.

 

39


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

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

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

 

(c)   Amount is less than $.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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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 Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by 0.02%, 0.03%, 0.06% and 0.10%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

40


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

 

  2. Management 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arms length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P.,130 U.S. 1418 (2010). In Jones, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arms-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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

06/30/11

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Balanced

 

55 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 593.8     

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 received $72,218 (0.01% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   It should be noted that the information in the fee evaluation was completed on July 21, 2011 and discussed with the Board of Directors on August 2-4, 2011.

 

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   Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

41


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

 

The Adviser agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse 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 agreement for such reimbursement is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days of written notice. Also set forth below are the Portfolio’s gross expense ratios for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Portfolio  

Expense Cap Pursuant

to Expense Limitation

Undertaking

 

Gross

Expense

Ratio
(12/31/10)

    Fiscal Year End

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

  Class A    0.75%     0.68%      December 31
  Class B    1.00%     0.93%     

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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with similar investment styles as the Portfolio.4 With respect to the Portfolio, the Adviser represented that there is no category in the Form ADV for institutional products that has a similar investment style as the Portfolio.

The Adviser manages The AllianceBernstein Portfolios—Balanced Wealth Strategy (“Balanced Wealth Strategy”), a retail mutual fund which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.5 The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. (“Balanced Shares, Inc.), a retail mutual fund in the Balanced category, and the advisory fee schedules of Balanced Wealth Strategy and Balanced Shares, Inc. are also shown in the table below.6

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

5   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   There was no change to the advisory fee schedule of AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares, Inc. since the retail mutual fund had already lower breakpoints than that of the NYAG related category.

 

42


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio      AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund      Fee Schedule

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

     Balanced Shares, Inc.     

0.60% on first $200 million

0.50% on next $200 million

0.40% on the balance

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

 

Portfolio      Luxembourg Fund      Fee7

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

     Global Balanced Portfolio
Class A
     1.40%
     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 services, but not for distribution 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

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

     Alliance Global Balance Neutral      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.8 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”)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  

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

     0.550         0.539         6/10   

 

7   Class A shares of the Luxembourg funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which covers investment advisory and distribution-related services, unlike class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

8   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arms length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

9   Note 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 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 for expense caps that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

43


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

 

Lipper also compared the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio to the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.12

 

Portfolio   

Total

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

    

Lipper

Exp. Group

Median (%)

    

Lipper

Exp. Group

Rank

    

Lipper

Exp. Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper

Exp. Universe
Rank

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

     0.678         0.704         5/10         0.690         13/26   

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

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 2010, relative to 2009.14

In addition to the Adviser’s direct profits from managing the Portfolio, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates have business relationships with the Portfolio and may earn a profit from providing other services to the Portfolio. The courts have referred to this type of business opportunity as “fall-out benefits” to the Adviser and indicated that such benefits should be factored into the evaluation of the total relationship between the Portfolio and the Adviser. Neither case law nor common business practice precludes the Adviser’s affiliates from earning a reasonable profit on this type of relationship. These affiliates provide transfer agent, 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 and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, 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, 2010, ABI received $1,184,285 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

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, 2010, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $1,344.54 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.

 

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 Class A total expense ratio.

 

14   It should be noted that at the August 2, 2011 meeting, the Adviser presented to the Board revised profitability figures with respect to the Portfolio.

 

44


    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 approximately $1,250 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. 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

Although it is clear that economies of scale may have been shared through the existence of breakpoints in the investment advisory fee schedule, it should be noted that sufficient data does not exist to evaluate the extent to which economies of scale or scope are being shared with the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds’ shareholders. The Adviser has indicated that economies of scale are being shared with shareholders through fee structures, 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.

In February 2008, 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.17 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $461 billion as of June 30, 2011, 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 net performance rankings19 of the Portfolio relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended May 31, 2011.21

 

15   The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other series of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

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

 

17   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arms length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

18   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

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 Lipper.

 

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

 

21   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.

 

45


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

 

 

Portfolio   Portfolio
Return (%)
   

PG

Median (%)

   

PU

Median (%)

   

PG

Rank

   

PU

Rank

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

         

1 year

    18.89        18.13        18.62        3/10        12/26   

3 year

    1.44        2.67        3.40        8/10        23/25   

5 year

    3.64        4.38        4.87        7/10        21/24   

Set forth below are the 1, 3 and 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold) versus its benchmark for the periods ended May 31, 2011.22

 

    

Periods Ending May 31, 2011

Annualized Net Performance (%)

 
    

1

Year

(%)

   

3

Year

(%)

   

5

Year

(%)

   

Since

Inception

(%)

 

Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio

    18.89        1.44        3.64        5.02   

60% S&P 500 Stock Index / 40% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

    17.88        3.69        5.03        5.58   

S&P 500 Stock Index

    25.95        0.91        3.32        4.67   

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

    5.84        6.53        6.63        5.54   

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 30, 2011

 

22   The performance returns shown in the table are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. It should be noted that the performance returns for the Portfolio and the benchmark were provided by the Adviser.

 

46


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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.


 
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,026.70       $   4.28         0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $ 1,020.64       $ 4.27         0.85
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $   1,025.70       $ 5.54         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


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes

   $ 39,344,274           27.0

Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     6,041,239           4.1   

Apple, Inc.

     1,315,752           0.9   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     955,731           0.7   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC—Class B

     582,124           0.4   

Microsoft Corp.

     545,725           0.4   

International Business Machines Corp.

     544,690           0.4   

Nestle SA

     529,402           0.4   

General Electric Co.

     526,627           0.4   

Chevron Corp.

     499,015           0.3   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   50,884,579           35.0

PORTFOLIO BREAKDOWN**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

ASSET CLASSES    CURRENT ALLOCATION  

Equities

    

US Large Cap

     21.4

International Large Cap

     20.4   

US Mid-Cap

     2.1   

US Small-Cap

     2.2   

Emerging Market Equities

     4.5   

Real Estate Equities

     2.8   
    

 

 

 

Sub-Total

     53.4   
    

 

 

 

Fixed Income

    

US Bonds

     28.4   

International Bonds

     1.9   
    

 

 

 

Sub-Total

     30.3   
    

 

 

 

Cash

     16.3   
    

 

 

 

Total

     100.0

 

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   All data are as of June 30, 2012. The Portfolio breakdown is expressed as an approximate percentage of the Portfolio’s total investments inclusive of derivative exposure, based on the Adviser’s internal classification guidelines.

 

2


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–37.9%

   
   

FINANCIALS–6.9%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–0.6%

   

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    3,678      $ 14,980   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    495        25,869   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    2,815        61,789   

BlackRock, Inc.–Class A

    327        55,531   

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    2,540        32,842   

Credit Suisse Group AG

    3,127        57,215   

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

    4,000        15,075   

Deutsche Bank AG

    2,499        90,197   

E*Trade Financial Corp.(a)

    570        4,583   

Federated Investors, Inc.–Class B(b)

    210        4,589   

Franklin Resources, Inc.

    340        37,737   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    1,188        113,882   

Invesco Ltd.

    1,030        23,278   

Julius Baer Group Ltd.(a)

    1,220        44,233   

Legg Mason, Inc.

    260        6,856   

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    890        24,033   

Morgan Stanley

    3,620        52,816   

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

    9,800        36,638   

Northern Trust Corp.

    560        25,771   

Partners Group Holding AG

    133        23,654   

Schroders PLC

    729        15,281   

State Street Corp.

    1,135        50,666   

T Rowe Price Group, Inc.

    625        39,350   

UBS AG(a)

    9,783        114,482   
   

 

 

 
      971,347   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.6%

   

Aozora Bank Ltd.

    6,000        14,288   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    7,203        164,085   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    12,732        90,924   

Banco de Sabadell SA

    5,579        10,835   

Banco Espirito Santo SA(a)

    5,403        3,694   

Banco Popular Espanol SA

    2,820        6,379   

Banco Santander SA

    25,164        166,466   

Bank of Yokohama Ltd. (The)

    3,000        14,184   

Barclays PLC

    31,160        79,622   

BB&T Corp.

    1,650        50,902   

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    10,000        30,850   

CaixaBank

    2,117        6,893   

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    2,000        12,013   

Comerica, Inc.

    450        13,819   

Commerzbank AG(a)

    11,674        19,828   

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    4,251        232,804   

Credit Agricole SA(a)

    5,455        24,070   

Danske Bank A/S(a)

    1,753        24,374   

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    5,000        55,228   

DnB NOR ASA

    2,627        26,122   

Erste Group Bank AG(a)

    578        10,977   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    2,190        29,346   

First Horizon National Corp.

    585        5,060   

Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.

    4,000        15,620   

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    2,100        28,762   
   
   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    48,399      $ 426,484   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc./OH

    2,015        12,896   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    27,085        38,549   

Joyo Bank Ltd. (The)

    3,000        13,651   

KBC Groep NV

    433        9,157   

KeyCorp

    2,225        17,221   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC(a)

    111,087        54,267   

M&T Bank Corp.

    315        26,010   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    34,200        163,848   

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

    61,400        103,720   

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    6,018        146,584   

Natixis

    9,006        24,259   

Nordea Bank AB

    7,072        60,946   

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd.

    7,000        48,950   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    1,280        78,221   

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

    176        5,762   

Regions Financial Corp.

    3,325        22,444   

Resona Holdings, Inc.

    5,100        21,010   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC(a)

    5,577        18,891   

Seven Bank Ltd.

    5,324        13,587   

Shinsei Bank Ltd.

    12,000        14,599   

Shizuoka Bank Ltd. (The)

    1,000        10,289   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

    4,967        32,258   

Societe Generale SA(a)

    1,878        44,038   

Standard Chartered PLC

    6,409        139,223   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    3,600        118,926   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

    8,000        23,909   

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    1,240        30,045   

Svenska Handelsbanken AB

    1,317        43,297   

Swedbank AB

    2,205        34,737   

UniCredit SpA(a)

    10,889        41,287   

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    3,000        44,549   

US Bancorp

    4,515        145,202   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    12,675        423,852   

Westpac Banking Corp.

    8,210        179,275   

Zions Bancorporation

    430        8,351   
   

 

 

 
      3,777,439   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.2%

   

American Express Co.

    2,410        140,286   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    1,363        74,502   

Credit Saison Co., Ltd.

    700        15,564   

Discover Financial Services

    1,260        43,571   

SLM Corp.

    1,150        18,066   
   

 

 

 
      291,989   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–0.8%

   

ASX Ltd.

    744        22,838   

Bank of America Corp.

    25,695        210,185   

Citigroup, Inc.

    6,978        191,267   

CME Group, Inc.–Class A

    190        50,941   

Deutsche Boerse AG

    524        28,270   

 

3


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Eurazeo

    427      $ 16,443   

Exor SpA

    1,279        27,496   

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA

    217        14,730   

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd.

    2,800        40,252   

ING Groep NV(a)

    10,296        69,025   

IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.(a)

    200        27,196   

Investor AB

    1,705        32,554   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    9,065        323,892   

Leucadia National Corp.

    455        9,678   

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    969        15,297   

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co., Ltd.

    350        14,558   

Moody’s Corp.

    445        16,265   

NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)

    260        5,894   

NYSE Euronext

    585        14,964   

ORIX Corp.

    280        26,095   

Pohjola Bank PLC

    371        4,330   

Resolution Ltd.

    3,866        11,892   

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

    3,000        15,072   

Wendel SA

    322        23,844   
   

 

 

 
      1,212,978   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–1.5%

   

ACE Ltd.

    835        61,899   

Admiral Group PLC

    819        15,278   

Aegon NV

    7,148        33,149   

Aflac, Inc.

    1,105        47,062   

Ageas

    6,278        12,467   

AIA Group Ltd.

    27,520        95,056   

Allianz SE

    1,224        123,116   

Allstate Corp. (The)

    1,150        40,354   

American International Group, Inc.(a)

    1,512        48,520   

AON PLC

    765        35,787   

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    3,139        42,561   

Assurant, Inc.

    210        7,316   

Aviva PLC

    7,812        33,451   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.(a)

    4,180        348,319   

Chubb Corp. (The)

    660        48,061   

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    360        13,705   

CNP Assurances(a)

    2,026        24,745   

Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (The)

    23        26,637   

Genworth Financial, Inc.–Class A(a)

    1,135        6,424   

Hannover Rueckversicherung AG

    173        10,305   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

    1,025        18,071   

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

    6,220        22,309   

Legal & General Group PLC

    15,786        31,561   

Lincoln National Corp.

    640        13,997   

Loews Corp.

    740        30,273   

Mapfre SA

    3,353        6,821   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    1,290        41,577   

MetLife, Inc.

    2,520        77,742   
   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings

    1,400      $ 24,493   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    482        68,012   

NKSJ Holdings, Inc.

    1,000        21,288   

Old Mutual PLC

    13,083        31,115   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

    690        18,099   

Progressive Corp. (The)

    1,445        30,099   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    1,115        53,999   

Prudential PLC

    6,850        79,426   

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

    3,112        43,010   

RSA Insurance Group PLC

    9,493        16,115   

Sampo Oyj–Class A

    1,127        29,240   

SCOR SE

    935        22,667   

Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.

    875        14,165   

Standard Life PLC

    6,327        23,166   

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    3,459        28,904   

Swiss Re AG(a)

    947        59,701   

T&D Holdings, Inc.

    1,550        16,346   

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

    1,900        47,677   

Torchmark Corp.

    235        11,879   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    930        59,371   

Tryg AS

    78        4,385   

Unum Group

    670        12,817   

Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe

    71        2,870   

XL Group PLC

    710        14,938   

Zurich Financial Services AG(a)

    396        89,545   
   

 

 

 
      2,139,890   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–0.8%

   

American Tower Corp.

    955        66,764   

Apartment Investment & Management Co.–Class A

    305        8,244   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    225        31,833   

Boston Properties, Inc.

    390        42,264   

British Land Co. PLC

    2,299        18,409   

Capital Shopping Centres Group PLC

    2,951        14,908   

CFS Retail Property Trust Group

    11,279        22,512   

Dexus Property Group

    23,282        22,279   

Equity Residential

    730        45,523   

Fonciere Des Regions

    329        23,655   

Gecina SA

    253        22,554   

Goodman Group

    5,915        22,397   

GPT Group

    6,698        22,656   

Hammerson PLC

    2,197        15,259   

HCP, Inc.

    980        43,267   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    515        30,024   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    1,710        27,052   

ICADE

    296        22,387   

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    2        18,337   

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

    8        12,690   

Kimco Realty Corp.

    970        18,459   

Klepierre

    695        22,840   

Land Securities Group PLC

    2,095        24,273   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Link REIT (The)

    6,000      $ 24,554   

Mirvac Group

    12,834        16,864   

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.

    2        19,337   

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    360        14,292   

ProLogis, Inc.

    1,090        36,221   

Public Storage

    340        49,099   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    736        114,566   

Stockland

    6,911        21,935   

Unibail-Rodamco SE

    247        45,500   

Ventas, Inc.

    671        42,354   

Vornado Realty Trust

    445        37,371   

Westfield Group

    5,897        57,740   

Westfield Retail Trust

    7,800        22,879   

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    1,240        27,726   
   

 

 

 
      1,129,024   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.4%

   

Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.

    700        14,916   

CapitaLand Ltd.

    11,000        23,718   

CBRE Group, Inc.(a)

    765        12,515   

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        49,437   

City Developments Ltd.

    3,000        26,742   

Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.

    200        18,958   

Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.

    1,000        14,185   

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.(a)

    14,661        24,407   

Hang Lung Group Ltd.

    4,000        24,733   

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    7,000        23,944   

Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.

    4,000        22,290   

IMMOFINANZ AG(a)

    2,501        7,958   

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

    3,000        53,822   

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

    2,000        38,806   

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

    800        14,650   

Sino Land Co., Ltd.

    16,000        24,254   

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

    1,000        24,596   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    4,000        47,530   

Swire Pacific Ltd.

    2,000        23,236   

Wharf Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        22,270   

Wheelock & Co., Ltd.

    6,000        22,682   
   

 

 

 
      535,649   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.0%

   

Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.

    1,230        7,835   

People’s United Financial, Inc.

    815        9,462   
   

 

 

 
      17,297   
   

 

 

 
      10,075,613   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–4.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    12,760        219,089   

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

    210        20,908   
   

Harris Corp.

    245      $ 10,253   

JDS Uniphase Corp.(a)

    540        5,940   

Juniper Networks, Inc.(a)

    1,230        20,061   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    675        32,474   

Nokia Oyj

    10,067        20,537   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    4,080        227,175   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–Class B

    8,096        74,076   
   

 

 

 
      630,513   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–1.2%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

    2,253        1,315,752   

Dell, Inc.(a)

    3,520        44,070   

EMC Corp./MA(a)

    4,985        127,766   

Fujitsu Ltd.

    5,000        23,929   

Gemalto NV

    323        23,199   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    4,670        93,914   

Lexmark International, Inc.–Class A

    140        3,721   

NEC Corp.(a)

    9,000        14,004   

NetApp, Inc.(a)

    860        27,365   

SanDisk Corp.(a)

    560        20,429   

Seagate Technology PLC

    910        22,504   

Toshiba Corp.

    11,000        41,870   

Western Digital Corp.(a)

    550        16,764   
   

 

 

 
      1,775,287   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.3%

   

Amphenol Corp.–Class A

    365        20,046   

Corning, Inc.

    3,585        46,354   

FLIR Systems, Inc.

    350        6,825   

Fujifilm Holdings Corp.

    1,200        22,736   

Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

    100        9,899   

Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.

    600        14,774   

Hitachi Ltd.

    12,000        73,990   

Hoya Corp.

    1,200        26,436   

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    385        7,827   

Keyence Corp.

    100        24,737   

Kyocera Corp.

    400        34,616   

Molex, Inc.(b)

    325        7,781   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    500        26,300   

Omron Corp.

    700        14,834   

TDK Corp.

    300        12,213   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    1,000        31,910   
   

 

 

 
      381,278   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–0.4%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)(b)

    425        13,494   

Dena Co., Ltd.

    529        13,812   

eBay, Inc.(a)

    2,735        114,897   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

    607        352,102   

VeriSign, Inc.(a)

    355        15,467   

Yahoo! Japan Corp.

    43        13,922   

Yahoo!, Inc.(a)

    2,905        45,986   
   

 

 

 
      569,680   
   

 

 

 

 

5


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

IT SERVICES–0.9%

   

Accenture PLC

    1,525      $ 91,637   

Amadeus IT Holding SA

    842        17,839   

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    1,180        65,679   

Cap Gemini SA

    638        23,482   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a)

    745        44,700   

Computer Sciences Corp.

    350        8,687   

Computershare Ltd.

    1,449        11,076   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    560        19,085   

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

    330        23,833   

International Business Machines Corp.

    2,785        544,690   

Mastercard, Inc.–Class A

    265        113,979   

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    600        13,203   

NTT Data Corp.

    5        15,346   

Paychex, Inc.

    765        24,029   

SAIC, Inc.

    655        7,939   

Teradata Corp.(a)

    415        29,884   

Total System Services, Inc.

    350        8,375   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    1,215        150,210   

Western Union Co. (The)–Class W

    1,450        24,418   
   

 

 

 
      1,238,091   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–0.0%

   

Hexagon AB

    938        16,101   
   

 

 

 

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.1%

   

Canon, Inc.

    3,000        119,731   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

    2,000        15,756   

Ricoh Co., Ltd.

    2,000        16,879   

Xerox Corp.

    3,195        25,145   
   

 

 

 
      177,511   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–0.6%

   

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)

    1,405        8,051   

Altera Corp.

    760        25,718   

Analog Devices, Inc.

    680        25,616   

Applied Materials, Inc.

    3,035        34,781   

ARM Holdings PLC

    3,698        29,298   

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd.

    900        11,510   

ASML Holding NV

    1,129        57,981   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

    1,170        39,546   

Infineon Technologies AG

    3,026        20,481   

Intel Corp.

    11,990        319,533   

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    410        20,193   

Lam Research Corp.(a)

    479        18,077   

Linear Technology Corp.

    540        16,918   

LSI Corp.(a)

    1,320        8,408   

Microchip Technology, Inc.(b)

    445        14,721   

Micron Technology, Inc.(a)

    2,320        14,639   

NVIDIA Corp.(a)

    1,435        19,832   

Rohm Co., Ltd.

    400        15,414   

Teradyne, Inc.(a)

    430        6,046   

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    2,725        78,180   
   

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    500      $ 23,447   

Xilinx, Inc.

    585        19,638   
   

 

 

 
      828,028   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–0.9%

   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

    1,180        38,196   

Autodesk, Inc.(a)

    535        18,720   

BMC Software, Inc.(a)

    365        15,578   

CA, Inc.

    825        22,349   

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

    440        36,934   

Dassault Systemes SA

    243        22,799   

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)

    725        8,954   

Intuit, Inc.

    680        40,358   

Microsoft Corp.

    17,840        545,725   

Nexon Co., Ltd.(a)

    735        14,252   

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

    300        35,034   

Oracle Corp.

    9,240        274,428   

Oracle Corp. Japan

    300        12,913   

Red Hat, Inc.(a)

    450        25,416   

Sage Group PLC (The)

    3,508        15,268   

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

    331        45,764   

SAP AG

    2,473        146,440   

Symantec Corp.(a)

    1,695        24,764   

Trend Micro, Inc.

    500        14,730   
   

 

 

 
      1,358,622   
   

 

 

 
      6,975,111   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–4.4%

   

BEVERAGES–1.0%

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

    2,159        170,218   

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,000        21,484   

Beam, Inc.

    400        24,996   

Brown-Forman Corp.–Class B

    235        22,760   

Carlsberg A/S

    288        22,733   

Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Co. SA(a)

    542        9,471   

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

    1,634        22,455   

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    5,390        421,444   

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

    700        19,628   

Constellation Brands, Inc.–Class A(a)

    370        10,012   

Diageo PLC

    6,728        173,414   

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    520        22,750   

Heineken NV

    1,254        65,392   

Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.

    2,000        23,572   

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

    350        14,564   

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

    360        25,632   

PepsiCo, Inc.

    3,725        263,209   

Pernod-Ricard SA

    569        60,844   

SABMiller PLC

    2,567        102,991   
   

 

 

 
      1,497,569   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–0.9%

   

Aeon Co., Ltd.

    1,600        19,941   

Carrefour SA

    1,552        28,658   

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA

    225        19,777   

Colruyt SA

    204        9,101   

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    1,065      $ 101,175   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    3,030        141,592   

Delhaize Group SA

    274        10,037   

Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentacion SA(a)

    1,644        7,730   

FamilyMart Co., Ltd.

    300        13,731   

J Sainsbury PLC

    3,281        15,506   

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

    592        10,009   

Kesko Oyj

    171        4,470   

Kroger Co. (The)

    1,315        30,495   

Lawson, Inc.

    200        13,986   

Metro AG

    441        12,860   

Safeway, Inc.(b)

    545        9,892   

Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.

    2,000        60,291   

Sysco Corp.

    1,355        40,393   

Tesco PLC

    21,592        104,933   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    4,113        286,758   

Walgreen Co.

    2,045        60,491   

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    2,706        83,295   

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

    410        39,081   

WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC

    6,401        26,710   

Woolworths Ltd.

    3,298        90,788   
   

 

 

 
      1,241,700   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.1%

   

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

    2,000        27,835   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    1,565        46,199   

Associated British Foods PLC

    958        19,276   

Campbell Soup Co.(b)

    425        14,187   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

    985        25,541   

Danone

    1,554        96,576   

Dean Foods Co.(a)

    430        7,323   

General Mills, Inc.

    1,535        59,159   

Hershey Co. (The)

    350        25,211   

HJ Heinz Co.

    765        41,601   

Hormel Foods Corp.

    325        9,887   

JM Smucker Co. (The)

    295        22,278   

Kellogg Co.

    565        27,872   

Kerry Group PLC

    401        17,580   

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

    4,235        163,556   

Lindt & Spruengli AG(a)

    1        36,724   

McCormick & Co., Inc./MD

    325        19,711   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.–Class A

    510        41,060   

MEIJI Holdings Co., Ltd.

    300        13,776   

Nestle SA

    8,871        529,402   

Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.

    400        15,211   

Tate & Lyle PLC

    1,256        12,756   

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

    675        12,710   

Unilever NV

    4,379        146,282   

Unilever PLC

    3,450        115,829   

Wilmar International Ltd.

    9,000        25,950   

Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.

    400        15,664   
   

 

 

 
      1,589,156   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–0.6%

   

Clorox Co. (The)

    320        23,187   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    1,125        117,113   
   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    366      $ 20,310   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Preference Shares)

    479        31,828   

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    965        80,838   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    6,515        399,044   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    1,773        93,715   

Unicharm Corp.

    300        17,076   
   

 

 

 
      783,111   
   

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Avon Products, Inc.

    1,005        16,291   

Beiersdorf AG

    310        20,096   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A

    540        29,225   

Kao Corp.

    1,400        38,610   

L’Oreal SA

    646        75,585   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

    1,000        15,780   
   

 

 

 
      195,587   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–0.7%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

    4,860        167,913   

British American Tobacco PLC

    5,292        269,045   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    2,690        103,641   

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    2,419        71,664   

Lorillard, Inc.

    330        43,544   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    4,100        357,766   

Reynolds American, Inc.

    785        35,223   

Swedish Match AB

    573        23,095   
   

 

 

 
      1,071,891   
   

 

 

 
      6,379,014   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–4.3%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.7%

   

BAE Systems PLC

    8,702        39,452   

Boeing Co. (The)

    1,810        134,483   

Cobham PLC

    3,228        11,760   

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. NV

    1,104        39,182   

General Dynamics Corp.

    860        56,726   

Goodrich Corp.

    310        39,339   

Honeywell International, Inc.

    1,855        103,583   

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

    225        16,652   

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    650        56,602   

Meggitt PLC

    2,537        15,351   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    590        37,636   

Precision Castparts Corp.

    340        55,927   

Raytheon Co.

    800        45,272   

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

    350        17,272   

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    5,033        67,833   

Safran SA

    629        23,359   

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.

    6,000        14,792   

Textron, Inc.

    655        16,290   

Thales SA

    694        22,929   

United Technologies Corp.

    2,175        164,278   

Zodiac Aerospace

    227        23,091   
   

 

 

 
      1,001,809   
   

 

 

 

 

7


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–0.3%

   

CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

    365      $ 21,363   

Deutsche Post AG

    2,275        40,253   

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    470        18,212   

FedEx Corp.

    765        70,082   

Kuehne & Nagel International AG

    432        45,767   

United Parcel Service, Inc.–Class B

    2,305        181,542   

Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd.

    1,000        16,102   
   

 

 

 
      393,321   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–0.1%

   

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.

    5,000        14,165   

Deutsche Lufthansa (REG)

    1,092        12,625   

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA(a)

    2,643        6,631   

Singapore Airlines Ltd.

    3,000        24,823   

Southwest Airlines Co.

    1,805        16,642   
   

 

 

 
      74,886   
   

 

 

 

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

    3,000        20,239   

Assa Abloy AB

    1,164        32,506   

Cie de St-Gobain

    1,080        39,905   

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    600        16,897   

JS Group Corp.

    700        14,773   

Masco Corp.

    805        11,165   
   

 

 

 
      135,485   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.2%

   

Aggreko PLC

    718        23,350   

Avery Dennison Corp.

    235        6,425   

Babcock International Group PLC

    1,121        15,014   

Brambles Ltd.

    4,179        26,504   

Cintas Corp.

    235        9,073   

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.

    2,000        15,668   

Edenred

    818        23,190   

G4S PLC

    3,792        16,573   

Iron Mountain, Inc.

    385        12,690   

Pitney Bowes, Inc.(b)

    455        6,811   

Republic Services, Inc.–Class A

    750        19,845   

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.(b)

    385        4,531   

Secom Co., Ltd.

    600        27,516   

Serco Group PLC

    1,802        15,133   

Societe BIC SA

    221        22,829   

Stericycle, Inc.(a)

    210        19,251   

Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

    2,000        13,360   

Waste Management, Inc.

    1,095        36,573   
   

 

 

 
      314,336   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.1%

   

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

    381        8,161   

Bouygues SA

    871        23,372   
   

Chiyoda Corp.

    1,000      $ 12,122   

Ferrovial SA

    1,084        12,225   

Fluor Corp.

    415        20,476   

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.(a)

    315        11,926   

JGC Corp.

    1,000        28,991   

Leighton Holdings Ltd.

    1,344        22,638   

Obayashi Corp.

    3,000        13,098   

Quanta Services, Inc.(a)

    465        11,193   

Taisei Corp.

    5,000        13,402   

Vinci SA

    1,219        56,970   
   

 

 

 
      234,574   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.3%

   

ABB Ltd. (REG)(a)

    5,911        96,516   

Alstom SA

    729        23,064   

Cooper Industries PLC

    400        27,272   

Emerson Electric Co.

    1,750        81,515   

First Solar, Inc.(a)(b)

    120        1,807   

Legrand SA

    689        23,385   

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    5,000        41,832   

Nidec Corp.

    300        22,810   

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    330        21,800   

Roper Industries, Inc.

    225        22,181   

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    2,000        24,922   
   

 

 

 
      387,104   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.8%

   

3M Co.

    1,655        148,288   

Danaher Corp.

    1,390        72,391   

Fraser and Neave Ltd.

    4,000        22,273   

General Electric Co.

    25,270        526,627   

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

    6,000        52,043   

Keppel Corp., Ltd.

    4,000        32,770   

Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

    3,341        65,836   

Orkla ASA

    2,074        15,051   

Siemens AG

    2,212        185,868   

Smiths Group PLC

    1,055        16,755   

Tyco International Ltd.

    1,095        57,871   
   

 

 

 
      1,195,773   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–0.8%

   

Alfa Laval AB

    1,184        20,288   

Andritz AG

    196        10,079   

Atlas Copco AB

    1,715        32,680   

Atlas Copco AB–Class A

    1,805        38,845   

Caterpillar, Inc.

    1,585        134,582   

Cummins, Inc.

    450        43,610   

Deere & Co.

    935        75,613   

Dover Corp.

    435        23,320   

Eaton Corp.

    785        31,110   

FANUC Corp.

    500        82,191   

Fiat Industrial SpA

    2,876        28,309   

Flowserve Corp.

    120        13,770   

Hino Motors Ltd.

    2,000        14,476   

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

    700        13,220   

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

IHI Corp.

    6,000      $ 12,834   

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    1,125        59,501   

IMI PLC

    1,172        15,311   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    705        29,737   

Joy Global, Inc.

    235        13,332   

JTEKT Corp.

    1,400        14,495   

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.

    5,000        13,712   

Komatsu Ltd.

    2,500        59,678   

Kone Oyj

    419        25,305   

Kubota Corp.

    3,000        27,724   

Makita Corp.

    400        14,032   

MAN SE

    201        20,557   

Metso Oyj

    344        11,861   

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    8,000        32,521   

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    1,000        11,074   

NSK Ltd.

    2,000        12,760   

PACCAR, Inc.

    860        33,703   

Pall Corp.

    295        16,169   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    345        26,524   

Sandvik AB

    2,698        34,601   

SembCorp Marine Ltd.

    7,000        26,720   

SKF AB

    1,658        32,682   

SMC Corp./Japan

    100        17,338   

Snap-On, Inc.

    120        7,470   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    415        26,709   

Volvo AB–Class B

    3,741        42,773   

Wartsila Oyj

    451        14,776   

Weir Group PLC (The)

    651        15,643   

Xylem, Inc./NY

    435        10,949   

Zardoya Otis SA

    378        4,202   
   

 

 

 
      1,246,786   
   

 

 

 

MARINE–0.0%

   

AP Moeller–Maersk A/S

    4        26,230   

AP Moeller–Maersk A/S (Line of “A” Shares)

    1        6,224   

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

    4,000        14,420   

Nippon Yusen KK

    5,000        13,224   
   

 

 

 
      60,098   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–0.1%

   

Adecco SA(a)

    507        22,546   

Bureau Veritas SA

    256        22,774   

Capita PLC

    1,758        18,065   

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The)

    115        8,185   

Equifax, Inc.

    255        11,883   

Experian PLC

    2,702        38,120   

Intertek Group PLC

    431        18,057   

Robert Half International, Inc.

    335        9,571   

SGS SA

    24        44,999   
   

 

 

 
      194,200   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–0.4%

   

Central Japan Railway Co.

    4        31,503   

CSX Corp.

    2,460        55,006   

DSV A/S

    511        10,132   

East Japan Railway Co.

    900        56,512   

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

    3,000        15,087   
   

Keikyu Corp.

    2,000      $ 18,197   

Keio Corp.

    2,000        14,496   

Kintetsu Corp.

    4,000        15,948   

MTR Corp., Ltd

    7,000        24,030   

Nippon Express Co., Ltd.

    3,000        12,388   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    790        56,698   

Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

    2,000        19,885   

QR National Ltd.

    6,403        22,429   

Ryder System, Inc.

    115        4,141   

Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.

    3,000        15,772   

Tokyu Corp.

    3,000        14,074   

Union Pacific Corp.

    1,125        134,224   

West Japan Railway Co.

    457        18,800   
   

 

 

 
      539,322   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–0.3%

   

Brenntag AG

    189        20,916   

Bunzl PLC

    916        14,972   

Fastenal Co.

    680        27,411   

ITOCHU Corp.

    4,000        42,043   

Marubeni Corp.

    4,000        26,652   

Mitsubishi Corp.

    3,800        76,814   

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

    4,700        69,841   

Sumitomo Corp.

    3,000        41,975   

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    700        13,381   

Wolseley PLC

    766        28,551   

WW Grainger, Inc.

    180        34,423   
   

 

 

 
      396,979   
   

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE–0.1%

   

Abertis Infraestructuras SA

    986        13,325   

Aeroports de Paris

    305        23,069   

Atlantia SpA

    1,440        18,380   

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

    2,491        4,886   

Koninklijke Vopak NV

    502        32,199   

Sydney Airport

    3,846        11,462   

Transurban Group

    3,826        22,348   
   

 

 

 
      125,669   
   

 

 

 
      6,300,342   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–4.2%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.4%

   

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    460        45,678   

Amgen, Inc.

    1,873        136,804   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(a)

    565        81,574   

Celgene Corp.(a)

    1,030        66,085   

CSL Ltd.

    1,396        56,624   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    1,825        93,586   

Grifols S.A.(a)

    401        10,159   
   

 

 

 
      490,510   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–0.5%

   

Baxter International, Inc.

    1,330        70,689   

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    480        35,880   

 

9


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    3,410      $ 19,335   

CareFusion Corp.(a)

    490        12,583   

Cie Generale d’Optique Essilor International SA

    547        50,816   

Coloplast A/S

    61        10,968   

Covidien PLC

    1,125        60,187   

CR Bard, Inc.

    215        23,100   

DENTSPLY International, Inc.

    330        12,477   

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    295        30,474   

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    333        34,478   

Getinge AB

    997        24,740   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    105        58,148   

Medtronic, Inc.

    2,460        95,276   

Olympus Corp.(a)

    900        14,584   

Smith & Nephew PLC

    2,408        24,086   

Sonova Holding AG(a)

    351        33,950   

St Jude Medical, Inc.

    715        28,536   

Stryker Corp.

    775        42,702   

Sysmex Corp.

    200        7,910   

Terumo Corp.

    400        16,439   

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

    245        14,889   

William Demant Holding AS(a)

    70        6,292   

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

    435        27,997   
   

 

 

 
      756,536   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.5%

   

Aetna, Inc.

    820        31,791   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A

    585        23,020   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    795        33,390   

CIGNA Corp.

    665        29,260   

Coventry Health Care, Inc.

    330        10,491   

DaVita, Inc.(a)(b)

    225        22,097   

Express Scripts Holding Co.(a)

    1,939        108,254   

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

    564        39,834   

Humana, Inc.

    415        32,138   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

    225        20,837   

McKesson Corp.

    565        52,969   

Patterson Cos., Inc.

    210        7,239   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    400        23,960   

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    490        11,385   

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    1,715        22,431   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

    975        5,109   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    2,485        145,372   

WellPoint, Inc.

    800        51,032   
   

 

 

 
      670,609   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–0.0%

   

Cerner Corp.(a)

    340        28,104   
   

 

 

 

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–0.1%

   

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    795        31,196   

Life Technologies Corp.(a)

    425        19,121   

PerkinElmer, Inc.

    245        6,321   
   

QIAGEN NV(a)

    667      $ 11,169   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    885        45,940   

Waters Corp.(a)

    215        17,086   
   

 

 

 
      130,833   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–2.7%

   

Abbott Laboratories

    3,765        242,730   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    750        69,427   

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    1,200        52,366   

AstraZeneca PLC

    3,432        153,368   

Bayer AG

    2,223        160,188   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    3,995        143,620   

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    700        13,270   

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

    1,800        30,351   

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.

    1,400        14,304   

Eisai Co., Ltd.

    700        30,654   

Elan Corp. PLC(a)

    1,351        19,813   

Eli Lilly & Co.

    2,415        103,628   

Forest Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    595        20,819   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    13,572        308,275   

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.

    300        14,764   

Hospira, Inc.(a)

    360        12,593   

Johnson & Johnson

    6,535        441,505   

Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.

    1,000        10,299   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    7,245        302,479   

Merck KGaA

    204        20,373   

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.

    1,000        14,380   

Mylan, Inc./PA(a)

    995        21,263   

Novartis AG

    6,183        345,700   

Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B

    1,095        158,815   

Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    200        12,568   

Orion Oyj

    259        4,906   

Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.

    975        29,928   

Perrigo Co.

    220        25,945   

Pfizer, Inc.

    17,850        410,550   

Roche Holding AG

    1,889        326,292   

Sanofi

    3,244        245,573   

Shionogi & Co., Ltd.

    1,000        13,597   

Shire PLC

    1,512        43,500   

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.

    172        14,438   

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    2,100        95,344   

UCB SA

    296        14,952   

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    315        23,307   
   

 

 

 
      3,965,884   
   

 

 

 
      6,042,476   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–4.1%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–0.2%

   

Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.

    500        16,714   

BorgWarner, Inc.(a)

    290        19,021   

Bridgestone Corp.

    1,700        39,039   

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B

    484        31,666   

Continental AG

    255        21,257   

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Denso Corp.

    1,300      $ 44,422   

GKN PLC

    4,227        11,984   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)(a)

    560        6,614   

Johnson Controls, Inc.

    1,580        43,782   

NOK Corp.

    700        14,946   

Nokian Renkaat OYJ

    298        11,320   

Toyota Industries Corp.

    500        14,336   
   

 

 

 
      275,101   
   

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES–0.7%

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    890        64,407   

Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

    1,000        17,352   

Daimler AG

    2,436        109,472   

Fiat SpA(a)

    1,624        8,188   

Ford Motor Co.

    9,070        86,981   

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

    2,000        16,204   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    550        25,152   

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

    4,400        153,540   

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    3,000        16,069   

Mazda Motor Corp.(a)

    11,000        14,979   

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.(a)

    14,000        14,118   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    6,700        63,621   

Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Preference Shares)

    412        20,495   

Renault SA

    588        23,480   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    1,000        20,533   

Toyota Motor Corp.

    7,400        298,680   

Volkswagen AG

    140        21,156   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

    389        61,629   
   

 

 

 
      1,036,056   
   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTORS–0.0%

   

Genuine Parts Co.

    350        21,088   

Li & Fung Ltd.

    16,000        30,938   
   

 

 

 
      52,026   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.0%

   

Apollo Group, Inc.–Class A(a)

    245        8,866   

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

    300        13,432   

DeVry, Inc.

    120        3,716   

Gree, Inc.

    682        13,489   

H&R Block, Inc.

    670        10,707   
   

 

 

 
      50,210   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.6%

   

Accor SA

    750        23,503   

Carnival Corp.

    1,085        37,183   

Carnival PLC

    487        16,651   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.–Class A(a)

    94        35,715   

Compass Group PLC

    5,090        53,430   

Crown Ltd.

    2,537        22,045   

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

    320        16,202   

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.(a)

    8,911        22,395   

Genting Singapore PLC

    22,000        24,715   
   

Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC

    782      $ 18,826   

International Game Technology

    680        10,710   

Marriott International, Inc./DE–Class A

    595        23,324   

McDonald’s Corp.

    2,430        215,128   

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.

    500        14,073   

OPAP SA

    600        3,632   

Oriental Land Co., Ltd.

    100        11,434   

Sands China Ltd.

    7,700        24,771   

Sky City Entertainment Group Ltd.

    1,551        4,237   

Sodexo

    292        22,736   

Starbucks Corp.

    1,810        96,509   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    445        23,603   

Tatts Group Ltd.

    6,512        17,548   

Whitbread PLC

    478        15,198   

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    350        18,459   

Wynn Macau Ltd.

    10,107        23,903   

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    210        21,781   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    1,095        70,540   
   

 

 

 
      888,251   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.2%

   

DR Horton, Inc.

    655        12,039   

Electrolux AB

    1,181        23,502   

Harman International Industries, Inc.

    140        5,544   

Leggett & Platt, Inc.(b)

    325        6,867   

Lennar Corp.–Class A(b)

    350        10,819   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    675        12,245   

Panasonic Corp.

    5,900        48,231   

Pulte Group, Inc.(a)

    785        8,400   

Rinnai Corp.

    200        13,800   

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.

    2,000        18,581   

Sekisui House Ltd.

    2,000        18,884   

Sharp Corp./Japan

    3,000        15,285   

Sony Corp.

    2,700        38,608   

Whirlpool Corp.

    200        12,232   
   

 

 

 
      245,037   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.2%

   

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    870        198,664   

Expedia, Inc.

    222        10,672   

NetFlix, Inc.(a)(b)

    126        8,627   

priceline.com, Inc.(a)

    117        77,749   

Rakuten, Inc.

    1,951        20,171   

TripAdvisor, Inc.(a)

    222        9,921   
   

 

 

 
      325,804   
   

 

 

 

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

Hasbro, Inc.

    250        8,467   

Mattel, Inc.

    785        25,465   

Nikon Corp.

    900        27,397   

Sankyo Co., Ltd.

    300        14,640   

 

11


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.

    700      $ 14,239   

Shimano, Inc.

    200        13,113   
   

 

 

 
      103,321   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–0.9%

   

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

    3,006        32,771   

Cablevision Systems Corp.

    480        6,379   

CBS Corp.–Class B

    1,540        50,481   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    6,420        205,247   

Dentsu, Inc.

    500        14,820   

DIRECTV(a)

    1,565        76,403   

Discovery Communications, Inc.–Class A(a)

    595        32,130   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    550        8,102   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)

    1,045        11,338   

ITV PLC

    12,555        15,107   

Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd.

    13        13,255   

Kabel Deutschland Holding AG(a)

    164        10,220   

McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The)

    660        29,700   

News Corp.–Class A

    4,985        111,116   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    660        32,076   

Pearson PLC

    2,193        43,513   

Publicis Groupe SA

    494        22,592   

Reed Elsevier NV

    2,970        33,883   

Reed Elsevier PLC

    3,272        26,226   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.–Class A

    220        12,509   

SES SA (FDR)

    971        22,958   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A

    765        62,807   

Time Warner, Inc.

    2,295        88,358   

Viacom, Inc.–Class B

    1,260        59,245   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    4,275        207,338   

Washington Post Co. (The)–Class B(b)

    11        4,112   

WPP PLC

    3,388        41,130   
   

 

 

 
      1,273,816   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.2%

   

Big Lots, Inc.(a)

    130        5,303   

Dollar Tree, Inc.(a)

    320        17,216   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

    305        20,276   

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.

    1,300        13,812   

JC Penney Co., Inc.(b)

    330        7,692   

Kohl’s Corp.

    580        26,384   

Macy’s, Inc.

    945        32,461   

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    4,312        21,990   

Next PLC

    452        22,696   

Nordstrom, Inc.

    360        17,888   

PPR

    205        29,219   

Sears Holdings Corp.(a)(b)

    105        6,269   

Target Corp.

    1,565        91,067   
   

 

 

 
      312,273   
   

 

 

 
   

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.6%

   

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.–Class A

    160      $ 5,462   

AutoNation, Inc.(a)(b)

    105        3,704   

AutoZone, Inc.(a)

    85        31,209   

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.(a)

    565        34,917   

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    630        13,205   

CarMax, Inc.(a)

    540        14,008   

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

    100        20,009   

GameStop Corp.–Class A(b)

    275        5,049   

Gap, Inc. (The)

    745        20,383   

Hennes & Mauritz AB–Class B

    2,552        91,601   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    3,650        193,414   

Inditex SA

    586        60,572   

Kingfisher PLC

    6,368        28,726   

Limited Brands, Inc.

    565        24,029   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    2,770        78,779   

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.

    150        14,184   

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a)

    320        26,806   

Ross Stores, Inc.

    550        34,359   

Shimamura Co., Ltd.

    100        11,556   

Staples, Inc.

    1,605        20,945   

Tiffany & Co.

    315        16,679   

TJX Cos., Inc.

    1,770        75,986   

Urban Outfitters, Inc.(a)

    235        6,484   

USS Co., Ltd.

    100        10,790   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

    270        13,824   
   

 

 

 
      856,680   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.4%

   

Adidas AG

    562        40,283   

Burberry Group PLC

    1,179        24,548   

Christian Dior SA

    166        22,830   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    1,403        77,038   

Coach, Inc.

    680        39,766   

Fossil, Inc.(a)

    119        9,108   

Hugo Boss AG

    198        19,616   

Luxottica Group SpA

    759        26,503   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA

    683        103,946   

NIKE, Inc.–Class B

    880        77,246   

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    190        26,611   

Swatch Group AG (The) (SWX Exchange)

    103        40,710   

VF Corp.

    215        28,692   
   

 

 

 
      536,897   
   

 

 

 
      5,955,472   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–3.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.5%

   

AMEC PLC

    891        14,046   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

    1,010        41,511   

Cameron International Corp.(a)

    570        24,345   

Cie Generale de Geophysique-Veritas(a)

    470        12,156   

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    140        8,278   

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

FMC Technologies, Inc.(a)

    560      $ 21,969   

Fugro NV

    538        32,634   

Halliburton Co.

    2,190        62,174   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    235        10,218   

Nabors Industries Ltd.(a)

    665        9,576   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    1,005        64,762   

Noble Corp.(a)

    575        18,705   

Petrofac Ltd.

    697        15,214   

Rowan Cos. PLC(a)

    255        8,244   

Saipem SpA

    712        31,708   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    3,185        206,738   

Seadrill Ltd.

    946        33,740   

Subsea 7 SA

    1,066        21,096   

Technip SA

    267        27,826   

Tenaris SA

    1,269        22,317   

Transocean Ltd./Switzerland

    942        42,243   

WorleyParsons Ltd.

    885        22,981   
   

 

 

 
      752,481   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–3.2%

   

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.(a)

    482        4,198   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    1,195        79,109   

Apache Corp.

    945        83,056   

BG Group PLC

    9,129        186,884   

BP PLC

    51,018        340,708   

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    470        18,518   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.(b)

    1,545        28,737   

Chevron Corp.

    4,730        499,015   

ConocoPhillips

    3,020        168,758   

Consol Energy, Inc.

    540        16,330   

Denbury Resources, Inc.(a)

    910        13,750   

Devon Energy Corp.

    970        56,250   

ENI SpA

    6,460        137,244   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    655        59,022   

EQT Corp.

    340        18,234   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    11,169        955,731   

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    622        7,886   

Hess Corp.

    690        29,981   

Inpex Corp.

    6        33,699   

JX Holdings, Inc.

    6,000        30,924   

Kinder Morgan, Inc./Delaware

    1,175        37,859   

Lundin Petroleum AB(a)

    856        16,025   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    1,655        42,318   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    812        36,475   

Murphy Oil Corp.

    455        22,882   

Neste Oil Oyj

    339        3,815   

Newfield Exploration Co.(a)

    320        9,379   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    425        36,049   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    1,950        167,252   

OMV AG

    396        12,454   

Origin Energy Ltd.

    2,920        36,774   

Peabody Energy Corp.

    645        15,815   

Phillips 66(a)

    1,460        48,530   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    315        27,786   

QEP Resources, Inc.

    425        12,737   

Range Resources Corp.

    400        24,748   

Repsol YPF SA

    2,133        34,288   
   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class A

    9,862      $ 332,280   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC–Class B

    7,154        249,844   

Santos Ltd.

    2,539        27,963   

Southwestern Energy Co.(a)

    795        25,384   

Spectra Energy Corp.

    1,535        44,607   

Statoil ASA

    3,000        71,546   

Sunoco, Inc.

    235        11,163   

Tesoro Corp.(a)

    325        8,112   

TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK

    2,000        17,689   

Total SA

    5,706        256,821   

Tullow Oil PLC

    2,433        56,233   

Valero Energy Corp.

    1,275        30,791   

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

    1,455        41,933   

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

    1,733        55,536   

WPX Energy, Inc.(a)

    445        7,200   
   

 

 

 
      4,590,322   
   

 

 

 
      5,342,803   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–2.4%

   

CHEMICALS–1.1%

   

Air Liquide SA

    839        95,922   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    520        41,980   

Airgas, Inc.

    190        15,962   

Akzo Nobel NV

    704        33,133   

Arkema SA

    218        14,294   

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    3,000        16,262   

BASF SE

    2,469        171,680   

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    190        36,811   

Dow Chemical Co. (The)(b)

    2,825        88,987   

Eastman Chemical Co.

    330        16,622   

Ecolab, Inc.

    690        47,286   

EI du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    2,245        113,530   

FMC Corp.

    330        17,648   

Givaudan SA(a)

    23        22,574   

Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.

    900        14,179   

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

    7,611        22,485   

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    200        10,960   

Johnson Matthey PLC

    577        20,010   

JSR Corp.

    800        13,881   

K&S AG

    463        21,196   

Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.

    1,000        10,716   

Kuraray Co., Ltd.

    1,000        12,959   

Lanxess AG

    227        14,366   

Linde AG

    460        71,641   

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    3,500        15,429   

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.

    2,000        11,370   

Monsanto Co.

    1,290        106,786   

Mosaic Co. (The)

    730        39,975   

Nitto Denko Corp.

    400        17,138   

Novozymes A/S

    656        17,011   

Orica Ltd.

    981        24,988   

PPG Industries, Inc.

    350        37,142   

Praxair, Inc.

    740        80,460   

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    215        28,455   

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

    1,100        60,575   

 

13


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Showa Denko KK

    7,000      $ 13,600   

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

    305        22,549   

Solvay SA

    159        15,698   

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

    4,000        12,295   

Syngenta AG

    254        86,951   

Teijin Ltd.

    5,000        15,221   

Toray Industries, Inc.

    4,000        27,275   

Yara International ASA

    541        23,675   
   

 

 

 
      1,601,677   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.1%

   

CRH PLC

    1,933        37,032   

Fletcher Building Ltd.

    1,830        8,662   

HeidelbergCement AG

    440        21,124   

Holcim Ltd.(a)

    816        45,211   

James Hardie Industries SE

    1,640        13,522   

Lafarge SA

    533        23,803   

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

    4,000        9,185   

Vulcan Materials Co.

    315        12,509   
   

 

 

 
      171,048   
   

 

 

 

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.1%

   

Amcor Ltd./Australia

    3,244        23,681   

Ball Corp.

    360        14,778   

Bemis Co., Inc.

    230        7,208   

Owens-Illinois, Inc.(a)

    360        6,901   

Rexam PLC

    2,358        15,563   

Sealed Air Corp.

    440        6,794   
   

 

 

 
      74,925   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–1.0%

   

Acerinox SA

    318        3,564   

Alcoa, Inc.

    2,520        22,050   

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

    235        7,494   

Anglo American PLC

    3,567        117,231   

Antofagasta PLC

    1,060        18,132   

ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam)

    4,360        66,706   

BHP Billiton Ltd.

    8,668        282,337   

BHP Billiton PLC

    5,678        161,383   

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.

    330        16,266   

Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. PLC

    2,391        15,605   

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    4,488        22,508   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    2,225        75,806   

Fresnillo PLC

    667        15,278   

Glencore International PLC

    3,722        17,260   

Hitachi Metals Ltd.

    1,000        11,934   

Iluka Resources Ltd.

    2,008        23,699   

JFE Holdings, Inc.

    1,200        20,085   

Kazakhmys PLC

    1,371        15,544   

Kobe Steel Ltd.

    12,000        14,435   

Mitsubishi Materials Corp.

    5,000        14,499   

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    2,055        47,822   

Newmont Mining Corp.

    1,195        57,969   

Nippon Steel Corp.

    14,000        31,754   
   

Norsk Hydro ASA

    2,654      $ 11,969   

Nucor Corp.

    760        28,804   

Randgold Resources Ltd.

    234        21,009   

Rio Tinto Ltd.

    1,171        68,746   

Rio Tinto PLC

    3,620        172,036   

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd.

    9,000        14,846   

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.

    1,000        11,269   

ThyssenKrupp AG

    1,305        21,258   

Titanium Metals Corp.

    150        1,696   

Umicore SA

    306        14,148   

United States Steel Corp.(b)

    330        6,798   

Voestalpine AG

    295        7,835   

Xstrata PLC

    5,579        70,147   
   

 

 

 
      1,529,922   
   

 

 

 

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–0.1%

   

International Paper Co.

    1,015        29,344   

MeadWestvaco Corp.

    370        10,638   

OJI Paper Co., Ltd.

    4,000        15,326   

Stora Enso Oyj

    1,482        9,124   

Svenska Cellulosa AB–Class B

    2,115        31,732   

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    1,411        15,962   
   

 

 

 
      112,126   
   

 

 

 
      3,489,698   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.6%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.2%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    13,970        498,170   

Belgacom SA

    409        11,631   

BT Group PLC

    20,918        69,312   

CenturyLink, Inc.

    1,450        57,260   

Deutsche Telekom AG

    7,551        82,755   

Elisa Oyj

    381        7,672   

France Telecom SA

    4,984        65,531   

Frontier Communications Corp.(b)

    2,380        9,115   

Iliad SA

    80        11,584   

Inmarsat PLC

    1,202        9,276   

Koninklijke KPN NV

    3,848        36,795   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1,200        55,957   

Portugal Telecom SGPS SA

    1,687        7,388   

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    21,000        54,696   

Swisscom AG

    62        24,979   

TDC A/S

    1,331        9,250   

Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd.

    5,176        9,856   

Telecom Italia SpA (ordinary shares)

    28,057        27,724   

Telecom Italia SpA (savings shares)

    16,898        13,694   

Telefonica SA

    11,042        145,351   

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Telekom Austria AG

    893      $ 8,777   

Telenet Group Holding NV

    194        8,489   

Telenor ASA

    1,945        32,517   

TeliaSonera AB

    5,820        37,182   

Telstra Corp., Ltd.

    11,707        44,357   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    6,765        300,637   

Vivendi SA

    3,465        64,383   

Windstream Corp.(b)

    1,395        13,476   
   

 

 

 
      1,717,814   
   

 

 

 

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–0.4%

   

Crown Castle International Corp.(a)

    620        36,369   

KDDI Corp.

    7        45,156   

MetroPCS Communications, Inc.(a)

    675        4,084   

Millicom International Cellular SA

    313        29,539   

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

    41        68,224   

Softbank Corp.

    2,400        89,337   

Sprint Nextel Corp.(a)

    7,130        23,244   

StarHub Ltd.

    4,000        10,842   

Vodafone Group PLC

    133,955        376,515   
   

 

 

 
      683,310   
   

 

 

 
      2,401,124   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–1.5%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–0.8%

   

Acciona SA

    60        3,587   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    1,125        44,887   

Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

    2,000        12,069   

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

    1,700        27,567   

Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (The)

    900        14,843   

CLP Holdings Ltd.

    5,000        42,462   

Contact Energy Ltd.(a)

    971        3,757   

Duke Energy Corp.

    3,175        73,215   

E.ON AG

    4,841        104,610   

Edison International

    765        35,343   

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    5,130        12,136   

Electricite de France SA

    1,042        23,184   

Enel SpA

    17,694        57,131   

Entergy Corp.

    425        28,853   

Exelon Corp.

    1,997        75,127   

FirstEnergy Corp.

    985        48,452   

Fortum Oyj

    1,194        22,675   

Iberdrola SA

    10,436        49,271   

Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (The)

    2,000        23,985   

Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.

    1,200        14,236   

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    995        68,466   

Northeast Utilities

    710        27,555   

Pepco Holdings, Inc.

    540        10,568   

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    235        12,159   
   

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

    3,500      $ 26,242   

PPL Corp.

    1,345        37,404   

Progress Energy, Inc.

    430        25,873   

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    291        12,701   

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC

    2,523        55,041   

Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc.

    700        14,880   

Southern Co. (The)

    2,060        95,378   

SP AusNet

    12,753        13,365   

Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.(a)

    1,400        14,067   

Verbund AG

    183        4,192   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    1,120        31,819   
   

 

 

 
      1,167,100   
   

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–0.1%

   

AGL Resources, Inc.

    248        9,610   

Enagas SA

    481        8,776   

Gas Natural SDG SA

    933        11,979   

Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd.

    14,000        29,740   

Oneok, Inc.

    470        19,886   

Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.

    5,000        20,949   

Snam SpA

    6,059        27,145   

Toho Gas Co., Ltd.

    2,000        12,413   

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.

    7,000        35,777   
   

 

 

 
      176,275   
   

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS & ENERGY TRADERS–0.1%

   

AES Corp. (The)(a)

    1,535        19,694   

Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.

    500        13,140   

Enel Green Power SpA

    8,772        13,900   

NRG Energy, Inc.(a)

    540        9,374   
   

 

 

 
      56,108   
   

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.5%

   

AGL Energy Ltd.

    1,463        22,233   

Ameren Corp.

    560        18,782   

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    995        20,567   

Centrica PLC

    13,908        69,539   

CMS Energy Corp.

    620        14,570   

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    680        42,289   

Dominion Resources, Inc./VA

    1,385        74,790   

DTE Energy Co.

    420        24,919   

GDF Suez

    3,330        79,413   

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

    200        11,374   

National Grid PLC

    9,585        101,582   

NiSource, Inc.

    655        16,211   

PG&E Corp.

    975        44,138   

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    1,205        39,162   

RWE AG

    1,316        53,817   

SCANA Corp.

    295        14,113   

Sempra Energy

    560        38,573   

TECO Energy, Inc.

    475        8,579   

United Utilities Group PLC

    1,833        19,417   

Veolia Environnement SA

    932        11,802   

 

15


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    550      $ 21,764   
   

 

 

 
      747,634   
   

 

 

 

WATER UTILITIES–0.0%

   

Severn Trent PLC

    639        16,565   
   

 

 

 
      2,163,682   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $53,162,484)

      55,125,335   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

GOVERNMENTS–TREASURIES–27.0%

   

 

UNITED STATES–27.0%

   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   

3.125%, 11/15/41–2/15/42

  $   1,360        1,461,367   

3.50%, 2/15/39

    152        175,893   

3.75%, 8/15/41

    220        265,306   

3.875%, 8/15/40

    280        344,706   

4.25%, 5/15/39

    240        313,463   

4.375%, 11/15/39–5/15/41

    593        790,811   

4.50%, 8/15/39

    220        298,512   

4.75%, 2/15/37–2/15/41

        266        373,662   

5.375%, 2/15/31

    650        947,172   

6.00%, 2/15/26

    134        196,436   

6.25%, 8/15/23–5/15/30

    314        480,013   

7.25%, 5/15/16

    108        135,439   

7.50%, 11/15/16

    92        118,996   

7.625%, 2/15/25

    55        90,028   

8.00%, 11/15/21

    123        193,091   

U.S. Treasury Notes

   

0.125%, 9/30/13–12/31/13

    980        977,687   

0.25%, 11/30/13–2/15/15

    4,395        4,387,729   

0.375%, 8/31/12–11/15/14

    325        325,175   

0.50%, 10/15/13–10/15/14

    883        885,770   

0.625%, 1/31/13

    320        320,812   

0.75%, 3/31/13–6/15/14

    1,574        1,583,816   

0.875%, 11/30/16–4/30/17

    2,315        2,335,309   

1.00%, 1/15/14–10/31/16

      1,655        1,677,060   

1.125%, 12/15/12–6/15/13

    809        815,055   

1.25%, 2/15/14–4/30/19

    2,470        2,505,408   

1.375%, 11/30/15–2/28/19

    902        923,865   

1.75%, 7/31/15

    660        686,142   

1.875%, 10/31/17

    1,100        1,160,500   

2.00%, 11/30/13–2/15/22

    2,749        2,852,592   

2.125%, 12/31/15–8/15/21

    825        869,033   

2.25%, 1/31/15–11/30/17

    739        790,211   

2.375%, 8/31/14–7/31/17

    2,504        2,631,679   

2.50%, 3/31/15

    148        156,510   

2.625%, 1/31/18–11/15/20

    1,505        1,654,170   
   

2.75%, 5/31/17–2/15/19

  $   1,330      $ 1,462,751   

3.00%, 2/28/17

    889        982,553   

3.125%, 10/31/16–5/15/21

    1,111        1,242,111   

3.25%, 7/31/16

    232        256,777   

3.375%, 11/15/19

    380        439,642   

3.625%, 2/15/21

    295        348,284   

3.75%, 11/15/18

      615        720,367   

4.00%, 11/15/12

    57        57,808   

4.375%, 8/15/12

    110        110,563   
   

 

 

 

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $38,479,877)

      39,344,274   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–4.2%

   

FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–4.2%

   

Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
(cost $5,990,959)

    151,220        6,041,239   
   

 

 

 

SHORT–TERM INVESTMENTS–40.5%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–40.5%

   

AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.–Government STIF Portfolio, 0.14%(c)
(cost $58,912,503)

    58,912,503        58,912,503   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities
Loaned–109.6%
(cost $156,545,823)

      159,423,351   
   

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY
LOANED–0.1%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.1%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c)
(cost $132,702)

    132,702        132,702   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–109.7%
(cost $156,678,525)

      159,556,053   

Other assets less liabilities–(9.7)%

      (14,089,887
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 145,466,166   
   

 

 

 

 

 

16


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
    

Expiration

Month

     Original
Value
     Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Purchased Contracts

              

10YR JGB Mini Futures SGX XSES

     9         September 2012       $   1,614,250       $   1,617,940       $     3,690   

ASX SPI 200 Index Futures

     7         September 2012         725,118         726,659         1,541   

FTSE 100 Index Futures

     20         September 2012           1,694,904           1,729,970         35,066   

German Euro Bobl Futures

     2         September 2012         322,933         318,627         (4,306

German Euro Bund Futures

     2         September 2012         366,441         356,618         (9,823

German Euro Buxl Futures

     1         September 2012         166,136         165,704         (432

Hang Seng Index Futures

     2         July 2012         243,465         250,698         7,233   

MSCI Emerging Market Mini Futures

     9         September 2012         404,025         425,115         21,090   

Russell 2000 Mini Index Futures

     15         September 2012         1,134,988         1,193,100         58,112   

S&P 500 E Mini Index Futures

     25         September 2012         1,645,430         1,695,500         50,070   

S&P Mid Cap 400 E Mini Index Futures

     32         September 2012         2,931,733         3,006,400         74,667   

TOPIX Index Futures

     16         September 2012         1,422,043         1,539,251         117,208   

U.S. T–Note 10 Yr Futures

     7         September 2012         935,230         933,625         (1,605

U.S. T–Note 5 Yr Futures

     2         September 2012         247,503         247,938         435   

UK Long Gilt Bond Futures

     2         September 2012         370,617         373,089         2,472   

Ultra Long U.S. T-Bond Futures

     2         September 2012         338,691         333,688         (5,003

Sold Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index Futures

     17         September 2012         462,297         485,129         (22,832
              

 

 

 
               $   327,583   
              

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts:

           

Bank of America NA:

           

Euro settling 9/14/12

     1,195       $   1,515,260       $   1,513,316       $ (1,944

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale:

           

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

     107,886         1,361,295         1,351,022         (10,273

BNP Paribas SA:

           

Swiss Franc settling 9/14/12

     918         958,329         968,970         10,641   

Citibank N.A:

           

Australian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     1,247         1,226,623         1,267,728         41,105   

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

     11,905         149,109         149,082         (27

Credit Suisse London Branch (GFX):

           

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     1,388         2,181,353         2,173,399         (7,954

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

     218,406         2,759,463         2,735,027         (24,436

Royal Bank of Canada:

           

Euro settling 9/14/12

     788         983,972         997,903            13,931   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:

           

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

     98,236         1,232,983         1,230,177         (2,806

 

17


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts: (continued)

           

Standard Chartered Bank:

           

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     116       $ 180,382       $ 181,638       $ 1,256   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.:

           

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     227         366,269         355,448         (10,821

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

     24,009         302,670         300,656         (2,014

Swedish Krona settling 9/14/12

     3,924         555,093         565,768         10,675   

UBS AG:

           

Euro settling 9/14/12

     177         229,625         224,148         (5,477

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     858         1,340,325         1,343,499                3,174   

Sale Contracts:

           

Credit Suisse London Branch (GFX):

           

Australian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     1,580         1,573,064         1,606,263         (33,199

Euro settling 9/14/12

     4,035         5,022,768         5,109,818         (87,050

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     2,987         4,632,031         4,677,194         (45,163

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

       326,884           4,126,229           4,093,462         32,767   

Swedish Krona settling 9/14/12

     4,197         592,428         605,129         (12,701

Swiss Franc settling 9/14/12

     1,533         1,590,150         1,618,117         (27,967

Royal Bank of Canada:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     302         292,449         296,153         (3,704

Standard Chartered Bank:

           

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

     14,678         185,750         183,807         1,943   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.:

           

Australian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     142         136,895         144,360         (7,465

Westpac Banking Corp:

           

Australian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     1,105         1,114,602         1,123,367         (8,765
           

 

 

 
            $ (176,274
           

 

 

 

TOTAL RETURN SWAP CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Receive/Pay

Total

Return on

Reference

Index

  Index   # of Shares
or Units
    Rate Paid/
Received by
the Fund
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Counterparty   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive Total Return on Reference Index

  

     

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    9        0.46   $   27        7/16/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
  $   1,087   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    6        0.47     18        7/16/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
    724   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    5        0.47     15        7/16/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
    604   

 

18


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Receive/Pay

Total

Return on

Reference

Index

  Index   # of Shares
or Units
    Rate Paid by
the Fund
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Counterparty   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    16        0.49   $   49        8/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
  $ 1,931   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    14        0.49     42        8/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
    1,690   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    29        0.49     88        8/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
      3,500   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    20        0.49     61        8/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
    2,414   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    7        0.49     21        9/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    845   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    11        0.49     33        9/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    1,328   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    13        0.49     39        10/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    1,569   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    29        0.49     88        10/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    3,500   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    10        0.49     30        10/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    1,207   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    16        0.49     49        10/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    1,931   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    15        0.49     46        10/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    1,810   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    16        0.49     49        10/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    1,931   

 

19


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Receive/Pay

Total

Return on

Reference

Index

  Index   # of Shares
or Units
    Rate Paid by
the Fund
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Counterparty   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    35        0.49   $   106        11/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
  $   4,224   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    21        0.49     64        11/15/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    2,535   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    19        0.49     58        12/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    2,293   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    31        0.49     94        12/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    3,741   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    22        0.49     67        12/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    2,655   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    18        0.49     55        12/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    2,172   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    38        0.49     115        12/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    4,586   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    23        0.49     70        12/17/12      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    2,776   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    42        0.56     127        3/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    5,066   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    89        0.56     270        3/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    10,735   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    38        0.56     115        3/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    4,584   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    48        0.56     146        3/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    5,790   

 

20


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Receive/Pay

Total

Return on

Reference

Index

  Index   # of Shares
or Units
    Rate Paid by
the Fund
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Counterparty   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    21        0.56   $ 64        3/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

  $   2,533   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    32        0.58     97        4/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    3,859   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    70        0.58       212        4/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    8,442   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    69        0.58     209        4/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
    8,322   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    12        0.58     36        4/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    1,447   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    56        0.58     170        4/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    6,754   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    72        0.58     218        4/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    8,683   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    19        0.47     58        6/17/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,

NA

    2,294   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return index     30        0.24     105        3/15/13      JPMorgan
Chase Bank,
NA
    3,817   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    19        0.24     58        4/15/13      Morgan Stanley
Capital Services

Inc.

    2,298   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    33        0.44     100        10/15/12      UBS AG     3,985   

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    233        0.44     707        5/15/13      UBS AG     28,133   

 

21


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Receive/Pay

Total

Return on

Reference

Index

  Index   # of Shares
or Units
    Rate Paid by
the Fund
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Counterparty   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive

 

FTSE

EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate index

    19        0.47   $ 58        6/17/13      UBS AG   $ 2,265   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return index     476        0.24       1,672        2/15/13      UBS AG     60,652   

Receive

  Russell 2000 Total Return index     11        0.24     39        2/15/13      UBS AG     1,400   
             

 

 

 
              $   222,112   
             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

EPRA—European Public Real Estate Association

FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt

FTSE—Financial Times Stock Exchange

NAREIT—National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust

REG—Registered Shares

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust

See notes to financial statements.

 

22


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $97,633,320)

   $ 100,510,848 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $59,045,205—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $132,702)

     59,045,205   

Cash

     928,929 (b) 

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $28,302)

     28,302   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     5,089,781   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     970,782   

Unrealized appreciation on total return swap contracts

     222,112   

Interest and dividends receivable

     213,572   

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     211,495   

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     115,492   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     167,336,518   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     21,265,621   

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     291,766   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     132,702   

Advisory fee payable

     41,752   

Distribution fee payable

     28,766   

Administrative fee payable

     14,817   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     7,468   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     121   

Accrued expenses

     87,339   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     21,870,352   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 145,466,166   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 14,565   

Additional paid-in capital

     144,875,650   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (168,145

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (2,519,119

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

     3,263,215   
  

 

 

 
   $ 145,466,166   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $ 10,255           1,024         $   10.01   

B

     $   145,455,911           14,564,447         $ 9.99   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $132,177 (see Note E).

 

(b)   An amount of $928,929 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2012.

See notes to financial statements.

 

23


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $51)

   $ 158,585   

Affiliated issuers

     26,817   

Interest

     165,456   

Securities lending income

     2,018   
  

 

 

 
     352,876   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     339,862   

Distribution fee—Class B

     117,714   

Transfer agency—Class A

     108   

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,230   

Custodian

     129,351   

Administrative

     29,169   

Audit

     28,279   

Legal

     21,588   

Printing

     16,026   

Amortization of offering expenses

     15,135   

Directors’ fees

     1,963   

Miscellaneous

     2,994   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     703,419   

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

     (173,016
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     530,403   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (177,527
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     (149,229

Futures contracts

     (1,378,103

Swap contracts

     278,354   

Foreign currency transactions

     (691,777

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     2,773,553   

Futures contracts

     234,925   

Swap contracts

     126,179   

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (245,291
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     948,611   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 771,084   
  

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

24


 
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET  ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    April 1, 2011(a) to
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (177,527   $ 166,149   

Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (1,940,755     (744,166

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

     2,889,366        373,849   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     771,084        (204,168

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase

     83,265,903        61,633,347   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase

     84,036,987        61,429,179   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     61,429,179        –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of ($168,145) and undistributed net investment income of $9,382, respectively)

   $ 145,466,166      $ 61,429,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Commencement of operations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

25


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Dynamic Asset Allocation 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 thirteen separately managed pools of assets which have differing investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio commenced operations on April 1, 2011. 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Investments in money market funds are valued at their net asset value each day.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for

 

26


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

           

Assets:

           

Common Stocks:

           

Financials

   $ 4,445,851       $ 5,629,762       $             –0 –     $ 10,075,613   

Information Technology

     5,848,311         1,126,800         –0 –       6,975,111   

Consumer Staples

     3,402,446         2,976,568         –0 –       6,379,014   

Industrials

     3,155,194         3,145,148         –0 –       6,300,342   

Health Care

     3,562,959         2,479,517         –0 –       6,042,476   

Consumer Discretionary

     3,322,279         2,633,193         –0 –       5,955,472   

Energy

     3,203,881         2,138,922         –0 –       5,342,803   

Materials

     1,070,896         2,418,802         –0 –       3,489,698   

Telecommunication Services

     942,355         1,458,769         –0 –       2,401,124   

Utilities

     1,063,495         1,100,188         –0 –       2,163,683   

Governments—Treasuries

     –0 –       39,344,274         –0 –       39,344,274   

Investment Companies

     6,041,239      –0 –       –0 –       6,041,239   

Short-Term Investments

     58,912,503         –0 –       –0 –       58,912,503   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     132,702         –0 –       –0 –       132,702   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     95,104,111         64,451,943      –0 –       159,556,054   

Other Financial Instruments*:

           

Assets:

           

Futures Contracts

     371,584         –0 –       –0 –       371,584

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –       115,492         –0 –       115,492   

Total Return Swap Contracts

     –0 –       222,112         –0 –       222,112   

Liabilities:

           

Futures Contracts

     (44,001      –0 –       –0 –       (44,001 )# 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –       (291,766      –0 –       (291,766
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 95,431,694       $ 64,497,781       $ –0 –     $ 159,929,475   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

^   An amount of $2,986,494 was transferred out of Level 2 into Level 1 due to increase in observable inputs.

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

+   A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

27


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (all years since inception of the Portfolio) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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.

8. Offering Expenses

Offering expenses of $82,202 were deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over a one year period starting from April 1, 2011 (commencement of operations).

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 .70% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. 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 .85% and 1.10% of daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively (the “Expense Caps”). Under the agreement, fees waived and expenses borne by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund until April 1, 2014. No repayment will be made that would cause the Portfolio’s total annualized operating expenses to exceed the net fee percentage set forth above or would exceed the amount of

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

offering expenses as recorded by the Portfolio on or before April 1, 2012. The Expense Caps extend through May 1, 2013 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the amount of such fees waived was $173,016, which is subject to repayment, not to exceed the amount of offering expenses.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $29,169.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

The Portfolio may invest in the AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.—Government STIF Portfolio (“Government STIF Portfolio”), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. The Government STIF Portfolio is offered as a cash management option to mutual funds and other institutional accounts of the Adviser, and is not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Government STIF Portfolio pays no investment management fees but does bear its own expenses. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of the Government STIF Portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31, 2011
(000)

    Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30, 2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$ 27,832      $ 73,137      $ 42,056      $ 58,913      $ 26   

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $24,248, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

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 or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases        Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 52,578,986         $ 14,200,190   

U.S. government securities

       21,934,408           –0 – 

 

29


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION 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 futures, foreign currency and swap transactions) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,273,150   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (395,622
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 2,877,528   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may 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. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures contracts is generally less than privately negotiated futures contracts, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, provides a guarantee of performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin requirements). 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.

Use of long futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held futures contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale 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 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 unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Option Transactions

For hedging and investment 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. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.

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 selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held purchased options for hedging purposes.

 

   

Swap Agreements

The Portfolio may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, equity markets and currencies. The Portfolio may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures, making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” or in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset described below under “Total Return Swaps”. 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. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide value and recourse to the Portfolio or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap agreement.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover the Portfolio’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The

 

31


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swap contracts. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of operations.

Total Return Swaps:

The Portfolio may enter into total return swaps in order take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Portfolio is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Portfolio will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held total return swap contracts for non-hedging purposes.

Documentation governing the Portfolio’s OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $239,115. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2012, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $239,115 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

 

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

  Fair Value    

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

  Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 115,492      Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 291,766   

Equity contracts

  Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures contracts     342,155    

Interest rate contracts

      Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures contracts     14,572

Equity contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on total return swap agreements     222,112       
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $ 679,759        $ 306,338   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

32


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities    $ (375,473   $ (257,557

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts      (1,443,967     283,417   

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts      65,864        (48,492

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments      (69,607     63,044   

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts      278,354        126,179   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (1,544,829   $ 166,591   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the average monthly principal amount of foreign currency exchange contracts was $21,932,742, the average monthly original value of futures contracts was $25,111,543 and the average monthly notional amount of total return swap contracts was $5,989,257. For three months of the period, the average monthly cost of purchased options contracts was $58,088.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights.

 

33


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $132,177 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $132,702. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $2,018 and $1,249 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31, 2011
(000)

    Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30, 2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$ 1,949      $ 6,720      $ 8,536      $ 133      $ 1   

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    April 1, 2011(a)
to December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    April 1, 2011(a)
to December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    25        999,000        $ 244      $ 9,990,000   

Shares redeemed

    (998,001     –0 –        (10,218,296     –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (997,976     999,000        $ (10,218,052   $ 9,990,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    9,862,048        5,407,777        $ 99,527,885      $ 52,617,421   

Shares redeemed

    (604,678     (100,700       (6,043,930     (974,074
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    9,257,370        5,307,077        $ 93,483,955      $ 51,643,347   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Commencement of operations.

NOTE G: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

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

Foreign Securities Risk—Investing in securities of foreign companies or foreign governments involves special risks which include changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the possibility of future political and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies or foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or of the U.S. government.

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

 

34


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Components of Accumulated Earnings/(Deficit)

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 290,543   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (175 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (470,637 )(b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (180,269 )(c) 
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2011, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $175.

 

(b)   The differences 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 swaps, and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

 

(c)   The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable primarily to the amortization of offering costs.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation. As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

35


 
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    April 1, 2011(a) to
December 31,

2011
 
     

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.75        $10.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Income From Investment Operations

   

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

    (.01     .03   

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

    .27        (.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .26        (.25
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.01        $9.75   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Total Return

   

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

    2.67     (2.50 )% 
   

Ratios/Supplemental Data

   

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

    $10        $9,742   

Ratio to average net assets of:

   

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)

    .85     .85

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)

    1.22     2.53

Net investment income (loss) (c)(e)

    (.14 )%      .36

Portfolio turnover rate

    25     68

 

 

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 37.

 

36


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    April 1, 2011(a) to
December 31,
2011
 
     

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.74        $10.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Income From Investment Operations

   

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

    (.02     .06   

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

    .27        (.32
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .25        (.26
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $9.99        $9.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Total Return

   

Total investment return based on net asset value (d)

    2.57     (2.60 )% 
   

Ratios/Supplemental Data

   

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

    $145,456        $51,687   

Ratio to average net assets of:

   

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements (e)

    1.10     1.10

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements (e)

    1.46     2.45

Net investment income (loss) (c)(e)

    (.37 )%      1.02

Portfolio turnover rate

    25     68

 

 

 

 

(a)   Commencement of operations.

 

(b)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)   Net of fees waived and expenses 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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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.

See notes to financial statements.

 

37


 
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION 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 Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2

The Portfolio’s investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the Adviser’s determination of reasonable risk. The Portfolio is designed as a balanced fund, seeking exposure to a blend of asset classes. The Portfolio’s neutral asset allocation will be a blend of 60% equity and 40% fixed-income exposure. Within these larger allocation bands, the Portfolio will have the ability to invest in a wide variety of securities, including U.S., non-U.S. and emerging market equity and fixed-income securities, commodities, real estate-related securities and inflation securities.

The Portfolio will have the ability to invest without limit in derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards, options and swaps. The Portfolio may use derivatives and physical securities in different combinations to achieve exposure in the most efficient way.

Through the use of derivatives, the Portfolio will be able to respond to market volatility by altering its risk profile and deviate from its target asset allocation without necessarily altering its physical securities asset mix. When the Adviser determines the equity volatility is low and the equity markets present reasonable return opportunities, the Adviser may increase the Portfolio’s equity exposure by entering into equity index futures or swap agreements. This equity exposure is expected to not exceed 80%. Conversely, during periods of severe equity market volatility, when the Adviser determines that the risks in the equity markets are disproportional to the potential returns offered, the Adviser expects to use derivatives to reduce the Portfolio’s overall equity exposure. In this extreme risk-averse exposure, the Portfolio could reduce its equity exposure to 0% and increase its fixed-income exposure to 100%.

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 September 1, 2004 Assurance of Discontinuance (“AoD”) 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. The Supreme Court recently held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what Section 36(b) of the 40 Act requires: to face liability under Section 36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the

 

1   It should be noted that the Senior Officer’s fee evaluation was completed on January 21, 2011 and discussed with the Board of Directors on February 1-3. 2011.

 

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.

 

38


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

product of arms length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., (No. 08-586), 130 U.S. 1418 (1210). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of Section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arms-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS & RATIOS

The Adviser proposes 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:

 

Portfolio    Advisory Fee

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

   0.70% of Average Daily Net Assets

As shown above, the advisory fee schedule of the Portfolio has no breakpoint. The Portfolio would fall in the Specialty Category, which has a fee beginning at 0.75% but is subject to breakpoints.3

In addition to paying the advisory fee, the Investment Advisory Agreement provides for the Adviser to be reimbursed for providing administrative and accounting services.

The Adviser proposed to set expense caps set forth below for an initial period. The Expense Limitation Undertaking will terminate three years after the Portfolio commences operations. During the period between the initial period and the termination of the agreements, the Adviser may be able to recoup all or a portion of the Portfolio’s operating expenses,4 which will be paid initially by the Adviser. If at any time, after the expiration of the initial period, the Portfolio’s expenses fall below the expense cap, the Adviser will be able to recoup offering costs previously paid by it to the extent that the reimbursement does not cause the expense ratios of the Portfolio’s share classes to exceed the expense caps. The Adviser’s ability to recoup offering expenses will terminate with the agreement, three years following the commencement of operations. After the initial period, the Adviser or the Portfolio may terminate the agreement on sixty days’ notice.

 

Portfolio  

Expense Cap Pursuant

to Expense Limitation

Undertaking

 

Estimated

Gross

Expense

Ratio

  Fiscal Year End

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

 

Class A    0.85%

Class B    1.10%

 

1.15%

1.40%

  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 to be 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 will be more costly than those for institutional accounts due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. Servicing the Portfolio’s investors will be 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

 

3   The NYAG related fee schedule, implemented in January 2004 in connection with the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG in December 2003, is based on a master schedule that contemplate eight categories of funds with almost all funds in each category having the same advisory fee schedule. The advisory fee schedule for the Specialty Category is as follows: 0.75% on the first $2.5 billion, 0.65% on the next $2.5 billion, and 0.60% on the balance.

 

4   Offering expenses consist principally of the legal, accounting and federal and states securities registration fees paid by the Portfolio.

 

39


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 arguably 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts with similar investment styles as the Portfolio.5 The Adviser is in the process of launching a new service for institutional clients that will provide for a similar investment style as the anticipated Portfolio. The advisory fee schedule contemplated for the institutional account is set forth in the table below.

 

Portfolio    Initial
Estimated
Net Assets
($MIL)
     AllianceBernstein (“AB”)
Institutional (“Inst.”)
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
     Portfolio
Adv.
Fee (%)
 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

   $ 100.0      

Dynamic Asset Allocation Strategy

0.50% on first $500 million

0.40% on the balance

Minimum: $    million

     0.500         0.700   

The Adviser manages other investment companies that have a somewhat similar investment strategy as the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s neutral asset allocation is the same as another series of the Fund, Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio, and the retail mutual fund, The AllianceBernstein Portfolios—Balanced Wealth Strategy (“TAP—Balanced Wealth Strategy”). The advisory fee schedules of Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio and TAP—Balanced Wealth Strategy are set forth in the table below:6

 

Portfolio   ABMF/AVPS Fund   Fee Schedule   ABMF/AVPS
Effective
Fee (%)
    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

  TAP—Balanced Wealth Strategy  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

    0.550        0.700   
  AVPS—Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio  

0.55% on first $2.5 billion

0.45% on next $2.5 billion

0.40% on the balance

    0.550        0.700   

The Adviser manages the Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. Overlay Portfolios (the “Overlay Portfolios”). The Overlay Portfolios are designed to reduce portfolio volatility, reduce the probability of large losses and maintain returns of Private Client portfolios over time. Unlike the Portfolio, the Overlay Portfolios are not designed as stand-alone investments and are used in conjunction with globally diversified Private Client portfolios.7 The advisory fee schedule of the Overlay Portfolios is set

 

5   It should be noted that the Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

6   Both funds were affected by Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

7   Overlay A Portfolio and Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio are intended for use in Private Client accounts that have a higher equity weighting (e.g. 80% equity and 20% fixed-income). The other Overlay Portfolios are intended for use in Private Client accounts that have a higher fixed income weighting (e.g. 70% fixed-income and 30% equity). The Overlay Portfolios will gain exposure to various asset classes through direct investments in equity and debt securities as well as derivatives.

 

 

40


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

forth in the table below. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the advisory fee schedules of the Overlay Portfolios been applicable to the Portfolio based on the initial estimate of the Portfolio’s net assets at $100 million:

 

Portfolio    Overlay Portfolio    Advisory Fee
Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets8
     Overlay
Portfolios
Effective
Fee (%)
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

  

Overlay A Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay A Portfolio

     0.90      0.900         0.700   
  

Overlay B Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay B Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay C Portfolio

Tax-Aware Overlay N Portfolio

     0.65      0.650         0.700   

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Volatility Management Pooling Portfolio (“Volatility Portfolio”). Unlike the Portfolio, Volatility Portfolio is not designed as a stand-alone portfolio. Volatility Portfolio is utilized in conjunction with other asset class-pure Pooling Portfolios to reduce the overall portfolio volatility and mitigate the effects of extreme market environments without sacrificing long-term returns for the AllianceBernstein Blended Style Series, Inc.—Retirement Strategies (“Retirement Strategies”). The Adviser is not directly paid an advisory fee by Volatility Portfolio.9 The Adviser is directly compensated by the Retirement Strategies for managing its portfolios invested in Volatility Portfolio as well as other Pooling Portfolios.

The Adviser recently agreed to provide a sub-advisory service with a similar investment strategy to an investment company managed by another fund family. The fee schedule contemplated for the sub-advised fund is set forth in the table below.

 

Portfolio   Sub-advised
Fund
  Sub-advised Fund
Fee Schedule

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

  Client # 1  

AB Sub-Advisory Fee Schedule:

0.40% on first $100 million

0.35% on next $100 million

0.30% on the balance

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.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationship will be paying a lower fee than the investment companies managed by the Adviser, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such fee due to the differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the investment companies and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advised relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is provided all the services, not just investment services, generally required by a registered investment company.

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.10 Lipper’s analysis

 

8   The advisory fees of each Overlay Portfolio are based on the percentage of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets, not an aggregate of the assets in the Portfolios shown.

 

9   Although Volatility Portfolio does not directly pay the Adviser an advisory fee for providing investment advisory services, Volatility Portfolio does reimburse the Adviser the cost for providing administrative and accounting services.

 

10   In considering this section, it should be noted that the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arms length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

41


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

included the Portfolio’s ranking with respect to the contractual management fee relative to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)11 at the approximate current asset level of the subject Portfolio.12

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. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds.

The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers with or without a 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fee. Because Lipper had expanded the EG of the Portfolio, under Lipper’s standard guidelines, the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”)13 was also expanded to include the universes of those peers with or without a 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fee.

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee14
     Lipper Exp.
Group
Median
     Rank  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

     0.700         0.695         5/8   

Set forth below is a comparison of the Portfolio’s anticipated total expense ratio excluding 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fee, and the medians of the Portfolio’s EG and EU. The Portfolio’s total expense ratio, excluding 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fee, rankings are also shown.

 

Portfolio    Exp. Ratio
ex-12b-1
Fee (%)15
     Lipper Exp.
Group
Median (%)
     Lipper
Group
Rank
     Lipper Exp.
Universe
Median (%)
     Lipper
Universe
Rank
 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Portfolio

     0.850         0.796         6/8         0.790         9/12   

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

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

The Adviser will utilize 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 to be 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 has not yet commenced operations. Therefore, there is no historic profitability data with respect to the Adviser’s investment services to the Portfolio.

 

11   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.

 

12   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.

 

13   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG peer when selecting an EU peer. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund. Due to a limited number of comparable peers available, at the request of the Senior Officer and the Adviser, Lipper allowed for the inclusion of a second peer managed by the same investment adviser in the Portfolio’s EG.

 

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.

 

15   The total expense ratio excluding 12b-1/non 12b-1 service fee shown are for the Portfolio’s Class A shares.

 

42


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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 and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, 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 it 0.25%.

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.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, will market and sell shares of the Portfolio and will normally receive compensation from ABI, the Advisers and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries will 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 will be AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”).16 During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, ABIS was paid a fee of $18,000 by the existing Portfolios of the Fund.17

The Portfolio may effect in the future brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and pay commissions for such transactions. The Adviser has 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 comparable 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 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 Deli19 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.20 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two

 

16   It should be noted that the insurance companies, linked to the variable products, provide additional shareholder services, including record keeping, administration and customer service for contract holders.

 

17   ABIS receives an annual fee of $18,000 from the Fund, which is allocated equally among the Fund’s Portfolios.

 

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   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arms length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

43


DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.21 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 assets under management (“AUM”), family AUM, index fund indicator and investment style. 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 fund size and the large asset manager’s proportion of mutual fund assets to non-mutual fund assets.

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

With assets under management of approximately $486 billion as of December 31, 2010, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

Since the Portfolio has not yet commenced operations, the Portfolio has no performance history.

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. However, the Senior Officer recommended that the Directors discuss with the Adviser the proposed advisory fee schedule of the Portfolio, which lack potential for sharing economies of scale through breakpoints. This conclusion in respect of the Portfolio is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: March 4, 2011

 

21   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

44


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,085.80       $   5.55         1.07

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.54       $ 5.37         1.07
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,084.30       $ 6.84         1.32

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,018.30       $ 6.62         1.32

 

 

 

 

*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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Apple, Inc.

   $ 6,978,800           9.1

Google, Inc.–Class A

     2,570,870           3.4   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     2,369,109           3.1   

Oracle Corp.

     2,249,478           2.9   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     2,125,862           2.8   

Schlumberger Ltd.

     1,691,230           2.2   

Emerson Electric Co.

     1,600,489           2.1   

Altria Group, Inc.

     1,571,334           2.1   

Intuit, Inc.

     1,540,726           2.0   

Danaher Corp.

     1,519,174           2.0   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   24,217,072           31.7

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $   24,695,345           32.0

Health Care

     11,448,424           14.8   

Consumer Discretionary

     10,507,508           13.6   

Industrials

     8,703,261           11.3   

Energy

     8,186,020           10.6   

Consumer Staples

     7,207,270           9.3   

Financials

     3,225,235           4.2   

Short-Term Investments

     3,288,704           4.2   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 77,261,767           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–96.8%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–32.3%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–3.6%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    37,570      $ 645,077   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    38,180        2,125,862   
   

 

 

 
      2,770,939   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–9.1%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

    11,950        6,978,800   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–4.2%

   

Facebook, Inc.(a) (b)

    18,858        586,861   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

    4,432        2,570,870   
   

 

 

 
      3,157,731   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–2.8%

   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a)

    19,800        1,188,000   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    7,860        971,732   
   

 

 

 
      2,159,732   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–4.3%

   

ARM Holdings PLC (Sponsored ADR)

    13,110        311,887   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

    22,760        769,288   

Lam Research Corp.(a)

    9,670        364,946   

LSI Corp.(a)

    49,860        317,608   

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    43,750        493,500   

Xilinx, Inc.

    30,380        1,019,857   
   

 

 

 
      3,277,086   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–8.3%

   

Informatica Corp.(a)

    16,470        697,669   

Intuit, Inc.

    25,960        1,540,726   

Oracle Corp.

    75,740        2,249,478   

Red Hat, Inc.(a)

    14,050        793,544   

TIBCO Software, Inc.(a)

    35,750        1,069,640   
   

 

 

 
      6,351,057   
   

 

 

 
      24,695,345   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–15.0%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–3.0%

   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(a)

    6,750        974,565   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    21,420        1,098,417   

Synageva BioPharma Corp.(a) (b)

    6,010        243,766   
   

 

 

 
      2,316,748   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–5.0%

   

Covidien PLC

    14,120        755,420   

HeartWare International, Inc.(a) (b)

    7,970        707,736   

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    5,630        541,212   

Stryker Corp.

    21,800        1,201,180   

Volcano Corp.(a)

    20,750        594,487   
   

 

 

 
      3,800,035   
   

 

 

 

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–4.3%

   

Humana, Inc.

    4,790      $ 370,938   

McKesson Corp.

    13,960        1,308,750   

Mednax, Inc.(a)

    6,800        466,072   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    19,080        1,116,180   
   

 

 

 
      3,261,940   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–2.7%

   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    11,400        1,055,298   

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    13,710        1,014,403   
   

 

 

 
      2,069,701   
   

 

 

 
      11,448,424   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–13.8%

   

AUTOMOBILES–0.7%

   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    11,470        524,523   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–3.6%

   

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    6,790        295,297   

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.(a)

    11,580        358,748   

McDonald’s Corp.

    14,305        1,266,422   

Starbucks Corp.

    7,220        384,971   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    8,980        476,299   
   

 

 

 
      2,781,737   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–2.9%

   

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    4,800        1,096,080   

HSN, Inc.

    7,470        301,415   

priceline.com, Inc.(a)

    1,235        820,682   
   

 

 

 
      2,218,177   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.6%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

    19,380        635,276   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    11,380        551,930   
   

 

 

 
      1,187,206   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.5%

   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

    5,370        356,998   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–2.0%

   

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.(a)

    7,020        433,836   

GNC Holdings, Inc.

    10,230        401,016   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    12,480        661,315   
   

 

 

 
      1,496,167   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–2.5%

   

Coach, Inc.

    15,345        897,375   

NIKE, Inc.–Class B

    2,870        251,929   

PVH Corp.

    6,528        507,813   

VF Corp.

    2,140        285,583   
   

 

 

 
      1,942,700   
   

 

 

 
      10,507,508   
   

 

 

 

 

3


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

 

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

INDUSTRIALS–11.4%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.9%

   

Boeing Co. (The)

    18,200      $ 1,352,260   

Precision Castparts Corp.

    5,040        829,030   
   

 

 

 
      2,181,290   
   

 

 

 

AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS–1.0%

   

FedEx Corp.

    8,670        794,259   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–2.8%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    11,260        561,986   

Emerson Electric Co.

    34,360        1,600,489   
   

 

 

 
      2,162,475   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.0%

   

Danaher Corp.

    29,170        1,519,174   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–2.7%

   

Dover Corp.

    14,940        800,933   

Gardner Denver, Inc.

    5,150        272,486   

Joy Global, Inc.

    9,800        555,954   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    5,420        416,690   
   

 

 

 
      2,046,063   
   

 

 

 
      8,703,261   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–10.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–5.1%

   

Halliburton Co.

    20,640        585,970   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    15,185        978,521   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    26,055        1,691,230   

Technip SA

    6,145        640,407   
   

 

 

 
      3,896,128   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–5.6%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    8,260        546,812   

Concho Resources, Inc.(a)

    7,340        624,781   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    10,375        934,891   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    11,105        941,926   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    7,080        607,252   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    7,190        634,230   
   

 

 

 
      4,289,892   
   

 

 

 
      8,186,020   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–9.4%

   

BEVERAGES–1.5%

   

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

    12,190        341,808   

PepsiCo, Inc.

    11,960        845,093   
   

 

 

 
      1,186,901   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.5%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    24,030        1,122,922   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–1.2%

   

Kraft Foods, Inc.–Class A

    24,780        957,004   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–5.2%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

    45,480        1,571,334   
    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    27,150      $ 2,369,109   
   

 

 

 
      3,940,443   
   

 

 

 
      7,207,270   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–4.2%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.5%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

    5,230        572,423   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    5,720        548,319   
   

 

 

 
      1,120,742   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–0.8%

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    19,500        652,080   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.5%

   

IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.(a)

    6,220        845,796   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    8,240        294,415   
   

 

 

 
      1,140,211   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–0.4%

   

MetLife, Inc.

    10,120        312,202   
   

 

 

 
      3,225,235   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $63,559,797)

      73,973,063   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–4.3%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–4.3%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $3,288,704)

  $ 3,289        3,288,704   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–101.1%
(cost $66,848,501)

      77,261,767   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–2.0%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–2.0%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c)
(cost $1,551,716)

    1,551,716        1,551,716   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–103.1%
(cost $68,400,217)

      78,813,483   

Other assets less liabilities–(3.1)%

      (2,370,491
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 76,442,992   
   

 

 

 

 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $66,848,501)

   $ 77,261,767 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $1,551,716—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $1,551,716)

     1,551,716   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $15,918)

     15,873   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     402,554   

Dividends and interest receivable

     86,249   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     474   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     79,318,633   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     1,551,716   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     1,123,010   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     63,643   

Advisory fee payable

     47,806   

Administrative fee payable

     17,958   

Distribution fee payable

     10,301   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     157   

Accrued expenses

     61,050   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,875,641   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 76,442,992   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 3,520   

Additional paid-in capital

     77,774,273   

Undistributed net investment income

     28,485   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (11,776,501

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

     10,413,215   
  

 

 

 
   $ 76,442,992   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $   27,014,436           1,219,661         $   22.15   

B

     $ 49,428,556           2,300,807         $ 21.48   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $1,538,363 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $4,209)

   $ 494,896   

Affiliated issuers

     948   

Interest

     57   

Securities lending income

     10,668   
  

 

 

 
     506,569   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     307,640   

Distribution fee—Class B

     65,516   

Transfer agency—Class A

     718   

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,279   

Custodian

     46,889   

Administrative

     28,729   

Audit

     18,509   

Printing

     16,534   

Legal

     15,480   

Directors’ fees

     1,946   

Miscellaneous

     2,196   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     505,436   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,133   
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     5,716,277   

Foreign currency transactions

     (3,632

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     1,292,995   

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     392   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     7,006,032   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 7,007,165   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,133      $ 9,993   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     5,712,645        12,800,737   

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

     1,293,387        (11,500,462
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     7,007,165        1,310,268   

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (12,511,052     (17,886,322
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (5,503,887     (16,576,054

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     81,946,879        98,522,933   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $28,485 and $27,352, respectively)

   $ 76,442,992      $ 81,946,879   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2012 (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. 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement

 

9


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

 

date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

             

Information Technology

     $ 24,695,345       $ –0 –     $             –0 –     $ 24,695,345   

Health Care

       11,448,424         –0 –       –0 –       11,448,424   

Consumer Discretionary

       10,507,508         –0 –       –0 –       10,507,508   

Industrials

       8,703,261         –0 –       –0 –       8,703,261   

Energy

       7,545,613         640,407         –0 –       8,186,020   

Consumer Staples

       7,207,270         –0 –       –0 –       7,207,270   

Financials

       3,225,235         –0 –       –0 –       3,225,235   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       3,288,704         –0 –       3,288,704   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       1,551,716         –0 –       –0 –       1,551,716   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       74,884,372         3,929,111         –0 –       78,813,483   

Other Financial Instruments*

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 74,884,372       $ 3,929,111       $ –0 –     $ 78,813,483   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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,

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $28,729.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $44,745, of which $145 and $90, 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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.

 

11


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

 

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 36,357,032       $ 50,637,567   

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

   $ 12,716,121   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,302,855
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 10,413,266   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $1,538,363 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $1,551,716. The cash collateral will be

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $10,668 and $948 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31,  2011
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30, 2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$257   $ 7,750      $ 6,455      $ 1,552      $ 1   

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    4,249        24,930        $ 95,629      $ 521,620   

Shares redeemed

    (295,871     (359,545       (6,554,503     (7,440,420
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (291,622     (334,615     $ (6,458,874   $ (6,918,800
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    29,640        79,531        $ 646,269      $ 1,614,288   

Shares redeemed

    (308,608     (625,551       (6,698,447     (12,581,810
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (278,968     (546,020     $ (6,052,178   $ (10,967,522
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in

 

13


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

 

connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011      2010  

Distributions paid from:

       

Ordinary income

     $             –0 –     $ 131,899   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

       –0 –       131,899   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $ –0 –     $ 131,899   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 27,352   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (17,074,682 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     8,705,365 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (8,341,965
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $17,074,682. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $12,686,957 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. The Portfolio also had $2,228,515 of capital loss carryforwards expire during the fiscal year.

 

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

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $17,074,682 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM
AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM
AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

$  4,526,627    n/a    2016
12,548,055    n/a    2017

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.40        $20.15        $17.56        $13.19        $22.91        $20.27   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    .02        .03        .03        .04        (.04     (.05

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

    1.73        .22        2.61        4.33        (9.68     2.69   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.75        .25        2.64        4.37        (9.72     2.64   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      –0 –      (.05     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $22.15        $20.40        $20.15        $17.56        $13.19        $22.91   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset
value (b)

    8.58 %*      1.24 %*      15.06 %*      33.13 %*      (42.43 )%*      13.02
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $27,014        $30,833        $37,198        $37,948        $33,992        $75,834   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.07 %(c)      1.00     1.00 %(d)      1.06     .94     .90

Net investment income (loss)

    .16 %(c)      .17     .15 %(d)      .28     (.22 )%      (.23 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    45     97     121     197     103     60

 

 

 

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $19.81        $19.62        $17.10        $12.88        $22.42        $19.90   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    (.01     (.02     (.02     .01        (.08     (.10

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

    1.68        .21        2.55        4.21        (9.46     2.62   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.67        .19        2.53        4.22        (9.54     2.52   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      –0 –      (.01     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.48        $19.81        $19.62        $17.10        $12.88        $22.42   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset
value (b)

    8.43 %*      .97 %*      14.80 %*      32.76 %*      (42.55 )%*      12.66
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $49,429        $51,114        $61,325        $63,368        $53,248        $121,521   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.32 %(c)      1.25     1.25 %(d)      1.31     1.19     1.15

Net investment income (loss)

    (.09 )%(c)      (.08 )%      (.10 )%(d)      .04     (.47 )%      (.49 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    45     97     121     197     103     60

 

 

 

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by 0.17%, 0.07%, 0.22%, 0.41% and 0.03%, respectively.

 

16


 
GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds 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  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”) (the Fund’s benchmark since May 1, 2009), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (September 1994 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3- and 10-year periods, and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 10-year and the since inception periods and underperformed the Index in all other periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had underperformed the Lipper VA Large Cap Growth Funds Average and outperformed the Index. The directors also noted that at their February 2009 meetings they had approved a broadening of the number of stocks in the Portfolio’s portfolio and a new benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index. As a result, the directors gave less weight to the Portfolio’s performance prior to 2009. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was acceptable.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate than that being paid by the Portfolio. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

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 similar 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 noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 7 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, 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 concluded that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was acceptable, although they noted that it was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians, and they asked the Adviser to consider measures to reduce it.

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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Growth

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 86.0      Growth Portfolio

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.
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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $60,677 (0.07% 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    1.00        December 31   
     Class B    1.25     

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee differential reflects, among other things, different services provided to such clients, and different liabilities assumed. Services provided by the Adviser to the Portfolio that are not provided to non-investment company clients and sub-advised investment companies include providing office space and personnel to serve as Fund Officers, who among other responsibilities make the certifications required under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, and coordinating with and monitoring the Portfolio’s third party service providers such as Fund counsel, auditors, custodians, transfer agents and pricing services. The accounting, administrative, legal and compliance requirements for the Portfolio are more costly than those for institutional assets due to the greater complexities and time required for investment companies, although as previously noted, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have 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 March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.
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.

 

21


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

 

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

    

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

      

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Growth Portfolio

   $86.0      U.S. Research 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

       0.545        0.750

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Growth Fund, Inc. (“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 Growth Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio    AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
   Fee Schedule   

ABMF

Effective
Fee

  

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Growth Portfolio

   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 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 (%)

Growth Portfolio

 

AllianceBernstein U.S. Growth Stock Fund

A, B- Hedged/Unhedged

     0.750

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.7 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.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.

 

6   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.
7   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.
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.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio      Contractual
Management
Fee9
      

Lipper Exp.
Group

Median (%)

       Rank  

Growth Portfolio

       0.750           0.750           4/14   

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 Exp.

Group

Median (%)

      

Lipper

Group

Rank

      

Lipper Exp.

Universe

Median (%)

      

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Growth Portfolio

       1.001           0.868           13/14           0.792           76/80   

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.

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 2011, relative to 2010.

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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $142,665 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $544,097 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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 compensa-

 

9   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services.
10   Except for asset (size) comparability, Lipper uses the same criteria for selecting an EG when selecting an EU. Unlike the EG, the EU allows for the same adviser to be represented by more than just one fund.
11   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

23


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

 

tion 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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,311 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 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,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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli14 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.15 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.16 The independent consultant then discussed the

 

12   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2011.
13   Fee structures include fee reductions, pricing at scale and breakpoints in advisory fee schedules.
14   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.
15   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.
16  

The two dimensional analysis 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

 

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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)18 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.19

 

      Fund        PG
Median
       PU
Median
       PG
Rank
       PU
Rank
 

Growth Portfolio

                      

1 year

     5.38           5.51           5.03           8/14           45/96   

3 year

     24.84           26.02           25.31           10/14           52/91   

5 year

     2.36           3.21           3.63           9/12           74/83   

10 year

     4.46           5.20           3.97           7/11           26/64   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)20 versus its benchmarks21 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.22

 

    

Periods Ending February 29, 2012

Annualized Performance

 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

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

Growth Portfolio

    5.38        24.84        2.36        4.46        7.63        17.23        0.23        10   

Russell 1000 Growth Index

    7.62        27.51        4.54        4.30        7.51        16.34        0.22        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: May 25, 2012

 

17   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.
18   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.
19   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 February 29, 2012.
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 viewed 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, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,090.90       $   3.12         0.60

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,021.88       $   3.02         0.60
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,089.60       $   4.42         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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Liberty Interactive Corp.

   $ 31,848,459           3.6

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     28,572,570           3.3   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     28,185,573           3.2   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     25,548,635           2.9   

General Electric Co.

     25,449,183           2.9   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     23,666,123           2.7   

Raytheon Co.

     23,558,417           2.7   

CVS Caremark Corp.

     23,046,161           2.6   

Chevron Corp.

     22,276,325           2.5   

Microsoft Corp.

     21,400,458           2.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   253,551,904           28.8

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $   157,317,486           17.9

Health Care

     144,851,913           16.5   

Industrials

     139,326,901           15.9   

Information Technology

     132,258,561           15.0   

Energy

     117,461,897           13.4   

Consumer Discretionary

     84,630,189           9.6   

Consumer Staples

     48,181,278           5.5   

Materials

     29,339,653           3.3   

Telecommunication Services

     17,140,154           1.9   

Utilities

     7,112,492           0.8   

Short-Term Investments

     1,382,716           0.2   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 879,003,240           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.6%

   
   

FINANCIALS–17.9%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.7%

   

BlackRock, Inc.–Class A

    118,940      $ 20,198,391   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    125,890        12,067,815   
   

 

 

 
      32,266,206   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–4.8%

   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    645,440        8,648,896   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    85,530        5,226,738   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    842,870        28,185,573   
   

 

 

 
      42,061,207   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–1.0%

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    158,240        8,649,399   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.7%

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    662,360        23,666,123   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–5.7%

   

ACE Ltd.

    231,140        17,134,408   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

    711,550        12,544,626   

MetLife, Inc.

    420,262        12,965,083   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    125,790        8,030,434   
   

 

 

 
      50,674,551   
   

 

 

 
      157,317,486   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–16.4%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.4%

   

Amgen, Inc.

    225,932        16,502,073   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    97,770        5,013,646   
   

 

 

 
      21,515,719   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–2.3%

   

 

St Jude Medical, Inc.

    378,459        15,104,299   

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

    79,970        5,146,869   
   

 

 

 
      20,251,168   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–6.2%

   

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.–Class A

    176,270        6,936,225   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    127,540        5,356,680   

McKesson Corp.

    144,830        13,577,812   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    488,420        28,572,570   
   

 

 

 
      54,443,287   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–5.5%

   

Abbott Laboratories

    106,900        6,891,843   

Forest Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    199,400        6,977,006   

Johnson & Johnson

    83,290        5,627,072   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    371,239        15,499,228   

Pfizer, Inc.

    593,330        13,646,590   
   

 

 

 
      48,641,739   
   

 

 

 
      144,851,913   
   

 

 

 

 

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

INDUSTRIALS – 15.8%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.7%

   

Raytheon Co.

    416,300      $ 23,558,417   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.8%

   

Copart, Inc.(a)

    300,960        7,129,742   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.5%

   

Foster Wheeler AG(a)

    290,589        5,035,907   

URS Corp.

    226,171        7,888,845   
   

 

 

 
      12,924,752   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.4%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    96,070        4,794,854   

Hubbell, Inc.–Class B

    94,100        7,334,154   
   

 

 

 
      12,129,008   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–2.9%

   

General Electric Co.

    1,221,170        25,449,183   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–4.6%

   

Actuant Corp.–Class A

    241,510        6,559,412   

Dover Corp.

    229,610        12,309,392   

Eaton Corp.

    156,110        6,186,639   

Gardner Denver, Inc.

    206,731        10,938,137   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    66,110        5,082,537   
   

 

 

 
      41,076,117   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–1.3%

   

Towers Watson & Co.

    198,880        11,912,912   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–0.6%

   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    71,712        5,146,770   
   

 

 

 
      139,326,901   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–15.0%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    422,330        7,251,406   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.2%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

    32,300        18,863,200   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.9%

   

Amdocs Ltd.(a)

    268,390        7,976,551   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–3.7%

   

Lam Research Corp.(a) (b)

    272,180        10,272,073   

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    1,434,928        16,185,988   

Xilinx, Inc.

    192,880        6,474,982   
   

 

 

 
      32,933,043   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–7.4%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    529,403        6,347,542   

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

    197,480        6,392,427   

 

3


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

CA, Inc.

    191,500      $ 5,187,735   

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    471,910        5,186,291   

Microsoft Corp.

    699,590        21,400,458   

Oracle Corp.

    697,640        20,719,908   
   

 

 

 
      65,234,361   
   

 

 

 
      132,258,561   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–13.3%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.8%

   

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    319,240        18,876,661   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    60,740        2,640,975   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    325,637        20,984,049   
   

 

 

 
      42,501,685   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–8.5%

   

Chevron Corp.

    211,150        22,276,325   

Devon Energy Corp.

    117,780        6,830,062   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    298,570        25,548,635   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    236,740        20,305,190   
   

 

 

 
      74,960,212   
   

 

 

 
      117,461,897   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–9.6%

   

AUTOMOBILES–0.3%

   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    67,850        3,102,780   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–3.6%

   

Liberty Interactive Corp.(a)

    1,790,245        31,848,459   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–5.0%

   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    500,180        15,990,754   

Liberty Media Corp.–Liberty Capital(a)

    36,318        3,192,715   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.–Class A

    180,210        10,246,741   

Viacom, Inc.–Class B

    303,190        14,255,994   
   

 

 

 
      43,686,204   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–0.7%

   

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.(a)

    96,970        5,992,746   
   

 

 

 
      84,630,189   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–5.5%

   

BEVERAGES – 0.8%

   

Molson Coors Brewing Co.–Class B

    167,890        6,985,903   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.6%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    493,177        23,046,161   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.8%

   

Smithfield Foods, Inc.(a)

    313,100        6,772,353   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–1.3%

   

Lorillard, Inc.

    86,221        11,376,861   
   

 

 

 
      48,181,278   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–3.3%

   

CHEMICALS–1.1%

   

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    48,850        9,464,199   
   

 

 

 
   

METALS & MINING–0.8%

   

Newmont Mining Corp.

    145,780      $ 7,071,788   
   

 

 

 

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS–1.4%

   

Domtar Corp.

    166,910        12,803,666   
   

 

 

 
      29,339,653   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.0%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–2.0%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    338,250        12,061,995   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    114,270        5,078,159   
   

 

 

 
      17,140,154   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–0.8%

   

MULTI-UTILITIES–0.8%

   

Ameren Corp.

    212,060        7,112,492   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $774,799,742)

      877,620,524   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.1%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.1%

   

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $1,382,716)

  $ 1,383        1,382,716   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–99.7%
(cost $776,182,458)

      879,003,240   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–0.4%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.4%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c)
(cost $3,219,592)

    3,219,592        3,219,592   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–100.1%
(cost $779,402,050)

      882,222,832   

Other assets less
liabilities–(0.1)%

      (919,469
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 881,303,363   
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $776,182,458)

   $ 879,003,240 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $3,219,592—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $3,219,592)

     3,219,592   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     24,458,144   

Dividends and interest receivable

     1,209,120   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     75,777   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     907,965,873   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     22,013,144   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     3,219,592   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     637,271   

Advisory fee payable

     399,465   

Distribution fee payable

     153,917   

Administrative fee payable

     15,863   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     166   

Accrued expenses

     223,092   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     26,662,510   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 881,303,363   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 45,199   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,013,006,518   

Undistributed net investment income

     17,722,898   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions

     (252,292,034

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     102,820,782   
  

 

 

 
   $ 881,303,363   
  

 

 

 

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

 

                Shares        Net Asset  
Class      Net Assets        Outstanding        Value  

A

     $   134,021,226           6,805,101         $   19.69   

B

     $   747,282,137           38,393,820         $   19.46   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $3,261,944 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 9,030,689   

Affiliated issuers

     9,976   

Interest

     1,805   

Securities lending income

     9,128   
  

 

 

 
     9,051,598   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     2,507,073   

Distribution fee—Class B

     963,053   

Transfer agency—Class A

     674   

Transfer agency—Class B

     3,685   

Custodian

     87,679   

Printing

     51,569   

Administrative

     26,620   

Legal

     23,421   

Audit

     18,669   

Directors’ fees

     1,913   

Miscellaneous

     14,202   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     3,698,558   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     5,353,040   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     54,091,374   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     19,627,112   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     73,718,486   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 79,071,526   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 5,353,040      $ 12,525,033   

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     54,091,374        93,888,095   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     19,627,112        (47,469,481
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     79,071,526        58,943,647   

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (2,574,136

Class B

     –0 –      (8,523,506

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (72,013,069     (180,836,431
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     7,058,457        (132,990,426

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     874,244,906        1,007,235,332   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $17,722,898 and of $12,369,858, respectively)

   $ 881,303,363      $ 874,244,906   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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. 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks*

     $ 877,620,524       $ –0 –     $ –0 –     $ 877,620,524   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       1,382,716         –0 –       1,382,716   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       3,219,592         –0 –                   –0 –       3,219,592   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       880,840,116         1,382,716         –0 –       882,222,832   

Other Financial Instruments**

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 880,840,116       $ 1,382,716       $ –0 –     $ 882,222,832   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

 

9


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $26,620.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $625,797, of which $1,028 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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 or 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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 362,792,997       $ 405,361,085   

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

   $ 124,878,142   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (22,057,360
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 102,820,782   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $3,261,944 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $3,219,592. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $9,128 and $9,976 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will

 

11


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31,  2011
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Sales
Proceeds
(000)
  Market Value
June 30,  2012
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
$1,441   $68,692   $66,913   $3,220   $10

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    379,006        506,364        $ 7,317,438      $ 9,029,709   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      136,486          –0 –      2,574,137   

Shares redeemed

    (1,258,578     (4,680,769       (24,603,186     (83,787,159
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (879,572     (4,037,919     $ (17,285,748   $ (72,183,313
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    1,962,433        2,297,038        $ 37,056,891      $ 40,404,439   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      456,046          –0 –      8,523,506   

Shares redeemed

    (4,741,858     (8,934,188       (91,784,212     (157,581,063
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (2,779,425     (6,181,104     $ (54,727,321   $ (108,653,118
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 11,097,642         $ –0 – 
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

       11,097,642           –0 – 
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $ 11,097,642         $             –0 – 
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 12,369,858   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (301,998,950 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     78,809,212 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (210,819,880
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $298,366,259. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $96,602,234 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a post-October short-term capital loss deferral of $3,632,691, which is deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

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

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $298,366,259 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM

AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM

AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

$   60,797,075

   n/a    2016

  237,569,184

   n/a    2017

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

13


 
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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $18.05        $17.19        $15.20        $13.10        $26.82        $27.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .13        .27        .20        .21        .30        .39   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.51        .83        1.79        2.47        (9.77     .97   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      .06   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.64        1.10        1.99        2.68        (9.47     1.42   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.24     –0 –      (.58     (.45     (.41

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (3.80     (1.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.24     –0 –      (.58     (4.25     (1.79
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $19.69        $18.05        $17.19        $15.20        $13.10        $26.82   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    9.09 %*      6.32 %*      13.09 %*      20.82 %*      (40.60 )%*      5.12 %** 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $134,021        $138,731        $201,521        $215,085        $211,920        $456,159   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .60 %(d)      .60     .63 %(e)      .63     .62     .59

Net investment income

    1.38 %(d)      1.52     1.30 %(e)      1.58     1.61     1.43

Portfolio turnover rate

    40     76     66     125     184     74

 

 

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.86        $17.01        $15.08        $12.97        $26.55        $26.93   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .11        .23        .16        .18        .25        .32   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.49        .81        1.77        2.42        (9.66     .96   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      .06   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.60        1.04        1.93        2.60        (9.41     1.34   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.19     –0 –      (.49     (.37     (.34

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (3.80     (1.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.19     –0 –      (.49     (4.17     (1.72
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $19.46        $17.86        $17.01        $15.08        $12.97        $26.55   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net
asset value (c)

    8.96 %*      6.07 %*      12.80 %*      20.35 %*      (40.69 )%*      4.86 %** 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $747,282        $735,514        $805,714        $837,533        $819,994        $1,758,210   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .85 %(d)      .85     .88 %(e)      .88     .87     .84

Net investment income

    1.14 %(d)      1.28     1.05 %(e)      1.33     1.36     1.18

Portfolio turnover rate

    40     76     66     125     184     74

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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 Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by 0.04%, 0.13%, 0.27%, 0.54% and 0.46%, respectively.

 

**   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio in connection with an error made by the Adviser in processing a class action settlement claim, which enhanced the performance of each share class for the year ended December 31, 2007 by 0.19%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


 
GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds 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 direc-

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

tors 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 other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (January 1991 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the 1- and 5-year periods and lagged the Index in all other periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA Large Cap Value Funds Average and the Index. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate than that being paid by the Portfolio. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

17


GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Class A shares of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expenses of funds within two comparison groups created by Lipper: an Expense Group and an Expense Universe. Lipper described an Expense Group as a representative sample of funds similar 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 noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, 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 the 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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

18


 
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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  Net Assets
3/31/12
($MIL)
    Portfolio

Value

 

55 bp on first $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 948.2      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 $60,194 (0.01% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

19


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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     0.60%   December 31
  Class B     0.85%  

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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have 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 March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
3/31/12
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein
Institutional
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

   $948.2   

Relative Value Schedule

65 bp on first $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

     0.280      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 is the fee schedule of Growth &

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

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.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Income Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule   ABMF
Effective
Fee
    Portfolio
Advisory
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

    0.550%        0.550%   

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

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.7 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.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 Exp.
Group
Median (%)
     Rank  

Growth & Income Portfolio

     0.550         0.702         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 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 Exp.
Group
Median (%)
     Lipper
Group
Rank
     Lipper Exp.
Universe
Median (%)
     Lipper
Universe
Rank
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

     0.602         0.728         2/15         0.750         3/36   

Based on this analysis, the Portfolio has a more favorable ranking on a total expense ratio basis than 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

 

6   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

7   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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.

 

21


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Officer has retained a consultant to provide independent advice regarding the alignment of the two profitability systems as well as the methodologies and allocations utilized by both profitability systems.

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 2011, relative to 2010.

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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $1,943,217 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $4,634,478 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,311 from the Portfolio.12

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future 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, 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,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

 

12   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2011.

 

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

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli14 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.15 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio17 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)18 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.19

 

     Fund     PG
Median
    PU
Median
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Growth & Income Portfolio

         

1 year

    9.76        0.31        1.53        1/15        1/46   

3 year

    23.56        23.33        23.25        5/14        18/43   

5 year

    0.03        0.03        –0.04        6/11        18/36   

10 year

    3.92        4.08        4.39        7/10        18/24   

 

14   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

15   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

16   The two dimensional analysis 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. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by 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/excluding a fund from a PU is somewhat different from that of an EU.

 

19   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


GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)20 versus its benchmarks.21 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.22

 

    

Periods Ending February 29, 2012

Annualized Performance

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

Volatility

(%)

   

Sharpe

(%)

   

Growth & Income Portfolio

    9.76        23.56        0.03        3.92        8.74        16.55        0.20        10   

Russell 1000 Value Index

    2.18        25.01      1.08        4.75        10.14        16.67        0.25        10   

Inception Date: February 25, 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: May 25, 2012

 

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 February 29, 2012.

 

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 viewed 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 Global Thematic Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited)   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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,032.30       $   5.00         0.99

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.94       $ 4.97         0.99
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,031.00       $ 6.26         1.24

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,018.70       $ 6.22         1.24

 

 

 

 

*   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 THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Illumina, Inc.

   $ 5,005,331           3.8

NVIDIA Corp.

     3,668,215           2.8   

Green Dot Corp.

     3,584,413           2.7   

Fusion-io, Inc.

     3,559,384           2.7   

Amazon.com, Inc.

     3,432,100           2.6   

Red Hat, Inc.

     3,037,720           2.3   

Silicon Graphics International Corp.

     2,845,967           2.2   

Goldcorp, Inc.

     2,688,484           2.0   

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

     2,623,614           2.0   

Burberry Group PLC

     2,580,321           1.9   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   33,025,549           25.0

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Information Technology

   $ 39,395,446           29.9

Financials

     21,952,043           16.7   

Consumer Discretionary

     19,002,519           14.4   

Energy

     14,534,652           11.1   

Health Care

     10,870,976           8.3   

Materials

     10,740,063           8.2   

Industrials

     9,710,837           7.4   

Telecommunication Services

     2,508,156           1.9   

Consumer Staples

     2,394,417           1.8   

Options Purchased—Calls

     20,000           0.0   

Short-Term Investments

     458,128           0.3   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   131,587,237           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details).

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S.$ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United States

   $ 80,966,995           61.5

China

     11,318,002           8.6   

Hong Kong

     10,003,564           7.6   

Canada

     6,083,958           4.6   

United Kingdom

     3,978,629           3.0   

Japan

     3,310,187           2.5   

Luxembourg

     2,184,157           1.7   

Indonesia

     1,996,866           1.5   

South Korea

     1,915,747           1.5   

Mexico

     1,745,499           1.3   

Italy

     1,696,757           1.3   

Belgium

     1,431,900           1.1   

Israel

     1,393,686           1.1   

Other

     3,103,162           2.4   

Short-Term Investments

     458,128           0.3   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   131,587,237           100.0

 

 

 

 

 

*   All data are as of June 30, 2012. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 0.9% or less in the following countries: Australia, Mongolia and Philippines.

 

3


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.1%

   
   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–29.8%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–1.9%

   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    45,490      $ 2,532,883   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–7.0%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

    3,700        2,160,800   

Fusion-io, Inc.(a)(b)

    170,387        3,559,384   

Silicon Graphics International Corp.(a)(b)

    443,297        2,845,967   

Stratasys, Inc.(a)(b)

    14,330        710,052   
   

 

 

 
      9,276,203   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–9.4%

   

Ancestry.com, Inc.(a)(b)

    11,740        323,202   

Baidu, Inc. (Sponsored ADR)(a)

    16,035        1,843,704   

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.(a)(b)

    59,169        1,408,814   

Equinix, Inc.(a)

    8,370        1,470,191   

Facebook, Inc.(a)(b)

    49,522        1,541,125   

LinkedIn Corp.(a)

    15,986        1,698,832   

Rackspace Hosting, Inc.(a)

    55,082        2,420,303   

Yelp, Inc.(a)(b)

    75,925        1,725,775   
   

 

 

 
      12,431,946   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT–3.9%

   

NVIDIA Corp.(a)

    265,428        3,668,215   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    1,345        1,424,337   
   

 

 

 
      5,092,552   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–7.6%

   

Intuit, Inc.

    28,640        1,699,784   

NetSuite, Inc.(a)

    13,730        751,992   

Red Hat, Inc.(a)

    53,784        3,037,720   

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

    17,790        2,459,646   

ServiceNow, Inc.

    23,927        588,604   

Splunk, Inc.(a)(b)

    54,239        1,524,116   
   

 

 

 
      10,061,862   
   

 

 

 
      39,395,446   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–16.6%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.3%

   

Blackstone Group LP

    159,310        2,082,182   

CITIC Securities Co., Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,063,300        2,261,287   
   

 

 

 
      4,343,469   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.6%

  

 

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    679,000        2,094,699   

Standard Chartered PLC

    64,370        1,398,308   
   

 

 

 
      3,493,007   
   

 

 

 
   

CONSUMER FINANCE–2.7%

   

Green Dot Corp.(a)(b)

    162,044      $ 3,584,413   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–1.9%

   

AIA Group Ltd.

    711,400        2,457,216   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–1.1%

   

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    64,577        1,443,942   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–5.0%

   

Ciputra Development Tbk PT

    17,665,500        1,234,209   

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co., Ltd.(b)

    1,067,200        1,429,460   

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    767,000        2,623,614   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    113,000        1,342,713   
   

 

 

 
      6,629,996   
   

 

 

 
      21,952,043   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–14.4%

   

AUTOMOBILES–1.0%

   

Tesla Motors, Inc.(a)(b)

    41,012        1,283,265   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.0%

   

New Oriental Education & Technology Group (ADR)(a)

    56,417        1,382,217   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.8%

   

Bloomberry Resorts Corp.(a)

    3,334,000        752,494   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. (ADR)(a)(b)

    84,550        1,417,058   

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.(a)(b)

    591,000        1,485,322   
   

 

 

 
      3,654,874   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.5%

   

iRobot Corp.(a)(b)

    29,640        656,526   

Rinnai Corp.

    20,100        1,386,929   
   

 

 

 
      2,043,455   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–2.6%

   

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    15,030        3,432,100   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.5%

   

L’Occitane International SA

    787,000        2,184,157   

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.(b)

    1,998,000        2,442,130   
   

 

 

 
      4,626,287   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–2.0%

   

Burberry Group PLC

    123,930        2,580,321   
   

 

 

 
      19,002,519   
   

 

 

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

ENERGY–11.0%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–5.1%

   

Halliburton Co.

    59,050      $ 1,676,429   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    24,770        1,596,179   

Saipem SpA

    38,100        1,696,757   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    27,630        1,793,463   
   

 

 

 
      6,762,828   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–5.9%

   

Cameco Corp.(b)

    78,753        1,730,385   

Denbury Resources, Inc.(a)

    136,080        2,056,169   

Kinder Morgan, Inc./Delaware

    47,206        1,520,977   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    15,300        1,312,281   

Santos Ltd.

    104,600        1,152,012   
   

 

 

 
      7,771,824   
   

 

 

 
      14,534,652   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–8.2%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–2.2%

   

Cepheid, Inc.(a)

    33,437        1,496,306   

Genomic Health, Inc.(a)

    28,294        945,020   

Seegene, Inc.(a)

    10,740        491,410   
   

 

 

 
      2,932,736   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.0%

   

Given Imaging Ltd.(a)

    88,208        1,393,686   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–1.2%

   

athenahealth, Inc.(a)(b)

    19,442        1,539,223   
   

 

 

 

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES–3.8%

   

Illumina, Inc.(a)(b)

    123,925        5,005,331   
   

 

 

 
      10,870,976   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–8.0%

   

CHEMICALS–1.0%

   

Monsanto Co.

    16,620        1,375,804   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–7.0%

   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    69,860        2,380,130   

Goldcorp, Inc.

    71,410        2,688,484   

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd./CA(a)(b)

    154,674        1,525,319   

Mongolian Mining Corp.(a)

    2,107,500        1,198,656   

Umicore SA

    30,970        1,431,900   
   

 

 

 
      9,224,489   
   

 

 

 
      10,600,293   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–7.4%

   

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–3.7%

   

A123 Systems, Inc.(a)

    1,218,595        1,535,430   

Babcock & Wilcox Co. (The)(a)

    61,105        1,497,072   
   

Polypore International, Inc.(a)(b)

    45,423      $ 1,834,635   
   

 

 

 
      4,867,137   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–3.7%

   

Cummins, Inc.

    16,510        1,599,984   

FANUC Corp.

    11,700        1,923,258   

Proto Labs, Inc.(a)(b)

    45,913        1,320,458   
   

 

 

 
      4,843,700   
   

 

 

 
      9,710,837   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.9%

   

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–1.9%

   

America Movil SAB de CV (ADR)

    66,980        1,745,499   

Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk PT(a)

    2,177,000        762,657   
   

 

 

 
      2,508,156   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–1.8%

   

BEVERAGES–1.4%

   

Heckmann Corp.(a)(b)

    548,009        1,852,271   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.4%

   

Besunyen Holdings Co., Ltd.

    5,698,000        542,146   
   

 

 

 
      2,394,417   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $137,228,366)

      130,969,339   
   

 

 

 

RIGHTS–0.1%

   
   

MATERIALS–0.1%

   

METALS & MINING–0.1%

   

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd./CA(a)(b)
(cost $0)

    154,674        139,770   
   

 

 

 
    Contracts        

OPTIONS PURCHASED–CALLS–0.0%

   

OPTIONS ON FUNDS AND INVESTMENT TRUSTS–0.0%

   

Market Vectors JR Gold Miners Expiration: Jan 2013, Exercise Price: $ 44.63(a)(c)
(cost $1,626,045)

    2,000        20,000   
   

 

 

 

 

5


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

 

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

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.4%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.4%

   

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $458,128)

  $   458      $ 458,128   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–99.6% (cost $139,312,539)

      131,587,237   
   

 

 

 
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–27.6%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–27.6%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(d)
(cost $36,475,994)

    36,475,994      $ 36,475,994   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–127.2%
(cost $175,788,533)

      168,063,231   

Other assets less
liabilities–(27.2)%

      (35,902,626
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 132,160,605   
   

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

           

Citibank NA:

           

Japanese Yen settling 9/14/12

     473,693       $ 6,050,724       $ 5,931,903       $   (118,821

Goldman Sachs International:

           

Great British Pound settling 9/14/12

     7,174           11,158,153           11,233,406         75,253   

Royal Bank of Canada:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     4,248         4,113,648         4,165,751         52,103   

Euro settling 9/14/12

     5,953         7,433,481         7,538,722         105,241   

Westpac Banking Corp.:

           

Australian Dollar settling 9/14/12

     3,715         3,650,062         3,776,752         126,690   
           

 

 

 
            $ 240,466   
           

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   One contract relates to 100 shares.

 

(d)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $139,312,539)

   $ 131,587,237 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $36,475,994—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $36,475,994)

     36,475,994   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $241,086)

     243,424   

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions

     2,036,829   

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     359,287   

Dividends and interest receivable

     214,366   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     99,281   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     171,016,418   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     36,475,994   

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions

     1,955,400   

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     118,821   

Advisory fee payable

     81,642   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     64,507   

Distribution fee payable

     18,933   

Administrative fee payable

     16,546   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     170   

Accrued expenses

     123,800   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     38,855,813   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 132,160,605   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 8,768   

Additional paid-in capital

     206,781,002   

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (589,363

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (66,558,600

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

     (7,481,202
  

 

 

 
   $ 132,160,605   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $   40,215,306           2,619,198         $   15.35   

B

     $ 91,945,299           6,149,111         $ 14.95   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $36,243,715 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $35,766)

   $ 737,873   

Affiliated issuers

     30,655   

Interest

     49   

Securities lending income

     473,192   
  

 

 

 
     1,241,769   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     547,857   

Distribution fee—Class B

     127,178   

Transfer agency—Class A

     861   

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,975   

Custodian

     66,756   

Audit

     35,085   

Administrative

     27,334   

Printing

     18,824   

Legal

     15,372   

Directors’ fees

     1,963   

Miscellaneous

     6,686   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     849,891   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     391,878   
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized loss on:

  

Investment transactions

     (6,935,651 )(a) 

Foreign currency transactions

     (858,664

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     11,381,115 (b) 

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     567,135   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     4,153,935   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 4,545,813   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $85,823.

 

(b)   Net of decrease in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $27,316.

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 391,878      $ (124,157

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

     (7,794,315     13,521,716   

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

     11,948,250        (59,060,629
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     4,545,813        (45,663,070

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (340,972

Class B

     –0 –      (451,814

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (13,563,073     (20,317,543
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (9,017,260     (66,773,399

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     141,177,865        207,951,264   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including distribution in excess of net investment income of ($589,363) and ($981,241), respectively)

   $ 132,160,605      $ 141,177,865   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), formerly AllianceBernstein Global Technology 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred between the close of the foreign markets and the time at which the Portfolio values its securities which may materially affect the value of securities trading in such markets. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks^:

             

Information Technology

     $ 37,971,109       $ 1,424,337       $             –0 –     $ 39,395,446   

Financials

       7,110,537         14,841,506         –0 –       21,952,043   

Consumer Discretionary

       8,923,660         10,078,859         –0 –       19,002,519   

Energy

       11,685,883         2,848,769         –0 –       14,534,652   

Health Care

       10,379,566         491,410         –0 –       10,870,976   

Materials

       7,969,737         2,630,556         –0 –       10,600,293   

Industrials

       7,787,579         1,923,258         –0 –       9,710,837   

Telecommunication Services

       1,745,499         762,657         –0 –       2,508,156   

Consumer Staples

       1,852,271         542,146         –0 –       2,394,417   

Rights

       139,770         –0 –       –0 –       139,770   

Options Purchased—Calls

       –0 –       20,000         –0 –       20,000   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       458,128         –0 –       458,128   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       36,475,994         –0 –       –0 –       36,475,994   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       132,041,605         36,021,626      –0 –       168,063,231   

Other Financial Instruments*:

             

Assets:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       359,287         –0 –       359,287   

Liabilities:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       (118,821      –0 –       (118,821
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 132,041,605       $ 36,262,092       $ –0 –     $ 168,303,697   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

^   An amount of $2,097,693 was transferred from Level 1 into Level 2 due to insufficient observable inputs.

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

+   A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1.

 

11


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

 

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $27,334.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $257,600, of which $0 and $4,377, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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 or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 126,890,197       $ 140,525,615   

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

   $ 9,667,222   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (17,392,524
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (7,725,302
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale 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 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 unrealized

 

13


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

 

appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Option Transactions

For hedging and investment 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. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.

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 selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had no transactions in written options.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held purchased options for non-hedging purposes.

Documentation governing the Portfolio’s OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $118,821. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2012, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $118,821 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

    

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

  

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location

   Fair Value     

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location

   Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

   Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts    $ 359,287       Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts    $ 118,821   

Equity contracts

   Investments in securities, at value      20,000         
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

      $ 379,287          $ 118,821   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities    $ (841,276   $ 562,079   

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments      (1,121,132     946,812   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (1,962,408   $ 1,508,891   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the average monthly principal amount of foreign currency exchange contracts was $35,804,496 and the average monthly cost of purchased options contracts was $1,786,207.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $36,243,715 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $36,475,994. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $473,192 and $30,655 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the

 

15


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

 

collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31,  2011
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30,  2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$18,391   $ 77,557      $ 59,472      $ 36,476      $ 31   

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    166,977        221,658        $ 2,811,917      $ 4,110,058   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      17,100          –0 –      340,972   

Shares redeemed

    (377,864     (813,664       (6,217,150     (14,568,319
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (210,887     (574,906     $ (3,405,233   $ (10,117,289
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    530,424        1,166,143        $ 8,612,425      $ 21,089,035   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      23,194          –0 –      451,814   

Shares redeemed

    (1,213,211     (1,815,049       (18,770,265     (31,741,103
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (682,787     (625,712     $ (10,157,840   $ (10,200,254
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 792,786         $ 3,957,099   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

     $ 792,786         $ 3,957,099   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $ 792,786         $ 3,957,099   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (51,870,113 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (27,304,865 )(b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (79,174,978
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $47,113,959. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $22,869,672 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a post-October short-term capital loss deferral of $3,453,673 and a qualified late-year loss deferral of $1,302,481. These losses are deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $47,113,959 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM
AMOUNT

    LONG-TERM
AMOUNT
    EXPIRATION  
  $28,313,399        n/a        2016   
  18,800,560        n/a        2017   

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

17


GLOBAL THEMATIC 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.87        $19.47        $16.73        $10.90        $20.71        $17.23   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    .06        .02        .12        .07        .00 (b)      (.03

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

    .42        (4.52     2.98        5.76        (9.81     3.51   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .48        (4.50     3.10        5.83        (9.81     3.48   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.10     (.36     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.35        $14.87        $19.47        $16.73        $10.90        $20.71   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    3.23 %*      (23.23 )%*      18.93 %*      53.49 %*†      (47.37 )%*      20.20
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $40,216        $42,094        $66,302        $65,358        $39,933        $93,919   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .99 %(d)      .94     .99 %(e)      1.00     .93     .93

Net investment income (loss)

    .71 %(d)      .10     .69 %(e)      .52     .00 %(f)      (.15 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    88     163     117     215     141     132

 

 

 

 

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, 2012

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.50        $18.99        $16.34        $10.67        $20.31        $16.94   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    .04        (.03     .07        .04        (.04     (.07

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

    .41        (4.40     2.90        5.63        (9.60     3.44   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .45        (4.43     2.97        5.67        (9.64     3.37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.06     (.32     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.95        $14.50        $18.99        $16.34        $10.67        $20.31   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    3.10 %*      (23.41 )%*      18.58 %*      53.14 %*†      (47.46 )%*      19.89
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $91,945        $99,084        $141,649        $141,536        $84,880        $191,474   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.24 %(d)      1.19     1.24 %(e)      1.25     1.18     1.17

Net investment income (loss)

    .46 %(d)      (.14 )%      .44 %(e)      .27     (.24 )%      (.40 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    88     163     117     215     141     132

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(d)   Annualized.

 

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

 

(f)   Amount is less than .005%.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by 0.05%, 0.04%, 0.04%, 0.15% and 0.03%, respectively.

 

  Includes the impact of reimbursements from the Adviser, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2009 by 0.01%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

19


 
GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
(FORMERLY NAMED ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN 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 Thematic Growth Portfolio (formerly named AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio) (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country (AC) World Index (the “MSCI AC World Index”) and the MSCI World Index (Net) (the “MSCI World Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with the MSCI World Index) the since inception period (January 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was 3rd out of 3 of the Performance Group and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 1-, 3- and 10-year periods, and 2nd out of 3 of the Performance Group and in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period. The directors noted the small number of other funds in the Performance Group. The Portfolio outperformed the indices in the 5-year period and lagged the indices in all other periods. The directors noted that all reference points showed negative results in the 1-year period. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA Global Growth Funds Average and the indices. The directors also noted that at the February 2009 meetings, they had approved modifications to the Portfolio’s investment strategy and policies, including a new benchmark, the MSCI AC World Index, and a name change to AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Portfolio from AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio effective May 1, 2009. As a result, the directors gave less weight to the Portfolio’s investment performance prior to May 2009. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s recent performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to manage the Portfolio.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate than that being paid by the Portfolio. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund

 

21


GLOBAL THEMATIC GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(FORMERLY NAMED ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO)
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series 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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

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 similar 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 directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s Expense Group to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Portfolio’s Expense Universe had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 3 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was essentially the same as the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group median and higher 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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

22


GLOBAL THEMATIC 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 Thematic Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2,3 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”4

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Prior to May 1, 2009, the Portfolio was known as AllianceBernstein Global Technology Portfolio. In addition, the Portfolio’s non-fundamental policy was changed on May 1, 2009 to allow the Portfolio to pursue a broader mandate across multiple sectors worldwide.

 

4   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

23


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

 

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

03/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Specialty

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 157.2      Global Thematic 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 $61,179 (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 Thematic Growth Portfolio

  Class A    0.94%     December 31   
  Class B    1.19%  

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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.5 In addition to the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule, set forth below is what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2012 net assets:6

 

5   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

6   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

 

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio

   $157.2   

Global Thematic Research Schedule

80 bp on 1st $25m

60 bp on next $25m

50 bp on next $50m

40 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.527      0.750

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc. (“Global Thematic 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 Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:7

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio8

  Global Thematic 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 fees set forth for Thematic Research Growth Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

 

Fund   Fee9

Thematic Research Growth Portfolio

 

Class A

  1.70%

Class I (Institutional)

  0.90%

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.10 Lipper’s

 

7   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

8   The advisory fees of AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Fund, Inc. are based on the mutual fund’s net assets at the end of each quarter 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.

 

9   Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which includes investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

10  

The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

 

25


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

 

analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.11

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds. The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective as the Portfolio.12

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee13
    

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median (%)

     Rank  

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.797         4/10   

Because Lipper had expanded the Portfolio’s EG, 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.14 A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment classification/objective as the subject Portfolio.15

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 in the table below.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)16

    

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median (%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper Exp.

Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio

     0.937         0.948         5/10         0.898         19/30   

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.

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 2011, relative to 2010.

 

 

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

 

12   The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, two other variable insurance product (“VIP”) Global Growth funds (“GLGE”) and seven VIP Global Core funds (“GLCE”).

 

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

 

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

 

15   The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP GLGE and GLCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

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

 

26


    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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $321,442 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $1,011,881 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,310 from the Portfolio.17

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 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,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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this

 

17   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2011.

 

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

 

27


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

 

period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli19 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.20 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.21 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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio22 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)23 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.24

 

     Fund     PG
Median
    PU
Median
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio25

         

1 year

    –13.09        –0.41        –3.32        3/3        11/11   

3 year

    22.07        24.54        24.66        3/3        9/10   

5 year

    0.94        0.94        0.94        2/3        5/9   

10 year

    1.88        6.28        6.60        3/3        8/8   

 

19   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

20   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

21   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

22   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

23   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 is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU.

 

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

 

25   The Portfolio’s Lipper classification changed in 2009 from VA Science/Technology Funds to VA Global Growth as a result of changes to the Portfolio’s strategy.

 

 

28


    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)26 versus its benchmarks.27 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.28

 

     Periods Ending February 29, 2012
Annualized Performance
 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

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

Global Thematic Growth Portfolio29

    13.09        22.07        0.94        1.88        4.56        23.46        0.12        10   

MSCI AC World Index

    –1.49        23.71        0.07        5.72        N/A        17.50        0.30        10   

MSCI World (Net) Index30

    –1.69        22.66        -0.59        5.04        5.32        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: May 25, 2012

 

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 February 29, 2012.

 

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 viewed 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   The Portfolio’s Lipper classification changed in 2009 from VA Science/Technology Funds to VA Global Growth as a result of changes to the Portfolio’s strategy.

 

30   Benchmark since inception date is the nearest month end after the Portfolio’s inception date.

 

29


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO  

AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,027.10       $   3.53         0.70

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,021.38       $ 3.52         0.70
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,026.60       $ 4.79         0.95

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,020.14       $ 4.77         0.95

 

 

 

*   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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

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

Corporates—Investment Grades

   $ 34,868,165           28.6

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

     31,729,597           26.0   

Governments—Treasuries

     17,715,890           14.5   

Asset-Backed Securities

     10,929,327           9.0   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     9,401,859           7.7   

Agencies

     7,106,515           5.8   

Quasi-Sovereigns

     1,908,586           1.6   

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

     1,427,838           1.2   

Governments—Sovereign Bonds

     763,448           0.6   

Inflation-Linked Securities

     730,721           0.6   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

     532,873           0.4   

Local Governments—Municipal Bonds

     523,600           0.4   

Preferred Stocks

     273,162           0.2   

Other**

     84,437           0.1   

Short-Term Investments

     3,978,313           3.3   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   121,974,331           100.0

 

 

 

 

 

*   The Portfolio’s security type is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details).

 

**   “Other” represents less than 0.1% weightings in the following security types: Common Stocks, Governments—Sovereign Agencies and Warrants.

 

2


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

CORPORATES–INVESTMENT GRADES–29.6%

   

   

INDUSTRIAL–14.3%

     

BASIC–1.5%

     

Alcoa, Inc.
5.40%, 4/15/21

    U.S.$        180      $ 179,239   

AngloGold Ashanti Holdings PLC
5.375%, 4/15/20

      250        256,932   

ArcelorMittal
6.125%, 6/01/18

      280        283,905   

Dow Chemical Co. (The)
4.125%, 11/15/21

      85        91,171   

5.25%, 11/15/41

      80        88,435   

7.60%, 5/15/14

      81        90,166   

8.55%, 5/15/19

      143        190,201   

Eastman Chemical Co.
2.40%, 6/01/17

      80        80,848   

3.60%, 8/15/22

      86        87,714   

International Paper Co.
7.95%, 6/15/18

      196        246,985   

Teck Resources Ltd.
4.75%, 1/15/22

      134        143,984   
     

 

 

 
        1,739,580   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL GOODS–0.6%

     

ADT Corp. (The)
3.50%, 7/15/22(a)

      68        68,228   

Embraer SA
5.15%, 6/15/22

      82        84,173   

Holcim US Finance Sarl & Cie SCS
6.00%, 12/30/19(a)

      41        42,986   

Owens Corning
6.50%, 12/01/16

      160        177,907   

Republic Services, Inc.
5.25%, 11/15/21

      150        172,213   

5.50%, 9/15/19

      160        185,144   
     

 

 

 
        730,651   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–MEDIA–3.0%

  

   

CBS Corp.
3.375%, 3/01/22

      251        250,070   

5.75%, 4/15/20

      83        96,535   

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

      280        407,601   

DirecTV Holdings LLC/DirecTV Financing Co., Inc.
3.50%, 3/01/16

      95        100,200   

3.80%, 3/15/22

      165        166,863   

4.75%, 10/01/14

      160        171,749   

Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes SA
5.307%, 5/11/22(a)(b)

      305        323,300   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)
4.00%, 3/15/22

      32        32,487   
     

News America, Inc.
4.50%, 2/15/21

    U.S.$        300      $ 328,906   

Omnicom Group, Inc.
3.625%, 5/01/22

      103        104,658   

Reed Elsevier Capital, Inc.
8.625%, 1/15/19

      250        317,165   

TCI Communications, Inc.
7.875%, 2/15/26

      115        155,022   

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

      371        502,540   

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC
5.25%, 1/15/21

      200        221,567   

WPP Finance UK
8.00%, 9/15/14

      315        355,250   
     

 

 

 
        3,533,913   
     

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS–TELECOMMUNICATIONS–1.5%

   

   

American Tower Corp.
5.05%, 9/01/20

      340        357,128   

AT&T Corp.
8.00%, 11/15/31

      20        29,632   

AT&T, Inc.
4.45%, 5/15/21

      177        200,366   

British Telecommunications PLC
2.00%, 6/22/15

      215        217,954   

5.95%, 1/15/18

      106        124,167   

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV
4.875%, 3/06/42(a)

      320        304,014   

Telecom Italia Capital SA
6.175%, 6/18/14

      355        357,663   

6.375%, 11/15/33

      40        31,400   

Telefonica Emisiones SAU
5.462%, 2/16/21

      120        104,495   

United States Cellular Corp.
6.70%, 12/15/33

      80        82,708   
     

 

 

 
        1,809,527   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–AUTOMOTIVE–0.5%

   

   

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC
3.00%, 6/12/17

      240        238,678   

Harley-Davidson Funding Corp.
5.75%, 12/15/14(a)

      300        324,863   
     

 

 

 
        563,541   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.8%

   

   

Time Warner, Inc.
7.625%, 4/15/31

      390        503,740   

Viacom, Inc.
5.625%, 9/15/19

      375        442,242   
     

 

 

 
        945,982   
     

 

 

 

 

3


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
   

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.3%

     

Marriott International, Inc./DE Series J
5.625%, 2/15/13

    U.S.$        372      $ 382,182   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.4%

     

CVS Caremark Corp.
6.60%, 3/15/19

      180        224,470   

Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc.
3.875%, 1/15/22

      290        304,898   
     

 

 

 
        529,368   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–1.0%

  

   

Ahold Finance USA LLC
6.875%, 5/01/29

      290        360,543   

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

      206        220,131   

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

      350        366,632   

Delhaize Group SA
5.875%, 2/01/14

      105        110,568   

Whirlpool Corp.
8.60%, 5/01/14

      55        61,234   
     

 

 

 
        1,119,108   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY–2.6%

     

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

     

5.95%, 9/15/16

      227        257,595   

6.45%, 9/15/36

      124        143,360   

ConocoPhillips Holding Co.
6.95%, 4/15/29

      155        212,636   

Encana Corp.
3.90%, 11/15/21

      375        370,927   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.
3.50%, 3/01/16

      50        52,412   

5.125%, 3/01/21

      209        233,998   

Nabors Industries, Inc.
9.25%, 1/15/19

      254        329,773   

Noble Energy, Inc.
8.25%, 3/01/19

      316        403,976   

Noble Holding International Ltd.
4.90%, 8/01/20

      32        34,751   

Phillips 66
4.30%, 4/01/22(a)

      320        336,897   

Southwestern Energy Co.
4.10%, 3/15/22(a)

      88        89,191   

Valero Energy Corp.
6.125%, 2/01/20

      177        204,357   

Weatherford International Ltd./Bermuda
5.125%, 9/15/20

      95        101,987   

6.00%, 3/15/18

      12        13,681   

9.625%, 3/01/19

      190        247,616   
     

 

 

 
        3,033,157   
     

 

 

 
   

OTHER INDUSTRIAL–0.3%

     

Noble Group Ltd.
6.75%, 1/29/20(a)

    U.S.$        335      $ 323,275   
     

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY–0.9%

     

Agilent Technologies, Inc.
5.00%, 7/15/20

      64        72,486   

Hewlett-Packard Co.
4.65%, 12/09/21

      162        169,809   

Intel Corp.
4.80%, 10/01/41

      60        68,714   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.
7.50%, 5/15/25

      25        30,901   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
4.125%, 5/15/22

      300        300,830   

Xerox Corp.
8.25%, 5/15/14

      375        418,136   
     

 

 

 
        1,060,876   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–AIRLINES–0.3%

  

   

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

      210        227,289   

5.75%, 12/15/16

      75        86,657   
     

 

 

 
        313,946   
     

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION–SERVICES–0.6%

  

   

Asciano Finance Ltd.
3.125%, 9/23/15(a)

      310        308,524   

Con-way, Inc.
6.70%, 5/01/34

      138        137,091   

Ryder System, Inc.
5.85%, 11/01/16

      116        131,715   

7.20%, 9/01/15

      108        123,645   
     

 

 

 
        700,975   
     

 

 

 
        16,786,081   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–11.0%

  

   

BANKING–7.1%

     

Bank of America Corp.

     

3.875%, 3/22/17

      80        81,496   

5.875%, 2/07/42

      298        326,423   

Series L

5.65%, 5/01/18

      545        582,765   

Barclays Bank PLC
5.125%, 1/08/20

      230        249,588   

Bear Stearns Cos. LLC (The)
5.70%, 11/15/14

      450        486,940   

Citigroup, Inc.

     

4.50%, 1/14/22

      85        87,793   

8.50%, 5/22/19

      340        419,911   

Compass Bank
5.50%, 4/01/20

      250        236,262   

DNB Bank ASA
3.20%, 4/03/17(a)

      310        313,540   

Fifth Third Bancorp
3.50%, 3/15/22

      121        122,279   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
5.25%, 7/27/21

      88        89,392   

5.75%, 1/24/22

      310        327,237   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

6.00%, 6/15/20

    U.S.$        395      $ 421,690   

7.50%, 2/15/19

      95        108,338   

HSBC Holdings PLC
4.00%, 3/30/22

      320        332,287   

5.10%, 4/05/21

      194        216,591   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     

4.40%, 7/22/20

      305        321,693   

4.50%, 1/24/22

      210        226,216   

Macquarie Bank Ltd.
5.00%, 2/22/17(a)

      82        83,517   

Macquarie Group Ltd.
4.875%, 8/10/17(a)

      342        342,810   

Morgan Stanley
5.50%, 7/24/20–7/28/21

      373        365,847   

6.625%, 4/01/18

      295        308,443   

National Capital Trust II
5.486%, 3/23/15(a)

      122        113,363   

National Westminster Bank PLC
6.50%, 9/07/21

    GBP        50        66,126   

Nationwide Building Society
6.25%, 2/25/20(a)

    U.S.$        330        355,982   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (The)
6.125%, 1/11/21

      240        266,620   

Santander US Debt SAU
2.991%, 10/07/13(a)

      400        384,624   

Societe Generale SA
2.50%, 1/15/14(a)

      205        201,360   

Standard Chartered PLC
6.409%, 1/30/17(a)

      100        95,000   

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

      240        253,083   

Unicredit Luxembourg Finance SA
6.00%, 10/31/17(a)

      190        155,565   

Wachovia Corp.
5.50%, 5/01/13

      410        426,022   
     

 

 

 
        8,368,803   
     

 

 

 

FINANCE–0.5%

     

General Electric Capital Corp.
4.65%, 10/17/21

      127        141,037   

SLM Corp.
7.25%, 1/25/22

      145        153,337   

Series A
5.375%, 5/15/14

      248        256,671   
     

 

 

 
        551,045   
     

 

 

 

INSURANCE–2.4%

     

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

      237        233,445   

American International Group, Inc.
6.40%, 12/15/20

      215        243,267   

Coventry Health Care, Inc.
6.30%, 8/15/14

      280        304,359   

Genworth Financial, Inc.
6.515%, 5/22/18

      158        151,409   

Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America
7.375%, 9/30/39(a)

      164        213,976   
     

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
4.00%, 3/30/15

    U.S.$        85      $ 89,145   

5.50%, 3/30/20

      200        208,811   

Humana, Inc.
6.30%, 8/01/18

      50        58,129   

7.20%, 6/15/18

      85        102,144   

Lincoln National Corp.
8.75%, 7/01/19

      113        142,298   

Markel Corp.
7.125%, 9/30/19

      200        232,637   

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.
8.875%, 6/01/39(a)

      110        157,616   

MetLife, Inc.
7.717%, 2/15/19

      109        138,049   

10.75%, 8/01/39

      140        195,650   

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
9.375%, 8/15/39(a)

      225        296,027   

XL Group PLC
5.25%, 9/15/14

      110        115,870   
     

 

 

 
        2,882,832   
     

 

 

 

OTHER FINANCE–0.4%

     

Aviation Capital Group Corp.
7.125%, 10/15/20(a)

      155        157,636   

ORIX Corp.
4.71%, 4/27/15

      312        325,337   
     

 

 

 
        482,973   
     

 

 

 

REITS–0.6%

     

HCP, Inc.
5.375%, 2/01/21

      327        361,598   

Health Care REIT, Inc.
5.25%, 1/15/22

      325        344,748   
     

 

 

 
        706,346   
     

 

 

 
        12,991,999   
     

 

 

 

UTILITY–3.6%

     

ELECTRIC–1.6%

     

Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
5.15%, 12/01/20

      150        166,041   

FirstEnergy Corp.
Series C
7.375%, 11/15/31

      310        389,134   

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.
6.125%, 4/01/36

      260        325,324   

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

      340        407,600   

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
4.50%, 12/15/41

      125        132,240   

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

      235        244,845   

TECO Finance, Inc.
4.00%, 3/15/16

      95        101,658   

5.15%, 3/15/20

      120        137,161   

 

5


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

Union Electric Co.
6.70%, 2/01/19

    U.S.$        45      $ 56,668   
     

 

 

 
        1,960,671   
     

 

 

 

NATURAL GAS–2.0%

  

   

DCP Midstream LLC
5.35%, 3/15/20

      108        117,867   

Energy Transfer Partners LP

     

6.70%, 7/01/18

      24        27,529   

7.50%, 7/01/38

      336        378,940   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC
5.20%, 9/01/20

      55        62,924   

EQT Corp.
8.125%, 6/01/19

      205        245,849   

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP

  

   

3.95%, 9/01/22

      321        325,209   

4.15%, 3/01/22

      89        91,494   

ONEOK, Inc.
4.25%, 2/01/22

      310        324,650   

Talent Yield Investments Ltd.
4.50%, 4/25/22(a)

      305        312,029   

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.
6.35%, 5/15/67

      235        241,992   

Williams Partners LP
5.25%, 3/15/20

      173        194,375   
     

 

 

 
        2,322,858   
     

 

 

 
        4,283,529   
     

 

 

 

NON CORPORATE SECTORS–0.7%

     

AGENCIES–NOT GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED–0.7%

   

   

Gazprom OAO Via Gaz Capital SA
6.212%, 11/22/16(a)

      340        368,883   

Petrobras International Finance Co.–Pifco
5.75%, 1/20/20

      275        300,817   

VTB Bank OJSC Via VTB Capital SA
6.609%, 10/31/12(a)

      135        136,856   
     

 

 

 
        806,556   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Investment Grades
(cost $32,340,804)

        34,868,165   
     

 

 

 

MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS–26.9%

     

AGENCY FIXED RATE 30-YEAR–22.5%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold
4.50%, 10/01/39

      2,798        2,989,329   

Series 2005
5.50%, 1/01/35

      3,131        3,419,617   

Series 2007
5.50%, 7/01/35

      121        132,676   
     

Federal National Mortgage Association
3.50%, TBA

  U.S.$          1,700      $ 1,786,859   

3.50%, 12/01/41

      1,737        1,826,437   

4.00%, 1/01/41–12/01/41

      4,691        4,997,487   

4.50%, TBA

      1,105        1,185,285   

5.50%, 5/01/38–6/01/38

      1,602        1,743,083   

6.00%, 5/01/31–7/01/39

      1,775        1,948,673   

Series 2002
7.00%, 3/01/32

      18        20,584   

Series 2003
5.00%, 11/01/33

      121        131,537   

5.50%, 4/01/33–7/01/33

      424        466,865   

Series 2004
5.50%, 4/01/34–11/01/34

      385        423,259   

6.00%, 9/01/34

      215        238,781   

Series 2005
4.50%, 8/01/35

      362        388,737   

5.00%, 10/01/35

      970        1,050,192   

5.50%, 2/01/35

      469        516,697   

Series 2006
5.00%, 2/01/36

      195        211,288   

Series 2007
4.50%, 9/01/35–8/01/37

      496        532,238   

5.00%, 7/01/36

      146        158,029   

Series 2008
6.00%, 3/01/37

      1,562        1,724,177   

Series 2010
6.00%, 2/01/40–4/01/40

      552        605,604   

Government National Mortgage Association
Series 1994
9.00%, 9/15/24

      2        1,901   
     

 

 

 
        26,499,335   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY FIXED RATE 15-YEAR–3.7%

     

Federal National Mortgage Association
3.00%, TBA

      1,240        1,299,094   

4.50%, TBA

      915        980,623   

4.50%, 6/01/26

      2,012        2,154,445   
     

 

 

 
        4,434,162   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY ARMs–0.7%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
5.143%, 11/01/35(c)

      274        287,329   

Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2003
2.78%, 12/01/33(d)

      180        193,100   

Series 2007
2.336%, 3/01/34(d)

      300        315,671   
     

 

 

 
        796,100   
     

 

 

 

Total Mortgage Pass-Throughs
(cost $30,530,187)

        31,729,597   
     

 

 

 

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

GOVERNMENTS–TREASURIES–15.0%

   

   

UNITED STATES–15.0%

     

U.S. Treasury Bonds
3.00%, 5/15/42

  U.S.$          555      $ 581,276   

4.50%, 2/15/36

      1,315        1,766,209   

4.625%, 2/15/40

      2,935        4,059,930   

U.S. Treasury Notes
0.875%, 11/30/16

      1,340        1,353,296   

1.00%, 8/31/16

      9,305        9,451,116   

1.75%, 5/15/22

      500        504,063   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Treasuries
(cost $16,392,936)

        17,715,890   
     

 

 

 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES–9.3%

     

AUTOS–FIXED RATE–4.3%

     

Ally Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2012-1, Class A2
0.71%, 9/15/14

      387        387,173   

Ally Master Owner Trust
Series 2010-3, Class A
2.88%, 4/15/15(a)

      340        344,875   

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust
0.96%, 1/09/17

      355        354,958   

Series 2011-5, Class A2
1.19%, 8/08/15

      156        156,462   

Bank of America Auto Trust
Series 2012-1, Class A4
1.03%, 12/15/16

      245        244,863   

CarMax Auto Owner Trust
Series 2011-3, Class A3
1.07%, 6/15/16

      176        175,402   

Series 2012-1, Class A3
0.89%, 9/15/16

      160        160,121   

Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2012-1A, Class A
2.02%, 8/15/16(a)

      224        224,439   

Ford Auto Securitization Trust
Series 2011-R3A, Class A2
1.96%, 7/15/15(a)

    CAD        521        513,288   

Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust
Series 2011-B, Class A2
0.82%, 1/15/14

  U.S.$          463        463,457   

Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust
Series 2012-A, Class A2
0.66%, 4/15/14

      388        388,034   

Navistar Financial Corp. Owner Trust
0.85%, 3/18/15(a)

      356        355,990   

Nissan Auto Lease Trust
Series 2012-A, Class A2A
0.68%, 7/15/14

      285        285,099   
     

Porsche Innovative Lease Owner Trust
Series 2011-1, Class A3
1.09%, 9/22/14(a)

  U.S.$          455      $ 455,698   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
1.06%, 8/17/15

      221        220,986   

Series 2012-3, Class A3
1.08%, 4/15/16

      325        325,070   
     

 

 

 
        5,055,915   
     

 

 

 

AUTOS–FLOATING RATE–1.8%

     

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust
Series 2010-3, Class A2
1.942%, 2/15/17(a)(c)

      430        443,003   

Series 2012-1, Class A
0.712%, 1/15/16(c)

      643        644,938   

GE Dealer Floorplan Master Note Trust
Series 2012-2, Class A
0.994%, 4/22/19(c)

      485        485,000   

Nissan Master Owner Trust Receivables
Series 2012-A, Class A
0.712%, 5/15/17(c)

      556        557,427   
     

 

 

 
        2,130,368   
     

 

 

 

CREDIT CARDS–FLOATING RATE–1.7%

     

American Express Credit Account Master Trust
Series 2011-1, Class A
0.412%, 4/17/17(c)

      735        735,848   

Discover Card Master Trust
Series 2009-A2, Class A
1.542%, 2/17/15(c)

      185        185,244   

Series 2010-A1, Class A1
0.892%, 9/15/15(c)

      166        166,662   

GE Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust
0.543%, 6/15/18(c)

      300        300,001   

Gracechurch Card Funding PLC
Series 2012-1A, Class A1
0.942%, 2/15/17(a)(c)

      320        320,168   

Penarth Master Issuer PLC
Series 2012-1A, Class A1
0.813%, 3/18/14(a)(c)

      335        335,229   
     

 

 

 
        2,043,152   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ABS–FIXED RATE–0.7%

     

CNH Equipment Trust
Series 2010-C, Class A3
1.17%, 5/15/15

      247        248,160   

Series 2012-A, Class A3
0.94%, 5/15/17

      241        241,900   

 

7


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

GE Equipment Midticket LLC
Series 2011-1, Class A3
1.00%, 8/24/15

  U.S.$          155      $ 155,740   

GE Equipment Small Ticket LLC
Series 2011-2A, Class A2
1.14%, 6/23/14(a)

      202        201,991   
     

 

 

 
        847,791   
     

 

 

 

CREDIT CARDS–FIXED RATE–0.5%

     

Discover Card Master Trust
0.86%, 11/15/17

      300        300,348   

Series 2012-A1, Class A1
0.81%, 8/15/17

      224        224,552   
     

 

 

 
        524,900   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FIXED RATE–0.2%

     

Asset Backed Funding Certificates
Series 2003-WF1, Class A2
1.37%, 12/25/32

      66        57,962   

Citifinancial Mortgage
Securities, Inc.
Series 2003-1, Class AFPT
3.36%, 1/25/33

      62        56,342   

Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC
Series 2003-CB1, Class AF
3.95%, 1/25/33

      146        132,516   
     

 

 

 
        246,820   
     

 

 

 

HOME EQUITY LOANS–FLOATING RATE–0.1%

     

HSBC Home Equity Loan Trust
Series 2005-3, Class A1
0.504%, 1/20/35(c)

      87        79,523   

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2007-2, Class M1
0.605%, 3/25/37(c)(e)

      113        858   
     

 

 

 
        80,381   
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $11,077,700)

        10,929,327   
     

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES–8.0%

     

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE CMBS–7.5%

     

Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage, Inc.
Series 2006-5, Class A4
5.414%, 9/10/47

      455        503,519   

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp.
Series 2005-GG5, Class AJ
5.417%, 4/10/37

      235        164,490   

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

      585        648,958   

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

      300        321,348   
     

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

  U.S.$          545      $ 607,680   

Series 2007-LD11, Class A4
6.009%, 6/15/49

      550        603,792   

Series 2010-C2, Class A1
2.749%, 11/15/43(a)

      265        273,644   

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2004-C4, Class A4
5.447%, 6/15/29

      830        883,138   

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

      1,240        1,381,320   

Series 2007-C2, Class A3
5.43%, 2/15/40

      555        619,527   

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust
Series 2005-CIP1, Class A2
4.96%, 7/12/38

      291        294,838   

Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-3, Class A2
5.291%, 7/12/46

      653        666,564   

Series 2006-4, Class AM
5.204%, 12/12/49

      285        281,956   

Series 2007-9, Class A4

5.70%, 9/12/49

      1,105        1,213,221   

UBS Brclays Commercial Mortgage Trust
3.525%, 6/10/22

      327        324,353   
     

 

 

 
        8,788,348   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE CMBS–0.5%

     

CW Capital Cobalt Ltd.
Series 2007-C3, Class A4
6.007%, 5/15/46

      555        613,511   
     

 

 

 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $8,739,324)

        9,401,859   
     

 

 

 

AGENCIES–6.0%

     

AGENCY DEBENTURES–4.6%

  

   

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

      1,670        2,404,863   

6.625%, 11/15/30

      80        121,372   

Residual Funding Corp. Principal Strip
Zero Coupon, 7/15/20

      3,365        2,932,116   
     

 

 

 
        5,458,351   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY SUBORDINATED–1.4%

  

   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
2.375%, 1/13/22

      1,606        1,648,164   
     

 

 

 

Total Agencies
(cost $6,375,640)

        7,106,515   
     

 

 

 

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

QUASI-SOVEREIGNS–1.6%

     

QUASI-SOVEREIGN BONDS–1.6%

  

   

INDONESIA–0.3%

     

Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT
5.50%, 11/22/21(a)

  U.S.$          360      $ 376,200   
     

 

 

 

KAZAKHSTAN–0.2%

     

KazMunayGas National Co.
7.00%, 5/05/20(a)

      212        240,620   
     

 

 

 

MALAYSIA–0.4%

     

Petronas Capital Ltd.
5.25%, 8/12/19(a)

      420        482,642   
     

 

 

 

MEXICO–0.1%

     

Petroleos Mexicanos
5.50%, 6/27/44(a)

      116        118,610   
     

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREA–0.3%

     

Korea National Oil Corp.
3.125%, 4/03/17(a)

      310        316,114   
     

 

 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES–0.3%

  

   

IPIC GMTN Ltd.
3.75%, 3/01/17(a)

      360        374,400   
     

 

 

 

Total Quasi-Sovereigns
(cost $1,771,663)

        1,908,586   
     

 

 

 

CORPORATES–NON-INVESTMENT GRADES–1.2%

   

   

INDUSTRIAL–0.9%

     

BASIC–0.2%

     

LyondellBasell Industries NV
5.75%, 4/15/24(a)

      200        212,294   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL GOODS–0.3%

     

Ball Corp.
5.00%, 3/15/22

      195        202,800   

BE Aerospace, Inc.
5.25%, 4/01/22

      190        195,700   
     

 

 

 
        398,500   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–ENTERTAINMENT–0.0%

   

   

Greektown Holdings LLC
10.75%, 12/01/13(e)(f)(g)

      55        0   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–OTHER–0.3%

     

Host Hotels & Resorts LP
5.25%, 3/15/22(a)

      125        128,125   

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.
5.375%, 3/15/22(a)

      190        188,575   
     

 

 

 
        316,700   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL–RETAILERS–0.0%

     

Dollar General Corp.
4.125%, 7/15/17

      50        50,687   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON-CYCLICAL–0.0%

  

   

Voyager Learning Exchange
8.375%, 12/01/14(e)(g)(h)

      70        0   
     

 

 

 
     

ENERGY–0.1%

     

Cimarex Energy Co.
5.875%, 5/01/22

  U.S.$          93      $ 96,604   
     

 

 

 
        1,074,785   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.2%

  

   

BANKING–0.2%

     

ABN Amro Bank NV
4.31%, 3/10/16

    EUR        125        104,404   

LBG Capital No.1 PLC
8.00%, 6/15/20(a)

    U.S.$        175        147,000   
     

 

 

 
        251,404   
     

 

 

 

UTILITY–0.1%

     

ELECTRIC–0.1%

     

CMS Energy Corp.
5.05%, 3/15/22

      98        101,649   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporates–Non-Investment Grades
(cost $1,245,315)

        1,427,838   
     

 

 

 

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN BONDS–0.7%

     

INDONESIA–0.3%

     

Indonesia Government International Bond
5.25%, 1/17/42(a)

      350        366,188   
     

 

 

 

QATAR–0.4%

     

State of Qatar
4.50%, 1/20/22(a)

      360        397,260   
     

 

 

 

Total Governments–Sovereign Bonds
(cost $699,954)

        763,448   
     

 

 

 

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES–0.6%

     

UNITED STATES–0.6%

     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index
3.00%, 7/15/12 (TIPS)
(cost $732,282)

      730        730,721   
     

 

 

 

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS–0.5%

     

NON-AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.3%

  

   

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.
Series 2005-2, Class 1A4
2.771%, 5/25/35

      169        147,695   

JP Morgan Alternative Loan Trust Series 2006-A3, Class 2A1
2.959%, 7/25/36

      304        156,117   
     

 

 

 
        303,812   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY FLOATING RATE–0.2%

     

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2005-62, Class 2A1
1.147%, 12/25/35(c)

      83        46,215   

 

9


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

   

Principal

Amount

(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
     

WaMu Mortgage Pass Through Certificates
Series 2007-OA1, Class A1A
0.858%, 2/25/47(c)

  U.S.$          256      $ 148,093   
     

 

 

 
        194,308   
     

 

 

 

AGENCY FIXED RATE–0.0%

     

Fannie Mae Grantor Trust
Series 2004-T5, Class AB4
0.805%, 5/28/35

      50        34,753   
     

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(cost $862,540)

        532,873   
     

 

 

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS–MUNICIPAL BONDS–0.5%

   

   

UNITED STATES–0.5%

     

California GO
7.625%, 3/01/40
(cost $413,406)

      405        523,600   
     

 

 

 
     Shares        

PREFERRED STOCKS–0.2%

     

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS–0.2%

     

FINANCE–0.1%

     

Citigroup Capital XII
8.50%

      7,000        175,875   
     

 

 

 

REITS–0.1%

     

Sovereign Real Estate Investment Trust
12.00%(a)

      93        97,287   
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks
(cost $262,658)

        273,162   
     

 

 

 
     

GOVERNMENTS–SOVEREIGN AGENCIES–0.1%

   

   

GERMANY–0.1%

     

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank 5.125%, 2/01/17
(cost $71,309)

  U.S.$          70      $ 81,977   
     

 

 

 
     Shares        

COMMON STOCKS–0.0%

  

   

Greektown Superholdings, Inc.(e)(f)(g)
(cost $4)

      41        2,460   
     

 

 

 

WARRANTS–0.0%

     

Talon Equity Co., expiring 11/15/24(e)(f)(g)
(cost $0)

      47        0   
     

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.4%

     

TIME DEPOSIT–3.4%

     

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $3,978,313)

  U.S.$          3,978        3,978,313   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–103.6%
(cost $115,494,035)

        121,974,331   

Other assets less liabilities–(3.6)%

        (4,186,328
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

      $ 117,788,003   
     

 

 

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Month
     Original
Value
     Value at
June 30,
2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sold Contracts

              

U.S. T-Note 2 Yr Futures

     13         September 2012       $   2,863,525       $   2,862,437       $   1,088   

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

           

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale:
Norwegian Krone settling 7/12/12

     7,057       $   1,179,027       $   1,185,945       $ 6,918   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:
Mexican Peso settling 7/26/12

     16,068         1,140,934         1,201,843           60,909   

 

10


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sale Contracts

           

Royal Bank of Canada:
Canadian Dollar settling 8/10/12

     521       $ 507,928       $ 511,293       $ (3,365

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:
Euro settling 8/03/12

     1,008           1,275,388           1,276,103         (715

State Street Bank & Trust Co.:
Great British Pound settling 8/03/12

     59         91,956         91,738         218   
           

 

 

 
            $   63,965   
           

 

 

 

INTEREST RATE SWAP TRANSACTIONS (see Note D)

 

                   Rate Type         
Swap Counterparty    Notional
Amount
(000)
     Termination
Date
     Payments
made by
the Fund
     Payments
received by the
Fund
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   $   1,390         1/30/17         1.059      3 Month LIBOR       $ (14,820

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     1,520         2/7/22         2.043      3 Month LIBOR         (52,135
              

 

 

 
               $   (66,955
              

 

 

 

 

 

 

(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, 2012, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $13,335,179 or 11.3% of net assets.

 

(b)   Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at June 30, 2012.

 

(c)   Floating Rate Security. Stated interest rate was in effect at June 30, 2012.

 

(d)   Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of June 30, 2012.

 

(e)   Illiquid security.

 

(f)   Non-income producing security.

 

(g)   Fair valued.

 

(h)   Security is in default and is non-income producing.

Currency Abbreviations:

CAD—Canadian Dollar

EUR—Euro

GBP—Great British Pound

Glossary:

ABS—Asset-Backed Securities

ARMs—Adjustable Rate Mortgages

CMBS—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

GO—General Obligation

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rates

OJSC—Open Joint Stock Company

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust

TBA—To Be Announced

TIPS—Treasury Inflation Protected Security

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value (cost $115,494,035)

   $ 121,974,331   

Cash

     3,575 (a) 

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,680,213   

Interest and dividends receivable

     872,883   

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     68,045   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     27,413   

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     406   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     124,626,866   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     6,424,165   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     199,042   

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swap contracts

     66,955   

Advisory fee payable

     45,313   

Administrative fee payable

     19,952   

Distribution fee payable

     6,685   

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     4,080   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     161   

Accrued expenses

     72,510   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     6,838,863   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 117,788,003   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 9,170   

Additional paid-in capital

     99,228,034   

Undistributed net investment income

     6,798,914   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     5,187,750   

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

     6,564,135   
  

 

 

 
   $ 117,788,003   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class    Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $   86,466,035           6,711,490         $   12.88   

B

   $   31,321,968           2,458,667         $   12.74   

 

 

 

 

(a)   An amount of $3,575 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2012.

See notes to financial statements.

 

12


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 2,147,960   

Dividends

     13,018   
  

 

 

 
     2,160,978   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     283,018   

Distribution fee—Class B

     40,327   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,113   

Transfer agency—Class B

     386   

Custodian

     69,930   

Administrative

     30,509   

Audit

     24,156   

Legal

     15,061   

Printing

     8,858   

Directors’ fees

     1,977   

Miscellaneous

     5,732   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     481,067   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,679,911   
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     2,169,288   

Futures contracts

     13,438   

Swap contracts

     (269,394

Foreign currency transactions

     (198,583

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     125,787   

Futures contracts

     3,459   

Swap contracts

     41,994   

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities and other assets

     (178,861
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,707,128   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 3,387,039   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

13


 
INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET  ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,679,911      $ 4,962,166   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,714,749        4,100,096   

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

     (7,621     277,835   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     3,387,039        9,340,097   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (5,325,732

Class B

     –0 –      (1,547,372

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     –0 –      (406,275

Class B

     –0 –      (125,758

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (25,600,521     (20,557,001
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (22,213,482     (18,622,041

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     140,001,485        158,623,526   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $6,798,914 and $5,119,003, respectively)

   $ 117,788,003      $ 140,001,485   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies

The AllianceBernstein Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement

 

15


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

            

Assets:

            

Corporates—Investment Grades

     $ 68,228       $ 34,799,937       $ –0 –    $ 34,868,165   

Mortgage Pass-Throughs

       –0 –       31,729,597         –0 –      31,729,597   

Governments—Treasuries

       –0 –       17,715,890         –0 –      17,715,890   

Asset-Backed Securities

       –0 –       9,269,335         1,659,992        10,929,327   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       –0 –       5,905,362         3,496,497        9,401,859   

Agencies

       –0 –       7,106,515         –0 –      7,106,515   

Quasi-Sovereigns

       –0 –       1,908,586         –0 –      1,908,586   

Corporates—Non-Investment Grades

       –0 –       1,427,838         –0 –^      1,427,838   

Governments—Sovereign Bonds

       –0 –       763,448         –0 –      763,448   

Inflation-Linked Securities

       –0 –       730,721         –0 –      730,721   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       –0 –       –0 –       532,873        532,873   

Local Governments—Municipal Bonds

       –0 –       523,600         –0 –      523,600   

Preferred Stocks

       175,875         97,287         –0 –      273,162   

Governments—Sovereign Agencies

       –0 –       81,977         –0 –      81,977   

Common Stocks

       –0 –       –0 –       2,460        2,460   

Warrants

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –^      –0 – 

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       3,978,313         –0 –      3,978,313   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       244,103         116,038,406         5,691,822        121,974,331   

Other Financial Instruments*:

            

Assets:

            

Futures Contracts

       1,088         –0 –       –0 –      1,088

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       68,045         –0 –      68,045   

Liabilities:

            

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       (4,080      –0 –      (4,080

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

       –0 –       (66,955      –0 –      (66,955
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ 245,191       $ 116,035,416       $ 5,691,822      $ 121,972,429   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

^   The Portfolio held securities with zero market value at period end.

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. The transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assumes the financial instrument was transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

     Asset-
Backed
Securities
    Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
Securities
    Corporates  -
Non-Investment
Grades^
 

Balance as of 12/31/11

   $ 1,028,906      $ 1,587,514      $             –0 – 

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     74        12,028        –0 – 

Realized gain (loss)

     (43,009     –0 –      –0 – 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     65,977        67,314        –0 – 

Purchases

     726,114        1,829,641        –0 – 

Sales

     (118,070     –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers in to Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/12

   $ 1,659,992      $ 3,496,497      $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/12 *

   $ 65,977      $ 67,314      $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Collateralized
Mortgage
Obligations
    Common
Stocks
    Warrants^  

Balance as of 12/31/11

   $ 776,784      $ 2,870      $             –0 – 

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     4        –0 –      –0 – 

Realized gain (loss)

     (244,157     –0 –      –0 – 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     311,556        (410     –0 – 

Purchases

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 

Sales

     (346,738     –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers in to Level 3

     35,424        –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/12

   $ 532,873      $ 2,460      $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/12 *

   $ 38,009      $ (410   $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Total              

Balance as of 12/31/11

   $ 3,396,074       

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     12,106       

Realized gain (loss)

     (287,166    

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     444,437       

Purchases

     2,555,755       

Sales

     (464,808    

Transfers in to Level 3

     35,424       

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –     
  

 

 

     

Balance as of 6/30/12

   $ 5,691,822       
  

 

 

     

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/12 *

   $ 170,890       
  

 

 

     

 

^   The Portfolio held a security with zero market value at period end.

 

*   The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

17


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The following presents information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Fund’s material categories of Level 3 investments at June 30, 2012:

 

   

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

    

Fair Value at
6/30/2012

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range

Asset-backed Securities

  $1,659,992   Discounted Cash Flow  

Loss Severity

Constant Prepayment Rate

Probability of Default

Yield

 

0-99

0-25%

0-8.3 CDR

0.69566-11

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

  $3,496,497   Discounted Cash Flow  

Yield

Spread over Treasury

 

2.734-18.023

184-1735

   

Broker Quotes

  Market Quotes   110.542569

Glossary:

CDR—Constant Default Rate

Asset-Backed Securities, Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

Within the non-Agency Mortgage Backed (RMBS and CMO) as well as the non-Credit Card or non-Auto Loan backed Asset Backed Securities, due to the relative illiquidity of these markets, the inability of the Fund to observe trading activity in the markets, and the broker quotes not being indicative to trade, the Fund has determined securities in these sectors generally warrant a Level 3 classification.

Because of the wide range of spreads and relatively low trading activity of similar securities, the Fund’s Valuation Committee engages in a regular review process of such securities which meets as often as daily, and involves (as needed) participation from the Mortgage Trading Desk, Fixed Income Research, Risk, Pricing Group, Fund Accounting and Legal. The Fund’s Pricing Group gathers prices from Pricing Direct and IDC (and other vendors as deemed appropriate over time) and from major recognized brokers who make a market in these instruments. The Fund’s trading desk reports on trading activity and engages in dialogue with the trading personnel at the brokers. This review covers the entire portfolio of securities in this sector.

Because the Fund has declared these instruments as Level 3 (due to wide spreads, low quality ratings, and relatively low trading activity), significant inputs (including Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”), Loss Severity, and Probability of Default) generally considered observable are deemed unobservable in these asset classes. The Fund’s Valuation Committee periodically reviews these asset classes (as a standing practice) to confirm that the status remains unchanged.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s Collateralized Mortgage Obligation Securities are CPR, Loss Severity, and Probability of Default. On non-evaluated assets, broker quotes are used when other market information not available to produce an evaluation and are considered non-observable. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s Private Corporate and Asset Backed Securities are the spread over the public curve as well as the spreads or yields on the non-rated instruments.

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $30,509.

The Portfolio compensates AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

19


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $141, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

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 or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases        Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 26,962,573         $ 17,095,064   

U.S. government securities

       55,817,046           78,567,314   

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

   $ 7,187,974   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (707,678
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 6,480,296   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market or for investment purposes. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may 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”.

 

20


    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. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures contracts is generally less than privately negotiated futures contracts, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, provides a guarantee of performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin requirements). 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.

Use of long futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held futures contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale 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 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 unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

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 gaining market exposures, including by 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. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide value and recourse to the Portfolio or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap agreement.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover the Portfolio’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The

 

21


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swap contracts. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of operations.

Interest Rate Swaps:

The Portfolio is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Portfolio holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Portfolio may enter into interest rate swap contracts. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Portfolio may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.

In addition, the Portfolio may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Portfolio anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held interest rate swap contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Credit Default Swaps:

The Portfolio may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Portfolio, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Portfolio may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap agreement, the Portfolio receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. The accrual for these interim payments is recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities. Upfront premiums paid or received in connection with credit default swap contracts are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. If the Portfolio is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Portfolio will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap contract (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation.

Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Portfolio had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Portfolio is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Portfolio is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Portfolio coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Portfolio.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held credit default swap contracts for hedging purposes.

Implied credit spreads utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

may reflect upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligation’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced obligation.

In certain circumstances Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements entered into by the Portfolio for the same reference obligation with the same counterparty. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio did not have Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligation and same counterparty for its Sale Contracts outstanding.

Documentation governing the Portfolio’s OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $66,955. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2012, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $66,955 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

  

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities

Location

   Fair Value    

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities

Location

   Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

   Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts    $ 68,045      Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts    $ 4,080   

Interest rate contracts

        Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swap contracts      66,955   

Interest rate contracts

   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures contracts      1,088     
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

        $69,133           $71,035   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities    $ (102,309   $ 61,505   

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts      (289,320     108,949   

 

23


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts    $ 19,926      $ (66,955

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts      13,438        3,459   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (358,265   $ 106,958   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the average monthly principal amount of foreign currency exchange contracts was $11,063,888 the average monthly original value of futures contracts was $3,725,294 and the average monthly notional amount of interest rate swaps was $3,452,278. For two months of the period, the average monthly notional amount of credit default swaps was $7,051,433.

2. 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 other 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).

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, 2012, the Portfolio earned drop income of $45,761 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.

4. Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Portfolio sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Portfolio enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value at least equal to the repurchase price. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had no transactions in reverse repurchase agreements.

 

24


    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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    85,284        326,624        $ 1,082,670      $ 4,048,336   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      473,329          –0 –      5,732,006   

Shares redeemed

    (1,831,804     (1,998,010       (23,190,323     (24,835,417
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,746,520     (1,198,057     $ (22,107,653   $ (15,055,075
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    88,117        297,861        $ 1,107,305      $ 3,645,115   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      139,311          –0 –      1,673,131   

Shares redeemed

    (366,777     (882,320       (4,600,173     (10,820,172
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (278,660     (445,148     $ (3,492,868   $ (5,501,926
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE F: Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio

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

Prior to September 15, 2008, the Portfolio had swap counterparty exposure to Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman Brothers”), as a guarantor for Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. (“LBSF”), which filed for bankruptcy on September 15, 2008. As a result, on September 15, 2008, the Portfolio terminated all outstanding swap contracts with LBSF prior to their scheduled maturity dates in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements. Upon the termination of the swap contracts, Lehman Brothers’ obligations to the Portfolio amounted to $920,116. The Portfolio’s claim to these obligations is subject to the pending bankruptcy proceeding against the Lehman Brothers estate (the “Bankruptcy Claim”). In accordance with its error correction policy, the Adviser has agreed to make the Portfolio whole in respect of the amount of the recovery that would be paid on the Bankruptcy Claim in the event the Bankruptcy Claim is not honored by the Lehman Brothers estate, or with respect to any diminution in value upon the sale of the Bankruptcy Claim, in either case resulting from the manner in which the Bankruptcy Claim was processed by the Adviser. On April 9, 2012, the portfolio management team determined to dispose of the position held by the Portfolio that reflects the Bankruptcy Claim (thereby realizing upon the corresponding undertaking of the Adviser to make payment in respect of said Claim to make the Portfolio whole). On that date, the Bankruptcy Claim was being valued at $457,758 (49.75% of the Bankruptcy Claim), based upon the estimated recovery value. Accordingly, on April 13, 2012, the Adviser reimbursed the Portfolio in an amount equal to $457,758.

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.

Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory, and other uncertainties.

 

25


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Portfolio’s assets can decline as can the real value of the Portfolio’s distributions.

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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

Leverage Risk—When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its portfolio, it may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures contracts or by borrowing money. The use of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as forwards, futures, options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE G: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE H: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 6,977,197         $ 8,816,158   

Net long-term capital gains

       427,940           –0 – 
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 7,405,137         $ 8,816,158   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 5,400,794   

Undistributed capital gains

     3,087,741   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (52 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     6,675,277 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 15,163,760   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   As of December 31, 2011, the cumulative deferred loss on straddles was $52.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax treatment of swaps, the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments, and the tax treatment of Treasury inflation-protected securities.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation. As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

NOTE I: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE J: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

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,  2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.54        $12.39        $11.98        $10.50        $11.78        $11.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .17        .42        .48        .52        .51        .54   

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

    .17        .38        .60        1.37        (1.22     .01   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .34        .80        1.08        1.89        (.71     .55   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.60     (.67     (.41     (.57     (.55

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (.05     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.65     (.67     (.41     (.57     (.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.88        $12.54        $12.39        $11.98        $10.50        $11.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    2.71 %*      6.64     9.20 %*      18.51 %*      (6.38 )%*      4.85
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $86,466        $106,028        $119,599        $129,647        $129,111        $66,305   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .70 %(d)      .65     .68 %(e)      .69     .64     .78

Net investment income

    2.73 %(d)      3.42     3.90 %(e)      4.69     4.72     4.58

Portfolio turnover rate

    66     108     94     102     106     90

 

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.41        $12.26        $11.86        $10.40        $11.67        $11.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .16        .39        .44        .49        .48        .50   

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

    .17        .37        .60        1.36        (1.21     .02   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .33        .76        1.04        1.85        (.73     .52   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.56     (.64     (.39     (.54     (.52

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (.05     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.61     (.64     (.39     (.54     (.52
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.74        $12.41        $12.26        $11.86        $10.40        $11.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    2.66 %*      6.38     8.93 %*      18.20 %*      (6.59 )%*      4.60
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $31,322        $33,973        $39,025        $41,341        $40,929        $20,289   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .95 %(d)      .90     .93 %(e)      .94     .89     1.03

Net investment income

    2.49 %(d)      3.17     3.64 %(e)      4.44     4.47     4.32

Portfolio turnover rate

    66     108     94     102     106     90

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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 Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by 0.05%, 0.04%, 0.01% and 0.09%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

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 Intermediate Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”)2 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 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In Jones, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS, & EXPENSE 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.4 Also shown are the Portfolio’s net assets on September 30, 2011.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

September 30, 2011

Net Assets ($MM)

 

Low Risk Income

 

45 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

40 bp on next $2.5 billion

35 bp on the balance

  $ 147.3   

 

1   The information in the fee evaluation was completed on October 20, 2011 and discussed with the Board of Directors on November 1-3, 2011.

 

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

 

3   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

4   Most of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, which the Adviser manages, were affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG.

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Portfolio’s Investment Advisory Agreement provides for the Adviser to be reimbursed 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 $75,195 (0.04% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for providing 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

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

 

Class A    0.68%

Class B    0.93%

  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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing some of these services. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to 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 Portolio’s advisory fee based on September 30, 2011 net assets.6

 

Fund   

Net Assets

9/30/11

($MM)

 

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee (%)
    

Fund

Advisory

Fee (%)

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

   $147.3  

U.S. Strategic Core Plus

0.50% on the first $30 million

0.20% on the balance

Minimum Account Size: $25 million

     0.261         0.450   

The Adviser manages Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. (“SCB Fund”), an open-end management investment company. Intermediate Duration Portfolio of SCB Fund has a similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is Intermediate

 

5   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

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

 

31


INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Duration Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of Intermediate Duration Portfolio been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fees based on September 30, 2011 net assets:

 

Portfolio   SCB Fund Portfolio   Fee Schedule   SCB Fund
Effective
Fee (%)
    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Intermediate Duration Portfolio  

50 bp on 1st $1 billion

45 bp on next $2 billion

40 bp on next $2 billion

35 bp on next $2 billion

30 on the balance

    0.500%        0.450%   

Certain of the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds (“ABMF”), which the Adviser manages, have a similar investment style as the Portfolio and their fee schedules are set forth below. ABMF was also affected by the Adviser’s settlement with the NYAG. As a result, the Portfolio has the same breakpoints as AllianceBernstein Bond Fund, Inc.—Intermediate Bond Portfolio. Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.—Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio was not affected by the settlement since the fund has lower breakpoints than the NYAG related fee schedule. Also shown are what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the ABMF fee schedules been applicable to the Portfolio and the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on September 30, 2011 net assets:

 

Portfolio   ABMF Fund   Fee Schedule   ABMF
Effective
Fee (%)
   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee (%)

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Bond Fund, Inc.—Intermediate Bond Portfolio  

0.45% on first $2.5 billion

0.40% on next $2.5 billion

0.35% on the balance

    0.450%        0.450%   

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio7  

0.50% on first $1 billion

0.45% on the balance

    0.500%        0.450%   

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 fee set forth below for the sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the sub-advisory relationship been applicable to the Portfolio based on September 30, 2011 net assets.

 

Fund        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee (%)

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  Client # 1  

AB Sub-Advisory Fee Schedule:

0.29% on first $100 million

0.20% thereafter

    0.261%        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 Portfolio by the Adviser. In addition, to the extent that this is the only sub-advisory relationship and it is with an affiliate of the Adviser, the fee schedule may not reflect arm’s-length bargaining or negotiations.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationship is paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such a lower fee due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to manage a sub-advisory relationship for a different fee than it would be willing to manage investment company assets.

 

7   Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio has an expense cap of 0.45%, which effectively reduces the advisory fee of the fund.

 

32


    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.8 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”)9 and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.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. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have a similar but not the same Lipper classification/objective as the Portfolio. However, 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. A “normal” EU will include funds that have the same investment objective/classification as the subject portfolio.11

 

Fund   

Contractual
Management

Fee (%)12

    

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Group

Rank

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

     0.450         0.513         2/16   

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.

 

Fund   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

    

Lipper Exp.

Group
Median (%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper Exp.

Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

     0.677         0.659         11/16         0.621         26/33   

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

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE MANAGEMENT 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 2010, relative to 2009.

 

8   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

9  

Lipper does not consider average account size when constructing EGs. Funds with relatively small average account sizes tend to have higher transfer agent expense ratio 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  

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.

 

12  

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

 

13  

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

 

33


INTERMEDIATE BOND 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 and the relationship otherwise complies with the 40 Act restrictions. These affiliates provide transfer agent and distribution services to the Portfolio and receive transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 payments and front-end sales loads.

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 and distributor, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), an affiliate of the Adviser, 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, 2010, ABI received $102,923 in Rule 12b-1 fees from the Portfolio.

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, 2010, the Adviser determined that it made payments in the amount of $292,991 on behalf of the Portfolio to ABI.

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the Adviser and/or the Portfolio for selling shares of the Portfolio. These financial intermediaries receive compensation in any or all of the following forms: 12b-1 fees, defrayal of costs for educational seminars and training, additional distribution support, and payments related to providing contract-holder record-keeping and/or administrative services. Payments related to providing contract-holder record keeping and/or administrative services will generally not exceed 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the firm over the year. With respect to the Fund,14 ABI paid approximately $400,000 in 2010 and expects to pay approximately $400,000 in 2011 for educational support and distribution assistance (revenue sharing payments).

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 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 make such investments in their business to provide services, there may be a sharing of economies of scale without a reduction in advisory fees.

In February 2008, an independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.18 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.19 The

 

14   The fee is inclusive of other Portfolios of the Fund (Equity and Blend), which are not discussed in this summary.

 

15   The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

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

 

17   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

18   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

19   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

34


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $402 billion as of September 30, 2011, 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 rankings20 of the Portfolio relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended July 31, 2011.22

 

    

Fund

Return (%)

   

PG

Median (%)

   

PU

Median (%)

   

PG

Rank

   

PU

Rank

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

         

1 year

    5.88        5.68        5.42        3/10        5/18   

3 year

    8.66        7.52        7.52        3/10        5/18   

5 year

    6.57        6.01        6.07        4/10        8/17   

10 year

    5.28        4.83        5.16        3/9        7/16   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Fund (in bold)23 versus its benchmarks.24 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25

 

    

Periods Ending July 31, 2011

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

   

10

Year
(%)

    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized    

Risk

Period

(Year)

 
           

Volatility

(%)

   

Sharpe

(%)

   

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

    5.88        8.66        6.57        5.28        5.71        4.62        0.67        10   

Barclays Capital U.S. Government Bond Index

    3.26        5.52        6.19        5.33        6.08        4.59        0.71        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 Fund 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 Fund is based on an evaluation of all of these factors and no single factor was dispositive.

Dated: November 28, 2011

 

20   The performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio are for the Portfolio’s Class A shares. It should be noted that performance returns of the Portfolio were provided by Lipper.

 

21   The Portfolio’s PG/PU may not be identical to its respective EG/EU as the criteria for including/excluding a fund to/from PG/PU is somewhat different than that of EG/EU.

 

22   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.

 

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

 

24   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through July 31, 2011.

 

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

 

35


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,031.20       $   4.90         0.97

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $ 1,020.04       $ 4.87         0.97
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,029.50       $ 6.16         1.22

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,018.80       $ 6.12         1.22

 

 

 

*   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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

British American Tobacco PLC

   $ 4,786,433           3.4

Nestle SA

     4,092,827           2.9   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

     4,000,560           2.9   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

     3,431,116           2.4   

Partners Group Holding AG

     3,299,695           2.4   

BG Group PLC

     3,144,705           2.2   

AIA Group Ltd.

     2,766,009           2.0   

Prudential PLC

     2,656,882           1.9   

FANUC Corp.

     2,531,467           1.8   

Shire PLC

     2,295,867           1.6   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   33,005,561           23.5

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $ 25,225,089           18.2

Consumer Staples

     20,998,671           15.2   

Consumer Discretionary

     18,894,363           13.7   

Information Technology

     17,210,966           12.4   

Industrials

     13,813,926           10.0   

Energy

     13,671,287           9.9   

Materials

     11,552,611           8.3   

Health Care

     11,312,802           8.2   

Utilities

     2,166,980           1.6   

Short-Term Investments

     3,529,627           2.5   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   138,376,322           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details).

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

United Kingdom

   $ 34,400,723           24.9

Switzerland

     12,796,587           9.2   

France

     10,967,612           7.9   

Japan

     10,519,557           7.6   

Germany

     8,401,939           6.1   

China

     6,766,017           4.9   

Brazil

     6,114,741           4.4   

Hong Kong

     5,658,500           4.1   

Belgium

     4,518,855           3.3   

South Korea

     4,379,954           3.2   

South Africa

     3,588,979           2.6   

Russia

     3,056,433           2.2   

Italy

     2,929,964           2.1   

Other

     20,746,834           15.0   

Short-Term Investments

     3,529,627           2.5   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   138,376,322           100.0

 

 

 

*   All data are as of June 30, 2012. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 2.1% or less in the following countries: Canada, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and United States.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–95.5%

   
   

FINANCIALS–18.0%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–3.9%

   

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    376,260      $ 1,532,504   

Azimut Holding SpA

    62,905        645,858   

Partners Group Holding AG

    18,553        3,299,695   
   

 

 

 
      5,478,057   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–7.0%

   

Bangkok Bank PCL (NVDR)

    277,900        1,690,724   

Bank Mandiri Persero TBK PT

    974,000        755,752   

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    870,000        595,867   

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    64,710        657,162   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    199,321        1,756,385   

Itausa-Investimentos Itau SA (Preference Shares)

    146,355        619,376   

Sberbank of Russia (Sponsored ADR)(a)

    92,965        1,005,881   

Standard Chartered PLC

    63,327        1,375,651   

United Overseas Bank Ltd.(a)

    96,000        1,425,555   
   

 

 

 
      9,882,353   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.3%

   

Muthoot Finance Ltd.(b)

    144,060        350,842   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.1%

   

Deutsche Boerse AG

    18,070        974,895   

FirstRand Ltd.

    228,550        739,782   

IG Group Holdings PLC

    162,058        1,218,050   
   

 

 

 
      2,932,727   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–3.9%

   

AIA Group Ltd.

    800,800        2,766,009   

Prudential PLC

    229,140        2,656,882   
   

 

 

 
      5,422,891   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.4%

   

BR Malls Participacoes SA

    47,800        547,374   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.4%

   

Housing Development Finance Corp.

    52,000        610,845   
   

 

 

 
      25,225,089   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–15.0%

   

BEVERAGES–4.9%

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

    50,742        4,000,560   

Cia de Bebidas das Americas (Preference Shares)

    22,148        852,398   

Grupo Modelo SAB de CV

    89,130        788,424   

Pernod-Ricard SA(a)

    11,370        1,215,818   
   

 

 

 
      6,857,200   
   

 

 

 
   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.0%

   

Brazil Pharma SA

    97,400      $ 521,309   

Olam International Ltd.(a)

    297,262        430,538   

Raia Drogasil SA

    44,000        443,615   
   

 

 

 
      1,395,462   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–4.3%

   

Danone

    29,866        1,856,069   

Nestle SA

    68,582        4,092,827   
   

 

 

 
      5,948,896   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–1.4%

   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    38,040        2,010,680   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–3.4%

   

British American Tobacco PLC

    94,147        4,786,433   
   

 

 

 
      20,998,671   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–13.5%

   

AUTOMOBILES–2.4%

   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    219,100        2,080,515   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

    8,149        1,291,028   
   

 

 

 
      3,371,543   
   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTORS–0.8%

   

Li & Fung Ltd.

    550,000        1,063,500   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.3%

   

Estacio Participacoes SA

    28,600        346,019   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–0.2%

   

Ajisen China Holdings Ltd.(a)

    365,500        255,281   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET & CATALOG RETAIL–0.7%

   

Rakuten, Inc.

    98,800        1,021,460   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.9%

   

Eutelsat Communications

    13,834        425,558   

Informa PLC

    111,283        664,021   

Naspers Ltd.

    14,550        777,151   

SES SA (FDR)

    33,764        798,307   
   

 

 

 
      2,665,037   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–3.6%

   

Belle International Holdings Ltd.

    723,000        1,240,502   

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

    5,400        1,080,495   

Hennes & Mauritz AB–Class B

    34,260        1,229,725   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

    14,240        729,065   

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    683,000        834,822   
   

 

 

 
      5,114,609   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–3.6%

   

Brunello Cucinelli SpA(b)

    46,693        664,171   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    40,422        2,219,562   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA

    12,090        1,839,973   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Trinity Ltd.

    526,000      $ 333,208   
   

 

 

 
      5,056,914   
   

 

 

 
      18,894,363   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–11.7%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–0.4%

   

ZTE Corp.–Class H(a)

    304,200        594,151   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.6%

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    15,500        815,309   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–3.6%

   

Baidu, Inc. (Sponsored ADR)(b)

    17,530        2,015,599   

Mail.ru Group Ltd. (GDR)(b)(c)

    24,250        825,858   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    74,800        2,208,939   
   

 

 

 
      5,050,396   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.8%

   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    49,020        1,131,776   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–4.2%

   

ARM Holdings PLC

    131,425        1,041,230   

ASML Holding NV

    26,747        1,373,620   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    3,240        3,431,116   
   

 

 

 
      5,845,966   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–2.1%

   

SAP AG

    32,247        1,909,518   

Temenos Group AG(b)

    68,179        1,127,254   
   

 

 

 
      3,036,772   
   

 

 

 
      16,474,370   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–9.8%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.7%

  

 

Safran SA

    26,310        977,059   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–0.6%

   

Aggreko PLC

    27,290        887,489   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.7%

   

Samsung Engineering Co., Ltd.

    5,980        948,838   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–0.8%

   

Schneider Electric SA

    21,070        1,171,148   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.9%

   

Bidvest Group Ltd.

    56,038        1,251,314   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–3.0%

   

FANUC Corp.

    15,400        2,531,467   

Komatsu Ltd.

    67,800        1,618,477   
   

 

 

 
      4,149,944   
   

 

 

 
   

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–2.0%

   

Experian PLC

    141,038      $ 1,989,786   

Intertek Group PLC

    20,310        850,905   
   

 

 

 
      2,840,691   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.1%

   

Wolseley PLC

    42,590        1,587,443   
   

 

 

 
      13,813,926   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–9.7%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–3.5%

   

Saipem SpA

    36,375        1,619,935   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    26,500        1,720,115   

Technip SA

    14,760        1,538,227   
   

 

 

 
      4,878,277   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–6.2%

   

Afren PLC(b)

    638,783        1,038,372   

BG Group PLC

    153,614        3,144,705   

China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd.–Class H

    315,000        1,112,506   

NovaTek OAO (Sponsored GDR)(c)

    7,933        847,069   

Tullow Oil PLC

    47,098        1,088,556   

Ultrapar Participacoes SA

    69,400        1,561,802   
   

 

 

 
      8,793,010   
   

 

 

 
      13,671,287   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–8.2%

   

CHEMICALS–4.7%

   

Croda International PLC

    42,910        1,524,601   

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

    152,830        1,690,964   

Lanxess AG

    12,540        793,588   

Linde AG

    9,900        1,541,832   

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.

    23,320        1,019,291   
   

 

 

 
      6,570,276   
   

 

 

 

CONTAINERS & PACKAGING–0.8%

   

Klabin SA (Preference Shares)

    269,900        1,222,848   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–2.7%

   

African Minerals Ltd.(a)(b)

    157,890        784,183   

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    79,590        1,407,151   

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    9,530        430,961   

Kenmare Resources PLC(b)

    998,600        618,897   

Umicore SA

    11,210        518,295   
   

 

 

 
      3,759,487   
   

 

 

 
      11,552,611   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–8.1%

   

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–1.2%

   

Cie Generale d’Optique Essilor International SA(a)

    12,330        1,145,453   

 

5


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

 

    
    
    
Company
  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Elekta AB

    11,630      $ 531,441   
   

 

 

 
      1,676,894   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–0.6%

   

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

    12,015        848,597   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–6.3%

   

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.(b)

    53,261        820,732   

Bayer AG

    14,467        1,042,481   

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.

    44,700        642,769   

Novo Nordisk A/S–Class B

    10,691        1,550,588   

Pharmstandard OJSC (GDR)(b)(c)

    26,500        377,625   

Roche Holding AG

    11,910        2,057,249   

Shire PLC

    79,801        2,295,867   
   

 

 

 
      8,787,311   
   

 

 

 
      11,312,802   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–1.5%

   

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.5%

   

National Grid PLC

    204,470        2,166,980   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $123,939,580)

      134,110,099   
   

 

 

 

WARRANTS–0.6%

   

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–0.6%

   

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.6%

   

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, expiring 9/29/14(b)(c)
(cost $823,487)

    247,180        736,596   
   

 

 

 
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–2.5%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–2.5%

   

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $3,529,627)

  U.S.$ 3,530      $ 3,529,627   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities
Loaned–98.6%
(cost $128,292,694)

      138,376,322   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–2.7%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–2.7%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(d)
(cost $3,842,134)

    3,842,134        3,842,134   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.3%
(cost $132,134,828)

      142,218,456   

Other assets less liabilities–(1.3)%

      (1,789,146
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 140,429,310   
   

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
    

U.S. $

Value on
Origination Date

    

U.S. $

Value at

June 30, 2012

     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

           

Barclays Bank PLC Wholesale:

           

Australian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     2,356       $   2,372,480       $   2,401,862       $ 29,382   

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     1,436         2,249,034         2,248,751         (283)   

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     477,264         6,019,258         5,974,151         (45,107)   

Swedish Krona settling 8/14/12

     53,618         7,788,548         7,739,147           (49,401)   

Citibank NA:

           

Australian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     9,646         9,658,752         9,833,772         175,020   

Deutsche Bank AG London:

           

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     2,529         3,997,970         3,960,371         (37,599)   

HSBC BankUSA:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     1,603         1,599,369         1,573,048         (26,321)   

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:

           

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     9,401         9,824,371         9,914,558         90,187   

 

6


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
    

U.S. $

Value on
Origination Date

    

U.S. $

Value at

June 30, 2012

     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts (continued)

           

State Street Bank and Trust Company:

           

Norwegian Krone settling 8/14/12

     45,527       $ 7,783,537       $ 7,641,807       $   (141,730

Westpac Banking Corp.:

           

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     620,121         7,841,047         7,762,365         (78,682

New Zealand Dollar settling 8/14/12

     4,064         3,177,967         3,243,957         65,990   

Sale Contracts

           

Citibank NA:

           

Euro settling 8/14/12

     2,421         3,080,212         3,064,882         15,330   

Credit Suisse London Branch (GFX):

           

Canadian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     3,760         3,744,274         3,689,744         54,530   

Euro settling 8/14/12

     4,509         5,871,485         5,708,200         163,285   

Norwegian Krone settling 8/14/12

     2,047         335,427         343,594         (8,167

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     8,369         8,975,525         8,826,183         149,342   

Deutsche Bank AG London:

           

Euro settling 8/14/12

     4,295         5,368,106         5,437,285         (69,179

Japanese Yen settling 8/14/12

     281,162           3,526,869         3,519,446         7,423   

New Zealand Dollar settling 8/14/12

     683         520,617         545,183         (24,566

Goldman Sachs International:

           

Australian Dollar settling 8/14/12

     5,814         5,727,197         5,927,177         (199,980

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     6,433         10,371,283         10,073,969         297,314   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.:

           

Norwegian Krone settling 8/14/12

     3,059         509,511         513,460         (3,949

Royal Bank of Canada:

           

Swedish Krona settling 8/14/12

     2,515         347,895         363,011         (15,116

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:

           

Euro settling 8/14/12

     8,452           10,598,970           10,699,868         (100,898

Great British Pound settling 8/14/12

     409         632,408         640,487         (8,079

Swedish Krona settling 8/14/12

     2,750         381,251         396,931         (15,680

State Street Bank and Trust Company:

           

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     1,032         1,132,225         1,088,377         43,848   

UBS AG:

           

Swiss Franc settling 8/14/12

     3,521         3,672,912         3,713,346         (40,434

Westpac Banking Corp.:

           

New Zealand Dollar settling 8/14/12

     3,381         2,574,209         2,698,774         (124,565
           

 

 

 
            $ 101,915   
           

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(b)   Non-income producing security.

 

(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, 2012, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $2,787,148 or 2.0% of net assets.

 

(d)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

FDR—Fiduciary Depositary Receipt

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

NVDR—Non Voting Depositary Receipt

OJSC—Open Joint Stock Company

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $128,292,694)

   $ 138,376,322 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $3,842,134—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $3,842,134)

     3,842,134   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,518,571)

     1,520,456   

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions

     3,945,203   

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     1,091,651   

Dividends and interest receivable

     570,650   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     67,087   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     149,413,503   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     3,842,134   

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions

     3,570,316   

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     989,736   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     376,735   

Advisory fee payable

     86,830   

Administrative fee payable

     16,543   

Distribution fee payable

     11,863   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     169   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     89,867   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     8,984,193   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 140,429,310   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 9,075   

Additional paid-in capital

     187,406,766   

Undistributed net investment income

     2,891,458   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (60,057,271

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

     10,179,282   
  

 

 

 
   $ 140,429,310   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $   82,288,818         5,292,684       $   15.55   

B

   $   58,140,492         3,782,272       $   15.37   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $3,779,752 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $210,391)

   $ 2,304,186   

Affiliated issuers

     5,558   

Interest

     172   

Securities lending income

     76,236   
  

 

 

 
     2,386,152   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     572,412   

Distribution fee—Class B

     76,158   

Transfer agency—Class A

     1,150   

Transfer agency—Class B

     764   

Custodian

     65,558   

Administrative

     27,359   

Audit

     25,674   

Printing

     21,736   

Legal

     13,126   

Directors’ fees

     1,973   

Miscellaneous

     10,086   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     815,996   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,570,156   
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized loss on:

  

Investment transactions

     (2,607,192 )(a) 

Foreign currency transactions

     (736,689

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     7,389,573 (b) 

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (714,093
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     3,331,599   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 4,901,755   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $1,394.

 

(b)   Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $18,794.

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,570,156      $ 2,573,318   

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

     (3,343,881     1,719,878   

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

     6,675,480        (33,949,194

Contributions from Adviser (see Note B)

     –0 –      23,222   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     4,901,755        (29,632,776

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (3,419,977

Class B

     –0 –      (1,907,699

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (13,706,307     (17,023,668
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (8,804,552     (51,984,120

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     149,233,862        201,217,982   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $2,891,458 and $1,321,302, respectively)

   $ 140,429,310      $ 149,233,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2012 (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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred between the close of the foreign markets and the time at which the Portfolio values its securities which may materially affect the value of securities trading in such markets. To account for this, the Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

11


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

 

The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

             

Financials

     $ 1,166,750       $ 24,058,339       $ –0 –     $ 25,225,089   

Consumer Staples

       2,605,746         18,392,925         –0 –       20,998,671   

Consumer Discretionary

       1,010,190         17,884,173         –0 –       18,894,363   

Information Technology

       2,015,599         14,458,771         –0 –       16,474,370   

Industrials

       –0 –       13,813,926         –0 –       13,813,926   

Energy

       3,281,917         10,389,370         –0 –       13,671,287   

Materials

       4,080,251         7,472,360         –0 –       11,552,611   

Health Care

       377,625         10,935,177         –0 –       11,312,802   

Utilities

       –0 –       2,166,980         –0 –       2,166,980   

Warrants

       –0 –       –0 –       736,596         736,596   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       3,529,627         –0 –       3,529,627   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       3,842,134         –0 –       –0 –       3,842,134   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       18,380,212         123,101,648      736,596         142,218,456   

Other Financial Instruments*:

             

Assets:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       1,091,651         –0 –       1,091,651   

Liabilities:

             

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

       –0 –       (989,736      –0 –       (989,736
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 18,380,212       $ 123,203,563       $ 736,596       $ 142,320,371   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

+   A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. The transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assumes the financial instrument was transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

     Warrants     Total  

Balance as of 12/31/11

   $ 765,226      $ 765,226   

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

     –0 –      –0 – 

Realized gain (loss)

     (7,524     (7,524

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     90,152        90,152   

Purchases

     –0 –      –0 – 

Sales

     (111,258     (111,258

Transfers into Level 3

     –0 –      –0 – 

Transfers out of Level 3

     –0 –      –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 6/30/12

   $ 736,596      $ 736,596   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of 6/30/12 *

   $ 90,152      $ 90,152   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

 

13


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

 

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser reimbursed the Portfolio $23,222 for trading losses incurred due to a trade entry error.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $27,359.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $117,986, of which $0 and $551, 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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 or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 40,596,643       $ 54,488,119   

U.S. government securities

       –0 –       –0 – 

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,935,464   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (7,851,836
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 10,083,628   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The principal type of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale 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 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 unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Documentation governing the Portfolio’s OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $241,085. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2012, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $241,085 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

 

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

  Fair Value    

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

  Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 1,091,651      Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 989,736   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $ 1,091,651        $ 989,736   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

15


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

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities    $ (804,057   $ (722,528
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (804,057   $ (722,528
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the average monthly principal amount of foreign currency exchange contracts was $112,061,309.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $3,779,752 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $3,842,134. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $76,236 and $5,558 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31, 2011

(000)

    Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30, 2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$ 514      $ 48,631      $ 45,303      $ 3,842      $ 6   

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,

2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 
Class A                            

Shares sold

    74,054        280,915        $ 1,199,916      $ 4,924,201   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      183,771          –0 –      3,419,977   

Shares redeemed

    (809,024     (1,296,842       (12,847,173     (22,010,446
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (734,970     (832,156     $ (11,647,257   $ (13,666,268
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    276,292        598,049        $ 4,373,744      $ 10,061,521   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      103,398          –0 –      1,907,699   

Shares redeemed

    (400,172     (900,547       (6,432,794     (15,326,620
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (123,880     (199,100     $ (2,059,050   $ (3,357,400
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Emerging Market Risk—Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid, and because these investments may be subject to increased economic, political, regulatory and other uncertainties.

Capitalization Risk—Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than investments in large-capitalization companies. Investments in small-capitalization companies may have additional risks because these companies have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

17


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

 

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 5,327,676         $ 3,746,516   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

       5,327,676           3,746,516   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $ 5,327,676         $ 3,746,516   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,280,548   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (55,931,156 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,762,323 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (51,888,285
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $49,677,815. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $7,463,081 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a post-October short-term capital loss deferral of $4,868,647 and a post-October long-term capital loss deferral of $1,384,694 which are deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

(b)   The differences 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 passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $49,677,815 which will expire as follows:

 

Short-Term
Amount

    Long-Term
Amount
  Expiration  
  $  7,176,740      n/a     2016   
  42,501,075      n/a     2017   

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

18


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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.08        $18.42        $16.66        $12.52        $24.89        $30.37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .17        .26        .18        .22        .38        .20   

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

    .30        (3.08     1.92        4.59        (12.35     5.16   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .47        (2.82     2.10        4.81        (11.97     5.36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.52     (.34     (.67     –0 –      (.56

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.40     (10.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.52     (.34     (.67     (.40     (10.84
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.55        $15.08        $18.42        $16.66        $12.52        $24.89   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    3.12     (15.85 )%      12.89     39.58     (48.85 )%*      18.13
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $82,289        $90,912        $126,339        $124,335        $80,458        $165,642   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .97 %(d)      .94     .93 %(e)      .99     .98     1.21 %(e) 

Net investment income

    2.15 %(d)      1.53     1.08 %(e)      1.55     1.93     .66 %(e) 

Portfolio turnover rate

    27     66     104     118     90     126

 

 

See footnote summary on page 20.

 

19


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30, 2012

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.93        $18.24        $16.51        $12.41        $24.73        $30.20   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .15        .22        .14        .18        .31        .13   

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

    .29        (3.06     1.89        4.55        (12.23     5.11   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .44        (2.84     2.03        4.73        (11.92     5.24   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.47     (.30     (.63     –0 –      (.43

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.40     (10.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.47     (.30     (.63     (.40     (10.71
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.37        $14.93        $18.24        $16.51        $12.41        $24.73   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    2.95     (16.04 )%      12.61     39.24     (48.96 )%*      17.78
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $58,140        $58,322        $74,879        $72,604        $45,309        $57,633   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.22 %(d)      1.19     1.18 %(e)      1.24     1.23     1.45 %(e) 

Net investment income

    1.91 %(d)      1.27     .83 %(e)      1.28     1.63     .45 %(e) 

Portfolio turnover rate

    27     66     104     118     90     126

 

 

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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 Portfolio’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2008 by 0.01%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

20


 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors

 

21


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country (AC) World (ex US) Index (Net) (the “MSCI AC 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 February 29, 2012, and (in the case of comparisons with the MSCI World Index) the since inception period (September 1994 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- and 5-year periods, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, and in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the MSCI AC World Index in the 1- and 10-year periods and lagged that index in the 3- and 5-year periods. It outperformed the MSCI World Index in the 1-, 3- and 10-year and the since inception periods and essentially matched that index in the 5-year period. The directors noted that all reference points showed negative results in the 1- and 5-year periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had lagged the Lipper VA International Growth Funds Average and outperformed both indices. Based on their review, and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to manage the Portfolio. The directors determined to continue to monitor the Portfolio’s performance closely.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate than that being paid by the Portfolio. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that 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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

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 similar 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 noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 3 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, 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 the 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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

23


 
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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

International

 

75 bp on 1st $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 160.2      International Growth Portfolio

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $60,911 (0.03% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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.

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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    0.94%   December 31
  Class B    1.19%  

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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.3 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 March 31, 2012 net assets:4

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

   AllianceBernstein
Institutional
Fee Schedule
  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

International Growth Portfolio

   $160.2    International Research Growth AC Schedule      0.575      0.750
      85 bp on first $25m      
      65 bp on next $25m      
      55 bp on next $50m      
      45 bp on the balance      
      Minimum account size $25m      

 

3   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

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.

 

25


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

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Growth Fund, Inc. (“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 International Growth Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:5

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund   Fee Schedule   ABMF
Effective
Fee
    Portfolio
Advisory
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%   

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.6 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.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 Exp.

Group

Median (%)

     Rank  

International Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.924         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.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)10

    

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median (%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper Exp.

Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

International Growth Portfolio

     0.941         1.083         3/12         1.001         13/36   

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

 

5   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

6   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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.

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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

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 2011, relative to 2010.

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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $169,758 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $619,002 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the adviser.

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 $1,310 from the Portfolio.11

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through and pais commissions to the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” 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

 

11   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

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

 

27


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli13 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.14 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio16 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)17 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.18

 

13   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

14   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

15   The two dimensional analysis 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. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

17   The Portfolio’s PG is identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG. The Portfolio’s PU is not identical to the Portfolio’s EU as the criteria for including/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.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

      Fund      PG
Median
     PU
Median
     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank
 

International Growth Portfolio

              

1 year

     –5.44         –2.00         –3.51         10/12         29/46   

3 year

     21.92         21.84         21.64         5/11         18/39   

5 year

     –2.36         –0.70         –0.87         9/10         27/35   

10 year

     9.08         7.04         6.96         4/10         7/24   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)19 versus its benchmarks.20 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.21

 

    

Periods Ending February 29, 2012

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

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

International Growth Portfolio

    5.44        21.92        2.36        9.08        8.13        20.96        0.43         10   

MSCI AC World ex US Index (Net)

    –6.10        22.79        –0.75        7.99        N/A        19.43        0.40         10   

MSCI World ex US Index (Net)22

    –7.86        20.38        –2.31        6.75        4.66        N/A        N/A         N/A   

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: May 25, 2012

 

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 February 29, 2012.

 

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 viewed 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.

 

22   Benchmark since inception date is the nearest month end after the Portfolio’s inception date.

 

29


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio

 

 

June 30, 2012

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,005.20       $   4.04         0.81

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,020.84       $   4.07         0.81
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,003.50       $   5.28         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


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

BP PLC

   $ 41,049,015           3.9

AstraZeneca PLC

     32,094,671           3.0   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)—Class A

     31,413,052           3.0   

Vodafone Group PLC

     23,383,815           2.2   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

     23,152,047           2.2   

Roche Holding AG

     19,650,097           1.9   

Novartis AG

     19,013,201           1.8   

National Australia Bank Ltd.

     18,560,474           1.7   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

     18,186,223           1.7   

Telecom Italia SpA

     17,441,835           1.6   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   243,944,430           23.0

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 

Financials

   $ 217,869,453           20.5

Consumer Discretionary

     148,472,944           14.0   

Energy

     146,001,306           13.8   

Materials

     102,151,540           9.6   

Health Care

     89,737,872           8.5   

Telecommunication Services

     86,161,751           8.1   

Industrials

     67,353,260           6.4   

Information Technology

     66,232,966           6.2   

Consumer Staples

     57,608,583           5.4   

Utilities

     33,328,918           3.1   

Short-Term Investments

     47,135,248           4.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   1,062,053,841           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. The Portfolio also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details).

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
COUNTRY DIVERSIFICATION*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

 

COUNTRY    U.S.$ VALUE        PERCENT OF
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
 

Japan

   $ 269,072,685           25.3

United Kingdom

     249,034,002           23.5   

Germany

     67,768,161           6.4   

France

     63,798,864           6.0   

Australia

     52,128,364           4.9   

Netherlands

     50,749,734           4.8   

Switzerland

     44,154,856           4.2   

Brazil

     31,165,161           2.9   

Italy

     30,991,986           2.9   

Canada

     30,925,224           2.9   

South Korea

     27,935,971           2.6   

Taiwan

     14,772,055           1.4   

Russia

     13,733,837           1.3   

Other

     68,687,693           6.5   

Short-Term Investments

     47,135,248           4.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   1,062,053,841           100.0

 

 

 

 

 

*   All data are as of June 30, 2012. The Portfolio’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time. “Other” country weightings represent 1.2% or less in the following countries: Belgium, China, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey.

 

3


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–95.6%

  

 

FINANCIALS–20.5%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–2.4%

   

Deutsche Bank AG

    282,060      $ 10,180,458   

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    548,240        14,804,603   
   

 

 

 
      24,985,061   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–11.1%

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    195,370        4,450,547   

Banco do Brasil SA

    835,400        8,123,158   

Barclays PLC

    3,014,970        7,704,004   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    1,931,886        17,023,469   

KB Financial Group, Inc.

    236,461        7,724,444   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC(a)

    17,581,940        8,588,939   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.(b)

    2,795,700        13,393,850   

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    762,000        18,560,474   

Societe Generale SA(a)

    371,564        8,713,019   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    412,200        13,616,991   

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Tao–Class D

    2,365,592        4,932,349   

Westpac Banking Corp.

    230,970        5,043,510   
   

 

 

 
      117,874,754   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–2.2%

   

ING Groep NV(a)

    2,262,120        15,165,469   

ORIX Corp.(b)

    87,130        8,120,147   
   

 

 

 
      23,285,616   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–3.9%

   

Aegon NV

    1,798,383        8,340,152   

Allianz SE

    92,050        9,258,829   

Aviva PLC

    1,122,900        4,808,203   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    86,910        12,263,350   

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    850,146        7,103,874   
   

 

 

 
      41,774,408   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT–0.9%

   

Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd.(b)

    9,557,000        4,949,518   

New World Development Co., Ltd.(b)

    4,248,000        5,000,096   
   

 

 

 
      9,949,614   
   

 

 

 
      217,869,453   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–14.0%

   

 

AUTO COMPONENTS–3.2%

  

 

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin–Class B(b)

    155,800        10,193,414   
   
   

GKN PLC

    3,178,130      $ 9,010,560   

Magna International, Inc.–Class A(b)

    195,260        7,711,821   

NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.

    323,000        4,266,330   

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

    229,900        2,994,434   
   

 

 

 
      34,176,559   
   

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES–6.9%

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    110,300        7,982,174   

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.(b)

    404,000        14,097,796   

Kia Motors Corp.

    40,200        2,649,569   

Mazda Motor Corp.(a)

    5,140,000        6,999,405   

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    1,915,200        18,186,223   

Renault SA(b)

    198,450        7,924,608   

Volkswagen AG (Preference Shares)

    95,970        15,204,318   
   

 

 

 
      73,044,093   
   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTORS–0.2%

   

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.

    58,000        2,137,654   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.6%

   

Sharp Corp./Japan

    2,152,000        10,964,315   

Sony Corp.

    404,500        5,784,048   
   

 

 

 
      16,748,363   
   

 

 

 

LEISURE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS–0.3%

   

Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.

    276,300        3,789,081   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–0.3%

   

Informa PLC

    508,000        3,031,215   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.0%

   

Shimamura Co., Ltd.

    25,100        2,900,437   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

    144,950        7,421,203   
   

 

 

 
      10,321,640   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.5%

   

Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    1,675,500        5,224,339   
   

 

 

 
      148,472,944   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–13.8%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–0.8%

   

Seadrill Ltd.

    242,570        8,651,374   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–13.0%

   

BP PLC

    6,146,720        41,049,015   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.–Class H

    5,186,000        4,634,865   

ENI SpA

    637,800        13,550,151   

Gazprom OAO (Sponsored ADR)(a)

    828,610        7,871,795   

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

JX Holdings, Inc.

    1,426,000      $ 7,349,618   

LUKOIL OAO (London) (Sponsored ADR)(a)

    104,530        5,862,042   

Nexen, Inc. (Toronto)

    523,892        8,871,327   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Sponsored ADR)(b)

    626,520        11,365,073   

PTT PCL

    529,300        5,382,994   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Euronext Amsterdam)–Class A

    930,739        31,413,052   
   

 

 

 
      137,349,932   
   

 

 

 
      146,001,306   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–9.6%

   

CHEMICALS–3.2%

   

Agrium, Inc. (Toronto)(b)

    118,510        10,503,052   

Air Water, Inc.

    136,000        1,648,983   

Koninklijke DSM NV

    324,425        15,993,972   

OCI Co., Ltd.(b)

    18,170        3,636,320   

Ube Industries Ltd./Japan

    1,168,000        2,716,755   
   

 

 

 
      34,499,082   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS–0.5%

   

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

    2,229,000        5,118,303   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–5.9%

   

Anglo American PLC

    377,810        12,416,857   

Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.

    494,000        3,063,405   

Exxaro Resources Ltd.

    180,700        4,219,621   

Goldcorp, Inc.

    101,970        3,839,024   

KGHM Polska Miedz SA

    142,420        6,232,956   

OneSteel Ltd.

    2,401,131        2,165,356   

Rio Tinto PLC

    334,840        15,912,824   

Vale SA (Sponsored ADR) (Local Preference Shares)

    598,510        11,676,930   

Xstrata PLC

    239,170        3,007,182   
   

 

 

 
      62,534,155   
   

 

 

 
      102,151,540   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–8.5%

   

PHARMACEUTICALS–8.5%

   

AstraZeneca PLC

    718,200        32,094,671   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    617,220        14,019,556   

Novartis AG

    340,060        19,013,201   

Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.

    161,600        4,960,347   

Roche Holding AG

    113,760        19,650,097   
   

 

 

 
      89,737,872   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–8.1%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.7%

   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    496,500        23,152,047   

Telecom Italia SpA (ordinary shares)

    11,258,700        11,125,183   

Telecom Italia SpA (savings shares)

    7,794,800        6,316,652   
   

Vivendi SA

    529,066      $ 9,830,505   
   

 

 

 
      50,424,387   
   

 

 

 

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–3.4%

   

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

    7,424        12,353,549   

Vodafone Group PLC

    8,319,405        23,383,815   
   

 

 

 
      35,737,364   
   

 

 

 
      86,161,751   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–6.4%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.9%

   

Safran SA

    255,170        9,476,099   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–0.2%

   

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.

    1,427,000        2,317,218   
   

 

 

 

BUILDING PRODUCTS–1.0%

   

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.(b)

    1,532,000        10,335,177   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.3%

   

Bouygues SA

    505,785        13,572,032   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.1%

   

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    922,600        11,496,404   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.3%

   

 

Cookson Group PLC

    331,760        3,069,903   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–0.2%

   

IHI Corp.

    1,157,000        2,474,809   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–0.3%

   

East Japan Railway Co.

    44,600        2,800,488   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.1%

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

    398,900        8,063,478   

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

    252,200        3,747,652   
   

 

 

 
      11,811,130   
   

 

 

 
      67,353,260   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–6.2%

   

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–1.4%

   

Fujitsu Ltd.

    2,073,000        9,920,782   

Pegatron Corp.

    197,000        259,905   

Wistron Corp.

    3,564,560        4,400,171   
   

 

 

 
      14,580,858   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–1.0%

   

AU Optronics Corp.

    10,198,990        4,144,768   

 

5


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

LG Display Co., Ltd.(a)

    335,990      $ 6,343,294   
   

 

 

 
      10,488,062   
   

 

 

 

OFFICE ELECTRONICS–0.8%

   

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.

    1,134,000        8,933,597   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–2.6%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.(a)

    7,269,211        5,967,211   

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.(b)

    15,868,000        3,528,753   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    7,160        7,582,344   

Sumco Corp.(a)

    404,400        3,678,678   

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    158,500        7,432,842   
   

 

 

 
      28,189,828   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–0.4%

   

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

    34,600        4,040,621   
   

 

 

 
      66,232,966   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–5.4%

  

 

BEVERAGES–0.7%

   

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    364,900        7,839,633   
   

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–1.5%

   

Delhaize Group SA

    135,534        4,964,857   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    908,200        11,250,141   
   

 

 

 
      16,214,998   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.5%

   

Nestle SA

    92,020        5,491,558   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–2.7%

   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    328,360        12,651,137   

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    520,200        15,411,257   
   

 

 

 
      28,062,394   
   

 

 

 
      57,608,583   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–3.1%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–1.8%

   

E.ON AG

    596,000        12,879,032   
   

EDP–Energias de Portugal SA

    2,752,400      $ 6,511,099   
   

 

 

 
      19,390,131   
   

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.3%

   

National Grid PLC

    929,380        9,849,600   

Veolia Environnement SA

    322,920        4,089,187   
   

 

 

 
      13,938,787   
   

 

 

 
      33,328,918   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $1,114,058,870)

      1,014,918,593   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–4.5%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–4.5%

   

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $47,135,248)

  $   47,135        47,135,248   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities
Loaned–100.1%
(cost $1,161,194,118)

      1,062,053,841   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–5.6%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–5.6%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c) (cost $59,746,259)

    59,746,259        59,746,259   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–105.7%
(cost $1,220,940,377)

      1,121,800,100   

Other assets less
liabilities–(5.7)%

      (60,562,251
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 1,061,237,849   
   

 

 

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Type    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Month
     Original
Value
     Value at
June 30,
2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Purchased Contracts

              

EURO STOXX 50 Index Futures

     380         September 2012       $   10,296,479       $   10,844,063       $   547,584   

 

6


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note D)

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

           

Barclays Bank PLC Wholselale:

           

Japanese Yen settling 7/13/12

     3,788,476       $ 47,926,879       $ 47,401,220       $ (525,659

Citibank NA:

           

Japanese Yen settling 7/13/12

     5,649,920         69,957,490         70,691,514         734,024   

New Zealand Dollar settling 7/13/12

     15,444         12,596,312         12,354,021         (242,291

Credit Suisse London Branch (GFX):

           

Australian Dollar settling 7/13/12

     56,352         57,340,414         57,621,604         281,190   

Great British Pound settling 7/13/12

     36,546         59,123,900         57,235,143             (1,888,757

Norwegian Krone settling 7/13/12

     345,840         59,347,222         58,116,761         (1,230,461

Swedish Krona settling 7/13/12

     414,927         60,794,274         59,960,479         (833,795

Deutsche Bank AG London:

           

Great British Pound settling 7/13/12

     26,011         41,146,801         40,736,149         (410,652

New Zealand Dollar settling 7/13/12

     13,620         11,060,257         10,894,960         (165,297

HSBC BankUSA:

           

Euro settling 7/13/12

     14,620         18,163,888         18,503,060         339,172   

Great British Pound settling 7/13/12

     13,471         21,329,173         21,097,100         (232,073

Japanese Yen settling 10/15/12

     475,844         5,995,489         5,961,615         (33,874

Royal Bank of Canada:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 7/13/12

     3,338         3,300,376         3,277,940         (22,436

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:

           

Japanese Yen settling 7/13/12

     4,168,790         52,627,599         52,159,690         (467,909

State Street Bank and Trust Co.:

           

Swiss Franc settling 7/13/12

     31,317         33,069,030         33,002,300         (66,730

UBS AG:

           

Euro settling 7/13/12

     5,336         7,009,850         6,753,237         (256,613

Swiss Franc settling 7/13/12

     45,464             50,339,424             47,910,609         (2,428,815

Westpac Banking Corp.:

           

Japanese Yen settling 10/15/12

     1,681,261         21,277,207         21,063,690         (213,517

Sale Contracts

           

Barclays Bank PLC Wholselale:

           

Euro settling 7/13/12

     26,124         33,119,354         33,062,513         56,841   

Citibank NA:

           

Swiss Franc settling 7/13/12

     59,453         62,988,881         62,652,417         336,464   

Credit Suisse London Branch (GFX):

           

Australian Dollar settling 7/13/12

     22,769         22,331,058         23,281,983         (950,925

Norwegian Krone settling 7/13/12

     90,471         14,888,940         15,203,220         (314,280

Deutsche Bank AG London:

           

Australian Dollar settling 7/13/12

     74,769         77,006,088         76,453,537         552,551   

Euro settling 10/15/12

     23,873         29,857,961         30,243,060         (385,099

Japanese Yen settling 7/13/12

     2,000,797         24,692,052         25,033,871         (341,819

Goldman Sachs International:

           

Norwegian Krone settling 7/13/12

     19,607         3,405,146         3,294,863         110,283   

Swedish Krona settling 7/13/12

     31,474         4,644,252         4,548,261         95,991   

Royal Bank of Canada:

           

Canadian Dollar settling 7/13/12

     30,081         29,922,114         29,539,755         382,359   

Swedish Krona settling 7/13/12

     34,867         4,828,676         5,038,578         (209,902

 

7


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Counterparty & Description    Contract
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $
Value on
Origination Date
     U.S. $
Value at
June 30, 2012
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Sale Contracts (continued)

           

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC:

           

Great British Pound settling 7/13/12

     12,132       $ 18,761,167       $ 19,000,075       $ (238,908

Swiss Franc settling 7/13/12

     17,328         19,075,297         18,260,493         814,804   

Standard Chartered Bank:

           

Japanese Yen settling 7/13/12

     11,606,389           139,684,547           145,218,552         (5,534,005

UBS AG:

           

Australian Dollar settling 7/13/12

     3,293         3,386,752         3,367,191         19,561   

Euro settling 7/13/12

     62,632         82,065,770         79,267,008         2,798,762   

Westpac Banking Corp.:

           

New Zealand Dollar settling 7/13/12

     29,064         23,556,663         23,248,980         307,683   
           

 

 

 
            $   (10,164,132
           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $1,161,194,118)

   $ 1,062,053,841 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $59,746,259—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $59,746,259)

     59,746,259   

Cash

     761,670 (b) 

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $7,708,158)

     7,653,260   

Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     6,829,685   

Dividends and interest receivable

     6,625,360   

Receivable for investment securities sold and foreign currency transactions

     2,514,279   

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

     505,635   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     205,876   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,146,895,865   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     59,746,259   

Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts

     16,993,817   

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions

     7,062,846   

Advisory fee payable

     645,098   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     562,451   

Distribution fee payable

     205,439   

Administrative fee payable

     14,553   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     154   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     427,399   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     85,658,016   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 1,061,237,849   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 92,726   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,255,769,786   

Undistributed net investment income

     14,481,251   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (1,100,291,462

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

     (108,814,452
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,061,237,849   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $ 46,988,825           4,065,974         $ 11.56   

B

     $   1,014,249,024           88,659,579         $   11.44   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $57,775,543 (see Note E).

 

(b)   An amount of $761,670 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for open futures contracts outstanding at June 30, 2012.

See notes to financial statements.

 

9


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $2,380,372)

   $ 26,026,116   

Affiliated issuers

     48,633   

Interest

     1,904   

Securities lending income

     1,193,751   
  

 

 

 
     27,270,404   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     4,272,314   

Distribution fee—Class B

     1,353,922   

Transfer agency—Class A

     116   

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,239   

Custodian

     151,404   

Printing

     67,950   

Audit

     39,991   

Administrative

     25,343   

Legal

     23,349   

Directors’ fees

     1,941   

Miscellaneous

     23,525   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     5,962,094   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     21,308,310   
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     (45,168,713

Futures contracts

     (219,098

Options written

     1,246,998   

Foreign currency transactions

     1,547,280   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     42,261,491 (a) 

Futures contracts

     409,294   

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     (11,665,119
  

 

 

 

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (11,587,867
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 9,720,443   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains taxes of $3,779.

See notes to financial statements.

 

10


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 21,308,310      $ 29,160,097   

Net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (42,593,533     (10,266,028

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

     31,005,666        (276,094,522
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     9,720,443        (257,200,453

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (3,148,264

Class B

     –0 –      (46,818,834

Tax return of capital

    

Class A

     –0 –      (39,373

Class B

     –0 –      (585,535

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (43,769,801     (27,178,898

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

    

Proceeds from third party regulatory settlement (see Note F)

     –0 –      (37,567
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (34,049,358     (335,008,924

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     1,095,287,207        1,430,296,131   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $14,481,251 and distributions in excess of net investment income of ($6,827,059), respectively)

   $ 1,061,237,849      $ 1,095,287,207   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

11


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred between the close of the foreign markets and the time at which the Portfolio values its securities which may materially affect the value of securities trading in such markets. To account for this, the Portfolio may frequently value many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

2. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Investments in Securities:

        

Assets:

        

Common Stocks:

        

Financials

   $ 8,123,158      $ 209,746,295      $ –0 –    $ 217,869,453   

Consumer Discretionary

     7,711,821        140,761,123        –0 –      148,472,944   

Energy

     8,871,327        137,129,979        –0 –      146,001,306   

Materials

     14,342,076        87,809,464        –0 –      102,151,540   

Health Care

     –0 –      89,737,872        –0 –      89,737,872   

Telecommunication Services

     –0 –      86,161,751        –0 –      86,161,751   

Industrials

     –0 –      67,353,260        –0 –      67,353,260   

Information Technology

     –0 –      66,232,966        –0 –      66,232,966   

Consumer Staples

     –0 –      57,608,583        –0 –      57,608,583   

Utilities

     –0 –      33,328,918        –0 –      33,328,918   

Short-Term Investments

     –0 –      47,135,248        –0 –      47,135,248   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

     59,746,259        –0 –      –0 –      59,746,259   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     98,794,641        1,023,005,459     –0 –      1,121,800,100   

Other Financial Instruments* :

        

Assets:

        

Futures Contracts

     547,584        –0 –      –0 –      547,584

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      6,829,685        –0 –      6,829,685   

Liabilities:

        

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     –0 –      (16,993,817     –0 –      (16,993,817
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 99,342,225      $ 1,012,841,327      $ –0 –    $ 1,112,183,552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

+   A significant portion of the Portfolio’s foreign equity investments are categorized as Level 2 investments since they are valued using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available, see Note A.1.

 

#   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

13


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively (the “Expense Caps”). The Expense Caps extend through May 1, 2013 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one year terms. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, there was no such reimbursement.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $25,343.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $872,929, of which $0 and $1,307, 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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 or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 233,089,049       $ 294,940,999   

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

   $ 62,570,684   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (161,710,961
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (99,140,277
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Portfolio bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may 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”.

 

15


INTERNATIONAL VALUE 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. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures contracts is generally less than privately negotiated futures contracts, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, provides a guarantee of performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin requirements). 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.

Use of long futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held futures contracts for non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Portfolio may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sale 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 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 unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Option Transactions

For hedging and investment 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. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.

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

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held purchased options for hedging purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held written options for hedging purposes.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had the following transactions in written options:

 

       Number of
Contracts
     Premiums Received  

Options written outstanding as of 12/31/11

       –0 –     $ –0 – 

Options written

       53,200         1,366,053   

Options expired

       –0 –       –0 – 

Options bought back

       (53,200      (1,366,053

Options exercised

       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options written outstanding as of 06/30/12

       –0 –     $ –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Documentation governing the Portfolio’s OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount of $6,753,138. If a trigger event had occurred at June 30, 2012, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an amount of $6,753,138 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.

At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

 

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities

Location

  Fair Value    

Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 6,829,685      Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts   $ 16,993,817   

Equity contracts

  Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures contracts     547,584    
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $ 7,377,269        $ 16,993,817   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

*   Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the portfolio of investments.

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
     Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign exchange contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities    $ 1,866,766       $ (11,751,648

 

17


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written    $ 1,246,998      $ –0 – 

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments      (5,766,270     –0 – 

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts      (219,098     409,294   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (2,871,604   $ (11,342,354
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the average monthly principal amount of foreign currency exchange contracts was $802,193,785 and the average monthly original value of futures contracts was $11,556,657. For three months of the period, the average monthly cost of purchased options contracts was $7,528,701.

2. 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 other 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 : Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $57,775,543 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $59,746,259. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $1,193,751 and $48,633 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2011

(000)

   Purchases
at Cost
(000)
     Sales
Proceeds
(000)
     Market Value
June 30, 2012
(000)
     Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$35,009    $ 522,797       $ 498,060       $ 59,746       $ 49   

NOTE F : 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    339,424        1,263,722        $ 4,192,707      $ 17,627,302   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      251,905          –0 –      3,187,638   

Shares redeemed

    (1,665,288     (3,122,480       (20,203,413     (44,808,960
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,325,864     (1,606,853     $ (16,010,706   $ (23,994,020
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    5,575,701        11,078,334        $ 65,138,989      $ 146,348,238   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      3,808,040          –0 –      47,404,368   

Shares redeemed

    (7,578,693     (14,009,848       (92,898,084     (196,937,484
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (2,002,992     876,526        $ (27,759,095   $ (3,184,878
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Portfolio reversed a prior period accrual in the amount of $37,567 related to a third-party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading during the year ended December 31, 2011. 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 G : 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

 

19


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE H : Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I : Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

     2011      2010  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $ 49,967,098       $ 39,740,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

     49,967,098         39,740,381   

Tax return of capital

     624,908         –0 – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 50,592,006       $ 39,740,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital and other losses

   $ (1,031,483,019 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (172,862,087 )(b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (1,204,345,106
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $1,018,841,094. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a qualified late-year loss deferral of $3,217,884, a post-October short-term capital loss deferral of $7,569,063 and a post-October long-term capital loss deferral of $1,854,978 which are deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

(b)   The differences 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 passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $1,018,841,094 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM
AMOUNT
       LONG-TERM
AMOUNT
       EXPIRATION
$   41,335,504           n/a         2016
  917,130,062           n/a         2017
  50,169,345           n/a         2018
  706,426         $ 9,499,757         No expiration

NOTE J : Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE K : Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

21


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,  2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.50        $14.90        $14.70        $11.05        $25.14        $24.96   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .24        .36        .27        .29        .54        .43   

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

    (.18     (3.19     .39†        3.54        (13.15     1.07   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .06        (2.83     .66        3.83        (12.61     1.50   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.56     (.46     (.18     (.23     (.31

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (1.25     (1.01

Tax return of capital

    –0 –      (.01     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.57     (.46     (.18     (1.48     (1.32
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.56        $11.50        $14.90        $14.70        $11.05        $25.14   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    .52     (19.25 )%      4.59     34.68     (53.18 )%      5.84
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $46,989        $62,003        $104,274        $179,342        $155,183        $219,691   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .81 %(c)      .82     .85 %(d)      .83     .81     .81

Net investment income

    3.87 %(c)      2.55     1.94 %(d)      2.40     2.98     1.68

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     62     52     52     36     23

 

 

See footnote summary on page 23.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

 

    CLASS B  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,  2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.40        $14.77        $14.54        $10.93        $24.88        $24.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .23        .31        .24        .28        .50        .36   

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

    (.19     (3.14     .38†        3.47        (13.02     1.06   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .04        (2.83     .62        3.75        (12.52     1.42   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.53     (.39     (.14     (.18     (.27

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (1.25     (1.01

Tax return of capital

    –0 –      (.01     –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.54     (.39     (.14     (1.43     (1.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.44        $11.40        $14.77        $14.54        $10.93        $24.88   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    .35     (19.44 )%      4.30     34.36     (53.28 )%      5.58
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $1,014        $1,033        $1,326        $1,708        $1,659        $2,818   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.06 %(c)      1.07     1.10 %(d)      1.08     1.06     1.06

Net investment income

    3.73 %(c)      2.23     1.73 %(d)      2.38     2.77     1.41

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     62     52     52     36     23

 

 

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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.

 

  Due to the timing of sales and repurchase of capital shares, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share is not in accord with the Portfolio’s change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions for the period.

See notes to financial statements.

 

23


 
INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with 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 February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1- and 5-year periods, in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, and 3rd out of 3 of the Performance Group and in the 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the since inception period and lagged the Index in all other periods. The directors noted that all reference points showed negative results in the 1- and 5-year periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA International Value Funds Average and the Index.

The directors noted that they had discussed with the Adviser their concerns about the relative performance of the Portfolio. The directors took into account the Adviser’s recent restructuring of the Adviser’s research and portfolio management teams and investment process changes that are intended to improve the investment performance of its equity services. The Adviser had stated its belief that, in the case of its value funds, it had adhered to its rigorous process for value investing during a period when value investing had not generally obtained favorable returns. The Adviser believed that other managers of value funds may not pursue value characteristics to the same degree as the Adviser, and that their funds’ short-term performance may have benefited from style drift. The Adviser also reiterated its conviction that, over the long term, rigorous value investing would yield superior investment returns. The directors were satisfied with the Adviser’s explanation.

Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to manage the Portfolio. The directors determined to continue to monitor the Portfolio’s performance closely.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s

 

25


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate than that being 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’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. 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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

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 similar 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 directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, Lipper had expanded the Expense Group of the Fund to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Expense Universe for the Portfolio had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the less than 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors 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 the 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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

26


 
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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
  Net Assets
3/31/12
($MIL)
    Portfolio

International

 

75 bp on first $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 1,206.9      International Value Portfolio

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

27


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $61,186 (0.005% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

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%

   

 

0.82%

1.07%

  

  

  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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

28


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

Portfolio    Net Assets
3/31/12
($MIL)
   AllianceBernstein
Institutional
Fee Schedule
   Effective
AB Inst.
Adv. Fee
     Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

International Value Portfolio

   $1,206.9   

International Value Schedule

80 bp on first $25m

60 bp on the next $25m

50 bp on the next $50m

40 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.417      0.750

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein International Value Fund, Inc. (“International Value Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of International Value Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule   ABMF
Effective
Fee
    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee
 

International Value Portfolio

  International Value 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 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 sub-advisory relationships that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2012 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule   Effective
Sub-Adv.
Fee(%)
    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee(%)
 

International Value Portfolio

  Client # 1  

0.75% bp on first $50 million

0.60% bp on next $15 million

0.50% bp on next $70 million

0.40% bp on the balance

    0.423        0.750   
 

Client #27

  0.60% of average daily net assets     0.600        0.750   
 

Client #3

 

0.35% on the first $1 billion

0.325 % on the balance

    0.346        0.750   
 

Client #4

 

0.22% on the first $1 billion

0.18% on the next $1.5 billion

0.16% on the balance

+/- Performance Fee (v. ACWI ex U.S.)

    0.213 8      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

 

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

 

6   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

7   The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

8   The sub-advised fund’s sub-advisory fee shown does not include any performance fee adjustment.

 

29


INTERNATIONAL VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationships are paying a lower fee than the Portfolios, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolios and the sub-advisory relationships. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

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.9 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.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. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective as the Portfolio.11

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee12
       Lipper Exp.
Group
Median (%)
       Rank  

International Value Portfolio

     0.750           0.755           5/12   

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

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 in the table below.

 

Portfolio    Expense
Ratio
(%)15
     Lipper Exp.
Group
Median (%)
     Lipper
Group
Rank
     Lipper Exp.
Universe
Median (%)
     Lipper
Universe
Rank
 

International Value Portfolio

     0.819         0.842         3/12         0.996         10/82   

 

9   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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 Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, five other VIP International Value funds (“IFVE”), three VIP International Growth funds (“IFGE”) and three VIP International Core funds (“IFCE”).

 

12   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 waiver or expense cap that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

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

 

14   The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP IFVE, IFGE and IFCE funds, excluding outliers.

 

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

 

30


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

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 2011, relative to 2010.

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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $3,038,287 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $7,252,929 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,310 from the Portfolio.16

The Portfolio effected brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) and/or its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and paid commissions 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.

 

16   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

31


INTERNATIONAL VALUE 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,17 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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli18 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.19 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, the Adviser has the investment experience to manage and provide non-investment services (described in Section I) to the Portfolio.

 

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

 

18   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

19   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

20   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

32


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The information prepared by Lipper shows the 1, 3, 5 and 10 year performance returns and rankings of the Portfolio21 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)22 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.23

 

     Fund     PG
Median
    PU
Median
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

International Value Portfolio

         

1 year

    –13.97        –8.46        –10.07        6/6        19/23   

3 year

    18.46        19.75        19.98        4/6        15/20   

5 year

    –8.43        –2.14        –3.19        6/6        15/15   

10 year

    5.70        6.28        6.28        3/3        7/11   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 and 10 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

 

    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

   

10

Year

(%)

    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized      Risk
Period
(Year)
 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
    

International Value Portfolio

    13.97        18.46      8.43        5.70        5.17        22.09        0.28         10   

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

    –17.45        19.74      2.93        6.31        3.77        18.69        0.32         10   

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: May 25, 2012

 

21   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

22   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 is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU.

 

23   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 February 29, 2012.

 

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 viewed as more risky than a portfolio with equivalent performance but lower volatility; for that reason, a greater return would be demanded for the more risky portfolio. A portfolio with a higher Sharpe Ratio would be viewed as better performing than a portfolio with a lower Sharpe Ratio.

 

33


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $ 1,093.40       $ 4.42         0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $   1,020.64       $   4.27         0.85
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,092.10       $ 5.72         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


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Apple, Inc.

   $ 28,694,840               8.0

Walt Disney Co. (The)

     13,556,235           3.8   

Google, Inc.—Class A

     13,469,225           3.8   

Schlumberger Ltd.

     12,368,276           3.5   

Danaher Corp.

     11,905,071           3.3   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     11,226,758           3.2   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     10,194,327           2.9   

Oracle Corp.

     9,079,290           2.5   

Citrix Systems, Inc.

     8,861,546           2.5   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.—Class A

     8,646,000           2.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   128,001,568           35.9

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Technology

   $   117,696,580           32.8

Consumer Discretionary

     65,591,225           18.3   

Energy

     45,054,353           12.6   

Health Care

     42,229,421           11.8   

Producer Durables

     38,491,976           10.7   

Financial Services

     15,585,917           4.4   

Materials & Processing

     14,783,459           4.1   

Consumer Staples

     7,059,982           2.0   

Short-Term Investments

     11,960,077           3.3   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   358,452,990           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.

Please note: The sector breakdown is classified in the above chart and throughout this report according to the Russell sector classification scheme. The Russell Sector scheme was developed by Russell Investments. Russell classifies index members into industries that most closely describe the nature of its business and its primary economic orientation. Multiple resources are used to obtain overall information about the company. Additional Russell sector scheme information can be found within Russell Index methodology documents available on Russell.com. 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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–97.2%

   
   

TECHNOLOGY–33.0%

   

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY–3.2%

   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    201,630      $ 11,226,758   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTER SERVICES, SOFTWARE & SYSTEMS–19.3%

   

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

    62,672        3,955,230   

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

    105,570        8,861,546   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a)

    144,100        8,646,000   

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

    54,620        5,437,967   

Google, Inc.–Class A(a)

    23,220        13,469,225   

Informatica Corp.(a)

    58,260        2,467,894   

Intuit, Inc.

    116,480        6,913,088   

LinkedIn Corp.(a)(b)

    21,740        2,310,310   

Oracle Corp.

    305,700        9,079,290   

Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)

    15,250        2,108,465   

TIBCO Software, Inc.(a)

    185,472        5,549,322   
   

 

 

 
      68,798,337   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY–9.0%

   

Apple, Inc.(a)

    49,135        28,694,840   

EMC Corp./MA(a)

    136,123        3,488,833   
   

 

 

 
      32,183,673   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & COMPONENT–1.5%

   

Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a)

    74,394        2,514,517   

Xilinx, Inc.

    88,570        2,973,295   
   

 

 

 
      5,487,812   
   

 

 

 
      117,696,580   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–18.4%

   

AUTO PARTS–0.7%

   

BorgWarner, Inc.(a)

    36,986        2,425,912   
   

 

 

 

CABLE TELEVISION SERVICES–2.0%

   

Comcast Corp.–Class A

    221,620        7,085,191   
   

 

 

 

CASINOS & GAMBLING–1.5%

   

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    119,710        5,206,188   
   

 

 

 

COSMETICS–0.7%

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The)–Class A

    49,960        2,703,835   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED RETAIL–1.7%

   

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    14,494        3,309,705   

Dollar General Corp.(a)

    52,842        2,874,076   
   

 

 

 
      6,183,781   
   

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT–3.8%

   

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    279,510        13,556,235   
   

 

 

 

LEISURE TIME–1.0%

   

priceline.com, Inc.(a)

    5,210        3,462,149   
   

 

 

 
   

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES & BOATS–0.7%

   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    54,800      $ 2,506,004   
   

 

 

 

RESTAURANTS–2.1%

   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.–Class A(a)

    6,230        2,367,089   

Starbucks Corp.

    98,745        5,265,083   
   

 

 

 
      7,632,172   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & SHOES–4.2%

   

Coach, Inc.

    97,850        5,722,268   

PVH Corp.

    52,015        4,046,247   

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    14,660        2,053,280   

VF Corp.

    22,540        3,007,963   
   

 

 

 
      14,829,758   
   

 

 

 
      65,591,225   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–12.6%

   

OIL WELL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–9.2%

   

FMC Technologies, Inc.(a)

    60,995        2,392,834   

Halliburton Co.

    256,660        7,286,578   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    88,710        5,716,472   

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    108,836        5,208,891   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    190,545        12,368,276   
   

 

 

 
      32,973,051   
   

 

 

 

OIL: CRUDE PRODUCERS–3.4%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    31,860        2,109,132   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    47,615        4,290,587   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    66,984        5,681,583   
   

 

 

 
      12,081,302   
   

 

 

 
      45,054,353   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–11.8%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–0.8%

   

Biogen Idec, Inc.(a)

    18,900        2,728,782   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES–2.8%

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    174,262        10,194,327   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE SERVICES–1.8%

   

Express Scripts Holding Co.(a)

    54,383        3,036,203   

McKesson Corp.

    35,680        3,345,000   
   

 

 

 
      6,381,203   
   

 

 

 

MEDICAL & DENTAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES–0.8%

   

Stryker Corp.

    52,690        2,903,219   
   

 

 

 

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT–2.4%

   

Covidien PLC

    116,455        6,230,343   

Illumina, Inc.(a)(b)

    61,055        2,466,011   
   

 

 

 
      8,696,354   
   

 

 

 

 

3


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

PHARMACEUTICALS–3.2%

   

Allergan, Inc./United States

    64,715      $ 5,990,667   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    54,360        2,787,581   

Perrigo Co.

    21,600        2,547,288   
   

 

 

 
      11,325,536   
   

 

 

 
      42,229,421   
   

 

 

 

PRODUCER DURABLES–10.8%

   

AEROSPACE–1.6%

   

Boeing Co. (The)

    79,040        5,872,672   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS–4.5%

   

Danaher Corp.

    228,592        11,905,071   

Dover Corp.

    75,840        4,065,783   
   

 

 

 
      15,970,854   
   

 

 

 

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS: CONTROL & FILTER–2.2%

   

Flowserve Corp.

    24,061        2,761,000   

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    37,015        2,445,211   

Roper Industries, Inc.

    25,240        2,488,159   
   

 

 

 
      7,694,370   
   

 

 

 

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS: ELECTRICAL–2.5%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    48,904        2,440,799   

Emerson Electric Co.

    139,830        6,513,281   
   

 

 

 
      8,954,080   
   

 

 

 
      38,491,976   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIAL SERVICES–4.4%

   

ASSET MANAGEMENT & CUSTODIAN–0.9%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

    27,780        3,040,521   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–1.5%

   

Blackstone Group LP

    260,444        3,404,003   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    21,585        2,069,138   
   

 

 

 
      5,473,141   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIAL DATA & SYSTEMS–1.4%

   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    41,030        5,072,539   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE–0.6%

   

CBRE Group, Inc.(a)

    122,232        1,999,716   
   

 

 

 
      15,585,917   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS & PROCESSING–4.2%

   

COPPER–0.6%

   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    60,770        2,070,434   
   

 

 

 

FERTILIZERS–1.4%

   

Monsanto Co.

    61,654        5,103,718   
   

 

 

 
   

METAL FABRICATING–2.2%

   

Precision Castparts Corp.

    46,260      $ 7,609,307   
   

 

 

 
      14,783,459   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–2.0%

   

FOODS–1.0%

   

Hershey Co. (The)

    48,320        3,480,490   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–1.0%

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    41,021        3,579,492   
   

 

 

 
      7,059,982   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $325,223,775)

      346,492,913   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.3%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–3.3%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $11,960,077)

  $   11,960        11,960,077   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–100.5%
(cost $337,183,852)

      358,452,990   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–1.2%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–1.2%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c)
(cost $4,166,900)

    4,166,900        4,166,900   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.7%
(cost $341,350,752)

      362,619,890   

Other assets less liabilities–(1.7)%

      (6,088,090
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 356,531,800   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $337,183,852)

   $ 358,452,990 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $4,166,900—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $4,166,900)

     4,166,900   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     3,478,761   

Dividends and interest receivable

     247,209   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     59,243   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     366,405,103   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for investment securities purchased

     4,830,409   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     4,166,900   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     507,148   

Advisory fee payable

     222,881   

Distribution fee payable

     40,240   

Administrative fee payable

     18,206   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     157   

Accrued expenses

     87,362   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     9,873,303   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 356,531,800   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 12,320   

Additional paid-in capital

     414,880,330   

Undistributed net investment income

     425,105   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (80,055,093

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     21,269,138   
  

 

 

 
   $ 356,531,800   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $ 163,397,353           5,563,182         $ 29.37   

B

     $   193,134,447           6,756,932         $   28.58   

 

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $4,212,881 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $4,676)

   $ 1,904,715   

Affiliated issuers

     2,861   

Interest

     496   

Securities lending income

     4,824   
  

 

 

 
     1,912,896   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,414,446   

Distribution fee—Class B

     254,823   

Transfer agency—Class A

     2,234   

Transfer agency—Class B

     2,629   

Custodian

     60,168   

Printing

     49,910   

Administrative

     29,297   

Legal

     18,908   

Audit

     18,397   

Directors’ fees

     1,959   

Miscellaneous

     5,911   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,858,682   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     54,214   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     2,013,844   

Options written

     2,170,126   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     30,992,664   

Options written

     (1,244,948
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     33,931,686   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 33,985,900   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 54,214      $ 779,137   

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     4,183,970        25,829,747   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     29,747,716        (38,119,585
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     33,985,900        (11,510,701

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (618,044

Class B

     –0 –      (187,529

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (38,836,954     (50,797,734
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (4,851,054     (63,114,008

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     361,382,854        424,496,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $425,105 and $370,891, respectively)

   $ 356,531,800      $ 361,382,854   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks*

     $ 346,492,913       $ –0 –     $ –0 –     $ 346,492,913   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       11,960,077         –0 –       11,960,077   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       4,166,900         –0 –       –0 –       4,166,900   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       350,659,813         11,960,077         –0 –       362,619,890   

Other Financial Instruments**

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 350,659,813       $ 11,960,077       $             –0 –     $ 362,619,890   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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

 

9


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $29,297.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $270,592, of which $0 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $ 195,957,941       $ 239,159,930   

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 written options) are as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 34,608,524   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (13,339,386
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 21,269,138   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The principal type of derivatives utilized by the Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Option Transactions

For hedging and investment 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. Among other things, the Portfolio may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.

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 selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held purchased options for hedging purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio held written options for hedging purposes.

 

11


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had the following transactions in written options:

 

     Number of
Contracts
    Premiums Received  

Options written outstanding as of 12/31/11

     515      $ 3,042,253   

Options written

     3,706        391,736   

Options expired

     (301     (72,088

Options bought back

     (988     (3,150,276

Options exercised

     (2,932     (211,625
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options written outstanding as of 06/30/12

     –0 –    $ –0 – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Documentation governing the Portfolio’s OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolio’s counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had no OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions.

At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had entered into the following derivatives:

The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives

   Realized Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments    $ (4,524,730   $ 2,845,820   

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of options written      2,170,126        (1,244,948
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ (2,354,604   $ 1,600,872   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

For two months of the period, the average monthly cost of purchased options contracts was $5,596,296.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $4,212,881 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $4,166,900. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $4,824 and $2,861 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2011

(000)

    Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30, 2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$ 1,525      $ 31,197      $ 28,555      $ 4,167      $ 3   

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    48,742        147,718        $ 1,433,337      $ 4,187,909   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      21,343          –0 –      618,044   

Shares redeemed

    (689,596     (1,197,862       (20,474,907     (33,506,926
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (640,854     (1,028,801     $ (19,041,570   $ (28,700,973
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    220,040        828,556        $ 6,320,377      $ 22,736,245   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      7,084          –0 –      187,529   

Shares redeemed

    (903,015     (1,649,135       (26,115,761     (45,020,535
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (682,975     (813,495     $ (19,795,384   $ (22,096,761
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

 

13


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Focused Portfolio Risk—Investments in a limited number of companies may have more risk because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Portfolio’s NAV.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 805,573         $ 1,551,902   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

       805,573           1,551,902   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $ 805,573         $ 1,551,902   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 757,963   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (84,349,734 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (8,754,979 )(b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (92,346,750
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $81,027,091. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $25,652,662 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. The Portfolio also had $141,453,681 of capital loss carryforwards expire during the fiscal year. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a post-October short-term capital loss deferral of $2,513,571 and a post-October long-term capital loss deferral of $809,072, which are deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

(b)   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 partnership investments, and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $81,027,091 which will expire as follows:

 

Short-Term
Amount

    Long-Term
Amount
    Expiration  
$ 52,077,408        n/a        2016   
  28,949,683        n/a        2017   

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

15


 
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,  2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $26.86        $27.79        $25.36        $18.47        $30.61        $26.87   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    .02        .09        .07        .10        .04        (.01

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

    2.49        (.93     2.48        6.82        (12.18     3.75   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    2.51        (.84     2.55        6.92        (12.14     3.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.09     (.12     (.03     –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $29.37        $26.86        $27.79        $25.36        $18.47        $30.61   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)*

    9.34     (3.04 )%      10.10     37.52     (39.66 )%      13.92
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $163,397        $166,654        $200,977        $211,940        $181,452        $395,655   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .85 %(c)      .84     .85 %(d)      .88     .84     .82

Net investment income (loss)

    .16 %(c)      .33     .29 %(d)      .47     .17     (.03 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    54     89     105     97     89     92

 

 

 

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, 2012

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $26.17        $27.08        $24.72        $18.03        $29.96        $26.37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (loss) (a)

    (.01     .02        .01        .04        (.02     (.08

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

    2.42        (.91     2.42        6.65        (11.91     3.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    2.41        (.89     2.43        6.69        (11.93     3.59   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.02     (.07     –0 –      –0 –      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $28.58        $26.17        $27.08        $24.72        $18.03        $29.96   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)*

    9.21     (3.27 )%      9.83     37.10     (39.82 )%      13.61
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $193,135        $194,729        $223,520        $233,460        $192,976        $393,537   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.10 %(c)      1.09     1.10 %(d)      1.13     1.09     1.07

Net investment income (loss)

    (.09 )%(c)      .08     .04 %(d)      .22     (.08 )%      (.27 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    54     89     105     97     89     92

 

 

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 by 0.55%, 0.46%, 0.58%, 1.96%, 2.10% and 0.39%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


 
LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with 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 the Performance Universe for the 1- and 10-year periods, in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and 5th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in the since inception period and lagged the Index in all other periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had essentially matched the Lipper VA Large Cap Growth Funds Average and outperformed the Index.

The directors noted that they had discussed with the Adviser their concerns about the relative performance of the Portfolio. The directors took into account the Adviser’s recent restructuring of the Adviser’s research and portfolio management teams and investment process changes that are intended to improve the investment performance of its equity services.

Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to manage the Portfolio.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate than that being 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’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising a registered investment company with a similar investment style. The directors noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Portfolio is the same as that for its Corresponding Fund.

 

19


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients and sub-advised funds. The Adviser also noted that 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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

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 similar 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 noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 2 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, and that as a result the rate of the compensation received by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was similar to the Expense Group median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was acceptable, although they noted that it was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians, and they asked the Adviser to consider measures to reduce it.

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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

20


 
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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Growth

 

75 bp on first $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 396.9      Large Cap Growth Portfolio

 

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

21


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $61,194 (0.02% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

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

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio        Fiscal Year  

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     Class A    0.84        December 31   
     Class B    1.09     

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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio.4 In

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   $396.9   

Large Cap Growth Schedule

80 bp on first $25m

50 bp on the next $25m

40 bp on the next $50m

30 bp on the next $100m

25 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.332      0.750

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund   Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory
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 fees set forth for American Growth Portfolio, which is a Luxembourg fund that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio.

 

Fund    Fee7  

American Growth Portfolio Class A

     1.50

Class I (Institutional)

     0.70

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 sub-advisory relationship that has a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown is the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationship been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2012 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee (%)

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

  Client # 1  

0.35% on the first $50 million

0.30% on the next $100 million

0.25% on the balance

    0.275%        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 Portfolio by the Adviser.

 

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

 

6   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

7   It should be noted that Class A shares of the fund are charged an “all-in” fee, which includes investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

23


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationship is paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such a lower fee due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

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.8 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.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 Exp.
Group

Median (%)

     Rank  

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.750         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 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 Exp.
Group

Median (%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper Exp.
Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     0.841         0.825         10/14         0.793         57/81   

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

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE 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.

 

8   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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

 

10   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waiver or expense cap 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   Most recently completed fiscal year end Class A total expense ratio.

 

24


    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 2011, relative to 2010.

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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $535,505 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $1,605,724 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,311 from the Portfolio.13

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” and pay commissions during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future 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, 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

 

13  

The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

14  

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

 

25


LARGE CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli15 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.16 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio18 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)19 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.20

 

      Fund        PG
Median
       PU
Median
       PG
Rank
       PU
Rank
 

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

                      

1 year

     1.90           4.17           5.03           12/13           84/96   

3 year

     23.09           24.76           25.31           10/13           73/91   

5 year

     2.80           3.30           3.63           9/10           63/83   

10 year

     3.08           3.71           3.97           9/10           56/64   

 

15   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

16   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

17   The two dimensional analysis 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. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

19   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 is somewhat different from that of an EG/EU.

 

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

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)21 versus its benchmarks.22 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown23

 

    

Periods Ending February 29, 2012

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

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

Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    1.89        23.09        2.80        3.08        8.36        17.46        0.15        10   

Russell 1000 Growth Index

    7.62        27.51        4.54        4.30        7.68        16.34        0.22        10   

Inception Date: June 26, 1992

               

CONCLUSION:

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

Dated: May 25, 2012

 

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 February 29, 2012.

 

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 viewed 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 Real Estate Investment Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,152.90       $   4.66         0.87

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,020.54       $   4.37         0.87
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,151.60       $   5.99         1.12

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $   1,000       $   1,019.29       $   5.62         1.12

 

 

 

*   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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

   $ 8,715,403           10.7

American Tower Corp.

     5,104,828           6.3   

Ventas, Inc.

     3,440,671           4.2   

Equity Residential

     3,279,512           4.0   

Boston Properties, Inc.

     2,855,441           3.5   

Vornado Realty Trust

     2,766,301           3.4   

Public Storage

     2,765,452           3.4   

Weyerhaeuser Co.

     2,523,326           3.1   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     2,405,160           2.9   

HCP, Inc.

     2,316,109           2.8   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   36,172,203           44.3

INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

INDUSTRY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Diversified/Specialty

   $ 15,889,989           19.5

Regional Mall

     11,966,147           14.7   

Multi-Family

     10,293,103           12.7   

Health Care

     9,582,022           11.8   

Office

     8,125,742           10.0   

Lodging

     8,077,736           9.9   

Shopping Center/Other Retail

     6,463,256           7.9   

Self Storage

     5,592,139           6.9   

Industrial Warehouse Distribution

     2,985,287           3.7   

Triple Net

     1,798,131           2.2   

Student Housing

     598,098           0.7   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   81,371,650           100.0

 

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s industry breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.

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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.7%

   

EQUITY: OTHER–33.4%

   

DIVERSIFIED/SPECIALTY–19.5%

  

 

American Tower Corp.

    73,020      $ 5,104,829   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.(a)

    23,960        1,798,677   

Duke Realty Corp.

    75,380        1,103,563   

Lexington Realty Trust(a)

    95,900        812,273   

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    20,150        799,955   

Rayonier, Inc.

    21,850        981,065   

Vornado Realty Trust

    32,940        2,766,301   

Weyerhaeuser Co.(a)

    112,850        2,523,326   
   

 

 

 
      15,889,989   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–11.7%

   

HCP, Inc.

    52,460        2,316,109   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    36,961        2,154,826   

LTC Properties, Inc.

    16,900        613,132   

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    18,520        416,700   

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    28,700        640,584   

Ventas, Inc.

    54,510        3,440,671   
   

 

 

 
      9,582,022   
   

 

 

 

TRIPLE NET–2.2%

   

Entertainment Properties Trust

    5,050        207,606   

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    29,350        830,311   

Realty Income Corp.(a)

    18,200        760,214   
   

 

 

 
      1,798,131   
   

 

 

 
      27,270,142   
   

 

 

 

RETAIL–22.6%

   

REGIONAL MALL–14.7%

   

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.(a)

    26,932        526,251   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

    80,780        1,461,310   

Glimcher Realty Trust

    67,438        689,216   

Macerich Co. (The)(a)

    9,720        573,966   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    55,990        8,715,404   
   

 

 

 
      11,966,147   
   

 

 

 

SHOPPING CENTER/OTHER RETAIL–7.9%

   

DDR Corp.

    49,573        725,749   

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    11,200        1,165,808   

Kimco Realty Corp.

    29,600        563,288   

Regency Centers Corp.

    25,280        1,202,570   

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.(a)

    75,466        910,120   

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

    41,430        1,327,831   

Weingarten Realty Investors

    21,560        567,890   
   

 

 

 
      6,463,256   
   

 

 

 
      18,429,403   
   

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL–20.2%

   

MULTI-FAMILY–12.6%

   

Associated Estates Realty Corp.

    12,590        188,221   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    17,000        2,405,160   

BRE Properties, Inc.

    13,590        679,772   

Camden Property Trust

    13,865        938,245   

Equity Residential

    52,590        3,279,512   
   

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    6,050      $ 931,216   

Post Properties, Inc.

    9,690        474,325   

UDR, Inc.

    54,050        1,396,652   
   

 

 

 
      10,293,103   
   

 

 

 

SELF STORAGE–6.9%

   

CubeSmart

    33,000        385,110   

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    44,971        1,376,113   

Public Storage

    19,150        2,765,452   

Sovran Self Storage, Inc.

    21,271        1,065,464   
   

 

 

 
      5,592,139   
   

 

 

 

STUDENT HOUSING–0.7%

   

Education Realty Trust, Inc.

    53,980        598,098   
   

 

 

 
      16,483,340   
   

 

 

 

OFFICE–9.9%

   

OFFICE–9.9%

   

Boston Properties, Inc.

    26,349        2,855,441   

Brandywine Realty Trust

    25,310        312,325   

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    12,430        292,229   

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

    54,340        1,255,254   

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    24,584        1,190,112   

Liberty Property Trust(a)

    9,240        340,402   

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    15,290        444,480   

PS Business Parks, Inc.

    3,140        212,641   

SL Green Realty Corp.

    15,240        1,222,858   
   

 

 

 
      8,125,742   
   

 

 

 

LODGING–9.9%

   

LODGING–9.9%

   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.(b)

    222,105        1,043,893   

Hospitality Properties Trust

    8,940        221,444   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    71,060        1,124,169   

Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC

    34,900        840,200   

LaSalle Hotel Properties(a)

    45,297        1,319,955   

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

    45,120        1,051,747   

RLJ Lodging Trust

    18,850        341,751   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    7,780        412,651   

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.(b)

    166,230        1,073,846   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.(b)

    58,970        648,080   
   

 

 

 
      8,077,736   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–3.7%

   

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION–3.7%

   

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    13,370        712,621   

ProLogis, Inc.

    68,392        2,272,666   
   

 

 

 
      2,985,287   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–99.7%
(cost $66,682,883)

    $ 81,371,650   
   

 

 

 

 

3


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY
LOANED–5.3%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–5.3%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c) (cost $4,293,767)

    4,293,767      $ 4,293,767   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–105.0%
(cost $70,976,650)

      85,665,417   

Other assets less
liabilities–(5.0)%

      (4,049,774
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 81,615,643   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(b)   Non-income producing security.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust

See notes to financial statements.

 

4


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $66,682,883)

   $ 81,371,650 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $4,293,767—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $4,293,767)

     4,293,767   

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $7,330)

     7,473   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     3,392,555   

Dividends and interest receivable

     190,916   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     80,932   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     89,337,293   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     149,600   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     4,293,767   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     3,047,367   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     111,627   

Advisory fee payable

     36,678   

Administrative fee payable

     15,935   

Distribution fee payable

     3,005   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     146   

Accrued expenses

     63,525   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,721,650   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 81,615,643   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 6,111   

Additional paid-in capital

     51,425,493   

Undistributed net investment income

     1,935,255   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     13,559,874   

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

     14,688,910   
  

 

 

 
   $ 81,615,643   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $   66,842,769           5,005,982         $   13.35   

B

     $   14,772,874           1,104,979         $   13.37   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $4,271,378 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 1,247,695   

Affiliated issuers

     2,745   

Interest

     44   

Securities lending income

     3,404   
  

 

 

 
     1,253,888   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     221,202   

Distribution fee—Class B

     17,761   

Transfer agency—Class A

     918   

Transfer agency—Class B

     196   

Custodian

     44,226   

Administrative

     26,951   

Audit

     21,710   

Legal

     14,822   

Printing

     13,372   

Directors’ fees

     1,973   

Miscellaneous

     3,331   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     366,462   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     887,426   
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     4,319,233   

Foreign currency transactions

     (2,027

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:

  

Investments

     6,020,303   

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     224   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     10,337,733   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 11,225,159   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

  

 

Net investment income

   $ 887,426      $ 663,371   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     4,317,206        10,132,203   

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

     6,020,527        (4,144,270
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     11,225,159        6,651,304   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (926,394

Class B

     –0 –      (175,422

Net realized gain on investment transactions

    

Class A

     –0 –      (6,988,236

Class B

     –0 –      (1,581,076

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (6,238,366     (1,323,767
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     4,986,793        (4,343,591

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     76,628,850        80,972,441   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,935,255 and $1,047,829, respectively)

   $ 81,615,643      $ 76,628,850   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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. 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement

 

8


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

          

Equity: Other

     $ 27,270,142       $ –0 –     $             –0 –     $ 27,270,142   

Retail

       18,429,403         –0 –       –0 –       18,429,403   

Residential

       16,483,340         –0 –       –0 –       16,483,340   

Office

       8,125,742         –0 –       –0 –       8,125,742   

Lodging

       7,237,536         840,200         –0 –       8,077,736   

Industrials

       2,985,287         –0 –       –0 –       2,985,287   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       4,293,767         –0 –       –0 –       4,293,767   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       84,825,217         840,200         –0 –       85,665,417   

Other Financial Instruments*:

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 

Total

     $ 84,825,217       $ 840,200       $ –0 –     $ 85,665,417   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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

 

9


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $26,951.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $129,304, of which $0 and $70, 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In the event that the Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 51,538,089       $ 56,526,525   

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

   $ 14,780,909   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (92,142
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 14,688,767   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $4,271,378 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $4,293,767. The cash collateral will be

 

11


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $3,404 and $2,745 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31, 2011
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30,  2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$5,385   $ 20,266      $ 21,357      $ 4,294      $ 3   

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    233,330        508,434        $ 2,946,828      $ 5,874,945   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      663,422          –0 –      7,914,630   

Shares redeemed

    (677,455     (1,254,474       (8,439,803     (14,772,917
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (444,125     (82,618     $ (5,492,975   $ (983,342
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    101,553        195,142        $ 1,305,661      $ 2,318,319   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    –0 –      146,619          –0 –      1,756,498   

Shares redeemed

    (162,924     (377,447       (2,051,052     (4,415,242
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (61,371     (35,686     $ (745,391   $ (340,425
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 1,768,593         $ 931,194   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net long-term capital gains

       7,902,535           –0 – 
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     $ 9,671,128         $ 931,194   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,096,729   

Undistributed capital gains

     8,437,330   

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     8,424,821 (a) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 18,958,880   
  

 

 

 

 

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

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation. As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

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, 2012

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.58        $12.02        $9.64        $7.86        $16.23        $22.83   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .14        .11        .23        .19        .26        .22   

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

    1.63        1.02        2.30        1.98        (4.38     (2.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.77        1.13        2.53        2.17        (4.12     (2.69
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.18     (.15     (.23     (.26     (.30

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (1.39     –0 –      (.16     (3.99     (3.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (1.57     (.15     (.39     (4.25     (3.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.35        $11.58        $12.02        $9.64        $7.86        $16.23   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    15.29     9.03 %*      26.34     29.46     (35.68 )%      (14.53 )% 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $66,843        $63,093        $66,493        $38,317        $24,082        $50,015   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .87 %(c)      .88     .87 %(d)      1.25     1.01     .85

Net investment income

    2.25 %(c)      .91     2.15 %(d)      2.50     2.13     1.09

Portfolio turnover rate

    64     114     132     94     46     51

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 15.

 

14


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    CLASS B  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30,  2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.61        $12.05        $9.67        $7.86        $16.20        $22.80   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .13        .08        .20        .20        .22        .16   

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

    1.63        1.02        2.31        1.97        (4.37     (2.90
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.76        1.10        2.51        2.17        (4.15     (2.74
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.15     (.13     (.20     (.20     (.25

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      (1.39     –0 –      (.16     (3.99     (3.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (1.54     (.13     (.36     (4.19     (3.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.37        $11.61        $12.05        $9.67        $7.86        $16.20   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    15.16     8.75 %*      26.05     29.22     (35.82 )%      (14.76 )% 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $14,773        $13,536        $14,479        $12,517        $11,104        $22,281   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.12 %(c)      1.13     1.13 %(d)      1.53     1.26     1.10

Net investment income

    2.01 %(c)      .64     1.89 %(d)      2.67     1.83     .80

Portfolio turnover rate

    64     114     132     94     46     51

 

 

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2011 by 0.06%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

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 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds 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 direc-

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

tors 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 other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) Equity REIT Index (the “FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT 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 February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the since inception period (January 1997 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, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and 4th quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 3rd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 3rd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio lagged the FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index in the 3-year period but outperformed that index in all other periods. The Portfolio lagged the S&P 500 Stock Index in the 5-year period and outperformed that index in all other periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA Real Estate Funds Average and the FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index but lagged the S&P 500 Index. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s recent performance, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. Applying the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a higher fee rate than that being paid by the Portfolio prior to taking account of the administrative expense reimbursements to the Adviser. The directors noted that adding the administrative expense reimbursement to the Adviser resulted in a lower rate of total compensation to the Adviser under the institutional fee schedule. The directors noted that the Adviser may, in some cases, agree to fee rates with large institutional clients that are lower than those reviewed by the directors and that they had previously discussed with the Adviser its policies in respect of such arrangements.

The Adviser reviewed with the directors the significantly greater scope of the services it provides to the Portfolio relative to institutional clients. The Adviser also noted that 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 the substantial

 

17


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

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 noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 8 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors also noted that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was lower than the Expense Group median and essentially the same as 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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Value

 

55 bp on first $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 82.7      Real Estate Investment Portfolio

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

19


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $59,827 (0.08% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

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

 

Portfolio    Total Expense Ratio      Fiscal Year  

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   Class A    0.88%

Class B    1.13%

       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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have 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 March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein Institutional

Fee Schedule

    

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

      

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   $82.7   

U.S. REIT Strategy Schedule

70 bp on first $25m

60 bp on next $25m

50 on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

       0.595        0.550

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

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.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc. (“Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially somewhat investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of Global Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.6 and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:7

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

  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%   

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 the Portfolio.8

 

Fund    Fee9  

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.10 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.11

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

 

 

 

 

6   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.

 

7   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

8   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   Class A shares of the funds are charged an “all-in” fee, which includes investment advisory services and distribution related services, unlike Class I shares, whose fee is for only investment advisory services.

 

10   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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

 

21


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee12
  

Lipper
Exp. Group

Median (%)

   Rank  

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   0.550    0.830      1/15   

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 EU13 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
(%)14

  

Lipper
Exp. Group

Median (%)

  

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper
Exp. Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

   0.877    0.880      7/15         0.879         12/24   

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.

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 2011, relative to 2010.

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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $35,303 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $127,727 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

 

12   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.

 

13   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.

 

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

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Financial intermediaries, such as insurers, market and sell shares of the Portfolio and typically receive compensation from ABI, the 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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,310 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 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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.18 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional

 

15   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

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

 

17   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

18   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

 

23


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.19 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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.22

 

      Fund      PG
Median
     PU
Median
     PG
Rank
     PU
Rank
 

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

              

1 year

     –1.29         3.49         4.14         11/15         20/24   

3 year

     37.39         37.01         39.88         7/14         14/23   

5 year

     –2.05         –2.64         –1.88         6/12         12/21   

10 year

     10.67         9.93         10.40         3/8         5/11   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)23 versus its benchmarks.24 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25

 

     Periods Ending February 29, 2012
Annualized Performance
 
   

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

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

Real Estate Investment Portfolio

    7.92        41.53        0.29        11.66        9.70        24.97        0.46        10   

FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index26

    4.80        41.85        –1.53        10.55        9.16        25.66        0.45        10   

S&P 500 Stock Index

    5.12        25.56        1.58        4.17        5.85        N/A        N/A        10   

Inception Date: January 9, 1997

             

 

 

19   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

20   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

21   The Portfolio’s PG/PU are identical to the Portfolio’s respective EG/EU.

 

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

 

24   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 29, 2012.

 

25   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed 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   Benchmark since inception date is the nearest month end after the Portfolio’s inception date.

 

24


    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: May 25, 2012

 

25


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,117.00       $   6.21         1.18

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.00       $ 5.92         1.18
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,115.60       $ 7.57         1.44

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,017.70       $ 7.22         1.44

 

 

 

*   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 FUND  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Life Time Fitness, Inc.

   $ 986,477           1.8

CoStar Group, Inc.

     981,383           1.7   

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.

     962,346           1.7   

Akorn, Inc.

     959,242           1.7   

Aspen Technology, Inc.

     934,079           1.7   

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     846,670           1.5   

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

     836,616           1.5   

TrueBlue, Inc.

     828,149           1.5   

SXC Health Solutions Corp.

     824,534           1.5   

Hibbett Sports, Inc.

     793,801           1.4   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   8,953,297           16.0

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Industrials

   $ 13,413,312           23.6

Information Technology

     13,129,363           23.1   

Consumer Discretionary

     10,862,229           19.1   

Health Care

     10,469,018           18.4   

Energy

     3,805,070           6.7   

Financials

     2,504,489           4.4   

Materials

     574,560           1.0   

Consumer Staples

     412,370           0.7   

Short-Term Investments

     1,742,200           3.0   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   56,912,611           100.0

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.3%

   

INDUSTRIALS–23.9%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–2.0%

   

Hexcel Corp.(a)

    29,940      $ 772,152   

Keyw Holding Corp. (The)(a)(b)

    37,993        381,450   
   

 

 

 
      1,153,602   
   

 

 

 

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.7%

   

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    14,024        413,848   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.2%

   

Interface, Inc.

    48,210        657,102   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–1.3%

   

Dycom Industries, Inc.(a)

    37,971        706,640   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.1%

   

AMETEK, Inc.

    4,300        214,613   

Thermon Group Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    19,548        404,839   
   

 

 

 
      619,452   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–0.6%

   

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

    6,420        340,389   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–9.9%

   

Actuant Corp.–Class A

    22,900        621,964   

Chart Industries, Inc.(a)

    8,370        575,521   

Gardner Denver, Inc.

    8,100        428,571   

IDEX Corp.

    17,455        680,396   

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

    13,720        600,799   

Middleby Corp.(a)

    7,260        723,169   

RBC Bearings, Inc.(a)

    13,129        621,002   

Robbins & Myers, Inc.

    13,465        563,106   

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    6,031        729,570   
   

 

 

 
      5,544,098   
   

 

 

 

MARINE–1.2%

   

Kirby Corp.(a)

    13,833        651,258   
   

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES–3.5%

   

Advisory Board Co. (The)(a)

    12,260        607,974   

RPX Corp.(a)

    39,109        561,214   

TrueBlue, Inc.(a)

    53,498        828,149   
   

 

 

 
      1,997,337   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–1.0%

   

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.–Class A(a)

    10,700        565,388   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.4%

   

United Rentals, Inc.(a)

    22,450        764,198   
   

 

 

 
      13,413,312   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–23.4%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.1%

   

Aruba Networks, Inc.(a)(b)

    8,710        131,085   

Ciena Corp.(a)(b)

    31,232        511,268   
   

Netgear, Inc.(a)

    16,270      $ 561,478   
   

 

 

 
      1,203,831   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–0.5%

   

Audience, Inc.(a)(b)

    14,150        272,812   
   

 

 

 

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES–4.3%

   

Bazaarvoice, Inc.(a)(b)

    14,796        269,287   

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)

    12,086        981,383   

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.(a)

    31,961        962,346   

ExactTarget, Inc.(a)(b)

    8,744        191,144   
   

 

 

 
      2,404,160   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–1.0%

   

ServiceSource International, Inc.(a)(b)

    39,065        541,050   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–6.1%

   

Entegris, Inc.(a)

    32,427        276,926   

Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc.(a)

    39,399        555,526   

Mellanox Technologies Ltd.(a)(b)

    10,230        724,693   

Semtech Corp.(a)

    29,490        717,197   

Teradyne, Inc.(a)

    41,560        584,334   

Veeco Instruments, Inc.(a)(b)

    16,520        567,627   
   

 

 

 
      3,426,303   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–9.4%

   

Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)

    40,349        934,079   

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    77,040        846,670   

Fortinet, Inc.(a)

    24,983        580,105   

Informatica Corp.(a)

    2,440        103,359   

MICROS Systems, Inc.(a)

    14,314        732,877   

QLIK Technologies, Inc.(a)

    30,544        675,633   

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

    3,573        87,896   

SolarWinds, Inc.(a)

    16,430        715,691   

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.(a)

    12,809        236,582   

TIBCO Software, Inc.(a)

    12,310        368,315   
   

 

 

 
      5,281,207   
   

 

 

 
      13,129,363   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–19.4%

   

DISTRIBUTORS–0.9%

   

LKQ Corp.(a)

    15,650        522,710   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–1.5%

   

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.(a)

    39,953        836,616   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–4.6%

   

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.(a)

    10,605        402,990   

Life Time Fitness, Inc.(a)

    21,210        986,477   

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.–Class A(a)

    58,070        486,046   

 

3


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Shares

    U.S. $ Value  
   

Panera Bread Co.–Class A(a)

    5,070      $ 706,961   
   

 

 

 
      2,582,474   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–0.8%

   

Skullcandy, Inc.(a)(b)

    32,052        453,536   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.9%

   

National CineMedia, Inc.

    39,790        603,614   

Pandora Media, Inc.(a)(b)

    40,770        443,170   
   

 

 

 
      1,046,784   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–9.7%

   

Cabela’s, Inc.(a)

    14,515        548,812   

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

    14,910        715,680   

Francesca’s Holdings Corp.(a)

    27,828        751,634   

Hibbett Sports, Inc.(a)

    13,755        793,801   

Select Comfort Corp.(a)

    32,120        671,951   

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.

    5,500        513,590   

Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.(a)

    12,440        683,329   

Zumiez, Inc.(a)

    18,720        741,312   
   

 

 

 
      5,420,109   
   

 

 

 
      10,862,229   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–18.6%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–6.0%

   

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    28,680        177,816   

Amarin Corp. PLC (ADR)(a)(b)

    22,710        328,387   

Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    28,360        488,076   

Arqule, Inc.(a)

    45,787        271,517   

Cepheid, Inc.(a)

    16,842        753,679   

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    25,637        353,278   

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    4,910        326,269   

Pharmacyclics, Inc.(a)(b)

    6,990        381,724   

Synageva BioPharma Corp.(a)(b)

    2,895        117,421   

TESARO, Inc.(a)

    11,590        162,144   
   

 

 

 
      3,360,311   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES–3.7%

   

HeartWare International, Inc.(a)(b)

    2,490        221,112   

NxStage Medical, Inc.(a)

    33,212        556,633   

Sirona Dental Systems, Inc.(a)

    13,424        604,214   

Volcano Corp.(a)

    23,884        684,277   
   

 

 

 
      2,066,236   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–3.4%

   

AMERIGROUP Corp.(a)

    11,377        749,858   

HMS Holdings Corp.(a)

    15,185        505,813   

Mednax, Inc.(a)

    9,717        666,003   
   

 

 

 
      1,921,674   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY–1.4%

   

SXC Health Solutions Corp.(a)(b)

    8,311        824,534   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–4.1%

   

Akorn, Inc.(a)

    60,827        959,242   

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    18,600        278,628   
   

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    20,746      $ 321,978   

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    13,832        736,415   
   

 

 

 
      2,296,263   
   

 

 

 
      10,469,018   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–6.8%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–4.0%

   

Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)

    6,420        421,088   

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.(a)(b)

    10,530        207,336   

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    12,845        614,762   

Oil States International, Inc.(a)

    8,687        575,079   

Superior Energy Services, Inc.(a)

    21,047        425,781   
   

 

 

 
      2,244,046   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–2.8%

   

Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.(a)

    15,400        320,320   

Matador Resources Co.(a)

    39,130        420,256   

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.(a)

    19,535        472,356   

SM Energy Co.

    7,088        348,092   
   

 

 

 
      1,561,024   
   

 

 

 
      3,805,070   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–4.5%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–2.3%

   

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

    6,600        722,370   

Stifel Financial Corp.(a)

    18,116        559,784   
   

 

 

 
      1,282,154   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–2.2%

   

Iberiabank Corp.

    11,689        589,710   

Signature Bank/New York NY(a)

    10,376        632,625   
   

 

 

 
      1,222,335   
   

 

 

 
      2,504,489   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.0%

   

CHEMICALS–1.0%

   

PolyOne Corp.

    42,000        574,560   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–0.7%

   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–0.7%

   

Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (The)(a)

    22,846        412,370   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (cost $47,691,936)

      55,170,411   
   

 

 

 

 

4


 
 
    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company  

Principal
Amount
(000)

    U.S. $ Value  
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–3.1%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–3.1%

   

State Street Time Deposit 0.01%, 7/02/12 (cost $1,742,200)

  $   1,742      $ 1,742,200   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–101.4%
(cost $49,434,136)

      56,912,611   
   

 

 

 
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–14.0%

   

INVESTMENT
COMPANIES–14.0%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c) (cost $7,851,529)

    7,851,529      $ 7,851,529   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS–115.4%
(cost $57,285,665)

      64,764,140   

Other assets less
liabilities–(15.4)%

      (8,642,367
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 56,121,773   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $49,434,136)

   $ 56,912,611 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $7,851,529—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $7,851,529)

     7,851,529   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     499,829   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     32,720   

Dividends and interest receivable

     18,433   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     65,315,122   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     7,851,529   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     1,187,404   

Advisory fee payable

     34,121   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     23,856   

Administrative fee payable

     15,521   

Distribution fee payable

     6,036   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     129   

Accrued expenses

     74,753   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     9,193,349   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 56,121,773   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 2,988   

Additional paid-in capital

     39,488,925   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (343,649

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     9,495,034   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     7,478,475   
  

 

 

 
   $ 56,121,773   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $   26,301,641           1,378,123         $   19.09   

B

     $ 29,820,132           1,609,625         $ 18.53   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $7,951,228 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 77,516   

Affiliated issuers

     3,362   

Interest

     61   

Securities lending income

     27,040   
  

 

 

 
     107,979   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     236,332   

Distribution fee—Class B

     37,517   

Transfer agency—Class A

     864   

Transfer agency—Class B

     803   

Custodian

     55,172   

Administrative

     26,450   

Audit

     18,303   

Printing

     17,654   

Legal

     15,226   

Directors’ fees

     1,943   

Miscellaneous

     1,865   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     412,129   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (304,150
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     8,528,003   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (539,869
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     7,988,134   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 7,683,984   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment loss

   $ (304,150   $ (591,207

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     8,528,003        10,043,475   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (539,869     (7,045,161
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     7,683,984        2,407,107   

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (10,596,243     (1,519,142
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (2,912,259     887,965   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     59,034,032        58,146,067   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of
($343,649) and ($39,499), respectively)

   $ 56,121,773      $ 59,034,032   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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. 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for

 

9


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets

             

Common Stocks*

     $ 55,170,411       $ –0 –     $             –0 –     $ 55,170,411   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       1,742,200         –0 –       1,742,200   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       7,851,529         –0 –       –0 –       7,851,529   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       63,021,940         1,742,200         –0 –       64,764,140   

Other Financial Instruments**

       –0 –       –0 –       –0      –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 63,021,940       $ 1,742,200       $ –0 –     $ 64,764,140   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $26,450.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $64,266, of which $12 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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 or servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

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

 

11


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 39,309,886       $ 50,209,181   

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

   $ 8,684,840   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,206,365
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 7,478,475   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $7,951,228 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $7,851,529. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $27,040 and $3,362 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31, 2011
(000)
    Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30, 2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$ 3,132      $ 21,957      $ 17,237      $ 7,852      $ 3   

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,

2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    797,829        410,931        $ 15,089,723      $ 7,025,095   

Shares redeemed

    (1,138,670     (466,036       (22,085,158     (7,929,210
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (340,841     (55,105     $ (6,995,435   $ (904,115
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

       

Shares sold

    378,621        714,890        $ 6,919,582      $ 12,042,216   

Shares redeemed

    (555,333     (756,058       (10,520,390     (12,657,243
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (176,712     (41,168     $ (3,600,808   $ (615,027
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

13


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE I: Components of Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed capital gains

   $ 2,186,574   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (36,340 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     6,795,641 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 8,945,875   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $7,770,663 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a qualified late-year loss deferral of $36,340, which is deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs).

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation. As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

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, 2012

(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.09        $16.36        $11.95        $8.43        $15.48        $13.57   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

    (.08     (.15     (.13     (.13     (.13     (.12

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    2.08        .88        4.54        3.65        (6.92     2.03   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    2.00        .73        4.41        3.52        (7.05     1.91   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $19.09        $17.09        $16.36        $11.95        $8.43        $15.48   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    11.70     4.46 %*      36.90 %*      41.76 %*      (45.54 )%*      14.08
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $26,302        $29,369        $29,018        $22,876        $18,003        $39,867   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.18 %(d)      1.18     1.37 %(e)      1.62     1.32     1.20

Net investment loss

    (.84 )%(d)      (.85 )%      (1.00 )%(e)      (1.33 )%      (1.02 )%      (.81 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    63     92     95     106     129     88

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.61        $15.94        $11.67        $8.26        $15.19        $13.36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment loss (a)

    (.10     (.19     (.16     (.15     (.15     (.15

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    2.02        .86        4.43        3.56        (6.78     1.98   

Contributions from Adviser

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      .00 (b)      –0 – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.92        .67        4.27        3.41        (6.93     1.83   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $18.53        $16.61        $15.94        $11.67        $8.26        $15.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (c)

    11.56     4.20 %*      36.59 %*      41.28 %*      (45.62 )%*      13.70
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $29,820        $29,665        $29,128        $14,796        $11,111        $24,937   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.44 %(d)      1.43     1.62 %(e)      1.87     1.60     1.44

Net investment loss

    (1.10 )%(d)      (1.11 )%      (1.23 )%(e)      (1.58 )%      (1.29 )%      (1.05 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    63     92     95     106     129     88

 

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 17.

 

16


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b)   Amount is less than $.005.

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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 Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by 0.09%, 0.05%, 0.28% and 0.40%, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds 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

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with the Index) the since inception period (August 1996 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods, and in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio outperformed the Index in all periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA Small Cap Growth Funds Average and the Index. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s relative performance over time had been satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. Applying the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a higher fee rate than that being paid by the Portfolio (including the impact of the expense reimbursement to the Adviser pursuant to the 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’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. 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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

 

19


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The directors noted that the Portfolio may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The directors noted that ETFs pay advisory fees pursuant to their advisory contracts, and that the Adviser had provided, and they had reviewed, information about the expense ratio of the relevant ETFs. The directors concluded, based on the Adviser’s explanation of how it opportunistically uses ETFs when they represent the least expense way to obtain desired exposures for a fund or to temporarily “equitize” cash inflows pending purchases of underlying securities, that the advisory fee for the Portfolio would be paid for services that would be in addition to, rather than duplicative of, the services to be provided under the advisory contracts of the ETFs.

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 similar 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 noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points was lower than the Expense Group median. The directors noted that the administrative expense reimbursement was 10 basis points in the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year, and that as a result the rate of total compensation received by the Adviser from the Portfolio pursuant to the Advisory Agreement was the same as the Expense Group median. The directors concluded that the Portfolio’s total expense ratio was acceptable, although they noted that it was higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe medians, and they asked the Adviser to consider measures to reduce it.

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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

20


 
SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

SUMMARY OF SENIOR OFFICER’S EVALUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT1

The following is a summary of the evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement between AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund (the “Fund”), in respect of AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”).2 The evaluation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was prepared by Philip L. Kirstein, the Senior Officer of the Fund, for the Directors of the Fund, as required by 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Growth

 

75 bp on first $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 73.9      Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

21


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser is reimbursed as specified in the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio. During the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Adviser received $60,013 (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

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

       Class A    1.18 %          December 31  
       Class B    1.43 %       

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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have 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 March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein

Institutional

Fee Schedule

    

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

      

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

   $73.9   

Small Cap Growth Schedule

100 bp on first $50m

85 bp on the next $50m

75 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

       0.951        0.750

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

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.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio (“Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio  

AllianceBernstein

Mutual Fund

  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Small-Cap Growth Portfolio7

  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%   

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 sub-advisory relationships that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2012 net assets.

 

Fund  

Sub-Advised

Fund

 

Sub-Advised Fund

Fee Schedule

  Sub-advised
Fund
Eff. Mgmt.
Fee (%)
   

Portfolio

Adv.
Fee (%)

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

  Client #18,9  

0.60% on first $1 billion

0.55% on next $500 million

0.50% on next $500 million

0.45% on next $500 million

0.40% on the balance

    0.600        0.750   
 

Client #2

 

0.65% on 1st $25 million

0.60% on next $75 million

0.55% on the balance

    0.617        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 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.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationships are paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationships. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

 

6   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

7   The advisory fee of AllianceBernstein Cap Fund, Inc.—Small Cap Growth Portfolio is based on the mutual fund’s net assets at the end of each quarter and is paid to the Adviser quarterly, in contrast to the Portfolio, whose advisory fee is based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets and is paid on a monthly basis.

 

8   The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

9   Assets are aggregated with other accounts of the client for purposes of calculating the investment advisory fee.

 

23


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser, compared the fees charged to the Portfolio with fees charged to other investment companies for similar services offered by other investment advisers.10 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.11

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

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee12
    

Lipper
Exp. Group

Median (%)

     Rank  

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

     0.750         0.850         3/13   

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 EU13 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
(%)14

    

Lipper
Exp. Group

Median (%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper
Exp. Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

     1.178         1.000         12/13         0.964         37/38   

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

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE 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.

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 2011, relative to 2010.

 

10   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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

 

12   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.

 

13   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.

 

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

 

 

24


    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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $76,454 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $387,183 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,310 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 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.

 

15   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

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

 

 

25


SMALL CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICER FEE EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

An independent consultant, retained by the Senior Officer, provided the Board of Directors information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli17 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.18 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.19 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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio20 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)21 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.22

 

      Fund        PG
Median
       PU
Median
       PG
Rank
       PU
Rank
 

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

                      

1 year

     10.28           1.67           3.06           1/13           2/43   

3 year

     38.31           29.67           30.12           1/13           3/40   

5 year

     6.86           4.68           4.00           1/10           2/36   

10 year

     7.84           5.75           6.73           2/9           7/29   

 

17   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

18   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

19   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

20   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

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

 

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

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)23 versus its benchmark.24 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.25

 

    

Periods Ending February 29, 2011

Annualized Performance

 
    

1

Year

(%)

   

3

Year

(%)

   

5

Year

(%)

   

10
Year

(%)

   

Since
Inception

(%)

    Annualized     

Risk
Period

(Year)

 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
    

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

    10.28        38.31        6.86        7.84        5.33        22.19        0.37         10   

Russell 2000 Growth Index

    2.38        31.21        3.93        6.67        5.06        20.87        0.37         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: May 25, 2012

 

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

 

24   The Adviser provided Portfolio and benchmark performance return information for periods through February 29, 2012.

 

25   Portfolio and benchmark volatility and Sharpe Ratio information was obtained through Lipper LANA, a database maintained by Lipper. Volatility is a statistical measure of the tendency of a market price or yield to vary over time. A Sharpe Ratio is a risk adjusted measure of return that divides a portfolio’s return in excess of the riskless return by the portfolio’s standard deviation. A portfolio with a greater volatility would be viewed 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 Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,069.20       $   4.27         0.83

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,020.74       $ 4.17         0.83
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,067.60       $ 5.55         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


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

PNM Resources, Inc.

   $ 6,972,654           1.4

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.

     6,861,486           1.4   

NV Energy, Inc.

     6,757,049           1.4   

Constellation Brands, Inc.—Class A

     6,747,005           1.4   

UGI Corp.

     6,729,758           1.4   

Atmos Energy Corp.

     6,587,899           1.4   

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.—Class A

     6,512,576           1.4   

Zions Bancorporation

     6,505,506           1.4   

Torchmark Corp.

     6,494,158           1.4   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

     6,492,674             1.3   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $     66,660,765             13.9

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Financials

   $   152,978,244           32.4

Information Technology

     77,081,199           16.3   

Consumer Discretionary

     69,645,613           14.7   

Industrials

     49,251,408           10.4   

Utilities

     38,874,234           8.2   

Energy

     30,806,227           6.5   

Consumer Staples

     21,378,565           4.5   

Health Care

     16,851,084           3.6   

Materials

     15,175,027           3.2   

Short-Term Investments

     1,066,029           0.2   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 473,107,630           100.0

 

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–98.3%

   

FINANCIALS–31.8%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–1.3%

   

Legg Mason, Inc.

    227,840      $ 6,008,141   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–10.3%

  

 

Associated Banc-Corp

    439,710        5,799,775   

CapitalSource, Inc.

    957,670        6,435,543   

Comerica, Inc.

    208,610        6,406,413   

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

    691,590        5,290,664   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc./OH

    991,590        6,346,176   

Popular, Inc.(a)

    218,261        3,625,310   

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

    577,654        5,949,836   

Webster Financial Corp.

    142,040        3,076,586   

Zions Bancorporation

    334,990        6,505,506   
   

 

 

 
      49,435,809   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–9.9%

   

Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.(b)

    145,580        4,325,182   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

    224,660        6,492,674   

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.

    166,940        6,397,141   

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.–Class A

    338,140        6,512,576   

Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd.

    164,130        6,253,353   

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.–Class A

    117,160        6,234,084   

Torchmark Corp.

    128,470        6,494,158   

Unum Group

    260,920        4,991,400   
   

 

 

 
      47,700,568   
   

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)–9.4%

   

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

    341,800        6,384,824   

BRE Properties, Inc.

    105,110        5,257,602   

Camden Property Trust

    78,860        5,336,456   

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

    426,780        4,353,156   

Entertainment Properties Trust

    144,290        5,931,762   

Glimcher Realty Trust

    554,660        5,668,625   

Home Properties, Inc.

    61,700        3,785,912   

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    82,400        5,622,976   

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    74,580        2,960,826   
   

 

 

 
      45,302,139   
   

 

 

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE–0.9%

   

Washington Federal, Inc.

    268,300        4,531,587   
   

 

 

 
      152,978,244   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–16.0%

   

COMPUTERS &
PERIPHERALS–0.6%

   

NCR Corp.(a)

    135,160        3,072,187   
   

 

 

 
   

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS & COMPONENTS–8.0%

   

Anixter International, Inc.

    50,620      $ 2,685,391   

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

    167,690        5,501,909   

AU Optronics Corp. (Sponsored ADR)

    1,039,032        4,176,909   

Avnet, Inc.(a)

    183,620        5,666,513   

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

    671,360        4,162,432   

Ingram Micro, Inc.–Class A(a)

    214,600        3,749,062   

Insight Enterprises, Inc.(a)

    211,560        3,560,555   

TTM Technologies, Inc.(a)

    496,872        4,675,565   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

    442,910        4,176,641   
   

 

 

 
      38,354,977   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–2.3%

   

Amdocs Ltd.(a)

    203,140        6,037,321   

Convergys Corp.

    354,310        5,233,158   
   

 

 

 
      11,270,479   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–5.1%

   

Amkor Technology, Inc.(a) (b)

    734,510        3,584,409   

Entegris, Inc.(a)

    639,420        5,460,647   

Lam Research Corp.(a) (b)

    141,010        5,321,717   

Micron Technology, Inc.(a)

    827,710        5,222,850   

MKS Instruments, Inc.

    165,708        4,793,933   
   

 

 

 
      24,383,556   
   

 

 

 
      77,081,199   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY–14.5%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–2.4%

   

Dana Holding Corp.

    211,890        2,714,311   

Lear Corp.

    135,920        5,128,261   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

    100,060        3,678,206   
   

 

 

 
      11,520,778   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–2.4%

   

MGM Resorts International(a)

    523,400        5,841,144   

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

    223,490        5,817,445   
   

 

 

 
      11,658,589   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–3.3%

  

 

Meritage Homes Corp.(a)

    132,910        4,510,965   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    338,600        6,142,204   

NVR, Inc.(a)

    6,315        5,367,750   
   

 

 

 
      16,020,919   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–1.1%

   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    342,140        5,039,722   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–4.4%

   

ANN, Inc.(a)

    227,451        5,797,726   

Childrens Place Retail Stores, Inc. (The)(a)

    123,030        6,130,585   

Express, Inc.(a)

    156,910        2,851,055   

 

3


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company       
    
    
Shares
    U.S. $ Value  
   

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. (The)

    123,100      $ 3,464,034   

Office Depot, Inc.(a)

    1,360,860        2,939,457   
   

 

 

 
      21,182,857   
   

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS–0.9%

   

Jones Group, Inc. (The)

    441,710        4,222,748   
   

 

 

 
      69,645,613   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS–10.3%

   

BUILDING PRODUCTS–1.2%

   

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.(a)

    262,020        5,835,185   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES–1.1%

   

Avery Dennison Corp.

    189,450        5,179,563   
   

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING–0.7%

   

Tutor Perini Corp.(a)

    249,460        3,160,658   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT–1.8%

  

 

EnerSys(a)

    87,670        3,074,587   

General Cable Corp.(a)

    205,520        5,331,189   
   

 

 

 
      8,405,776   
   

 

 

 

MACHINERY–1.3%

   

Sauer-Danfoss, Inc.

    66,848        2,335,001   

Timken Co.

    87,500        4,006,625   
   

 

 

 
      6,341,626   
   

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL–2.5%

   

Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)

    287,910        4,376,232   

Con-way, Inc.

    130,426        4,709,683   

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a)

    230,020        2,944,256   
   

 

 

 
      12,030,171   
   

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS–1.7%

   

Aircastle Ltd.

    463,290        5,582,644   

WESCO International, Inc.(a)

    47,190        2,715,785   
   

 

 

 
      8,298,429   
   

 

 

 
      49,251,408   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–8.1%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–5.3%

   

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

    251,220        5,378,620   

NV Energy, Inc.

    384,360        6,757,049   

PNM Resources, Inc.

    356,840        6,972,654   

Portland General Electric Co.

    241,870        6,448,254   
   

 

 

 
      25,556,577   
   

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–2.8%

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

    187,850        6,587,899   

UGI Corp.

    228,670        6,729,758   
   

 

 

 
      13,317,657   
   

 

 

 
      38,874,234   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–6.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–2.0%

   

Bristow Group, Inc.

    120,160        4,886,907   
   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    105,110      $ 4,570,183   
   

 

 

 
      9,457,090   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–4.4%

   

Plains Exploration & Production Co.(a)

    115,530        4,064,345   

Stone Energy Corp.(a)

    118,430        3,001,016   

Teekay Corp.

    154,680        4,529,030   

Tesoro Corp.(a)

    201,190        5,021,703   

Western Refining, Inc.(b)

    212,530        4,733,043   
   

 

 

 
      21,349,137   
   

 

 

 
      30,806,227   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–4.5%

  

 

BEVERAGES–1.4%

   

Constellation Brands, Inc.–Class A(a)

    249,335        6,747,005   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–3.1%

   

Dean Foods Co.(a)

    251,180        4,277,595   

Dole Food Co., Inc.(a) (b)

    465,550        4,087,529   

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

    332,790        6,266,436   
   

 

 

 
      14,631,560   
   

 

 

 
      21,378,565   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE–3.5%

   

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–3.5%

   

Coventry Health Care, Inc.

    179,710        5,712,981   

Health Net, Inc.(a)

    176,210        4,276,617   

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.(a)

    167,435        6,861,486   
   

 

 

 
      16,851,084   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–3.2%

   

CHEMICALS–0.7%

   

Ferro Corp.(a)

    689,230        3,308,304   
   

 

 

 

METALS & MINING–2.5%

   

Commercial Metals Co.

    339,090        4,286,098   

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

    81,745        4,128,122   

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    293,830        3,452,503   
   

 

 

 
      11,866,723   
   

 

 

 
      15,175,027   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $456,285,344)

      472,041,601   
   

 

 

 
    Principal
Amount
(000)
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS–0.2%

   

TIME DEPOSIT–0.2%

   

State Street Time Deposit
0.01%, 7/02/12
(cost $1,066,029)

  $ 1,066        1,066,029   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–98.5%
(cost $457,351,373)

      473,107,630   
   

 

 

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–3.1%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–3.1%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c)
(cost $15,041,488)

  $   15,041,488      $ 15,041,488   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–101.6%
(cost $472,392,861)

      488,149,118   

Other assets less
liabilities–(1.6)%

      (7,682,984
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $   480,466,134   
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $457,351,373)

   $ 473,107,630 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $15,041,488—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $15,041,488)

     15,041,488   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     8,601,944   

Dividends and interest receivable

     710,067   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     71,007   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     497,532,136   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     15,041,488   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     930,782   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     587,168   

Advisory fee payable

     295,345   

Distribution fee payable

     67,027   

Administrative fee payable

     18,093   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     206   

Accrued expenses

     125,893   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     17,066,002   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 480,466,134   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 29,196   

Additional paid-in capital

     426,419,602   

Undistributed net investment income

     3,649,075   

Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions

     34,612,004   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     15,756,257   
  

 

 

 
   $ 480,466,134   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class    Net Assets      Shares
Outstanding
     Net Asset
Value
 

A

   $ 153,363,492         9,277,339       $ 16.53   

B

   $   327,102,642         19,918,790       $   16.42   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $14,966,267 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 3,984,102   

Affiliated issuers

     15,736   

Interest

     255   

Securities lending income

     37,800   
  

 

 

 
     4,037,893   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     1,879,662   

Distribution fee—Class B

     428,151   

Transfer agency—Class A

     844   

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,815   

Custodian

     69,180   

Printing

     48,180   

Administrative

     28,959   

Legal

     20,793   

Audit

     20,685   

Directors’ fees

     1,968   

Miscellaneous

     8,376   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     2,508,613   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,529,280   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     21,734,646   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     9,163,006   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment transactions

     30,897,652   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 32,426,932   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET  ASSETS   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,529,280      $ 1,989,004   

Net realized gain on investment transactions

     21,734,646        46,512,102   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     9,163,006        (91,150,959
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     32,426,932        (42,649,853

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (823,225

Class B

     –0 –      (889,880

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (27,859,411     (32,242,359
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     4,567,521        (76,605,317

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     475,898,613        552,503,930   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,649,075 and $2,119,795, respectively)

   $ 480,466,134      $ 475,898,613   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for

 

9


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks*

     $ 472,041,601       $ –0 –     $             –0 –     $ 472,041,601   

Short-Term Investments

       –0 –       1,066,029         –0 –       1,066,029   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       15,041,488         –0 –       –0 –       15,041,488   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       487,083,089         1,066,029         –0 –       488,149,118   

Other Financial Instruments**

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 487,083,089       $ 1,066,029       $ –0 –     $ 488,149,118   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   See Portfolio of Investments for sector classifications.

 

**   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

(the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively (the “Expense Caps”). The Expense Caps extend through May 1, 2013 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one year terms. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, there were no expenses waived by the Adviser.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $28,959.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $423,570, of which $0 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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 or servicing fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the Portfolio to the Distributor.

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

 

11


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE D: Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 135,670,842       $ 164,681,061   

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

   $ 50,508,087   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (34,751,830
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 15,756,257   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $14,966,267 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $15,041,488. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $37,800 and $15,736 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December  31, 2011
(000)
    Purchases
at Cost
(000)
    Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    Market Value
June 30,  2012
(000)
    Dividend
Income
(000)
 
$ 6,296      $ 89,410      $ 80,665      $ 15,041      $ 16   

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    705,321        1,808,898        $ 11,840,291      $ 28,932,137   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      45,183          –0 –      823,225   

Shares redeemed

    (1,244,431     (2,306,794       (20,742,492     (37,671,553
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (539,110     (452,713     $ (8,902,201   $ (7,916,191
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    1,171,631        3,680,845        $ 19,617,129      $ 58,747,359   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      49,029          –0 –      889,880   

Shares redeemed

    (2,333,869     (5,085,538       (38,574,339     (83,963,407
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,162,238     (1,355,664     $ (18,957,210   $ (24,326,168
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and

 

13


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 1,713,105         $ 1,579,109   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

       1,713,105           1,579,109   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $ 1,713,105         $ 1,579,109   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,119,796   

Undistributed capital gains

     15,686,666 (a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     3,783,943 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ 21,590,405   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $31,292,682 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains.

 

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

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation. As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

14


 
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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.46        $16.95        $13.41        $9.92        $17.11        $18.08   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .07        .09        .08        .08        .13        .11   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.00        (1.50     3.52        4.01        (5.63     .36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.07        (1.41     3.60        4.09        (5.50     .47   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.08     (.06     (.12     (.11     (.17

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.48     (1.58     (1.27
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.08     (.06     (.60     (1.69     (1.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.53        $15.46        $16.95        $13.41        $9.92        $17.11   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    6.92     (8.39 )%      26.91     42.86     (35.58 )%      1.71
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $153,363        $151,754        $174,068        $134,291        $99,957        $146,350   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .83 %(c)      .83     .84 %(d)      .87     .86     .83

Net investment income

    .78 %(c)      .56     .56 %(d)      .70     .95     .59

Portfolio turnover rate

    28     70     54     58     49     32

 

 

 

 

See footnote summary on page 16.

 

15


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

 

    Class B  
    Six  Months
Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.38        $16.87        $13.36        $9.87        $17.03        $18.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .04        .05        .05        .05        .10        .07   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions

    1.00        (1.50     3.50        4.01        (5.61     .37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    1.04        (1.45     3.55        4.06        (5.51     .44   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.04     (.04     (.09     (.07     (.14

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.48     (1.58     (1.27
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.04     (.04     (.57     (1.65     (1.41
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.42        $15.38        $16.87        $13.36        $9.87        $17.03   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    6.76     (8.62 )%      26.59     42.66     (35.75 )%      1.53
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $327,103        $324,145        $378,436        $264,635        $202,997        $294,664   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    1.08 %(c)      1.08     1.09 %(d)      1.12     1.11     1.08

Net investment income

    .53 %(c)      .31     .31 %(d)      .42     .72     .35

Portfolio turnover rate

    28     70     54     58     49     32

 

 

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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.

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser in respect of AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) at a meeting held on May 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors

 

17


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Russell 2500 Value Index and the Russell 2500 Index, in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with the indices) the since inception period (May 2001 inception). The directors noted that the Portfolio was in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 1-year period, in the 1st quintile of the Performance Group and 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Group and 1st quintile of the Performance Universe for the 5-year period, and 2nd out of 3 of the Performance Group and in the 2nd quintile of the Performance Universe for the 10-year period. The Portfolio lagged the indices in the 1-year period and outperformed them in all other periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012, and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA Mid-Cap Value Funds Average and both indices. Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s recent performance, the directors concluded that the Portfolio’s performance was satisfactory.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate lower than that being 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’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. 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

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

stable. In light of the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

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 similar 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 directors noted that because of the small number of funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category, Lipper had expanded the Expense Group of the Fund to include peers that had a similar (but not the same) Lipper investment objective/classification. The Expense Universe for the Portfolio had also been expanded by Lipper pursuant to Lipper’s standard guidelines. The Class A expense ratio of the Portfolio was based on the Portfolio’s latest fiscal year expense ratio. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 75 basis points, plus the 1 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, 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 the 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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from a sharing of economies of scale in the event the Portfolio’s net assets exceed a breakpoint in the future.

 

19


 
SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICERS 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Specialty

 

75 bp on first $2.5 billion

65 bp on next $2.5 billion

60 bp on the balance

  $ 530.9      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 $60,494 (0.01% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

20


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

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

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

 

Class A    1.20%

Class B    1.45%

   

 

0.83%

1.08%

  

  

  December 31

I. ADVISORY FEES CHARGED TO INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER CLIENTS

The advisory fees charged to investment companies which the Adviser manages and sponsors are normally higher than those charged to similar sized institutional accounts, including pension plans and sub-advised investment companies. The fee 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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have 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 March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

  

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

   $530.9   

Small & Mid Cap Value Schedule

95 bp on first $25m

75 bp on the next $25m

65 bp on the next $50m

55 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.588      0.750

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

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.

 

21


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICERS EVALUATION  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, Inc. (“Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, Inc., and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein Mutual Fund   Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Small/Mid Cap Value 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 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 sub-advisory relationships that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fee and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2012 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee(%)

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee(%)
 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  Client #1  

0.50% on the first $250 million

0.40% on the balance

    0.474%        0.750%   
  Client #2  

0.95% on the first $10 million

0.75% on the next $40 million

0.65% on the next $50 million

0.55% on the balance

    0.588%        0.750%   
  Client #3  

0.61% on the first $150 million

0.50% on the balance

    0.531%        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 Portfolio by the Adviser.

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationships are paying a lower fee than the Portfolio, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationships. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different feel level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management generally required by a registered investment company.

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.7 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.8

 

6   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

7   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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.

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Lipper describes an EG as a representative sample of comparable funds. Lipper’s standard methodology for screening funds to be included in an EG entails the consideration of several fund criteria, including fund type, investment classification/objective, load type and similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 service fees, asset (size) comparability, expense components and attributes. An EG will typically consist of seven to twenty funds. The Portfolio’s original EG had an insufficient number of peers. Consequently, Lipper expanded the Portfolio’s EG to include peers that have similar but not the same Lipper investment classification/objective.9

 

Portfolio    Contractual
Management
Fee10
    

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median (%)

     Rank  

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

     0.750         0.795         5/15   

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

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 in the table below.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

    

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median
(%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper Exp.

Universe

Median
(%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

     0.830         0.868         6/15         0.872         24/62   

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

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE 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.

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 slightly during calendar year 2011, relative to 2010.

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.

 

9   The Portfolio’s EG includes the Portfolio, five other VIP Mid-Cap Value funds (“MCVE”) and nine VIP Mid-Cap Growth funds (“MCGE”).

 

10   The contractual management fee does not reflect any expense reimbursements made by the Portfolio to the Adviser for certain clerical, legal, accounting, administrative and other services. In addition, the contractual management fee does not reflect any advisory fee waiver or expense cap that would effectively reduce the actual management fee.

 

11   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.

 

12   The Portfolio’s EU includes the Portfolio, EG and all other VIP MCVE and VIP MCGE funds, excluding outliers.

 

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

 

23


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICERS 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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $866,747 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $2,187,077 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,310 from the Portfolio.14

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions and pay commissions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future 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, 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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

 

14   The Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

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

 

24


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.17 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio19 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.21

 

      Fund        PG
Median
       PU
Median
       PG
Rank
       PU
Rank
 

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  

                   

1 year

     –3.99           –1.52           –1.32           6/6           21/21   

3 year

     32.69           27.34           30.15           1/5           4/19   

5 year

     2.98           2.80           0.80           2/5           2/15   

10 year

     8.36           8.36           7.04           2/3           3/11   

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5, 10 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)22 versus its benchmarks.23 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.24

 

    

1

Year

(%)

   

3

Year

(%)

   

5

Year

(%)

   

10
Year

(%)

   

Since
Inception

(%)

    Annualized    

Risk
Period

(Year)

 
            Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio

  3.99        32.69        2.98        8.36        9.25        21.13        0.40        0.40   

Russell 2500 Value Index

  0.80        29.59        0.70        7.83        7.92        19.41        0.39        0.39   

Russell 2500 Index

    1.45        31.28        2.79        7.98        7.10        N/A        N/A        N/A   

Inception Date: May 2, 2001

               

 

16   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

17   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

18   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

19   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

 

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

 

21   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 February 29, 2012.

 

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 viewed 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


SMALL/MID CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO  
SENIOR OFFICERS 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: May 25, 2012

 

26


AllianceBernstein

Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

LOGO   AllianceBernstein Value Portfolio

 

June 30, 2012

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

Investment Products Offered

 

  Ø  

Are Not FDIC Insured

  Ø  

May Lose Value

  Ø  

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AllianceBernstein family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the manager of the funds.

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”) website 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 website 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 (unaudited)   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 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 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.

 

     Beginning
Account  Value
January 1, 2012
     Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2012
     Expenses Paid
During  Period*
     Annualized
Expense  Ratio*
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $   1,000       $   1,068.30       $   3.75         0.73

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,021.23       $ 3.67         0.73
           

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000       $ 1,067.90       $ 5.04         0.98

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000       $ 1,019.99       $ 4.92         0.98

 

 

 

 

*   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, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

 

COMPANY    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF NET ASSETS  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $ 9,660,853           5.9

Pfizer, Inc.

     6,525,100           4.0   

Johnson & Johnson

     5,654,772           3.4   

General Electric Co.

     5,553,860           3.4   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     5,474,128           3.3   

Citigroup, Inc.

     4,407,528           2.7   

Merck & Co., Inc.

     4,354,525           2.6   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     3,976,749           2.4   

Chevron Corp.

     3,956,250           2.4   

AT&T, Inc.

     3,701,508           2.3   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $   53,265,273           32.4

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION**

June 30, 2012 (unaudited)

 

 

SECTOR    U.S. $ VALUE        PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Health Care

   $ 29,702,368           18.1

Financials

     27,144,957           16.6   

Consumer Discretionary

     26,017,238           15.9   

Energy

     23,741,506           14.5   

Information Technology

     17,109,997           10.4   

Consumer Staples

     14,489,792           8.8   

Industrials

     8,493,902           5.2   

Utilities

     8,470,964           5.2   

Telecommunication Services

     6,765,932           4.1   

Materials

     1,933,896           1.2   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $   163,870,552           100.0

 

 

 

 

*   Long-term investments.

 

**   The Portfolio’s sector breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.

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 & Poor’s. The components are divided into sector, industry group, and industry sub-indices as classified by the GICS for each of the market capitalization indices in the broad market. These sector classifications are broadly defined. The “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report reflects more specific industry information and is consistent with the investment restrictions discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS–99.7%

   
   

HEALTH CARE–18.1%

   

BIOTECHNOLOGY–1.4%

   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

    33,100      $ 1,697,368   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    9,900        553,608   
   

 

 

 
      2,250,976   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES–4.5%

   

Aetna, Inc.

    12,200        472,994   

Health Net, Inc.(a)

    28,800        698,976   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    52,500        3,071,250   

WellPoint, Inc.

    48,500        3,093,815   
   

 

 

 
      7,337,035   
   

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS–12.2%

   

AstraZeneca PLC
(Sponsored ADR)

    60,200        2,693,950   

Johnson & Johnson

    83,700        5,654,772   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    104,300        4,354,525   

Pfizer, Inc.

    283,700        6,525,100   

Roche Holding AG
(Sponsored ADR)

    20,500        886,010   
   

 

 

 
      20,114,357   
   

 

 

 
      29,702,368   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIALS–16.5%

   

CAPITAL MARKETS–0.9%

   

State Street Corp.

    31,900        1,424,016   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS–5.9%

   

BB&T Corp.

    15,100        465,835   

CIT Group, Inc.(a)

    76,900        2,740,716   

KeyCorp

    24,700        191,178   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    10,200        623,322   

Regions Financial Corp.

    36,700        247,725   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    163,700        5,474,128   
   

 

 

 
      9,742,904   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE–0.3%

   

Discover Financial Services

    12,800        442,624   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES–7.2%

   

Bank of America Corp.

    239,100        1,955,838   

Citigroup, Inc.

    160,800        4,407,528   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    111,300        3,976,749   

Leucadia National Corp.

    23,400        497,718   

Moody’s Corp.

    26,900        983,195   
   

 

 

 
      11,821,028   
   

 

 

 

INSURANCE–2.2%

   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.(a)

    11,900        991,627   

Chubb Corp. (The)

    15,500        1,128,710   

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.–Class A

    17,600        936,496   

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    10,300        657,552   
   

 

 

 
      3,714,385   
   

 

 

 
      27,144,957   
   

 

 

 
   

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY–15.8%

   

AUTO COMPONENTS–1.7%

   

Lear Corp.

    32,600      $ 1,229,998   

Magna International, Inc.–Class A

    19,400        765,524   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.(a)

    22,200        816,072   
   

 

 

 
      2,811,594   
   

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES–1.8%

   

Ford Motor Co.

    121,900        1,169,021   

General Motors Co.(a)

    89,700        1,768,884   
   

 

 

 
      2,937,905   
   

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER SERVICES–0.9%

   

Apollo Group, Inc.–Class A(a)

    39,200        1,418,648   
   

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE–1.1%

   

MGM Resorts International(a)

    161,300        1,800,108   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES–1.3%

   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    77,800        1,411,292   

NVR, Inc.(a)

    850        722,500   
   

 

 

 
      2,133,792   
   

 

 

 

MEDIA–6.6%

   

CBS Corp.–Class B

    49,000        1,606,220   

DIRECTV(a)

    26,100        1,274,202   

Gannett Co., Inc.

    97,300        1,433,229   

McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The)

    20,300        913,500   

News Corp.–Class A

    64,400        1,435,476   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.–Class A

    29,000        2,380,900   

Viacom, Inc.–Class B

    38,800        1,824,376   
   

 

 

 
      10,867,903   
   

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL–0.9%

   

Macy’s, Inc.

    45,300        1,556,055   
   

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL–1.5%

   

GameStop Corp.–Class A(b)

    24,700        453,492   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    15,900        842,541   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    34,500        981,180   

Staples, Inc.

    16,400        214,020   
   

 

 

 
      2,491,233   
   

 

 

 
      26,017,238   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY–14.4%

   

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES–1.7%

   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    31,000        1,347,880   

Transocean Ltd./Switzerland

    32,500        1,453,725   
   

 

 

 
      2,801,605   
   

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS–12.7%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    11,700        774,540   

BP PLC (Sponsored ADR)

    61,400        2,489,156   

 

3


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

Chevron Corp.

    37,500      $ 3,956,250   

Devon Energy Corp.

    10,100        585,699   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    112,900        9,660,853   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    49,500        1,265,715   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    39,900        1,792,308   

Valero Energy Corp.

    17,200        415,380   
   

 

 

 
      20,939,901   
   

 

 

 
      23,741,506   
   

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY–10.4%

   

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT–2.2%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    183,200        3,145,544   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    8,100        389,691   
   

 

 

 
      3,535,235   
   

 

 

 

COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS–2.1%

   

Dell, Inc.(a)

    11,100        138,972   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    167,300        3,364,403   
   

 

 

 
      3,503,375   
   

 

 

 

IT SERVICES–0.6%

   

Visa, Inc.–Class A

    8,500        1,050,855   
   

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT–5.3%

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. (ADR)

    95,435        388,420   

Applied Materials, Inc.

    185,900        2,130,414   

Intel Corp.

    135,000        3,597,750   

Lam Research Corp.(a)

    31,600        1,192,584   

Micron Technology, Inc.(a)

    230,000        1,451,300   
   

 

 

 
      8,760,468   
   

 

 

 

SOFTWARE–0.2%

   

CA, Inc.

    9,600        260,064   
   

 

 

 
      17,109,997   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES–8.8%

   

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING–2.6%

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    36,000        1,682,280   

Kroger Co. (The)

    109,200        2,532,348   
   

 

 

 
      4,214,628   
   

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS–0.7%

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    18,100        534,312   

Tyson Foods, Inc.–Class A

    37,500        706,125   
   

 

 

 
      1,240,437   
   

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS–2.2%

   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    57,900        3,546,375   
   

 

 

 

TOBACCO–3.3%

   

Altria Group, Inc.

    70,600        2,439,230   

Lorillard, Inc.

    20,000        2,639,000   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    4,700        410,122   
   

 

 

 
      5,488,352   
   

 

 

 
      14,489,792   
   

 

 

 
   

INDUSTRIALS–5.2%

   

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE–0.7%

   

General Dynamics Corp.

    9,600      $ 633,216   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    6,700        427,393   
   

 

 

 
      1,060,609   
   

 

 

 

AIRLINES–0.8%

   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.(a)

    120,675        1,321,391   
   

 

 

 

BUILDING PRODUCTS–0.3%

   

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.(a)

    25,058        558,042   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES–3.4%

   

General Electric Co.

    266,500        5,553,860   
   

 

 

 
      8,493,902   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES–5.2%

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES–3.3%

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    35,400        1,412,460   

Edison International

    31,100        1,436,820   

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

    47,600        1,019,116   

NV Energy, Inc.

    89,400        1,571,652   
   

 

 

 
      5,440,048   
   

 

 

 

GAS UTILITIES–0.7%

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

    32,000        1,122,240   
   

 

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES–1.2%

   

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    55,600        1,149,252   

DTE Energy Co.

    12,800        759,424   
   

 

 

 
      1,908,676   
   

 

 

 
      8,470,964   
   

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.1%

   

DIVERSIFIED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES–4.1%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    103,800        3,701,508   

CenturyLink, Inc.

    77,600        3,064,424   
   

 

 

 
      6,765,932   
   

 

 

 

MATERIALS–1.2%

   

CHEMICALS–1.2%

   

LyondellBasell Industries NV

    38,800        1,562,476   

PPG Industries, Inc.

    3,500        371,420   
   

 

 

 
      1,933,896   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $153,415,763)

      163,870,552   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Security Lending Collateral for Securities Loaned–99.7%
(cost $153,415,763)

      163,870,552   
   

 

 

 

 

4


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Company

  Shares     U.S. $ Value  
   

INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITY LOANED–0.3%

   

INVESTMENT COMPANIES–0.3%

   

AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves–Class I, 0.20%(c) (cost $450,775)

    450,775      $ 450,775   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS–100.0%
(cost $153,866,538)

      164,321,327   

Other assets less
liabilities–0.0%

      7,574   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS–100.0%

    $ 164,328,901   
   

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

(b)   Represents entire or partial securities out on loan. See Note E for securities lending information.

 

(c)   Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

Glossary:

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

See notes to financial statements.

 

5


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $153,415,763)

   $ 163,870,552 (a) 

Affiliated issuers (cost $450,775—including investment of cash collateral for securities loaned of $450,775)

     450,775   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     1,067,975   

Dividends and interest receivable

     241,671   

Receivable for capital stock sold

     100   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     165,631,073   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Due to custodian

     280,228   

Payable for collateral received on securities loaned

     450,775   

Payable for capital stock redeemed

     198,880   

Payable for investment securities purchased

     162,484   

Advisory fee payable

     74,952   

Distribution fee payable

     33,767   

Administrative fee payable

     15,757   

Transfer Agent fee payable

     172   

Accrued expenses

     85,157   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,302,172   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 164,328,901   
  

 

 

 

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

  

Capital stock, at par

   $ 16,583   

Additional paid-in capital

     225,693,933   

Undistributed net investment income

     4,270,950   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (76,107,354

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     10,454,789   
  

 

 

 
   $ 164,328,901   
  

 

 

 

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

 

Class      Net Assets        Shares
Outstanding
       Net Asset
Value
 

A

     $ 1,462,650           146,087         $   10.01   

B

     $   162,866,251           16,436,539         $ 9.91   

 

 

 

(a)   Includes securities on loan with a value of $453,492 (see Note E).

See notes to financial statements.

 

6


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (unaudited)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

  

Unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $10,338)

   $ 2,277,119   

Affiliated issuers

     931   

Interest

     64   

Securities lending income

     6,949   
  

 

 

 
     2,285,063   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     480,488   

Distribution fee—Class B

     216,494   

Transfer agency—Class A

     16   

Transfer agency—Class B

     1,891   

Custodian

     50,636   

Printing

     40,228   

Administrative

     26,873   

Audit

     18,378   

Legal

     15,785   

Directors’ fees

     1,913   

Miscellaneous

     3,660   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     856,362   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,428,701   
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

  

Net realized gain on:

  

Investment transactions

     4,662,666   

Foreign currency transactions

     5   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     5,678,002   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     10,340,673   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 11,769,374   
  

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7


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

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

   $ 1,428,701      $ 2,936,048   

Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

     4,662,671        14,523,560   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     5,678,002        (23,741,895
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     11,769,374        (6,282,287

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

    

Net investment income

    

Class A

     –0 –      (22,448

Class B

     –0 –      (2,297,210

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Net decrease

     (24,140,240     (28,927,020
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease

     (12,370,866     (37,528,965

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     176,699,767        214,228,732   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $4,270,950 and $2,842,249, respectively)

   $ 164,328,901      $ 176,699,767   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
June 30, 2012 (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 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 thirteen 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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 last traded price from the previous 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 or over the counter market (“OTC”) put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g. last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures contracts 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; U.S. government securities and other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; fixed-income securities, including mortgage backed and asset backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.

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 Portfolio may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement

 

9


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

 

date. The U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements establish 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of June 30, 2012:

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities:

             

Assets:

             

Common Stocks:

             

Health Care

     $ 28,816,358       $ 886,010       $             –0 –     $ 29,702,368   

Financials

       27,144,957         –0 –       –0 –       27,144,957   

Consumer Discretionary

       26,017,238         –0 –       –0 –       26,017,238   

Energy

       23,741,506         –0 –       –0 –       23,741,506   

Information Technology

       17,109,997         –0 –       –0 –       17,109,997   

Consumer Staples

       14,489,792         –0 –       –0 –       14,489,792   

Industrials

       8,493,902         –0 –       –0 –       8,493,902   

Utilities

       8,470,964         –0 –       –0 –       8,470,964   

Telecommunication Services

       6,765,932         –0 –       –0 –       6,765,932   

Materials

       1,933,896         –0 –       –0 –       1,933,896   

Investments of Cash Collateral for Security Loaned in Affiliated Money Market Fund

       450,775         –0 –       –0 –       450,775   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       163,435,317         886,010         –0 –       164,321,327   

Other Financial Instruments*

       –0 –       –0 –       –0 –       –0 – 
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 163,435,317       $ 886,010       $ –0 –     $ 164,321,327   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

3. 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 ask 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 foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

 

10


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

4. 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.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.

5. 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 the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. 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 respective net assets.

7. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, 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. GAAP. 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 daily average net assets for Class A and Class B shares, respectively (the “Expense Caps”). The Expense Caps extend through May 1, 2013 and then may be extended by the Adviser for additional one year terms. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, there was no such reimbursement.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, such fee amounted to $26,873.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012 amounted to $79,874, of which $0 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. (“ABIS”), 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 retained by ABIS amounted to $692 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

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.

 

11


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

 

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 or 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, 2012 were as follows:

 

       Purchases      Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

     $ 31,648,963       $ 53,661,231   

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

   $ 19,229,803   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (8,775,014
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 10,454,789   
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The Portfolio did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

2. 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 other 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: Securities Lending

The Portfolio may enter into securities lending transactions. Under the Portfolio’s securities lending program, all securities loans will be collateralized continually by cash. The Portfolio will be compensated for the loan from a portion of the net return from the income earned on cash collateral after a rebate is paid to the borrower (in some cases, this rebate may be a “negative rebate” or fee paid by the borrower to the Portfolio in connection with the loan), and payments for fees of the securities lending agent and for certain other administrative expenses. It is the policy of the Portfolio to receive collateral consisting of cash in an amount exceeding the value of the securities loaned. The Portfolio will have the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice to the borrower within the normal and customary settlement time for the securities. While the securities are on loan, the borrower is obligated to pay the Portfolio amounts equal to any income or other distributions from the securities. The Portfolio will not have the right to vote any securities during the existence of a loan, but will have the right to regain ownership of loaned securities in order to exercise voting or other ownership rights. The lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Portfolio in the case of default of any securities borrower. Collateral received and securities loaned are marked to market daily to ensure that the securities loaned are secured by collateral. The lending

 

12


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

agent will invest the cash collateral received in AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, an eligible money market vehicle, in accordance with the investment restrictions of the Portfolio, and as approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The collateral received on securities loaned is recorded as an asset as well as a corresponding liability in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the Portfolio lends securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned. At June 30, 2012, the Portfolio had securities on loan with a value of $453,492 and had received cash collateral which has been invested into AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves of $450,775. The cash collateral will be adjusted on the next business day after period end to maintain the required collateral amount. The Portfolio earned securities lending income of $6,949 and $931 from the borrowers and AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012; these amounts are reflected in the statement of operations. A principal risk of lending portfolio securities is that the borrower will fail to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan and that the collateral will not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. A summary of the Portfolio’s transactions in shares of AllianceBernstein Exchange Reserves for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

Market Value
December 31, 2011
(000)
   

Purchases

at Cost

(000)

 

Sales

Proceeds

(000)

 

Market Value

June 30, 2012

(000)

 

Dividend

Income

(000)

  $–0–      $5,849   $5,398   $451   $1

NOTE F: 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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
        Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 

Class A

         

Shares sold

    2,055        13,481        $ 20,865      $ 124,573   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      2,126          –0 –      22,448   

Shares redeemed

    (17,878     (27,172       (183,359     (267,901
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (15,823     (11,565     $ (162,494   $ (120,880
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

         

Shares sold

    92,606        1,007,484        $ 929,681      $ 9,274,516   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

    –0 –      219,199          –0 –      2,297,210   

Shares redeemed

    (2,525,056     (4,153,579       (24,907,427     (40,377,866
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (2,432,450     (2,926,896     $ (23,977,746   $ (28,806,140
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE G: 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. Independent of the Portfolio’s investments denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio’s positions in various foreign currencies may cause the Portfolio to experience investment losses due to the changes in exchange rates and interest rates.

Derivatives Risk—The Portfolio may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Portfolio, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

 

13


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

 

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

NOTE H: Joint Credit Facility

A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 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 miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE I: Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending December 31, 2012 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

       2011        2010  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 2,319,658         $ 3,624,876   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions

       2,319,658           3,624,876   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $ 2,319,658         $ 3,624,876   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,817,577   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (80,512,963 )(a) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     4,544,397 (b) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (73,150,989
  

 

 

 

 

(a)   On December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $79,970,146. During the fiscal year, the Portfolio utilized $14,964,977 of capital loss carryforwards to offset current year net realized gains. At December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a post-October short-term capital loss deferral of $542,817, which is deemed to arise on January 1, 2012.

 

(b)   The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and return of capital distributions received from underlying securities.

For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation.

As of December 31, 2011, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of $79,970,146 which will expire as follows:

 

SHORT-TERM
AMOUNT

  

LONG-TERM
AMOUNT

  

EXPIRATION

 
$    79,970,146        n/a      2017   

NOTE J: Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.

 

14


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

NOTE K: Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Portfolio’s financial statements through this date.

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.37        $9.84        $8.97        $7.67        $13.92        $15.08   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .10        .17        .12        .16        .27        .32   

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

    .54        (.50     .93        1.41        (5.62     (.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .64        (.33     1.05        1.57        (5.35     (.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.14     (.18     (.27     (.28     (.21

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.62     (.42
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.14     (.18     (.27     (.90     (.63
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.01        $9.37        $9.84        $8.97          $7.67        $13.92   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    6.83     (3.50 )%      11.81 %*      21.12 %*      (40.83 )%*      (3.95 )% 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $1,463        $1,517        $1,707        $1,594        $1,490        $3,305,460   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .73 %(c)      .71     .71 %(d)      .70     .67     .65

Net investment income

    1.90 %(c)      1.78     1.37 %(d)      2.09     2.46     2.17

Portfolio turnover rate

    18     62     73     64     33     20

 

 

 

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, 2012
(unaudited)
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.28        $9.75        $8.90        $7.59        $13.79        $14.95   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Income From Investment Operations

           

Net investment income (a)

    .08        .15        .10        .14        .24        .27   

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

    .55        (.50     .91        1.41        (5.58     (.83
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .63        (.35     1.01        1.55        (5.34     (.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Less: Dividends and Distributions

           

Dividends from net investment income

    –0 –      (.12     (.16     (.24     (.24     (.18

Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions

    –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      –0 –      (.62     (.42
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    –0 –      (.12     (.16     (.24     (.86     (.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $9.91        $9.28        $9.75        $8.90          $7.59        $13.79   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           

Total Return

           

Total investment return based on net asset value (b)

    6.79     (3.78 )%      11.42 %*      21.04 %*      (41.01 )%*      (4.16 )% 
           

Ratios/Supplemental Data

           

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

    $162,866        $175,183        $212,522        $213,827        $197,080        $329,217   

Ratio to average net assets of:

           

Expenses

    .98 %(c)      .96     .96 %(d)      .95     .92     .90

Net investment income

    1.63 %(c)      1.51     1.12 %(d)      1.84     2.24     1.82

Portfolio turnover rate

    18     62     73     64     33     20

 

 

 

(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 (i) insurance company’s separate account related expense charges and (ii) the deductions 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.

 

*   Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolio’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.02%, respectively.

 

    See notes to financial statements.

 

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 1-3, 2012.

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, in which 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 2010 and 2011 that had been prepared with an 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 of the Advisory Agreement with fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds 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 direc-

 

18


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

tors 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 other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Portfolio, including but not limited to benefits relating to soft dollar arrangements (whereby the Adviser receives brokerage and research services from brokers that execute transactions for certain clients, including the Portfolio); 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 2012 meeting, the directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper showing the performance of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio as compared with that of a group of similar funds selected by Lipper (the “Performance Group”) and as compared with that of 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 with the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”), in each case for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended February 29, 2012 and (in the case of comparisons with 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, in the 4th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 3-year period, and in the 5th quintile of the Performance Group and the Performance Universe for the 5-year period. The Portfolio lagged the Index in all periods. The directors also reviewed performance information for periods ended March 31, 2012 (for which the data was not limited to Class A Shares), and noted that in the 3-month period the Portfolio had outperformed the Lipper VA Large Cap Value Funds Average and the Index.

The directors noted that they had discussed with the Adviser their concerns about the relative performance of the Portfolio. The directors took into account the Adviser’s recent restructuring of the Adviser’s research and portfolio management teams and investment process changes that are intended to improve the investment performance of its equity services. The Adviser had stated its belief that, in the case of its value funds, it had adhered to its rigorous process for value investing during a period when value investing had not generally obtained favorable returns. The Adviser believed that other managers of value funds may not pursue value characteristics to the same degree as the Adviser, and that their funds’ short-term performance may have benefited from style drift. The Adviser also reiterated its conviction that, over the long term, rigorous value investing would yield superior investment returns. The directors were satisfied with the Adviser’s explanation.

Based on their review and their discussion with the Adviser of the reasons for the Portfolio’s performance, the directors retained confidence in the Adviser’s ability to manage the Portfolio. The directors determined to continue to monitor the Portfolio’s performance closely.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

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

The directors also considered the fees the Adviser charges non-fund clients pursuing a substantially similar investment style. For this purpose, they reviewed the relevant fee information from the Adviser’s Form ADV and the evaluation from the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted that the institutional fee schedule started at a higher fee rate than the Portfolio’s starting fee rate, but had more breakpoints starting at lower asset levels. As a result, the application of the institutional fee schedule to the level of assets of the Portfolio would result in a lower fee rate than that being paid by the Portfolio. The

 

19


VALUE PORTFOLIO  
CONTINUANCE DISCLOSURE  
(continued)   AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

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’s fee rate is higher than the sub-advisory fee rate earned by the Adviser for sub-advising certain registered investment companies with a similar investment style. 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 the substantial differences in services rendered by the Adviser to institutional clients as compared to funds such as the Portfolio, the directors considered these fee comparisons inapt and did not place significant weight on them in their deliberations.

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 similar 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 noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view the expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Portfolio by others.

The directors noted that, at the Portfolio’s current size, its contractual effective advisory fee rate of 55 basis points, plus the 3 basis point impact of the administrative expense reimbursement in the latest fiscal year, 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 the 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 took into consideration prior presentations by an independent consultant on economies of scale in the mutual fund industry and for the AllianceBernstein Funds, and by the Adviser concerning certain of its views on economies of scale. The directors also had requested and received from the Adviser certain updates on economies of scale at the May 2012 meetings. 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 the 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 shareholders would benefit from 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.

These factors, with the exception of the first factor, are generally referred to as the “Gartenberg factors,” which were articulated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1982. Gartenberg v. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc., 694 F. 2d 923 (2d Cir. 1982). The first factor is an additional factor required to be considered by the AoD. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court held the Gartenberg decision was correct in its basic formulation of what §36(b) requires: to face liability under §36(b), “an investment adviser must charge a fee that is so disproportionately large that it bears no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and could not have been the product of arm’s length bargaining.” Jones v. Harris Associates L.P., 130 S. Ct. 1418 (2010). In the Jones decision, the Court stated the Gartenberg approach fully incorporates the correct understanding of fiduciary duty within the context of section 36(b) and noted with approval that “Gartenberg insists that all relevant circumstances be taken into account” and “uses the range of fees that might result from arm’s-length bargaining as the benchmark for reviewing challenged fees.”3

PORTFOLIO ADVISORY FEES, NET ASSETS & EXPENSE 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.

 

Category   Advisory Fee Based on % of
Average Daily Net Assets
 

Net Assets

03/31/12

($MIL)

    Portfolio

Value

 

55 bp on first $2.5 billion

45 bp on next $2.5 billion

40 bp on the balance

  $ 183.4      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 $60,578 (0.03% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets) for such services.

 

1   The information in the fee summary was completed on April 19, 2012 and discussed with the Board of Directors on May 1-3, 2012.

 

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   Jones v. Harris at 1427.

 

 

21


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

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive that portion of its management fees and/or reimburse the Portfolio for that portion of its total operating expenses to the degree necessary to limit the Portfolio’s expense ratios to the amounts set forth below for the Portfolio’s fiscal year. The waiver is terminable by the Adviser on May 1st of each year upon at least 60 days written notice. It should be noted that the Portfolio was operating below its expense caps for the most recent fiscal year; accordingly the expense limitation undertaking of the Portfolio was of no effect. In addition, set forth below are the gross expense ratios of the Portfolio for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

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

Value Portfolio

 

Class A    1.20%

Class B    1.45%

   

 

0.71%

0.96%

  

  

  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, the Adviser is reimbursed for providing such services. 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. 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, the Supreme Court has indicated consideration should be given to the advisory fees charged to institutional accounts that have 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

 

4   The Supreme Court stated that “courts may give such comparisons the weight that they merit in light of the similarities and differences between the services that the clients in question require, but the courts must be wary of inapt comparisons.” Among the significant differences the Supreme Court noted that may exist between services provided to mutual funds and institutional accounts are “higher marketing costs.” Jones v. Harris at 1428.

 

 

22


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

fee of the Portfolio had the AllianceBernstein institutional fee schedule been applicable to the Portfolio versus the Portfolio’s advisory fee based on March 31, 2012 net assets:5

 

Portfolio   

Net Assets

3/31/12

($MIL)

    

AllianceBernstein
Institutional

Fee Schedule

  

Effective

AB Inst.

Adv. Fee

    

Portfolio

Advisory

Fee

 

Value Portfolio

   $ 183.4      

Diversified Value Schedule

65 bp on first $25m

50 bp on the next $25m

40 bp on the next $50m

30 bp on the next $100m

25 bp on the balance

Minimum account size $25m

     0.402      0.550

The Adviser also manages AllianceBernstein Value Fund, Inc. (“Value Fund, Inc.”), a retail mutual fund, which has a substantially similar investment style as the Portfolio. Set forth below is the fee schedule of Value Fund, Inc. and what would have been the effective advisory fee of the Portfolio had the fee schedule of the retail mutual fund been applicable to the Portfolio:6

 

Portfolio   AllianceBernstein
Mutual Fund
  Fee Schedule  

ABMF

Effective
Fee

   

Portfolio

Advisory
Fee

 

Value Portfolio

  Value 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 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 sub-advisory relationships that have a somewhat similar investment style as the Portfolio. Also shown are the Portfolio’s advisory fees and what would have been the effective advisory fees of the Portfolio had the fee schedules of the sub-advisory relationships been applicable to the Portfolio based on March 31, 2012 net assets.

 

Portfolio        Fee Schedule  

Effective

Sub-Adv.

Fee (%)

    Portfolio
Advisory
Fee (%)
 

Value Portfolio

  Client #17  

0.49% on the first $100 million

0.30% on the next $100 million

0.25% on the balance

    0.404%        0.550%   
  Client #27   0.30% of the average daily net assets     0.300%        0.550%   
  Client #3  

0.15% on the first $1 billion

0.14% on the next $2 billion

0.12% on the next $2 billion

0.10% on the balance

+/- Performance Fee (v. R`000V)

    0.150% 8      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 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.

 

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

 

6   The retail 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 retail mutual fund.

 

7   The client is an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

8   The sub-advised fund’s sub-advisory fee shown does not include any performance fee adjustment.

 

 

23


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

 

While it appears that the sub-advisory relationships are paying a lower fee than the Portfolios, it is difficult to evaluate the relevance of such lower fees due to differences in terms of the services provided, risks involved and other competitive factors between the Portfolio and the sub-advisory relationship. There could be various business reasons why an investment adviser would be willing to provide a sub-advisory relationship investment related services at a different fee level than an investment company it is sponsoring where the investment adviser is providing all the services, not just investment management, generally required by a registered investment company.

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.9 Lipper’s analysis included the comparison of the Portfolio’s contractual management fee, estimated at the approximate current asset level of the Portfolio, to the median of the Portfolio’s Lipper Expense Group (“EG”) and the Portfolio’s contractual management fee ranking.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 Exp.

Group

Median (%)

     Rank  

Value Portfolio

     0.550         0.745         1/13   

Lipper also analyzed the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year total expense ratio in comparison to the Portfolio’s EG and Lipper Expense Universe (“EU”). The EU12 is a broader group compared to the EG, consisting of all funds that have the same investment classification/objective and load type as the subject Portfolio.

 

Portfolio   

Expense

Ratio
(%)13

    

Lipper Exp.

Group

Median (%)

    

Lipper

Group

Rank

    

Lipper Exp.

Universe

Median (%)

    

Lipper
Universe

Rank

 

Value Portfolio

     0.706         0.748         2/13         0.750         11/36   

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

III. COSTS TO THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES OF SUPPLYING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE 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.

 

9   The Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since “these comparisons are problematic because these fees, like those challenged, may not be the product of the negotiations conducted at arm’s-length.” Jones v. Harris at 1429.

 

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 does not reflect any advisory fee waiver or expense cap 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

 

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 2011, relative to 2010.

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, 2011, AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”), the Portfolio’s distributor and an affiliate of the Adviser, received $481,003 in Rule 12b-1 fees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Adviser incurred distribution expenses in the amount of $1,408,158 in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Portfolio’s Class B shares. This amount includes the 12b-1 fees paid by the Portfolio to the Adviser.

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. With respect to the Fund, which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund not discussed in this summary, ABI paid approximately $500,000 in 2011.

The transfer agent of the Portfolio is AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”). During the most recently completed fiscal year, ABIS received a fee of $1,385 from the Portfolio.14

The Portfolio did not effect brokerage transactions and pay commissions through the Adviser’s affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB & Co.”) nor its U.K. affiliate, Sanford C. Bernstein Limited (“SCB Ltd.”), collectively “SCB,” during the Portfolio’s most recently completed fiscal year. The Adviser represented that SCB’s profitability from business conducted in the future 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, 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

 

14   The Fund (which includes the Portfolio and other Portfolios of the Fund) paid ABIS a flat fee of $18,000 in 2010.

 

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

 

 

25


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

 

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 information on the Adviser’s firm-wide average costs from 2005 through 2011 and potential economies of scale. The independent consultant noted that from 2005 through 2007 the Adviser experienced significant growth in assets under management (“AUM”). During this period, operating expenses increased, in part to keep up with growth, and in part reflecting market returns. However, from 2008 through the first quarter of 2009, AUM rapidly and significantly decreased. Some operating expenses, including base compensation and office space, adjusted more slowly during this period, resulting in an increase in average costs. Since 2009, AUM has moved within a range of $400 to $500 million ending 2011 with an average of $411 million in the fourth quarter. The independent consultant noted that changes in operating expenses reflect changes in business composition and business practices in response to changes in financial markets. Finally, the independent consultant concluded that the increase in average cost and the decline in net operating margin across the company since 2008 are inconsistent with the view that there are currently “economies of scale” to be shared with clients through lower fees.

In February 2008, the independent consultant provided the Board of Directors an update of the Deli16 study on advisory fees and various fund characteristics.17 The independent consultant first reiterated the results of his previous two dimensional comparison analysis (fund size and family size) with the Board of Directors.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 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.

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

With assets under management of approximately $419 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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 returns and rankings of the Portfolio19 relative to its Lipper Performance Group (“PG”) and Lipper Performance Universe (“PU”)20 for the periods ended February 29, 2012.21

 

     Fund     PG
Median
    PU
Median
    PG
Rank
    PU
Rank
 

Value Portfolio

         

1 year

    –1.08        0.68        1.53        11/13        35/46   

3 year

    22.73        23.52        23.25        9/13        26/43   

5 year

    –3.90        0.51        –0.04        10/10        34/36   

 

16   The Deli study, originally published in 2002 based on 1997 data and updated for the February 2008 Presentation, may be of diminished value due to the age of the data used in the presentation and the changes experienced in the industry over the last four years.

 

17   As mentioned previously, the Supreme Court cautioned against accepting mutual fund fee comparisons without careful scrutiny since the fees may not be the product of negotiations conducted at arm’s length. See Jones V. Harris at 1429.

 

18   The two dimensional analysis 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.

 

19   The performance rankings are for the Class A shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s performance returns shown were provided by Lipper.

 

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

 

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

 

 

26


    AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund

 

Set forth below are the 1, 3, 5 year and since inception performance returns of the Portfolio (in bold)22 versus its benchmarks.23 Portfolio and benchmark volatility and reward-to-variability ratio (“Sharpe Ratio”) information is also shown.24

 

    

1

Year
(%)

   

3

Year
(%)

   

5

Year
(%)

    Since
Inception
(%)
    Annualized     Risk
Period
(Year)
 
          Volatility
(%)
    Sharpe
(%)
   

Value Portfolio

  1.08        22.73      3.90        5.39        20.97      0.14        5   

Russell 1000 Value Index

    2.18        25.01      1.08        7.60        20.05      0.02        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: May 25, 2012

 

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 February 29, 2012.

 

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 viewed 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


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/    ROBERT M. KEITH        
  Robert M. Keith
  President

Date: August 9, 2012

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/    ROBERT M. KEITH        
  Robert M. Keith
  President

Date: August 9, 2012

 

By:   /s/    JOSEPH J. MANTINEO        
  Joseph J. Mantineo
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 9, 2012