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EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.Financial_Report.xls
10-Q - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P. 10-Q 9-30-2010 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.form10q.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.ex31_2.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.ex32_2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.ex31_1.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.ex32_1.htm
EX-15.1 - EXHIBIT 15.1 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P.ex15_1.htm

Exhibit 99.1


Part I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(in thousands, except unit amounts)

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 615,597     $ 614,216  
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value (cost: $740,256 and $985,213)
    740,345       985,331  
Receivables, net:
               
Brokers and dealers
    260,791       170,148  
Brokerage clients
    720,444       582,248  
Fees
    338,941       346,482  
Investments:
               
Deferred compensation-related
    358,443       400,959  
Other
    531,651       373,870  
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
    301,252       359,674  
Goodwill
    2,893,029       2,893,029  
Intangible assets, net
    207,848       223,992  
Deferred sales commissions, net
    82,493       90,187  
Other assets
    155,566       174,804  
Total assets
  $ 7,206,400     $ 7,214,940  
                 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
               
Liabilities:
               
Payables:
               
Brokers and dealers
  $ 177,282     $ 120,574  
Securities sold not yet purchased
    30,837       31,806  
Brokerage clients
    1,338,392       1,430,835  
AllianceBernstein mutual funds
    83,791       86,054  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    423,646       278,398  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    546,089       316,331  
Debt
    108,998       248,987  
Total liabilities
    2,709,035       2,512,985  
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8)
               
                 
Capital:
               
General Partner
    47,443       48,671  
Limited partners: 275,609,529 and 274,745,592 units issued and outstanding
    4,749,323       4,862,158  
Capital contributions receivable from General Partner
    (17,745 )     (19,664 )
Holding Units held for deferred compensation plans
    (408,730 )     (338,941 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (18,429 )     (21,862 )
Partners’ capital attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
    4,351,862       4,530,362  
Non-controlling interests in consolidated entities
    145,503       171,593  
Total capital
    4,497,365       4,701,955  
Total liabilities and capital
  $ 7,206,400     $ 7,214,940  

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
1

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
 (in thousands, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Revenues:
                       
Investment advisory and services fees
  $ 503,297     $ 484,098     $ 1,528,337     $ 1,377,170  
Bernstein research services
    95,806       109,321       323,716       325,830  
Distribution revenues
    85,378       73,779       249,204       196,437  
Dividend and interest income
    5,040       4,966       13,862       19,344  
Investment gains (losses)
    41,388       106,680       (23,164 )     130,727  
Other revenues
    27,459       27,946       81,756       79,418  
Total revenues
    758,368       806,790       2,173,711       2,128,926  
Less: Interest expense
    801       776       2,715       3,908  
Net revenues
    757,567       806,014       2,170,996       2,125,018  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Employee compensation and benefits
    343,530       335,898       976,068       974,662  
Promotion and servicing:
                               
Distribution-related payments
    72,501       61,842       210,265       164,802  
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    11,780       13,363       36,048       42,104  
Other
    46,427       42,615       139,072       130,866  
General and administrative:
                               
General and administrative
    130,422       122,898       385,281       397,984  
Real estate charges
    89,598             101,582       5,728  
Interest on borrowings
    469       491       1,454       2,130  
Amortization of intangible assets
    5,360       5,437       16,115       16,170  
Total expenses
    700,087       582,544       1,865,885       1,734,446  
                                 
Operating income
    57,480       223,470       305,111       390,572  
                                 
Non-operating (expense) income
    (13 )     16,869       6,760       29,105  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    57,467       240,339       311,871       419,677  
                                 
Income taxes
    3,033       13,844       29,164       32,076  
                                 
Net income
    54,434       226,495       282,707       387,601  
                                 
Net (income) loss of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    (2,919 )     (27,154 )     23,193       (23,114 )
                                 
Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 51,515     $ 199,341     $ 305,900     $ 364,487  
                                 
Net income per AllianceBernstein Unit:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.19     $ 0.74     $ 1.10     $ 1.36  
Diluted
  $ 0.18     $ 0.74     $ 1.09     $ 1.36  

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
2

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
       
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 282,707     $ 387,601  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    36,048       42,104  
Amortization of non-cash deferred compensation
    86,343       51,838  
Depreciation and other amortization
    61,497       63,047  
Unrealized (gains) on deferred compensation-related investments
    (24,553 )     (162,781 )
Unrealized loss (gain) on consolidated venture capital fund
    27,331       (8,509 )
Non-cash real estate charges
    101,582       2,264  
Other
    (7,300 )     (16,212 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease in segregated cash and securities
    244,986       1,298,303  
(Increase) in receivables
    (336,286 )     (42,660 )
(Increase) in investments
    (111,835 )     (28,672 )
(Increase) in deferred sales commissions
    (28,354 )     (25,589 )
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    20,220       (15,170 )
Increase (decrease) in payables
    78,021       (1,174,793 )
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    34,177       (11,133 )
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits
    227,496       215,385  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    692,080       575,023  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of investments
    (73 )     (10,439 )
Proceeds from sales of investments
    2,273       4,380  
Additions to furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
    (10,530 )     (43,542 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (8,330 )     (49,601 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
(Repayment) of commercial paper, net
    (150,185 )     (258,718 )
Proceeds from bank loans, net
    10,000       25,000  
Increase (decrease) in overdrafts payable
    32,751       (26,424 )
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders
    (447,651 )     (265,699 )
(Distributions to) contributions from non-controlling interests in consolidated entities
    (4,787 )     (19,369 )
Capital contributions from General Partner
    2,810       2,751  
Additional investment by Holding with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units
    8,102        
Purchases of Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plan awards, net
    (137,435 )     (232 )
Other
    (36 )     154  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (686,431 )     (542,537 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    4,062       35,525  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,381       18,410  
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period
    614,216       552,577  
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period
  $ 615,597     $ 570,987  

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
3

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2010
(unaudited)

The words “we” and “our” refer collectively to AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“Holding”) and AllianceBernstein L.P. and its subsidiaries (“AllianceBernstein”), or to their officers and employees. Similarly, the word “company” refers to both Holding and AllianceBernstein. Where the context requires distinguishing between Holding and AllianceBernstein, we identify which of them is being discussed. Cross-references are in italics.

These statements should be read in conjunction with AllianceBernstein’s audited consolidated financial statements included in AllianceBernstein’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

1.
Business Description and Organization

We provide research, diversified investment management and related services globally to a broad range of clients. Our principal services include:

 
Institutional Services – servicing our institutional clients, including unaffiliated corporate and public employee pension funds, endowment funds, domestic and foreign institutions and governments, and affiliates such as AXA and certain of its insurance company subsidiaries, by means of separately-managed accounts, sub-advisory relationships, structured products, collective investment trusts, mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment vehicles.

 
Retail Services – servicing our retail clients, primarily by means of retail mutual funds sponsored by AllianceBernstein or an affiliated company, sub-advisory relationships with mutual funds sponsored by third parties, separately-managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries worldwide and other investment vehicles.

 
Private Client Services – servicing our private clients, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts and estates, charitable foundations, partnerships, private and family corporations, and other entities, by means of separately-managed accounts, hedge funds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles.

 
Bernstein Research Services – servicing institutional investors seeking research, portfolio analysis and brokerage-related services, and issuers of publicly-traded securities seeking equity capital markets services.

We also provide distribution, shareholder servicing and administrative services to the mutual funds we sponsor.

We provide a broad range of investment services with expertise in:

 
Value equities, generally targeting stocks that are out of favor and considered undervalued;

 
Growth equities, generally targeting stocks with under-appreciated growth potential;

 
Fixed income securities, including taxable and tax-exempt securities;

 
Blend strategies, combining style-pure investment components with systematic rebalancing;

 
Passive management, including index and enhanced index strategies;

 
Alternative investments, such as hedge funds, currency management strategies, venture capital and, in the near future, direct real estate investing; and

 
Asset allocation services, by which we offer blend strategies specifically-tailored for our clients (e.g., customized target-date fund retirement services for defined contribution plan sponsors).

We manage these services using various investment disciplines, including market capitalization (e.g., large-, mid- and small-cap equities), term (e.g., long-, intermediate- and short-duration debt securities), and geographic location (e.g., U.S., international, global and emerging markets), as well as local and regional disciplines in major markets around the world.

During 2009, we were selected by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of only three firms to manage its portfolio of assets issued by banks and other institutions taking part in the Capital Purchase Program of the Troubled Assets Relief Program. In addition, we were selected by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of nine pre-qualified fund managers under the Public-Private Investment Program and, during the fourth quarter of 2009, we were one of five firms that closed an initial Public-Private Investment Fund (“PPIF”) of at least $500 million. In April 2010, we closed our PPIF with over $1.1 billion raised.

 
4

 

Our research is the foundation of our business.  Our research disciplines include fundamental research, quantitative research, economic research and currency forecasting.  In addition, we have created several specialized research units, including one that examines global strategic changes that can affect multiple industries and geographies, and another dedicated to identifying potentially successful innovation by early-stage companies.

As of September 30, 2010, AXA, a société anonyme organized under the laws of France and the holding company for an international group of insurance and related financial services companies, through certain of its subsidiaries (“AXA and its subsidiaries”) owned approximately 1.4% of the issued and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests in Holding (“Holding Units”).

As of September 30, 2010, the ownership structure of AllianceBernstein, expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests, was as follows:

AXA and its subsidiaries
    61.4 %
Holding
    36.7  
Unaffiliated holders
    1.9  
      100.0 %

AllianceBernstein Corporation (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, “General Partner”) is the general partner of both Holding and AllianceBernstein. AllianceBernstein Corporation owns 100,000 general partnership units in Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in AllianceBernstein. Including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in Holding and AllianceBernstein, AXA and its subsidiaries had an approximate 63.0% economic interest in AllianceBernstein as of September 30, 2010.

2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of AllianceBernstein included herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the interim results, have been made. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the interim reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The December 31, 2009 condensed consolidated statement of financial condition was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include AllianceBernstein and its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.  These include: (i) securities sold not yet purchased, previously included in payables to brokers and dealers in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, is currently shown separately, (ii) Holding Units owned by AllianceBernstein not yet awarded under deferred compensation plans, previously included in limited partners’ capital in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position, have been reclassified to Holding Units held for deferred compensation plans, (iii) Bernstein Research Services transaction costs, previously included in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income, have been reclassified to other promotion and servicing expenses, (iv) certain distribution services expenses, previously included in other promotion and servicing expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income, have been reclassified to distribution-related payments, (v) unrealized loss on consolidated venture capital fund, previously included in other adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, is currently shown separately, and  (vi) non-cash real estate charges, previously included in other adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities and changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, is currently shown separately.

 
5

 

Cash Distributions

AllianceBernstein is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AllianceBernstein (“AllianceBernstein Partnership Agreement”), to its unitholders and to the General Partner. Available Cash Flow can be summarized as the cash flow received by AllianceBernstein from operations minus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be retained by AllianceBernstein for use in its business.

The General Partner computes cash flow received from operations by determining the sum of:

 
net cash provided by operating activities of AllianceBernstein,

 
proceeds from borrowings and from sales or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business, and

 
income from investments in marketable securities, liquid investments and other financial instruments that are acquired for investment purposes and that have a value that may be readily established,

and then subtracting from this amount the sum of:

 
payments in respect of the principal of borrowings, and

 
amounts expended for the purchase of assets in the ordinary course of business.

On October 27, 2010, the General Partner declared a distribution of $50.1 million, or $0.18 per AllianceBernstein Unit, representing a distribution of Available Cash Flow for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The General Partner, as a result of its 1% general partnership interest, is entitled to receive 1% of each distribution. The distribution is payable on November 18, 2010 to holders of record on November 8, 2010.

Fees Receivable, Net

Fees receivable are shown net of allowances. An allowance for doubtful accounts related to investment advisory and services fees is determined through an analysis of the aging of receivables, assessments of collectibility based on historical trends and other qualitative and quantitative factors, including the following: our relationship with the client, the financial health (or ability to pay) of the client, current economic conditions and whether the account is closed or active.

Investments

Investments include United States Treasury Bills, unconsolidated mutual funds and limited partnership hedge funds we sponsor and manage, various separately-managed portfolios comprised of equity and fixed income securities, exchanged-traded options and investments owned by a consolidated venture capital fund in which we own a controlling interest as the general partner and in which we hold a 10% limited partnership interest.

Investments in United States Treasury Bills, mutual funds, and equity and fixed income securities are classified as either trading or available-for-sale securities. Trading investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in net income. Available-for-sale investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in partners’ capital. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are included in income in the current period. Average cost is used to determine the realized gain or loss on investments sold.

We use the equity method of accounting for investments in limited partnership hedge funds. The equity in earnings of our limited partnership hedge fund investments is included in investment gains and losses on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund are generally illiquid and are initially valued at cost. These investments are adjusted to fair value to reflect the occurrence of “significant developments” (i.e., capital transactions or business, economic or market events). Adjustments to fair value are included in investment gains and losses on the condensed consolidated statements of income. There is one private equity investment which represents an approximate 11% ownership in a company that we own directly, outside of our consolidated venture capital fund.  This investment is accounted for using the cost method.

See Note 7 for a description of how we measure the fair value of our investments.

 
6

 

Goodwill

In 2000, AllianceBernstein acquired the business and assets of SCB Inc., an investment research and management company formerly known as Sanford C. Bernstein Inc. (“Bernstein”), and assumed the liabilities of Bernstein (“Bernstein Transaction”). The purchase price consisted of a cash payment of approximately $1.5 billion and 40.8 million newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units. The Bernstein Transaction was accounted for under the purchase method and the cost of the acquisition was allocated on the basis of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed, resulted in the recognition of goodwill of approximately $3.0 billion.

We test our goodwill annually, as of September 30, for impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is also reviewed if facts and circumstances, such as significant declines in assets under management, revenues, earnings or the Holding Unit price, occur, suggesting possible impairment. As of September 30, 2010, the impairment test indicated that goodwill was not impaired.

To the extent that securities valuations are depressed for prolonged periods of time, our assets under management, revenues, profitability and unit price may be adversely affected.  As a result, subsequent impairment tests may be based upon different assumptions and future cash flow projections, which may result in an impairment of this asset. Any impairment could reduce materially the recorded amount of goodwill with a corresponding charge to our earnings.

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets consist primarily of costs assigned to acquired investment management contracts of SCB Inc. based on their estimated fair value at the time of acquisition, less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are recognized at fair value and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of approximately 20 years. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization totaled $415.9 million and $208.1 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2010 and $415.9 million and $191.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2009. Amortization expense was $5.3 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $16.1 million and $16.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is approximately $22 million.

We periodically review intangible assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, additional impairment tests are performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any.

Deferred Sales Commissions, Net

We pay commissions to financial intermediaries in connection with the sale of shares of open-end company-sponsored mutual funds sold without a front-end sales charge (“back-end load shares”). These commissions are capitalized as deferred sales commissions and amortized over periods not exceeding five and one-half years for U.S. fund shares and four years for non-U.S. fund shares, the periods of time during which deferred sales commissions are generally recovered. We recover these commissions from distribution services fees received from those funds and from contingent deferred sales commissions (“CDSC”) received from shareholders of those funds upon the redemption of their shares. CDSC cash recoveries are recorded as reductions of unamortized deferred sales commissions when received. Effective January 31, 2009, back-end load shares are no longer offered to new investors by our U.S. mutual funds.

We periodically review the deferred sales commission asset for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, additional impairment tests are performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any.

Loss Contingencies

With respect to all significant litigation matters, we consider the likelihood of a negative outcome.  If we determine the likelihood of a negative outcome is probable, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record an estimated loss for the expected outcome of the litigation. If the likelihood of a negative outcome is reasonably possible and we are able to determine an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, we disclose that fact together with the estimate of the possible loss or range of loss. However, it is difficult to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, particularly when plaintiffs allege substantial or indeterminate damages, or when the litigation is highly complex or broad in scope. In such cases, we disclose that we are unable to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss.

 
7

 

Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and services fees, generally calculated as a percentage of assets under management (“AUM”), are recorded as revenue as the related services are performed. Certain investment advisory contracts, including those associated with hedge funds, provide for a performance-based fee, in addition to or in lieu of a base fee, which is calculated as either a percentage of absolute investment results or a percentage of investment results in excess of a stated benchmark over a specified period of time. Performance-based fees are recorded as a component of revenue at the end of each contract’s measurement period.

We calculate AUM using established fair valuation methodologies, including market-based valuation methods and fair valuation methods. Market-based valuation methods include:  last sale/settle prices from an exchange for actively-traded listed equities, options and futures; evaluated bid prices from recognized pricing vendors for fixed income, asset-backed or mortgage-backed issues; mid prices from recognized pricing vendors and brokers for credit default swaps; and quoted bids or spreads from pricing vendors and brokers for other derivative products.  Fair valuation methods include discounted cash flow models, evaluation of assets versus liabilities or any other methodology that is validated and approved by our Valuation Committee. Fair valuation methods are used only where AUM cannot be valued using market-based valuation methods, such as in the case of private equity or illiquid securities. Fair valued investments typically make up less than 1% of our total AUM.  Recent market volatility has not had a significant effect on our ability to acquire market data and, accordingly, our ability to use market-based valuation methods.

The Valuation Committee, which is composed of senior officers and employees, is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios.  The Valuation Committee has adopted a Statement of Pricing Policies describing principles and policies that apply to pricing and valuing investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios.  We have also established a Pricing Group, which reports to the Valuation Committee.  The Valuation Committee has delegated to the Pricing Group responsibility for overseeing the pricing process for all investments.

Bernstein Research Services revenue consists primarily of brokerage transaction charges for research and brokerage-related services provided to institutional investors. Brokerage transaction charges earned and related expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. Bernstein Research Services revenue also consists of underwriting fees, management fees and/or selling concessions from equity capital markets activities, which are recognized as the related services are performed.

Distribution revenues, shareholder servicing fees, and dividend and interest income are accrued as earned.

Real Estate Charge

As previously disclosed, we recently performed a comprehensive review of our real estate requirements in New York, in connection with our workforce reductions commencing in 2008. As a result, we intend to sub-lease over 300,000 square feet in New York and largely consolidate our employees into two office locations from three. We therefore recorded a non-cash pre-tax real estate charge of $89.6 million in the current quarter that reflects the net present value of the difference between the amount of our on-going contractual operating lease obligations for this space and our estimate of current market rental rates, as well as the write-off of leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment related to this space.

Deferred Compensation Plans

We maintain several unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plans under which annual awards to employees are generally made in the fourth quarter. For awards made before 2009, participants were permitted to allocate their awards: (i) among notional investments in Holding Units, certain of the investment services we provide to our clients, and a money market fund, (ii) restricted Holding Units or (iii) under certain circumstances, in options to buy Holding Units. Awards in 2009 consisted solely of restricted Holding Units. We typically made investments in our services that were notionally elected by the participants and maintain them in a consolidated rabbi trust or separate custodial account. Awards generally vest over four years but can vest more quickly depending on the terms of the individual award, the age of the participant, or the terms of the participant’s employment, separation or retirement agreement. Upon vesting, awards are distributed to participants unless they have made a voluntary long-term election to defer receipt. Quarterly cash distributions on unvested Holding Units or restricted Holding Units for which a long-term deferral election has not been made are paid currently to participants. For awards made prior to December 2009, quarterly cash distributions on notional investments in Holding Units and income credited on notional investments in our investment services or the money market fund for which a long-term deferral election has been made are reinvested and distributed as elected by participants. For awards made in December 2009, quarterly cash distributions on vested and unvested restricted Holding Units for which a long-term deferral election has been made are paid currently to participants.

 
8

 

Compensation expense for awards under the plans, including changes in participant account balances resulting from gains and losses on related investments (other than in Holding Units and options to buy Holding Units), is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods. Mark-to-market gains or losses on investments made to fund deferred compensation obligations (other than in Holding Units and options to buy Holding Units) are recognized currently as investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. In addition, our equity in the earnings of investments in limited partnership hedge funds made to fund deferred compensation obligations is recognized currently as investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Compensatory Unit Awards and Option Plans

We recognize compensation expense related to grants of restricted Holding Units and options to buy Holding Units in the financial statements using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, compensatory expense is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and is recognized over the vesting period. Fair value of restricted Holding Unit awards is the closing price of a Holding Unit on the grant date; fair value of options is determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

We fund our restricted Holding Unit awards to employees either by purchasing newly-issued Holding Units from Holding or purchasing Holding Units on the open market, all of which are held in a consolidated rabbi trust until they are distributed to employees upon vesting.  In accordance with the AllianceBernstein Partnership Agreement, when Holding issues Holding Units to AllianceBernstein, Holding is required to use the proceeds it receives from AllianceBernstein to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units, thus increasing its percentage ownership interest in AllianceBernstein. Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust are corporate assets in the name of the trust and are available to the general creditors of AllianceBernstein.

Since March 2010, we have engaged in open-market purchases of Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program. During the third quarter of 2010, we purchased 1.9 million Holding Units for $49.3 million. Through September 30, 2010, we purchased 4.9 million Holding Units for $135.4 million. We intend to continue to engage in open-market purchases of Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program.

We granted 1.5 million restricted Holding Unit awards to employees during the first nine months of 2010. To fund these awards, Holding issued 0.4 million Holding Units and we used 1.1 million Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust. There were 5.0 million unallocated Holding Units remaining in the consolidated rabbi trust as of September 30, 2010.

New Holding Units are also issued by Holding upon exercise of options.  Proceeds received by Holding upon exercise of options are used to acquire newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units, increasing Holding’s percentage ownership interest in AllianceBernstein.

On July 26, 2010, the Amended and Restated 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan expired. Effective as of July 1, 2010, we established the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”), which was adopted by Holding Unitholders at a special meeting of Holding Unitholders held on June 30, 2010. The following forms of awards may be granted to employees and independent directors of the General Partner under the 2010 Plan: (i) restricted Holding Units or phantom restricted Holding Units (a “phantom” award is a contractual right to receive Holding Units at a later date or upon a specified event); (ii) options to buy Holding Units; and (iii) other Holding Unit-based awards (including, without limitation, Holding Unit appreciation rights and performance awards). The 2010 Plan will expire on June 30, 2020, and no awards under the 2010 Plan will be made after that date. Under the 2010 Plan, the number of newly-issued Holding Units with respect to which awards may be granted is 30 million. The 2010 Plan also permits us to award an additional 30 million Holding Units if we acquire the Holding Units on the open market or through private purchases. As of September 30, 2010, we have granted 0.7 million Holding Unit awards under the 2010 Plan.

Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-17, Consolidations (Topic 810) – Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, effective January 1, 2010.  This standard changed how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting should be consolidated.  The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design, a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and whether a company is obligated to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity.  The standard also requires ongoing assessments of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  The provisions of this standard are effective January 1, 2010.  In January 2010, the FASB deferred portions of ASU 2009-17 that relate to asset managers. We determined that all entities for which we are a sponsor and/or investment manager, other than collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations (collectively “CDOs”), qualify for the scope deferral and will continue to be assessed for consolidation under prior accounting guidance for consolidation of variable interest entities.

 
9

 

As of September 30, 2010, we are the investment manager for ten CDOs that meet the definition of a VIE due primarily to the lack of unilateral decision-making authority of the equity holders.  The CDOs are alternative investment vehicles created for the sole purpose of issuing collateralized debt instruments that offer investors the opportunity for returns that vary with the risk level of their investment.  Our management fee structure for these CDOs will typically include a senior management fee, and may also include subordinated and incentive management fees.  We hold no equity interest in any of these CDOs.  For each of the CDOs, we evaluated the management fee structure, the current and expected economic performance of the entities and other provisions included in the governing documents of the CDOs that might restrict or guarantee an expected loss or residual return.  In accordance with ASC 810, we concluded that our investment management contract does not represent a variable interest in eight of the ten CDOs.  As such, we are not required to consolidate these entities.

For the two remaining CDOs, we concluded our collateral management agreement represented a variable interest primarily due to the level of subordinated fees.  We evaluated whether we possessed both of the following characteristics of a controlling financial interest: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In both instances, we determined that we possessed the decision-making power noted in criteria (1) above.

In evaluating criteria (2) above, we considered all facts regarding the design, terms and characteristics of the CDOs and concluded that we do not meet the criteria.  Our conclusion was based on the following quantitative and qualitative factors: (a) we have no involvement with the CDOs beyond providing investment management services, (b) we hold no equity or debt interests in the CDOs, (c) we are not a transferor of any of the assets of the CDOs, (d) our expected aggregate fees in future periods are insignificant relative to the expected cash flows of the CDOs, (e) the variability of our expected fees in relation to the expected cash flows of the CDOs is insignificant, (f) our maximum exposure to loss for these CDOs is our investment management fee, which is based upon the fair value of the CDOs’ assets, (g) the CDOs have no recourse against us for any losses sustained in the CDO structure, (h) we have not provided, nor expect to provide, any financial or other support to the CDO, and (i) there are no liquidity arrangements, guarantees and/or other commitments by third parties that would impact our variable interest in the CDOs.  As such, we do not have a controlling financial interest in either of the two CDOs and we should not consolidate the CDOs into our consolidated financial statements.

The cash, collateral investments (at fair value) and notes payable (at amortized cost) as of September 30, 2010 of these two unconsolidated CDOs are $14.4 million, $351.5 million and $363.6 million, respectively.

For the entities that meet the scope deferral, management reviews its agreements quarterly and its investments in, and other financial arrangements with, certain entities that hold client AUM to determine the variable interest entities that the company is required to consolidate. These entities include certain mutual fund products, hedge funds, structured products, group trusts, collective investment trusts and limited partnerships. We earn investment management fees on client assets under management of these entities, but we derive no other benefit from these assets and cannot use them in our operations.

As of September 30, 2010, we have significant variable interests in certain hedge funds with approximately $22.7 million in AUM. However, these variable interest entities do not require consolidation because management has determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of the expected losses or expected residual returns of these entities. Our maximum exposure to loss in these entities is limited to our aggregate investments of $0.1 million.

3.
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $0.7 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively, of United States Treasury Bills were segregated in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of brokerage customers of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (“SCB LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AllianceBernstein, under Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”).

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“AllianceBernstein Investments”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AllianceBernstein and the distributor of company-sponsored mutual funds, maintains several special bank accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers.  As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $28.5 million and $37.4 million, respectively, of cash were segregated in these bank accounts.

 
10

 

4.
Net Income Per Unit

Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the basic weighted average number of units outstanding and the dilutive unit equivalents resulting from outstanding compensatory options to buy Holding Units as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
                         
Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 51,515     $ 199,341     $ 305,900     $ 364,487  
                                 
Weighted average units outstanding - basic
    275,610       266,051       275,341       265,540  
Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy Holding Units
    1,444       635       1,776       174  
Weighted average units outstanding – diluted
    277,054       266,686       277,117       265,714  
                                 
Basic net income per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.19     $ 0.74     $ 1.10     $ 1.36  
Diluted net income per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.18     $ 0.74     $ 1.09     $ 1.36  

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we excluded 5,279,772 and 4,918,021, respectively, out-of-the-money options (i.e., options with an exercise price greater than the weighted average closing price of a unit for the relevant period), from the diluted net income per unit computation due to their anti-dilutive effect. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we excluded 6,120,480 out-of-the-money options from the diluted net income per unit computation due to their anti-dilutive effect.

5.
Investments

Investments consist of:
           
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Available-for-sale
  $ 18,149     $ 18,246  
Trading:
               
Deferred compensation-related
    300,246       326,364  
United States Treasury Bills
    40,987       28,000  
Seed money
    225,320       107,136  
Other
    64,817       23,082  
Investments in limited partnership hedge funds:
               
Deferred compensation-related
    58,197       74,595  
Other
    28,858       16,579  
Consolidated private equity fund
    128,202       162,747  
Private equity
    16,909       10,000  
Other
    8,409       8,080  
Total investments
  $ 890,094     $ 774,829  

Total investments related to deferred compensation obligations of $358.4 million and $401.0 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, consist of company-sponsored mutual funds and limited partnership hedge funds. We typically make investments in our services that are notionally elected by deferred compensation plan participants and maintain them in a consolidated rabbi trust or separate custodial account. The rabbi trust and custodial account enable us to hold such investments separate from our other assets for the purpose of settling our obligations to participants. The investments held in the rabbi trust and custodial account remain available to the general creditors of AllianceBernstein.

 
11

 

The underlying investments of the limited partnership hedge funds in which we invest include long and short positions in equity securities, fixed income securities (including various agency and non-agency asset-based securities), currencies, commodities and derivatives (including various swaps and forward contracts). These investments are valued at quoted market prices or, where quoted market prices are not available, are fair valued based on the pricing policies and procedures of the underlying funds.

United States Treasury Bills are held by SCB LLC in their investment account and are pledged as collateral with clearing organizations.

We provide seed money to our investment teams to develop new products and services for our clients.

6.
Derivative Instruments

We enter into various futures, forwards and swaps to economically hedge our seed money investments.  In addition, we have currency forwards that (i) represent seed money that our investment teams are using to develop new products and services for our clients, (ii) economically hedge certain cash accounts, and (iii) economically hedge certain foreign investment advisory fees. We do not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging.

The following table presents the notional and fair value as of September 30, 2010 for derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:

   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
Notional
Value
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
Value
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2010:
                       
Exchange-traded futures
  $     $     $ 26,660     $ 485  
Currency forwards
                154,656       284  
Interest rate swaps
                44,262       1,636  
Credit default swaps
                81,131       7,016  
Total return swaps
                35,321       860  
Total derivatives
  $     $     $ 342,030     $ 10,281  

The following table presents the notional and fair value as of December 31, 2009 for derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:

   
Assets
   
Liabilities
 
   
Notional
Value
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
Value
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2009:
                       
Exchange-traded futures
  $ 21,309     $ (15 )   $     $  
Currency forwards
    60,621       612              
Interest rate swaps
    16,995       955              
Credit default swaps
    22,475       175              
Total derivatives
  $ 121,400     $ 1,727     $     $  

As of September 30, 2010, the derivative liabilities are included in payables to brokers and dealers on our condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. As of December 31, 2009, the futures and forwards contracts were included in receivables from brokers and dealers and the credit default swaps were included in investments.

 
12

 

The following table presents gains and losses recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statement of income:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Exchange-traded futures
  $ (2,936 )   $     $ (3,116 )   $ 1,194  
Currency forwards
    1,834       1,107       984       1,116  
Interest rate swaps
    (1,721 )           (4,130 )      
Credit default swaps
    (687 )     (146 )     (485 )     (252 )
Total return swaps
    (4,257 )           (3,321 )      
Balance as of end of period
  $ (7,767 )   $ 961     $ (10,068 )   $ 2,058  

7.
Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three broad levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets are available for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.

 
Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active or other pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date.

 
Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable as of the reported date. These financial instruments do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Effective January 1, 2010, we adopted ASU 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This standard required additional disclosures about fair value measurements including transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and a higher level of disaggregation for the different types of financial instruments.

 
13

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of September 30, 2010:

 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
     
Money markets
 
$
119,723
 
 
$
 
 
$
   
$
119,723
 
U.S. Treasury bills
   
     
752,794
     
     
752,794
 
U.K. Treasury bills
   
     
189,870
     
     
189,870
 
Equity securities
                               
Growth
   
124,206
     
514
     
232
     
124,952
 
Value
   
82,840
     
     
     
82,840
 
Blend
   
111,127
     
     
     
111,127
 
Other(1)
   
60,265
     
     
     
60,265
 
Fixed Income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
Taxable(2)
   
168,668
     
32,271
     
     
200,939
 
Tax-exempt(3)
   
20,066
     
744
     
     
20,810
 
Other
   
17
     
     
     
17
 
Long exchange-traded options
   
7,583
     
     
     
7,583
 
Private equity
 
 
22,238
 
 
 
3,809
 
 
 
107,589
     
133,636
 
Total assets measured at fair value
 
$
716,733
   
$
980,002
   
$
107,821
   
$
1,804,556
 
                                 
Securities sold not yet purchased
                               
Short equities-corporate
 
$
21,981
   
$
   
$
   
$
21,981
 
Short exchange-traded options
   
8,826
     
     
     
8,826
 
Other
   
30
     
     
     
30
 
Derivatives
   
485
     
9,796
     
     
10,281
 
Total liabilities measured at fair value
 
$
31,322
 
 
$
9,796
 
 
$
   
$
41,118
 
_____________________
 
(1)
Primarily long positions in corporate equities traded through our options desk.
 
(2)
Primarily corporate and government securities.
 
(3)
Primarily municipal bonds.

The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of December 31, 2009:

 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
     
Money markets
 
$
178,875
 
 
$
 
 
$
   
$
178,875
 
U.S. Treasury bills
   
     
975,888
     
     
975,888
 
U.K. Treasury bills
   
     
177,772
     
     
177,772
 
Futures/currency forward contracts
   
(15
)
   
612
     
     
597
 
Equity securities
   
365,017
     
4,504
     
650
     
370,171
 
Fixed income securities
   
69,608
     
28,396
     
81
     
98,085
 
Long exchange-traded options
   
6,572
     
     
     
6,572
 
Private equity
 
 
2,913
 
 
 
62,006
 
 
 
97,828
     
162,747
 
Total assets measured at fair value
 
$
622,970
   
$
1,249,178
   
$
98,559
   
$
1,970,707
 
                                 
Securities sold not yet purchased
                               
Short equities-corporate
 
$
28,641
   
$
   
$
   
$
28,641
 
Short exchange-traded options
   
3,165
     
     
     
3,165
 
Total liabilities measured at fair value
 
$
31,806
 
 
$
 
 
$
   
$
31,806
 

 
14

 

Following is a description of the fair value methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy:

 
Money markets: We invest excess cash in various money market funds that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets; these are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Treasury bills: We hold United States Treasury Bills, which are segregated in a special reserve bank custody account as required by Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. We also hold United Kingdom Treasury Bills. These securities are valued based on quoted yields in secondary markets and are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Derivatives: We hold exchange-traded futures with counterparties that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, we also hold currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and total return swaps with counterparties that are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Equity and fixed income securities: Our equity and fixed income securities consist principally of company-sponsored mutual funds with exchange listed net asset values and various separately-managed portfolios consisting primarily of equity and fixed income securities with quoted prices in active markets, which are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, some fixed income securities are valued based on observable inputs from recognized pricing vendors, which are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Options: We hold long exchange-traded options that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 
Private equity: The valuation of non-public private equity investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such investments. Private equity investments are valued initially at cost. The carrying values of private equity investments are adjusted either up or down from cost to reflect expected exit values as evidenced by financing and sale transactions with third parties, or when determination of a valuation adjustment is confirmed through ongoing review in accordance with our valuation policies and procedures. A variety of factors are reviewed and monitored to assess positive and negative changes in valuation including, but not limited to, current operating performance and future expectations of investee companies, industry valuations of comparable public companies, changes in market outlooks and the third party financing environment over time. In determining valuation adjustments resulting from the investment review process, particular emphasis is placed on current company performance and market conditions. Non-public equity investments are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy because they trade infrequently and, therefore, their fair value is unobservable. Publicly-traded equity investments are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If they contain trading restrictions, publicly-traded equity investments are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. During the first quarter, the trading restriction period expired on one of our publicly-traded equity investments and the security was transferred from a Level 2 classification to a Level 1 classification as of September 30, 2010.

 
Securities sold not yet purchased: Securities sold not yet purchased, primarily reflecting short positions in equities and exchange-traded options, are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table summarizes the change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Balance as of beginning of period
  $ 102,721     $ 132,130     $ 98,559     $ 162,552  
                                 
Transfer (out) in, net
          (55,037 )     (163 )     (85,417 )
Purchases (sales), net
    2,297       1,384       3,236       7,788  
Realized gains (losses), net
          114       (2,429 )     905  
Unrealized gains (losses), net
    2,803       24,522       8,618       17,285  
Balance as of end of period
  $ 107,821     $ 103,113     $ 107,821     $ 103,113  

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are recorded in investment gains and losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Substantially all of the Level 3 investments are private equity investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund, of which we own 10% and non-controlling interests own 90%.

 
15

 

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

There were no impairments recognized for goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets as of September 30, 2010.

8.
Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

On October 2, 2003, a purported class action complaint entitled Hindo, et al. v. AllianceBernstein Growth & Income Fund, et al. (“Hindo Complaint”) was filed against, among others, AllianceBernstein, Holding and the General Partner. The Hindo Complaint alleges that certain defendants failed to disclose that they improperly allowed certain hedge funds and other unidentified parties to engage in “late trading” and “market timing” of certain of our U.S. mutual fund securities, violating various securities laws.

Following October 2, 2003, additional lawsuits making factual allegations generally similar to those in the Hindo Complaint were filed in various federal and state courts against AllianceBernstein and certain other defendants. On September 29, 2004, plaintiffs filed consolidated amended complaints with respect to four claim types: mutual fund shareholder claims; mutual fund derivative claims; derivative claims brought on behalf of Holding; and claims brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) by participants in the Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of AllianceBernstein.

On April 21, 2006, AllianceBernstein and attorneys for the plaintiffs in the mutual fund shareholder claims, mutual fund derivative claims, and ERISA claims entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding containing their agreement to settle these claims. The agreement has been documented by a stipulation of settlement, which has been approved by the court. The settlement amount ($30 million), which we previously expensed and disclosed, has been disbursed. The derivative claims brought on behalf of Holding, in which plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, remain pending.

We intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuit involving derivative claims brought on behalf of Holding. At the present time, we are unable to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss in respect of this matter because of the inherent uncertainty regarding the outcome of complex litigation, and the fact that the plaintiffs did not specify an amount of damages sought in their complaint.

We are involved in various other matters, including regulatory inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation, some of which allege significant damages. While any inquiry, proceeding or litigation has the element of uncertainty, management believes that the outcome of any one of the other regulatory inquiries, administrative proceedings, lawsuits or claims that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Other

During July 2009, we entered into a subscription agreement under which we committed to invest up to $40 million in a venture capital fund over a six-year period. As of September 30, 2010, we had funded $5.8 million of this commitment.

Also during July 2009, we were selected by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of nine pre-qualified investment managers under the Public-Private Investment Program. As part of the program, each investment manager is required to invest a minimum of $20 million in the Public-Private Investment Fund they manage. As of September 30, 2010, we had funded $17.0 million of this commitment.

9.
Qualified Employee Benefit Plans

We maintain a qualified profit sharing plan covering U.S. employees and certain foreign employees. Employer contributions are discretionary and generally limited to the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.

We maintain several defined contribution plans for foreign employees in our subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and other foreign entities. Employer contributions are generally consistent with regulatory requirements and tax limits. Defined contribution expense for foreign entities was $1.7 million and $2.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $5.3 million and $5.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We maintain a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit retirement plan (“Retirement Plan”) covering current and former employees who were employed by AllianceBernstein in the United States prior to October 2, 2000. Benefits are based on years of credited service, average final base salary (as defined in the Retirement Plan), and primary Social Security benefits. Service and compensation after December 31, 2008 are not taken into account in determining participants’ retirement benefits.

 
16

 

Our policy is to satisfy our funding obligation for each year in an amount not less than the minimum required by ERISA and not greater than the maximum amount we can deduct for federal income tax purposes. During the first nine months of 2010, we contributed $6.1 million to the Retirement Plan. Contribution estimates, which are subject to change, are based on regulatory requirements, future market conditions and assumptions used for actuarial computations of the Retirement Plan’s obligations and assets. Management, at the present time, has not determined the amount, if any, of additional future contributions that may be required.

Net expense under the Retirement Plan consisted of:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations
  $ 1,172     $ 1,112     $ 3,450     $ 3,308  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,082 )     (786 )     (3,340 )     (2,324 )
Recognized actuarial loss
    84       107       196       325  
Amortization of transition asset
    (35 )     (36 )     (107 )     (108 )
Net pension charge
  $ 139     $ 397     $ 199     $ 1,201  

10.
Units Outstanding

The following table summarizes the activity in units:

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2009
   
274,745,592
 
Options exercised
   
475,159
 
Units issued
   
389,606
 
Units forfeited
   
(828
)
Outstanding as of September 30, 2010
   
275,609,529
 

In accordance with the Holding Partnership Agreement, when Holding issues Holding Units to AllianceBernstein, Holding is required to use the proceeds it receives from AllianceBernstein to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AllianceBernstein Units. Holding Units issued pertain to Holding Units newly issued under our Amended and Restated 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan and could include: (i) restricted Holding Unit awards to independent members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, (ii) restricted Holding Unit awards to eligible employees, (iii) restricted Holding Unit awards for recruitment, and (iv) restricted Holding Unit issuances in connection with certain employee separation agreements.

11.
Income Taxes

AllianceBernstein is a private partnership for federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, AllianceBernstein is subject to the 4.0% New York City unincorporated business tax (“UBT”). Domestic corporate subsidiaries of AllianceBernstein, which are subject to federal, state and local income taxes, are generally included in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with separate state and local income tax returns being filed. Foreign corporate subsidiaries are generally subject to taxes in the foreign jurisdictions where they are located.

In order to preserve AllianceBernstein’s status as a private partnership for federal income tax purposes, AllianceBernstein Units must not be considered publicly traded. The AllianceBernstein Partnership Agreement provides that all transfers of AllianceBernstein Units must be approved by AXA Equitable and the General Partner; AXA Equitable and the General Partner approve only those transfers permitted pursuant to one or more of the safe harbors contained in relevant treasury regulations. If such units were considered readily tradable, AllianceBernstein’s net income would be subject to federal and state corporate income tax. Furthermore, should AllianceBernstein enter into a substantial new line of business, Holding, by virtue of its ownership of AllianceBernstein, would lose its status as a “grandfathered” publicly-traded partnership and would become subject to corporate income tax, which would reduce materially Holding’s net income and its quarterly distributions to Holding Unitholders.

 
17

 

Our income tax provision for the first quarter of 2009 includes a $3.4 million entry relating to an under-accrual of foreign taxes in the fourth quarter of 2008. This adjusting entry was not material to the income tax provision or income tax liability in our condensed consolidated financial statements or to the results of operations and financial condition in any prior reporting period.

12.
Debt

Total credit available, debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates were as follows:

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Credit
Available
   
Debt
Outstanding
   
Interest
Rate
   
Credit
Available
   
Debt
Outstanding
   
Interest
Rate
 
   
(in millions)
 
       
Revolving credit facility
  $ 901.0     $       %   $ 751.0     $       %
Commercial paper (1)
    99.0       99.0       0.3       249.0       249.0       0.2  
Total revolving credit facility  -
AllianceBernstein
    1,000.0       99.0       0.3       1,000.0       249.0       0.2  
Revolving credit facility –SCB LLC
    950.0       10.0       0.4       950.0              
Total
  $ 1,950.0     $ 109.0       0.3     $ 1,950.0     $ 249.0       0.2  
_____________________
 
(1)
Commercial paper is short-term in nature and, as such, recorded value is estimated to approximate fair value.

AllianceBernstein has a $1.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks and other lenders which expires in February 2011. The revolving credit facility is intended to provide back-up liquidity for our $1.0 billion commercial paper program, although we borrow directly under the facility from time to time. Amounts borrowed under the commercial paper program reduce amounts available for direct borrowing under the revolving credit facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Our interest rate, at our option, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the Federal Funds rate. The revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require us to meet certain financial ratios. We are in compliance with these covenants.

SCB LLC has a $950 million three-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks to fund its activities resulting from engaging in certain securities trading (including derivatives) and custody activities on behalf of private clients and participating in equity capital offerings on behalf of issuers of publicly-traded securities. The facility expires in January 2011. Under the revolving credit facility, the interest rate, at the option of SCB LLC, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to LIBOR or the Federal Funds rate. This revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require AllianceBernstein, as guarantor, to meet the same financial ratios contained in its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. We are in compliance with these covenants.

AllianceBernstein and AXA executed guarantees in regard to the $950 million SCB LLC facility. In the event SCB LLC is unable to meet its obligations, AllianceBernstein or AXA will pay the obligations when due or on demand. AllianceBernstein will reimburse AXA to the extent AXA must pay on its guarantee. This agreement is continuous and remains in effect until the later of payment in full of any such obligation under the credit facility has been made or the maturity date.

We are currently negotiating a new revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks to replace the facilities that will expire in 2011.

SCB LLC has several separate uncommitted credit facilities with various banks.  SCB LLC also has two uncommitted lines of credit with a commercial bank, one for $75 million secured by pledges of U.S. Treasury Bills and a second for $50 million secured by pledges of equity securities.

On July 23, 2010, a subsidiary of AllianceBernstein arranged for a non-recourse credit line from AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”) in an amount equal to $100 million. The credit line, which matures on November 30, 2010, will be available to purchase real estate investments with the expectation that they will be transferred to a real estate opportunity fund being established by AllianceBernstein. As of September 30, 2010, no borrowings have been made against this credit line.

 
18

 

13.
Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consisted of:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Net income
  $ 54,434     $ 226,495     $ 282,707     $ 387,601  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    1,266       3,305       364       4,706  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    34,834       (3,181 )     4,869       45,213  
Changes in retirement plan related items
    49       70       89       216  
Comprehensive income
    90,583       226,689       288,029       437,736  
Comprehensive (income) loss in consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    (5,740 )     (29,092 )     21,303       (27,266 )
Comprehensive income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 84,843     $ 197,597     $ 309,332     $ 410,470  

14.
Changes in Capital

Changes in capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 consisted of:

   
Partners’ Capital Attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
   
Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities
   
Total Capital
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Balance as of  December 31, 2009
  $ 4,530,362     $ 171,593     $ 4,701,955  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Net income (loss)
    305,900       (23,193 )     282,707  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    140       224       364  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    3,203       1,666       4,869  
Changes in retirement plan related items
    89             89  
Comprehensive income (loss)
    309,332       (21,303 )     288,029  
                         
Cash distributions to General Partner and unitholders
    (447,651 )           (447,651 )
Capital contributions (distributions)
    2,810       (4,787 )     (1,977 )
Compensation-related transactions
    (42,991 )           (42,991 )
Balance as of September 30, 2010
  $ 4,351,862     $ 145,503     $ 4,497,365  

 
19

 

 
Changes in capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 consisted of:

   
Partners’ Capital Attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
   
Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities
   
Total Capital
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Balance as of  December 31, 2008
  $ 4,317,659     $ 169,167     $ 4,486,826  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Net income (loss)
    364,487       23,114       387,601  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    4,430       276       4,706  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    41,337       3,876       45,213  
Changes in retirement plan related items
    216             216  
Comprehensive income (loss)
    410,470       27,266       437,736  
                         
Cash distributions to General Partner and unitholders
    (265,699 )           (265,699 )
Capital contributions (distributions)
    2,751       (19,369 )     (16,618 )
Compensation-related transactions
    51,605             51,605  
Balance as of September 30, 2009
  $ 4,516,786     $ 177,064     $ 4,693,850  

15.
Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This standard has two parts, the first of which we adopted on January 1, 2010. The first part required additional disclosures about fair value measurements including transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and a higher level of disaggregation for the different types of financial instruments. The second portion of the standard requires a reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements, with information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements presented separately. The second portion of the standard is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010 and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

16.
Subsequent Event

On October 1, 2010, AllianceBernstein announced that it acquired SunAmerica’s alternative investments group, an experienced team that manages a portfolio of hedge fund and private equity fund investments. The purchase price of this acquisition, which will be accounted for under ASC 805, Business Combinations, is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

 
20

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the General Partner and Unitholders
AllianceBernstein L.P.

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition of AllianceBernstein L.P. ("AllianceBernstein") as of September 30, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the management of AllianceBernstein Corporation, the General Partner.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, of changes in partners' capital and comprehensive income, and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 11, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated statement of financial condition from which it has been derived.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
New York, New York
October 27, 2010

 
21

 

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Overview

After a very difficult second quarter for equities, the global markets rallied in the third quarter, led by solid gains in September.  The S&P 500 gained 10.7% for the quarter, and the MSCI World gained 13.2%, which resulted in positive year-to-date returns in both U.S. and global stocks – but only modestly because of the losses experienced earlier in 2010.

Our total assets under management (“AUM”) as of September 30, 2010 were $484.3 billion, up $26.6 billion, or 5.8%, compared to June 30, 2010, and down $13.5 billion, or 2.7%, compared to September 30, 2009.  During the third quarter of 2010, AUM increased as a result of market appreciation of $45.5 billion, partly offset by net outflows of $18.9 billion, primarily in the Institutions channel.  Year-over-year AUM decreased as a result of net outflows of $46.9 billion, partly offset by market appreciation of $33.4 billion.

Institutional AUM increased $12.4 billion, or 4.6%, to $283.0 billion during the third quarter of 2010, due to market appreciation of $27.6 billion, partly offset by net outflows of $15.2 billion.  Net outflows increased to $15.2 billion from $3.7 billion in the second quarter of 2010 due to a decrease in gross sales and an increase in outflows.  The pipeline of won but unfunded institutional mandates increased to $6.2 billion as of September 30, 2010 from $5.0 billion as of June 30, 2010, primarily as a result of several large Customized Retirement Strategies wins.

Retail AUM increased $9.4 billion, or 8.0%, to $125.6 billion during the third quarter of 2010 as a result of market appreciation of $12.6 billion, partly offset by net outflows of $3.2 billion, as compared to net outflows of $0.9 billion during the second quarter of 2010.  Net outflows increased from the prior quarter due to a decrease in gross sales and increased outflows.

Private Client AUM increased $4.8 billion, or 6.8%, to $75.7 billion during the third quarter of 2010 as a result of market appreciation of $5.3 billion, partly offset by net outflows of $0.5 billion, as compared to net outflows of $0.1 billion during the second quarter of 2010.

Bernstein Research Services revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $95.8 million, down $21.4 million, or 18.2%, compared to the second quarter of 2010 and $13.5 million, or 12.4%, compared to the third quarter of 2009.  The current quarter saw lower trading volumes in both the U.S. and Europe as a result of weak overall market volumes. U.S. Equity composite volumes in the third quarter of 2010 declined 25.8% and 19.0% compared to the second quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2009, respectively. Despite these difficult market conditions, Bernstein Research Services again received strong recognition in the annual Institutional Investor All-America survey.

Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders for the third quarter of 2010 decreased $147.8 million to $51.5 million from $199.3 million in the third quarter of 2009.  This decrease was primarily due to a non-cash pre-tax real estate charge in the current quarter of $89.6 million, lower deferred compensation related investment gains of $34.9 million and lower non-operating income of $16.8 million due to the cessation in the second quarter of 2010 of contingent purchase price payments earned from the sale of our cash management services to Federated Inc. in 2005. Consequently, our operating margin decreased to 7.2% from 24.4% in the third quarter of 2009.

Our traditional equity services showed improved performance in the quarter, even as investors continued to rebalance their portfolios away from risk assets and into fixed income funds.  We benefited from this trend in our U.S. and global fixed income services, where our performance has improved significantly over the last several years.  Despite our equity services’ better performance in the quarter, our year-long trend of strengthening net flows was interrupted.  Still, the trajectory of our flows is positive, with net outflows for this year improved relative to their low point in 2009.

Since last quarter, we have provided additional disclosures which we believe are useful to investors. As supplemental information, we provide the performance measures “Adjusted net revenues”, “Adjusted operating income” and “Adjusted operating margin”, which are the principle metrics management uses in evaluating and comparing period-to-period operating performance. Such measures are not based on generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP measures”). For additional details regarding these non-GAAP measures (including a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP), please refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Item 2.

 
22

 

Assets Under Management

Assets under management by distribution channel were as follows:

 
As of September 30,
 
 
   
 
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
$ Change
   
% Change
 
 
(in billions)
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Institutions
  $ 283.0     $ 307.5     $ (24.5 )     (8.0 )%
Retail
    125.6       116.7       8.9       7.5  
Private Client
    75.7       73.6       2.1       2.9  
Total
  $ 484.3     $ 497.8     $ (13.5 )     (2.7 )

Assets under management by investment service were as follows:

   
As of September 30,
   
 
   
 
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in billions)
   
 
 
Equity
                       
Value:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
U.S.
  $ 38.6     $ 45.3     $ (6.7 )     (14.8 )%
Global & international
    112.9       130.4       (17.5 )     (13.4 )
      151.5       175.7       (24.2 )     (13.7 )
Growth:
                               
U.S.
    30.3       36.3       (6.0 )     (16.7 )
Global & international
    46.9       57.0       (10.1 )     (17.7 )
      77.2       93.3       (16.1 )     (17.3 )
Total Equity
    228.7       269.0       (40.3 )     (15.0 )
Fixed Income:
                               
U.S.
    122.5       111.8       10.7       9.6  
Global & international(1)
    86.9       69.8       17.1       24.5  
      209.4       181.6       27.8       15.3  
Other(2):
                               
U.S.
    25.1       22.7       2.4       10.5  
Global & international(1)
    21.1       24.5       (3.4 )     (13.9 )
      46.2       47.2       (1.0 )     (2.2 )
Total:
                               
U.S.
    216.5       216.1       0.4       0.2  
Global & international
    267.8       281.7       (13.9 )     (4.9 )
Total
  $ 484.3     $ 497.8     $ (13.5 )     (2.7 )
_____________________
(1)
Certain client assets were reclassified among investment services to more accurately reflect how these assets are managed by our firm.
(2)
Includes index, structured, asset allocation services and other non-actively managed AUM.

 
23

 

Changes in assets under management for the three-month, nine-month and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2010 were as follows:

   
Distribution Channel
   
Investment Service
 
   
Institutions
   
Retail
   
Private
Client
   
Total
   
Value
Equity
   
Growth
Equity
   
Fixed
Income
   
Other(1)
   
Total
 
   
(in billions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2010
  $ 270.6     $ 116.2     $ 70.9     $ 457.7     $ 139.2     $ 74.5     $ 198.5     $ 45.5     $ 457.7  
Long-term flows:
                                                                       
Sales/new accounts
    4.2       7.3       1.6       13.1       2.8       0.8       9.0       0.5       13.1  
Redemptions/terminations
    (14.1 )     (8.9 )     (1.3 )     (24.3 )     (8.1 )     (6.9 )     (8.0 )     (1.3 )     (24.3 )
Net cash flows
    (5.3 )     (1.6 )     (0.8 )     (7.7 )     (2.1 )     (1.5 )     (0.9 )     (3.2 )     (7.7 )
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
    (15.2 )     (3.2 )     (0.5 )     (18.9 )     (7.4 )     (7.6 )     0.1       (4.0 )     (18.9 )
Market appreciation
    27.6       12.6       5.3       45.5       19.7       10.3       10.8       4.7       45.5  
Net change
    12.4       9.4       4.8       26.6       12.3       2.7       10.9       0.7       26.6  
Balance as of September 30, 2010
  $ 283.0     $ 125.6     $ 75.7     $ 484.3     $ 151.5     $ 77.2     $ 209.4     $ 46.2     $ 484.3  


   
Distribution Channel
   
Investment Service
 
   
Institutions
   
Retail
   
Private
Client
   
Total
   
Value
Equity
   
Growth
Equity
   
Fixed
Income
   
Other(1)
   
Total
 
   
(in billions)
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 300.0     $ 120.7     $ 74.8     $ 495.5     $ 171.2     $ 94.1     $ 184.3     $ 45.9     $ 495.5  
Long-term flows:
                                                                       
Sales/new accounts
    15.8       26.5       5.7       48.0       9.6       4.5       31.3       2.6       48.0  
Redemptions/terminations
    (31.3 )     (21.6 )     (4.3 )     (57.2 )     (20.7 )     (16.9 )     (17.9 )     (1.7 )     (57.2 )
Net cash flows
    (12.0 )     (6.4 )     (2.4 )     (20.8 )     (9.0 )     (5.2 )     (3.2 )     (3.4 )     (20.8 )
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
    (27.5 )     (1.5 )     (1.0 )     (30.0 )     (20.1 )     (17.6 )     10.2       (2.5 )     (30.0 )
Transfers
    (0.2 )           0.2                                      
Market appreciation
    10.7       6.4       1.7       18.8       0.4       0.7       14.9       2.8       18.8  
Net change
    (17.0 )     4.9       0.9       (11.2 )     (19.7 )     (16.9 )     25.1       0.3       (11.2 )
Balance as of September 30, 2010
  $ 283.0     $ 125.6     $ 75.7     $ 484.3     $ 151.5     $ 77.2     $ 209.4     $ 46.2     $ 484.3  


   
Distribution Channel
   
Investment Service
 
   
Institutions
   
Retail
   
Private
Client
   
Total
   
Value
Equity
   
Growth
Equity
   
Fixed
Income(2)
   
Other(1) (2)
   
Total
 
   
(in billions)
 
                                                       
Balance as of September 30, 2009
  $ 307.5     $ 116.7     $ 73.6     $ 497.8     $ 175.7     $ 93.3     $ 181.6     $ 47.2     $ 497.8  
Long-term flows:
                                                                       
Sales/new accounts
    20.1       34.3       8.1       62.5       12.3       6.3       38.4       5.5       62.5  
Redemptions/terminations
    (43.9 )     (27.5 )     (6.1 )     (77.5 )     (31.2 )     (22.2 )     (22.3 )     (1.8 )     (77.5 )
Net cash flows
    (19.4 )     (8.7 )     (3.8 )     (31.9 )     (12.0 )     (6.6 )     (4.4 )     (8.9 )     (31.9 )
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
    (43.2 )     (1.9 )     (1.8 )     (46.9 )     (30.9 )     (22.5 )     11.7       (5.2 )     (46.9 )
Transfers
    (0.1 )           0.1                                      
Market appreciation
    18.8       10.8       3.8       33.4       6.7       6.4       16.1       4.2       33.4  
Net change
    (24.5 )     8.9       2.1       (13.5 )     (24.2 )     (16.1 )     27.8       (1.0 )     (13.5 )
Balance as of September 30, 2010
  $ 283.0     $ 125.6     $ 75.7     $ 484.3     $ 151.5     $ 77.2     $ 209.4     $ 46.2     $ 484.3  
_____________________
(1)
Includes index, structured, asset allocation services and other non-actively managed AUM.
(2)
Certain client assets were reclassified among investment services to more accurately reflect how these assets are managed by our firm.

 
24

 

Average assets under management by distribution channel and investment service were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Nine Months Ended
             
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in billions)
 
Distribution Channel:
                                               
Institutions
  $ 278.7     $ 293.4     $ (14.7 )     (5.0 )%   $ 286.4     $ 279.8     $ 6.6       2.3 %
Retail
    120.7       110.1       10.6       9.6       121.6       101.4       20.2       19.8  
Private Client
    73.3       70.4       2.9       4.1       73.9       67.1       6.8       10.3  
Total
  $ 472.7     $ 473.9     $ (1.2 )     (0.3 )   $ 481.9     $ 448.3     $ 33.6       7.5  
                                                                 
Investment Service:
                                                               
Value Equity
  $ 145.6     $ 167.0     $ (21.4 )     (12.8 )%   $ 155.6     $ 157.6     $ (2.0 )     (1.3 )%
Growth Equity
    76.3       89.2       (12.9 )     (14.5 )     83.0       84.0       (1.0 )     (1.2 )
Fixed Income(1)
    204.2       173.1       31.1       18.0       196.2       166.5       29.7       17.9  
Other (1)(2)
    46.6       44.6       2.0       4.5       47.1       40.2       6.9       17.1  
Total
  $ 472.7     $ 473.9     $ (1.2 )     (0.3 )   $ 481.9     $ 448.3     $ 33.6       7.5  
_____________________
(1)
Certain client assets were reclassified among investment services to more accurately reflect how these assets are managed by our firm.
(2)
Includes index, structured, asset allocation services and other non-actively managed AUM.

Our Institutions channel began the third quarter of 2009 at $277.8 billion of AUM and ended at $307.5 billion, resulting in an average of $293.4 billion.  From September 30, 2009 through June 30, 2010, AUM declined from $307.5 billion to $270.6 billion due to net outflows of $28.0 billion and market depreciation of $8.8 billion.  During the third quarter of 2010, AUM has increased slightly to $283.0 billion due to market appreciation of $27.6 billion partially offset by net outflows of $15.2 billion, resulting in average AUM of $278.7 billion for the quarter.  In regard to the change in the Institutions channel average AUM for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the comparable 2009 period, 2009 AUM began at $291.4 billion but had significant market depreciation in the first two months resulting in a drop in AUM to $247.9 billion at February 28, 2009.  From there, AUM increased to $307.5 billion at September 30, 2009, resulting in a nine month average of $279.8 billion.  The year-to-date 2010 average AUM of $286.4 billion is a result of beginning 2010 with $300.0 of AUM and ending September 30, 2010 with $283.0 billion of AUM.  The year-to-date decrease of $17.0 billion is due primarily to net outflows of $27.5 billion, partially offset by market appreciation of $10.7 billion.  The net outflows were in Value Equity, Growth Equity and Other services, partly offset by net inflows in Fixed Income services.  The market appreciation was primarily in Fixed Income and Other services.

Our Retail channel began the third quarter of 2009 at $102.6 billion of AUM and ended at $116.7 billion, resulting in an average of $110.1 billion.  From September 30, 2009 through June 30, 2010, AUM declined slightly from $116.7 billion to $116.2 billion due to market depreciation of $1.8 billion partly offset by net inflows of $1.3 billion.  During the third quarter of 2010, AUM has increased to $125.6 billion due to market appreciation of $12.6 billion partly offset by net outflows of $3.2 billion, resulting in average AUM of $120.7 billion for the quarter.  In regard to the change in the Retail channel average AUM for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the comparable 2009 period, 2009 AUM began at $101.6 billion but had significant market depreciation in the first two months resulting in a drop in AUM to $85.3 billion at February 28, 2009.  From there, AUM increased to $116.7 billion at September 30, 2009, resulting in a nine month average of $101.4 billion.  The year-to-date 2010 average AUM of $121.6 billion is a result of beginning 2010 with $120.7 billion of AUM and ending September 30, 2010 with $125.6 billion of AUM.  The year-to-date increase of $4.9 billion is due primarily to market appreciation of $6.4 billion, partially offset by net outflows of $1.5 billion.  The market appreciation was across all services, predominantly Fixed Income.  The net outflows were primarily in Value and Growth Equity services, partly offset by net inflows in Fixed Income services.

Our Private Client channel began the third quarter of 2009 at $66.6 billion of AUM and ended at $73.6 billion, resulting in an average of $70.4 billion.  From September 30, 2009 through June 30, 2010, AUM declined from $73.6 billion to $70.9 billion due to market depreciation of $1.5 billion and net outflows of $1.2 billion.  During the third quarter of 2010, AUM has increased to $75.7 billion due to market appreciation of $5.3 billion partially offset by net outflows of $0.5 billion, resulting in average AUM of $73.3 billion for the quarter.  In regard to the change in the Private Client channel average AUM for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the comparable 2009 period, 2009 AUM began at $69.0 billion but had significant market depreciation in the first two months resulting in a drop in AUM to $60.6 billion at February 28, 2009.  From there, AUM increased to $73.6 billion at September 30, 2009, resulting in a nine month average of $67.1 billion.  The year-to-date 2010 average AUM of $73.9 billion is a result of beginning 2010 with $74.8 billion of AUM and then decreasing to $70.9 billion of AUM at June 30, 2010 and subsequently ending September 30, 2010 with $75.7 billion of AUM.  The decrease of $3.9 billion during the first six months of 2010 was due primarily to market depreciation of $3.6 billion and net outflows of $0.5 billion.  Year-to-date net outflows of $1.0 billion consisted of net outflows of $3.6 billion in both Value and Growth Equity services, partly offset by net inflows of $2.6 billion in both Fixed Income and Other services.

 
25

 

Overall, over the past four quarters, we have experienced net outflows in our Equity and Other services and net inflows in our Fixed Income services. We believe this is primarily attributable to our investment performance in the short-term and long-term relative to benchmarks and relative to other investment managers. Other contributing factors include conditions of financial markets, the experience of the portfolio manager, the client’s overall relationship with AllianceBernstein, the level and quality of client servicing, recommendations of consultants, and changes in clients’ investment preferences and liquidity needs.

 
26

 

Annualized absolute investment composite returns and relative performance compared to benchmarks for certain representative Value, Growth, Blend and Fixed Income services were as follows:

   
Three months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
 
       
             
Global Value
           
Annualized return
    13.3     (2.5 )%
Relative return (vs. MSCI World Index – net)
    (0.5 )     (5.1 )
International Value
               
Annualized return
    17.3       (2.9 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI EAFE Index – net)
    0.8       (3.9 )
U.S. Diversified Value
               
Annualized return
    9.0       1.5  
Relative return (vs. Russell 1000 Value Index)
    (1.1 )     (3.0 )
Global Research Growth
               
Annualized return
    14.2       (0.2 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI World Index – net)
    0.5       (2.7 )
International Large Cap Growth
               
Annualized return
    17.4       (0.6 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI EAFE Index – net)
    0.9       (1.7 )
U.S. Large Cap Growth
               
Annualized return
    10.1       (3.4 )
Relative return (vs. Russell 1000 Growth Index)
    (2.9 )     (7.8 )
Global Blend
               
Annualized return
    13.6       (1.3 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI World Index – net)
    (0.1 )     (3.9 )
International Blend
               
Annualized return
    17.2       (1.3 )
Relative return (vs. MSCI EAFE Index – net)
    0.7       (2.4 )
Emerging Market Blend
               
Annualized return
    18.5       7.6  
Relative return (vs. MSCI EM Index – net)
    0.5       (3.2 )
Strategic Core Plus (fixed income)
               
Annualized return
    3.9       10.3  
Relative return (vs. Custom Index)
    1.3       2.4  
Global Plus (fixed income)
               
Annualized return
    8.6       9.9  
Relative return (vs. Barclays Global Aggregate)
    1.3       2.9  
Emerging Market Debt (fixed income)
               
Annualized return
    9.9       16.5  
Relative return (vs. JMP EMBI Global)
    1.6       2.3  

 
27

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

   
Three Months Ended
               
Nine Months Ended
             
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions, except per unit amounts)
 
                                                 
Net revenues
  $ 757.6     $ 806.0     $ (48.4 )     (6.0 )%   $ 2,171.0     $ 2,125.0     $ 46.0       2.2 %
Expenses
    700.1       582.5       117.6       20.2       1,865.9       1,734.4       131.5       7.6  
Operating income
    57.5       223.5       (166.0 )     (74.3 )     305.1       390.6       (85.5 )     (21.9 )
Non-operating income
          16.8       (16.8 )     (100.0 )     6.8       29.1       (22.3 )     (76.8 )
Income before income taxes
    57.5       240.3       (182.8 )     (76.1 )     311.9       419.7       (107.8 )     (25.7 )
Income taxes
    3.1       13.8       (10.7 )     (78.1 )     29.2       32.1       (2.9 )     (9.1 )
Net income
    54.4       226.5       (172.1 )     (76.0 )     282.7       387.6       (104.9 )     (27.1 )
Net (income) loss of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    (2.9 )     (27.2 )     24.3       (89.3 )     23.2       (23.1 )     46.3       n/m  
Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders
  $ 51.5     $ 199.3     $ (147.8 )     (74.2 )   $ 305.9     $ 364.5     $ (58.6 )     (16.1 )
                                                                 
Diluted net income per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.18     $ 0.74     $ (0.56 )     (75.7 )   $ 1.09     $ 1.36     $ (0.27 )     (19.9 )
                                                                 
Distributions per AllianceBernstein Unit
  $ 0.18     $ 0.74     $ (0.56 )     (75.7 )   $ 1.09     $ 1.36     $ (0.27 )     (19.9 )
                                                                 
Operating margin (1)
    7.2 %     24.4 %                     15.1 %     17.3 %                
_____________________
(1)
Operating income including net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests as a percentage of net revenues.

Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $147.8 million, or 74.2%, from the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to (in millions):

$ (89.6 )
Real estate charge in the third quarter of 2010
  (34.9 )
Lower deferred compensation-related investment gains, reflecting $36.0 million of gains in the current quarter compared to $70.9 million of gains in the prior year quarter
  (16.8 )
Lower non-operating income due to completion of our contingent purchase price agreement with Federated Inc. in the second quarter of 2010
  (13.5 )
Lower Bernstein Research Services revenues
  (7.9 )
Lower foreign exchange gains
  (5.0 )
Higher incentive compensation expense
  (3.0 )
Higher travel and entertainment expenses
  19.2  
Higher investment advisory fees, reflecting higher base fees of $13.7 million and higher performance fees of $5.5 million
  10.7  
Lower income taxes, primarily due to lower pre-tax income
  (7.0 )
Other
$ (147.8 )  

 
28

 

Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $58.6 million, or 16.1%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to (in millions):

$ (95.9 )
Higher real estate charges, reflecting current year charges of $101.6 million compared to a prior year charge of $5.7 million
  (95.3 )
Lower deferred compensation-related investment gains, reflecting $10.4 million of gains in the current year compared to $105.7 million of gains in the prior year
  (22.3 )
Lower non-operating income due to completion of our contingent purchase price agreement with Federated Inc. in the second quarter of 2010
  (11.3 )
Higher incentive compensation expense
  (7.8 )
Higher recruitment charges
  (7.3 )
Higher travel and entertainment expenses
  (6.5 )
Lower seed money investment gains
  151.1  
Higher investment advisory fees
  14.1  
Lower severance expense
  13.4  
Higher net distribution revenues (revenues less distribution-related payments and amortization of deferred sales commissions)
  12.0  
Lower salary expense, due to lower average headcount
  (2.8 )
Other
$ (58.6 )  

Real Estate Charge

As previously disclosed, we recently performed a comprehensive review of our real estate requirements in New York, in connection with our workforce reductions commencing in 2008. As a result, we intend to sub-lease over 300,000 square feet in New York and largely consolidate our employees into two office locations from three. We therefore recorded a non-cash pre-tax real estate charge of $89.6 million in the current quarter that reflects the net present value of the difference between the amount of our on-going contractual operating lease obligations for this space and our estimate of current market rental rates, as well as the write-off of leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment related to this space. Based on our current assumptions of when we can sub-lease the space and current market rental rates, we estimate that this charge will lower our occupancy costs on existing real estate by approximately $21 million in 2011 and approximately $23 million in 2012 and subsequent years.  For additional information, see Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this Item 2.

 
29

 

Non-GAAP Measures

As noted in our “Executive Overview”, we are providing the non-GAAP measures “Adjusted net revenues”, “Adjusted operating income” and “Adjusted operating margin”, which are the principle metrics management uses in evaluating and comparing period-to-period operating performance.

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Net revenues, GAAP basis
  $ 757,567     $ 806,014     $ 2,170,996     $ 2,125,018  
Exclude:
                               
Deferred compensation-related investment (gains) losses
    (36,013 )     (70,873 )     (10,375 )     (105,738 )
Deferred compensation-related dividends and interest
    (830 )     (1,381 )     (2,550 )     (4,442 )
90% of consolidated venture capital fund investment (gains) losses
    (2,056 )     (27,155 )     24,097       (22,257 )
Distribution-related payments
    (72,501 )     (61,842 )     (210,265 )     (164,802 )
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    (11,780 )     (13,363 )     (36,048 )     (42,104 )
Adjusted net revenues
  $ 634,387     $ 631,400     $ 1,935,855     $ 1,785,675  
                                 
Operating income, GAAP basis
  $ 57,480     $ 223,470     $ 305,111     $ 390,572  
Exclude:
                               
Deferred compensation-related investment (gains) losses
    (36,013 )     (70,873 )     (10,375 )     (105,738 )
Deferred compensation-related dividends and interest
    (830 )     (1,381 )     (2,550 )     (4,442 )
Deferred compensation-related mark-to-market vesting expense (credit)
    14,158       16,722       (4,568 )     (3,704 )
Deferred compensation-related dividends and interest expense
    731       1,240       2,223       3,974  
Net impact of deferred compensation-related investments
    (21,954 )     (54,292 )     (15,270 )     (109,910 )
Real estate charges
    89,598             101,582       5,728  
Total exclusions
    67,644       (54,292 )     86,312       (104,182 )
Include:
                               
Net (income) loss of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
    (2,919 )     (27,154 )     23,193       (23,114 )
Adjusted operating income
  $ 122,205     $ 142,024     $ 414,616     $ 263,276  
                                 
Adjusted operating margin
    19.3 %     22.5 %     21.4 %     14.7 %
 
Adjusted operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $19.8 million, or 14.0%, from the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of lower non-operating income, Bernstein Research Services revenues and foreign exchange gains, partially offset by higher investment advisory fees and lower income taxes. Adjusted operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased $151.3 million, or 57.5%, primarily as a result of higher investment advisory fees.
 
These non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to net revenues, operating income and operating margin, but are not a substitute for net revenues, operating income and operating margin and may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures of other companies. Management uses both the GAAP and non-GAAP measures in evaluating our financial performance. The non-GAAP measures alone may pose limitations because they do not include all of our revenues and expenses.

Adjusted Net Revenues

Adjusted net revenues excludes investment gains and losses and dividends and interest on deferred compensation-related investments, and 90% of the investment gains and losses of our consolidated venture capital fund attributable to non-controlling interests. In addition, adjusted net revenues offset distribution-related payments to third parties as well as amortization of deferred sales commissions against distribution revenues. We believe the offset of distribution-related payments from net revenues is useful for our investors and other users of our financial statements because such presentation appropriately reflects the nature of these costs as pass-through payments to third parties who perform functions on behalf of our sponsored mutual funds and/or shareholders of these funds. Amortization of deferred sales commissions is offset against net revenues because such costs, over time, offset distribution revenues earned by the company.

 
30

 

Adjusted Operating Income

Adjusted operating income represents operating income on a GAAP basis (1) excluding the impact on net revenues and compensation expense of the mark-to-market gains and losses (as well as the dividends and interest) associated with employee deferred compensation-related investments, (2) excluding real estate charges, and (3) including the net loss or income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests.

Prior to 2009, a large proportion of employee compensation was in the form of deferred awards that were notionally invested in AllianceBernstein investment services and generally vested over a period of four years. AllianceBernstein has economically hedged the exposure to market movements by purchasing and holding these investments on its balance sheet. The full value of the investments’ appreciation (depreciation) is recorded within investment gains and losses on the income statement in the current period. U.S. GAAP requires the appreciation (depreciation) in the compensation liability to be expensed over the award vesting period in proportion to the vested amount of the award as part of compensation expense. This creates a timing difference between the recognition of the compensation expense and the investment gain or loss impacting operating income which will fluctuate over the life of the award and net to zero at the end of the multi-year vesting period. Although during periods of high market volatility these timing differences have an impact on operating income and operating margin, over the life of the award any impact is ultimately offset. Because these plans are economically hedged, management believes it is useful to reflect the offset ultimately achieved from hedging the investments’ market exposure in the calculation of adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin and adjusted diluted net income per Holding Unit, which will produce core operating results from period to period. The non-GAAP measures exclude gains and losses and dividends and interest on deferred compensation-related investments included in revenues and compensation expense, thus eliminating the timing differences created by different treatment under U.S. GAAP of the market movement on the expense and the investments.

Real estate charges have been excluded because, often, they are relatively large in nature and are not considered part of our core operating results when comparing financial results from period to period and to industry peers.

Most of the net income or loss of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests relates to the 90% limited partner interests held by third parties in our consolidated venture capital fund. We own a 10% limited partner interest in the fund. Because we are the general partner of the venture capital fund and are deemed to have a controlling interest, U.S. GAAP requires us to consolidate the financial results of the fund. However, recognizing 100% of the gains or losses in operating income while only retaining 10% is not reflective of our underlying financial results at the operating income level. As a result, we are excluding the 90% limited partner interests we do not own from our adjusted operating income. Similarly, net income of joint ventures attributable to non-controlling interests, although not significant, is excluded because it does not reflect the economic interest attributable to AllianceBernstein.

Adjusted Operating Margin

Adjusted operating margin allows us to monitor our financial performance and efficiency from period to period and to compare our performance to industry peers without the volatility noted above in our discussion of adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating margin is derived by dividing adjusted operating income by adjusted net revenues.

Units Outstanding

In December 2009, we issued approximately 8.5 million Holding Units to fund the 2009 restricted Holding Unit awards to eligible employees. The dilutive effect to net income per Holding Unit and per Unit distributions in 2010 is approximately 3%.

Since March 2010, we have engaged in open-market purchases of Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program. During the third quarter of 2010, we purchased 1.9 million Holding Units for $49.3 million. Through September 30, 2010, we purchased 4.9 million Holding Units for $135.4 million. We intend to continue to engage in open-market purchases of Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program.

We granted 1.5 million restricted Holding Unit awards to employees during the first nine months of 2010. To fund these awards, Holding issued 0.4 million Holding Units and we used 1.1 million Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust. There were 5.0 million unallocated Holding Units remaining in the consolidated rabbi trust as of September 30, 2010.

 
31

 

Net Revenues

The following table summarizes the components of net revenues:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Nine Months Ended
             
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions)
 
Investment advisory and services fees:
                                               
Institutions:
                                               
Base fees
  $ 181.3     $ 202.9     $ (21.6 )     (10.7 )%   $ 563.7     $ 580.1     $ (16.4 )     (2.8 )%
Performance-based fees
    5.0             5.0       n/m       10.5       12.5       (2.0 )     (15.4 )
      186.3       202.9       (16.6 )     (8.2 )     574.2       592.6       (18.4 )     (3.1 )
Retail:
                                                               
Base fees
    160.9       135.9       25.0       18.4       471.1       369.4       101.7       27.5  
Performance-based fees
                                               
      160.9       135.9       25.0       18.4       471.1       369.4       101.7       27.5  
Private Client:
                                                               
Base fees
    155.4       145.1       10.3       7.1       482.2       414.3       67.9       16.4  
Performance-based fees
    0.7       0.2       0.5       386.9       0.8       0.9       (0.1 )     (12.6 )
      156.1       145.3       10.8       7.5       483.0       415.2       67.8       16.3  
Total:
                                                               
Base fees
    497.6       483.9       13.7       2.8       1,517.0       1,363.8       153.2       11.2  
Performance-based fees
    5.7       0.2       5.5       3,495.7       11.3       13.4       (2.1 )     (15.2 )
      503.3       484.1       19.2       4.0       1,528.3       1,377.2       151.1       11.0  
                                                                 
Bernstein research services
    95.8       109.3       (13.5 )     (12.4 )     323.7       325.8       (2.1 )     (0.6 )
Distribution revenues
    85.4       73.8       11.6       15.7       249.2       196.4       52.8       26.9  
Dividend and interest income
    5.0       5.0             1.5       13.9       19.4       (5.5 )     (28.3 )
Investment gains (losses)
    41.4       106.7       (65.3 )     (61.2 )     (23.2 )     130.7       (153.9 )     n/m  
Other revenues
    27.5       27.9       (0.4 )     (1.7 )     81.8       79.4       2.4       2.9  
Total revenues
    758.4       806.8       (48.4 )     (6.0 )     2,173.7       2,128.9       44.8       2.1  
Less: interest expense
    0.8       0.8             3.2       2.7       3.9       (1.2 )     (30.5 )
Net revenues
  $ 757.6     $ 806.0     $ (48.4 )     (6.0 )   $ 2,171.0     $ 2,125.0     $ 46.0       2.2  

Investment Advisory and Services Fees

Investment advisory and services fees are the largest component of our revenues. These fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the value of assets under management as of a specified date, or as a percentage of the value of average assets under management for the applicable billing period, and vary with the type of investment service, the size of account and the total amount of assets we manage for a particular client. Accordingly, fee income generally increases or decreases as average assets under management increase or decrease and is therefore affected by market appreciation or depreciation, the addition of new client accounts or client contributions of additional assets to existing accounts, withdrawals of assets from and termination of client accounts, purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares, and shifts of assets between accounts or products with different fee structures. Our average basis points realized (investment advisory fees divided by average AUM) generally approximate 50 basis points for equity services, 30 basis points for fixed income services and less than 10 basis points for indexed or passive services. As such, a shift of client assets from active equity services toward fixed income services and/or passive services would result in a decline in revenues just as a shift of assets toward active equity services would increase revenues.

We calculate AUM using established fair valuation methodologies, including market-based valuation methods and fair valuation methods. Market-based valuation methods include:  last sale/settle prices from an exchange for actively-traded listed equities, options and futures; evaluated bid prices from recognized pricing vendors for fixed income, asset-backed or mortgage-backed issues; mid prices from recognized pricing vendors and brokers for credit default swaps; and quoted bids or spreads from pricing vendors and brokers for other derivative products.  Fair valuation methods include discounted cash flow models, evaluation of assets versus liabilities or any other methodology that is validated and approved by our Valuation Committee. Fair valuation methods are used only where AUM cannot be valued using market-based valuation methods, such as in the case of private equity or illiquid securities. Fair valued investments typically make up less than 1% of our total AUM.  Market volatility has not had a significant effect on our ability to acquire market data and, accordingly, our ability to use market-based valuation methods.

 
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The Valuation Committee, which is composed of senior officers and employees, is responsible for overseeing the pricing and valuation of all investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios. The Valuation Committee has adopted a Statement of Pricing Policies describing principles and policies that apply to pricing and valuing investments held in client and AllianceBernstein portfolios. We have also established a Pricing Group, which reports to the Valuation Committee.  The Valuation Committee has delegated to the Pricing Group responsibility for overseeing the pricing process for all investments.

We sometimes charge our clients performance-based fees. In these situations, we charge a base advisory fee and are eligible to earn an additional performance-based fee or incentive allocation that is calculated as either a percentage of absolute investment results or a percentage of investment results in excess of a stated benchmark over a specified period of time. Some performance-based fees include a high-watermark provision, which generally provides that if a client account underperforms relative to its performance target (whether absolute or relative to a specified benchmark), it must gain back such underperformance before we can collect future performance-based fees. Therefore, if we fail to achieve our performance target for a particular period, we will not earn a performance-based fee for that period and, for accounts with a high-watermark provision, our ability to earn future performance-based fees will be impaired. We are eligible to earn performance-based fees on approximately 12% of the assets we manage for institutional clients and approximately 3% of the assets we manage for private clients (in total, approximately 7% of our company-wide AUM). If the percentage of our AUM subject to performance-based fees grows, seasonality and volatility of revenue and earnings are likely to become more significant. Approximately 77% of our hedge fund AUM is subject to high-watermarks and we ended the third quarter of 2010 with approximately 86% of this AUM below high-watermarks by 10% or more. Accordingly, it is very unlikely we will earn performance-based fees in most of our hedge funds in 2010.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, our investment advisory and services fees increased by $19.2 million, or 4.0%, from the third quarter of 2009, due to an increase in base fees of $13.7 million and an increase in performance-based fees of $5.5 million. During the third quarter of 2010, we liquidated our Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility ("TALF") fund and recognized a $5.6 million performance-based fee. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our investment advisory and services fees increased by $151.1 million, or 11.0%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due to an increase in base fees of $153.2 million offset by a decrease in performance-based fees of $2.1 million.

Institutional investment advisory and services base fees for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased by $21.6 million, or 10.7%, from the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to a negative shift in product mix from Equities toward Fixed Income products and a decrease in average assets under management of 5.0%. Average AUM for Equity services declined 17.2% while average AUM for Fixed Income services increased 13.6%. Institutional investment advisory and services base fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased by $16.4 million, or 2.8%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to negative shift in product mix from Equities to Fixed Income products. Average AUM for Equity services decreased 5.0% while average AUM for Fixed Income and Other services increased 12.8% and 2.4%, respectively.

Retail investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $25.0 million, or 18.4%, from the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to a 9.6% increase in average assets under management and the impact of significant net sales of long-term non-U.S. global fixed income mutual funds which have higher relative fees as compared to long-term U.S. mutual funds. Retail investment advisory and services fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $101.7 million, or 27.5%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to a 19.8% increase in average assets under management and the impact of significant net sales of long-term non-U.S. global fixed income mutual funds which have higher relative fees as compared to long-term U.S. mutual funds.

Private Client investment advisory and services fees for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $10.8 million, or 7.5%, from the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of higher base fees reflecting an increase in average billable AUM of 6.5% across services and the impact of higher fees earned from Fixed Income products due to account rebalancing from cash. Private Client investment advisory and services fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $67.8 million, or 16.3%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of higher base fees reflecting an increase in average billable AUM of 12.5% across services and the impact of higher fees earned from Fixed Income products due to account rebalancing from cash.

Bernstein Research Services

Bernstein Research Services revenue consists principally of transaction charges received for providing equity research and brokerage-related services to institutional investors. Bernstein Research Services also earns revenues in the form of underwriting fees, management fees and/or selling concessions from issuers of publicly-traded securities to which we provide equity capital markets services.

 
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Revenues from Bernstein Research Services for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $13.5 million, or 12.4%, and $2.1 million, or 0.6%, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009. The decrease in the third quarter was driven by lower equity market transaction volumes in both the U.S. and Europe. U.S. Equity composite volumes in the third quarter of 2010 declined 19.0% compared to the third quarter of 2009.

Distribution Revenues

AllianceBernstein Investments and AllianceBernstein (Luxembourg) S.A. (each a wholly-owned subsidiary of AllianceBernstein) act as distributor and/or placing agent of company-sponsored mutual funds and receive distribution services fees from certain of those funds as partial reimbursement of the distribution expenses they incur. Period-over-period fluctuations of distributions revenues are typically in-line with fluctuations of Retail average AUM and Retail base investment advisory and services fees because distribution revenues are directly correlated with Retail average AUM.

Distribution revenues for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased 15.7% and 26.9%, respectively, which is essentially in line with the 18.4% and 27.5% increase in Retail investment advisory and services fees for the same respective periods.  See the discussion above regarding the correlation of the increase in Retail investment advisory and service fees to the increase in Retail average AUM.

The SEC has proposed a rule amendment that would significantly change and restrict the ability of U.S. mutual funds to pay distribution and servicing fees (“12b-1 fees”) to financial services firms for distributing their shares.  If rules are adopted as proposed, changes in existing 12b-1 fee arrangements for a number of share classes offered by company-sponsored mutual funds would be required, which would reduce the net fund distribution revenues we receive from company-sponsored mutual funds.  The impact of this rule change, which we do not anticipate being material, is dependent upon the final rules adopted by the SEC, any phase-in or grandfathering period, and any other changes made with respect to share class distribution arrangements.

Dividend and Interest Income and Interest Expense

Dividend and interest income consists primarily of investment income and interest earned on customer margin balances and U.S. Treasury Bills. Interest expense principally reflects interest accrued on cash balances in customers’ brokerage accounts. Dividend and interest income, net of interest expense, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was flat when compared to the corresponding period in 2009. Dividend and interest income, net of interest expense, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $4.3 million from the corresponding period in 2009. The decrease was due primarily to lower interest earned on U.S. Treasury Bill balances and other investments, reflecting lower interest rates and lower average balances.

Investment Gains (Losses)

Investment gains (losses) consist primarily of realized and unrealized investment gains or losses on deferred compensation-related investments and investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund. Investment gains (losses) also include realized and unrealized gains or losses on U.S. Treasury Bills and seed money investments classified as trading securities, realized gains or losses on the sale of seed money investments classified as available-for-sale securities, and equity in earnings of proprietary investments in limited partnership hedge funds that we sponsor and manage.

Investment gains (losses) are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in millions)
 
Deferred compensation-related investments
                       
Realized gains (losses)
  $ (1.5 )   $ (9.4 )   $ (14.2 )   $ (57.1 )
Unrealized gains (losses)
    37.5       80.3       24.6       162.8  
Consolidated private equity fund investments
                               
Realized gains (losses)
    1.2       13.4       0.5       16.2  
Unrealized gains (losses)
    1.1       16.8       (27.3 )     8.5  
Seed capital and other investments
                               
Realized gains (losses)
    (5.5 )     (1.3 )     (14.3 )     (7.3 )
Unrealized gains (losses)
    8.6       6.9       7.5       7.6  
    $ 41.4     $ 106.7     $ (23.2 )   $ 130.7  

 
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Realized gains or losses on deferred compensation-related investments typically occur in December of each year, as well as the first quarter, as award tranches vest and related investments are sold to provide cash for payments to employees. The realized losses occurred primarily during the first quarters of 2010 and 2009. The 2010 realized losses primarily relate to the liquidation of hedge fund investments, while the 2009 losses relate 57% to mutual fund sales and the remainder to hedge funds. The unrealized gains on deferred compensation-related investments during 2010 and 2009 reflect the favorable financial markets during those periods.

Our consolidated private equity fund for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, incurred higher mark-to-market losses relating to publicly-traded securities held by the fund. Also, the prior year reflects gains on the sale of securities.

Other Revenues, Net

Other revenues consist of fees earned for transfer agency services provided to company-sponsored mutual funds, fees earned for administration and recordkeeping services provided to company-sponsored mutual funds, the general accounts of AXA and its subsidiaries, and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $0.4 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, other revenues increased $2.4 million from the corresponding period in 2009, due primarily to higher shareholder servicing fees.

Expenses

The following table summarizes the components of expenses:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Nine Months Ended
             
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
   
9/30/10
   
9/30/09
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
   
(in millions)
 
Employee compensation and benefits
  $ 343.5     $ 335.9     $ 7.6       2.3 %   $ 976.1     $ 974.7     $ 1.4       0.1 %
Promotion and servicing:
                                                               
Distribution-related payments
    72.5       61.8       10.7       17.2       210.3       164.8       45.5       27.6  
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
    11.8       13.4       (1.6 )     (11.8 )     36.0       42.1       (6.1 )     (14.4 )
Other
    46.4       42.6       3.8       8.9       139.1       130.8       8.3       6.3  
      130.7       117.8       12.9       10.9       385.4       337.7       47.7       14.1  
General and administrative:
                                                               
General and administrative
    130.4       122.9       7.5       6.1       385.3       398.0       (12.7 )     (3.2 )
Real estate charges
    89.6             89.6       n/m       101.6       5.7       95.9       1,673.4  
      220.0       122.9       97.1       79.0       486.9       403.7       83.2       20.6  
Interest
    0.5       0.5             (4.5 )     1.4       2.1       (0.7 )     (31.7 )
Amortization of intangible assets
    5.4       5.4             (1.4 )     16.1       16.2       (0.1 )     (0.3 )
Total
  $ 700.1     $ 582.5     $ 117.6       20.2     $ 1,865.9     $ 1,734.4     $ 131.5       7.6  

Employee Compensation and Benefits

We had 4,264 full-time employees at September 30, 2010 compared to 4,544 at September 30, 2009. Employee compensation and benefits consist of salaries (including severance), annual cash incentive awards, annual expense associated with the accrual of unvested deferred incentive compensation awards (net of forfeitures), commissions, fringe benefits and other employment costs (including recruitment, training, temporary help and meals).

Compensation expense as a percentage of net revenues was 45.3% and 41.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, compensation expense as a percentage of net revenues was 45.0% and 45.9%, respectively. Compensation expense is determined on a discretionary basis taking into account our expected revenues and profitability. Management has also determined, based on expected revenues for the year, that adjusted employee compensation expense should range between 45% and 50% of our adjusted revenues, as defined below. This compensation range was established because management believes it provides sufficient compensation to allow us to competitively attract, develop and retain high-quality talent. This range is reviewed periodically by management and the Compensation Committee of the Board. Adjusted compensation expense for the compensation ratio is total compensation less recruitment, training, temporary help and meals costs, and adjusted revenues for the compensation ratio is total net revenues less distribution revenues. Our ratio of adjusted compensation expense as a percentage of adjusted revenues was 49.8% and 45.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 49.4% and 49.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in the compensation ratio in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the comparable period of 2009 is due to the decline in adjusted revenues of 8.2% versus an increase of 1.6% in adjusted compensation expense. The slight decrease in the compensation ratio over the comparable nine-month periods reflects a decrease in adjusted revenues of 0.4% as compared to a 0.9% decrease in adjusted compensation expenses.

 
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Base compensation, fringe benefits and other employment costs for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased $3.0 million, or 2.2%, from the corresponding period in 2009, primarily from higher payroll taxes and employee relocation costs offset by lower salaries. Incentive compensation for the three months increased $5.0 million, or 3.5%, primarily due to higher cash compensation accruals, offset by lower deferred compensation expense. Commission expense for the three months decreased by $0.4 million, or 0.8%, due to lower sales across all of our distribution channels. Base compensation, fringe benefits and other employment costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $11.4 million, or 2.6%, from the corresponding period in 2009, primarily due to lower severance and salaries offset by higher recruitment costs. Incentive compensation for the nine months increased $11.3 million, or 3.0%, primarily due to higher cash compensation accruals, offset by lower deferred compensation expense. Commission expense for the nine months increased $1.5 million, or 0.9%, primarily due to higher retail sales volume.

Starting in 2009, all deferred compensation awards to eligible employees, which typically vest ratably over four years, have been made in the form of restricted Holding Units. Prior to 2009, employees receiving deferred compensation awards had the option to allocate a portion of their awards to notional investments in company-sponsored investment products (primarily mutual funds). Increases in the value of the notional investments in company-sponsored investment products increase the company’s compensation liability to employees, while decreases in the value of the investments decrease the company’s liability. The company generally purchased an amount of these investments equivalent to the notional investments and held them in a consolidated rabbi trust to economically hedge its exposure to valuation changes on its future obligations. Mark-to-market gains or losses on these investments are recognized in investment gains and losses as they occur. However, the impact of cumulative mark-to-market gains or losses is recognized as increases or decreases in compensation expense ratably over the remaining vesting period. As a result, there is not a direct correlation between current period deferred compensation-related investment gains or losses recognized in revenues and the amortization of cumulative mark-to-market investment gains or losses recognized in compensation expense. Although there can be significant volatility from period to period as the value of these investments changes, if a participant remains employed by the company over the entire vesting period of the award, mark-to-market investment gains or losses recognized in revenues will, over that vesting period, equal mark-to-market investment gains or losses recognized in compensation expense.

The investment gains and losses on deferred compensation-related investments recognized in net revenues as compared to the amortization of deferred compensation awards notionally invested in company-sponsored investment products are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in millions)
 
                         
Investment gains (losses)
  $ 36.0     $ 70.9     $ 10.4     $ 105.7  
                                 
Amortization of awards notionally invested in company-sponsored investment products:
                               
Original award
    27.1       40.5       89.9       123.5  
Prior periods mark-to-market
    (5.1 )     (11.1 )     (11.4 )     (43.8 )
Current period mark-to-market
    19.3       27.8       6.8       40.1  
Total
    41.3       57.2       85.3       119.8  
Net operating income impact
  $ (5.3 )   $ 13.7     $ (74.9 )   $ (14.1 )

The amortization of the original awards will continue to decline due to deferred compensation awards being in the form of restricted Holding Units commencing in 2009. Mark-to-market amortization of prior period losses has decreased in 2010 as compared to 2009 reflecting the improvement in financial markets relative to the economic crisis that began in 2008. Current period mark-to-market amortization generally correlates (within a range) to the investment mark-to-market gains and losses for the applicable period.

Promotion and Servicing

Promotion and servicing expenses include distribution-related payments to financial intermediaries for distribution of AllianceBernstein mutual funds and amortization of deferred sales commissions paid to financial intermediaries for the sale of back-end load shares of AllianceBernstein mutual funds. Also included in this expense category are costs related to travel and entertainment, advertising and promotional materials.

 
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Promotion and servicing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased $12.9 million, or 10.9%. The increase primarily reflects higher distribution-related payments of $10.7 million, an increase of 17.2%, generally in line with the 15.7% increase in distribution revenues. In addition, travel and entertainment increased $3.0 million, while amortization of deferred sales commissions decreased $1.6 million as a result of a decrease in the deferred sales commission asset. Our deferred sales commission asset will continue to decline because, effective January 31, 2009, back-end load shares are no longer offered by our U.S.-registered investment companies to new investors. Promotion and servicing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased $47.7 million, or 14.1%. The increase primarily reflects higher distribution-related payments of $45.5 million, an increase of 27.6%, which is generally in line with the 26.9% increase in distribution revenues. In addition, travel and entertainment increased $7.3 million, which was offset by a decrease in amortization of deferred sales commissions of $6.1 million.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses include technology, professional fees, occupancy, communications and similar expenses. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 29.0% (17.2% excluding the real estate charge) and 15.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 22.4% (17.7% excluding the real estate charges) and 19.0% (18.7% excluding the real estate charge), respectively. General and administrative expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased $97.1 million, or 79.0%, and $83.2 million, or 20.6%, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009. The increase for the three months ended was primarily due to a real estate charge of $89.6 million and lower foreign exchange gains of $7.9 million. The increase for the nine months ended was primarily due to an increase of $95.9 million in real estate charges.

Interest on Borrowings

Interest on our borrowings for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was flat and decreased $0.7 million, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009, primarily as a result of lower average balances and interest rates.

Non-Operating Income

Non-operating income consists of contingent purchase price payments earned from the disposition in 2005 of our cash management services. Non-operating income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $16.8 million and $22.3 million, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2009 due to lower contingent payments resulting from the cessation of payments during the second quarter of 2010 as per our agreement with Federated Inc.

Income Taxes

AllianceBernstein, a private limited partnership, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, we are subject to the New York City unincorporated business tax. Our domestic corporate subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local income taxes, and are generally included in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return. Separate state and local income tax returns are also filed. Foreign corporate subsidiaries are generally subject to taxes in the foreign jurisdictions where they are located.

Income tax expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $10.7 million, or 78.1%, and $2.9 million, or 9.1%, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2009. The decrease for the three months is due to  lower pre-tax earnings. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is primarily the result of lower pre-tax earnings, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate due to a higher proportion of pre-tax earnings from our foreign subsidiaries where tax rates are generally higher. See Note 11 to AllianceBernstein’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1.

Net Loss (Income) of Consolidated Entities Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests

Net loss (income) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests consists of limited partner interests owned by other investors representing 90% of the total limited partner interests in our consolidated venture capital fund and the 50% interest owned by AXA and its subsidiaries in our consolidated joint venture in Australia. Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $24.3 million from the corresponding period in 2009. The decrease was primarily due to lower gains on investments owned by our consolidated venture capital fund recognized in investment gains (losses) of $27.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 contributing to lower net income of the consolidated venture capital fund attributable to non-controlling interests of $25.0 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we had a net loss of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests of $23.2 million as compared to net income of $23.1 million in the comparable 2009 period. The venture capital fund experienced net losses of $26.8 million in 2010 as compared to gains of $24.7 million in 2009, which was the primary driver of a net loss of the consolidated venture capital fund attributable to non-controlling interests of $26.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to a corresponding net gain of $21.0 million in the comparable 2009 period.

 
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CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

During the first nine months of 2010, net cash provided by operating activities was $692.1 million, compared with $575.0 million during the corresponding 2009 period. The increase was primarily due to lower unrealized deferred compensation-related investments gains of $138.2 million and higher non-cash real estate sub-lease charges of $99.3 million offsetting lower net income of $104.9 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net cash used in investing activities was $8.3 million, compared to $49.6 million during the corresponding 2009 period. The decrease reflects net proceeds from sales of investments of $2.2 million during 2010 as compared to net purchases of investments of $6.1 million during 2009. Our net additions to furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements also decreased $33.0 million in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the corresponding 2009 period as a result of lower infrastructure needs due to workforce reductions.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net cash used in financing activities was $686.4 million, compared to $542.5 million during the corresponding 2009 period. The increase reflects higher distributions to the general partner and unitholders of $182.0 million as a result of higher earnings (distributions on earnings are paid one quarter in arrears) and higher purchases of Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plans of $137.2 million, offset by lower repayment of commercial paper (net of issuances) of $108.5 million and an increase of $59.2 million in overdrafts payable. We intend to purchase additional Holding Units during the fourth quarter of 2010 and in future periods.

Debt and Credit Facilities

Total credit available, debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates were as follows:

 
September 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
 
Credit
Available
 
Debt
Outstanding
   
Interest
Rate
 
Credit
Available
 
Debt
Outstanding
   
Interest
Rate
 
 
(in millions)
 
     
Revolving credit facility
  $ 901.0     $       %   $ 751.0     $       %
Commercial paper (1)
    99.0       99.0       0.3       249.0       249.0       0.2  
Total revolving credit facility  - AllianceBernstein
    1,000.0       99.0       0.3       1,000.0       249.0       0.2  
Revolving credit facility –SCB LLC
    950.0       10.0       0.4       950.0              
Total
  $ 1,950.0     $ 109.0       0.3     $ 1,950.0     $ 249.0       0.2  
_____________________
(1)
Commercial paper is short-term in nature and, as such, recorded value is estimated to approximate fair value.

AllianceBernstein has a $1.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks and other lenders which expires in February 2011. The revolving credit facility is intended to provide back-up liquidity for our $1.0 billion commercial paper program, although we borrow directly under the facility from time to time. Amounts borrowed under the commercial paper program reduce amounts available for direct borrowing under the revolving credit facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Our interest rate, at our option, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to LIBOR or the Federal Funds rate. The revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require us to meet certain financial ratios. We are in compliance with these covenants.

SCB LLC has a $950 million three-year revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks to fund its activities resulting from engaging in certain securities trading (including derivatives) and custody activities on behalf of private clients and participating in equity capital offerings on behalf of issuers of publicly-traded securities. The facility expires in January 2011. Under the revolving credit facility, the interest rate, at the option of SCB LLC, is a floating rate generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to LIBOR or the Federal Funds rate. This revolving credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, require AllianceBernstein, as guarantor, to meet the same financial ratios contained in its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. We are in compliance with these covenants.

 
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We are currently negotiating a new revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks to replace the facilities that will expire in 2011.

SCB LLC has several separate uncommitted credit facilities with various banks.  SCB LLC also has two uncommitted lines of credit with a commercial bank, one for $75 million secured by pledges of U.S. Treasury Bills and a second for $50 million secured by pledges of equity securities.

On July 23, 2010, a subsidiary of AllianceBernstein arranged for a non-recourse credit line from AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”) in an amount equal to $100 million. The credit line, which matures on November 30, 2010, will be available to purchase real estate investments with the expectation that they will be transferred to a new real estate opportunity fund being established by AllianceBernstein. As of September 30, 2010, no borrowings have been made against this credit line.

Our financial condition and ability to issue public and private debt should provide adequate liquidity for our general business needs. Management believes that cash flow from operations and the issuance of debt and AllianceBernstein Units or Holding Units will provide us with the resources necessary to meet our financial obligations. See “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

AllianceBernstein’s capital commitments, which consist primarily of operating leases for office space, are generally funded from future operating cash flows.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management believes that the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below involve significant management judgment due to the sensitivity of the methods and assumptions used.

Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17, Consolidations (Topic 810) – Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, effective January 1, 2010.  This standard changed how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting should be consolidated.  The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design, a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and whether a company is obligated to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity.  The standard also requires ongoing assessments of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE. If we together with our related party relationships, are determined to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the entity will be consolidated within our consolidated financial statements. In order to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, management must make significant estimates and assumptions of probable future cash flows and assign probabilities to different cash flow scenarios. Assumptions made in such analyses include, but are not limited to, market prices of securities, market interest rates, potential credit defaults on individual securities or default rates on a portfolio of securities, gain realization, liquidity or marketability of certain securities, discount rates and the probability of certain other outcomes.

Goodwill

We test goodwill annually, as of September 30, for impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is also reviewed if facts and circumstances, such as significant declines in assets under management, revenues, earnings or our Holding Unit price, occur, suggesting possible impairment. As of September 30, 2010, the impairment test indicated that goodwill was not impaired.

The impairment analysis is a two-step process.  The first step involves determining whether the estimated fair value of AllianceBernstein, the reporting unit, exceeds its book value. If the fair value of the company exceeds its book value, goodwill is not impaired.  However, if the book value exceeds the fair value of the company, goodwill may be impaired and additional analysis is required.  The second step compares the fair value of the company to the aggregated fair values of its individual assets and liabilities to determine the amount of impairment, if any.

There are several methods of estimating AllianceBernstein’s fair value, including valuation techniques such as discounted expected cash flows and market valuation (the number of AllianceBernstein Units outstanding multiplied by Holding Unit price). Determining estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow valuation technique consists of applying business growth rate assumptions over the estimated life of the goodwill asset and then discounting the resulting expected cash flows to arrive at a present value amount that approximates fair value. In our tests, our discounted expected cash flow model uses management’s current estimate of future earnings, which factors in current market conditions and all material events that have impacted, or that we believed at the time could potentially impact, future expected cash flows for the first four years and a compounded annual growth rate thereafter.

 
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To the extent that securities valuations are depressed for prolonged periods of time, our assets under management, revenues, profitability and unit price may be adversely affected.  As a result, subsequent impairment tests may be based upon different assumptions and future cash flow projections, which may result in an impairment of this asset. Any impairment could reduce materially the recorded amount of goodwill with a corresponding charge to our earnings.

Retirement Plan

We maintain a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit retirement plan covering current and former employees who were employed by the company in the United States prior to October 2, 2000. Service and compensation after December 31, 2008 are not taken into account in determining participants’ retirement benefits. The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to the retirement plan are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which liabilities could be settled and mortality rates. The assumptions are reviewed annually and may be updated to reflect the current environment. Key assumptions are described in Note 14 to AllianceBernstein’s consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, actual results that differ from those assumed are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized and liabilities recorded in future periods.

Loss Contingencies

Management continuously reviews with legal counsel the status of regulatory matters and pending or threatened litigation. We evaluate the likelihood that a loss contingency exists and record a loss contingency if it is probable and reasonably estimable as of the date of the financial statements. See Note 8 to AllianceBernstein’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 15 to AllianceBernstein’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1.

CAUTIONS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements provided by management in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The most significant of these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of sponsored investment products and separately-managed accounts, general economic conditions, industry trends, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax regulations and rates and the manner in which the earnings of publicly-traded partnerships are taxed. We caution readers to carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made; we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. For further information regarding these forward-looking statements and the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Part II, Item 1A in this Form 10-Q. Any or all of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Form 10-Q, other documents we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any other public statements we issue, may turn out to be wrong. It is important to remember that other factors besides those listed in “Risk Factors” and those listed below could also adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.

The forward-looking statements referred to in the preceding paragraph include statements regarding:

 
Our pipeline of new institutional client mandates not yet funded: Before they are funded, institutional mandates do not represent legally binding commitments to fund and, accordingly, the possibility exists that not all mandates will be funded in the amounts and at the times we currently anticipate.

 
Our belief that the cash flow Holding realizes from its investment in AllianceBernstein will provide Holding with the resources necessary to meet its financial obligations: Holdings cash flow is dependent on the quarterly cash distributions it receives from AllianceBernstein. Accordingly, Holdings ability to meet its financial obligations is dependent on AllianceBernsteins cash flow from its operations, which is subject to the performance of the capital markets and other factors beyond our control.

 
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Our financial condition and ability to issue public and private debt providing adequate liquidity for our general business needs: Our financial condition is dependent on our cash flow from operations, which is subject to the performance of the capital markets, our ability to maintain and grow client assets under management and other factors beyond our control. Our ability to issue public and private debt on reasonable terms, as well as the market for such debt or equity, may be limited by adverse market conditions, our profitability and changes in government regulations, including tax rates and interest rates.

 
The possibility that prolonged weakness in the value of client assets under management may result in impairment of goodwill: To the extent that securities valuations are depressed for prolonged periods of time, client assets under management and our revenues, profitability and unit price may be adversely affected. As a result, subsequent impairment tests may be based upon different assumptions and future cash flow projections, which may result in an impairment of goodwill.

 
The outcome of litigation: Litigation is inherently unpredictable, and excessive damage awards do occur. Though we have stated that we do not expect certain legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition, any settlement or judgment with respect to a legal proceeding could be significant, and could have such an effect.

 
Our anticipation that the proposed 12b-1 fee-related rule changes will not have a material effect on us: The impact of this rule change is dependent upon the final rules adopted by the SEC, any phase-in or grandfathering period, and any other changes made with respect to share class distribution arrangements.

 
Our intention to continue to engage in open market purchases of Holding Units, from time to time, to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program:  The number of Holding Units needed in future periods to make incentive compensation awards is dependent upon various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the fluctuation in the price of a Holding Unit (NYSE: AB).

 
Our determination that, based on expected revenues for the year, adjusted employee compensation expense should range between 45% and 50% of our adjusted revenues:  The revenues we generate during 2010 are dependent upon the performance of the capital markets, our investment performance for our clients, general economic and regulatory conditions, and other factors that may be beyond our control.  Aggregate employee compensation reflects employee performance and competitive compensation levels.  Fluctuations in our revenues and/or changes in competitive compensation levels could result in employee compensation expense being outside of this range.

 
The degree to which the $90 million real estate charge will reduce occupancy costs on existing real estate in 2011 and subsequent years:  The charge we recorded this quarter and our estimates of reduced occupancy costs in future years are based on our current assumptions of when we can sub-lease our space and current market rental rates, both of which are factors largely beyond our control.  If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, we may be forced to take an additional charge and/or our estimated occupancy cost reductions may be less than we currently anticipate.

 
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OTHER INFORMATION

With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information of AllianceBernstein for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information.  However, their separate report dated October 27, 2010 appearing herein states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) for their report on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of registration statements prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to AllianceBernstein’s market risk for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

AllianceBernstein maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to permit timely decisions regarding our disclosure.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the third quarter of 2010 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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