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8-K - 8-K - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.ablp8-kre1q16earningswps1.htm
EX-99.02 - EXHIBIT 99.02 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.ab1q16earningsrevised.htm
EX-99.03 - EXHIBIT 99.03 - ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.a1q16abtranscript.htm
Andrea Prochniak, Investors
212.756.4542
andrea.prochniak@abglobal.com
                       

Jonathan Freedman, Media
212.823.2687
jonathan.freedman@abglobal.com


ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN HOLDING L.P. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
Adjusted Diluted Net Income of $0.40 per Unit
Cash Distribution of $0.40 per Unit
GAAP Diluted Net Income of $0.56 per Unit


New York, NY, April 28, 2016 – AllianceBernstein L.P. (“AB”) and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding”) (NYSE: AB) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
“After a challenging first two months of the year, both global markets and investor sentiment lifted in March,” said Peter S. Kraus, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “While gross sales for the first quarter lagged the levels of a year ago, we experienced strong momentum in diverse areas like global high income, US investment grade and municipal bonds, and strategic core equities. At the same time, with redemptions still at or near multi-year lows, we had net inflows of $2.2 billion.”
(US $ Thousands except per Unit amounts)
1Q 2016
 
1Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs 1Q 2015 % Change
 
4Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs 4Q 2015 % Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Financial Measures (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
$
590,066

 
$
633,995

 
(6.9
)%
 
606,371

 
(2.7
%)
Operating income
$
132,066

 
$
151,613

 
(12.9
)%
 
161,746

 
(18.3
%)
Operating margin
22.4
%
 
23.9
%
 
 
 
26.7
%
 
 
AB Holding Diluted EPU
$
0.40

 
$
0.45

 
(11.1
)%
 
$
0.50

 
(20.0
%)
AB Holding cash distribution per Unit
$
0.40

 
$
0.45

 
(11.1
)%
 
$
0.50

 
(20.0
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
$
769,126

 
$
762,571

 
0.9
 %
 
726,726

 
5.8
%
Operating income
$
173,042

 
$
153,214

 
12.9
 %
 
170,913

 
1.2
%
Operating margin
23.2
%
 
19.9
%
 
 
 
23.3
%
 
 
AB Holding Diluted EPU
$
0.56

 
$
0.45

 
24.4
 %
 
$
0.53

 
5.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(US $ Billions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets Under Management
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending AUM
479.0

 
485.9

 
(1.4
%)
 
467.4

 
2.5
%
Average AUM
465.4

 
481.0

 
(3.2
%)
 
470.9

 
(1.2
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) The adjusted financial measures are all non-GAAP financial measures. See pages 12-14 for reconciliations of GAAP Financial Results to Adjusted Financial Results and page 15 for notes describing the adjustments.




www.abglobal.com
 
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Kraus continued: “We’ve worked hard in the years since the Global Financial Crisis to build out and innovate in the regions, channels and services where we see the best growth prospects for our clients, and consistently improve upon AB’s competitive positioning and financial strength. Today, we’re seeing our efforts pay off in the improvement of our investment portfolios, the diversity of our offering, and the strength of our client relationships and financials. Navigating the volatility of the first quarter was challenging, but we maintained our long-term track records in both fixed income and equities. In fixed income, 84% of our assets were in outperforming services for the 3-year period through March, and in equities, we were at 82%. In addition, we were just named Small Cap Value Manager of the Year by Institutional Investor. Even in the toughest markets, we’re being recognized for the performance and innovation of our products. Multi-asset is a good example. During the quarter, a major national consultant awarded our new retail multi-manager target-date fund and Collective Investment Trust (CIT) series with a buy rating. On the retail target-date fund side, our 11 fund vintages ranked 30th percentile on average for the quarter and 19th percentile for the 1-year, in each case beating the top three target-date providers in the category. Overseas, we were named the #1 Discretionary Investment Manager (DIM) in the multi-asset space in Taiwan and our Emerging Markets Multi-Asset (EMMA) Luxembourg-based fund was upgraded to five stars for the 3-year period. We’re also gaining momentum in the private credit space. Our second Commercial Real Estate Debt fund just closed at $1.5 billion, exceeding our target by 50%. And our Private Wealth clients committed $200 million to our new energy fund, a solid raise given the volatility of oil prices during the quarter. The success of this and other targeted services is helping us to broaden and expand our client base. Finally, on the sell-side, by staying true to our differentiated research model and unconflicted trading platform, we continue to rank highly on annual independent industry surveys and to outpace peers in revenue growth.”
Kraus concluded: “Across our businesses, we remain committed to investing for growth while keeping costs in check, and we delivered on this commitment in the first quarter of 2016, reducing our total adjusted operating expenses by 5% year-on-year. We remain relentless in pursuing our goal of expanding margins when revenue growth accelerates. In the meantime, we’ll keep pushing forward on our mission to keep clients Ahead of Tomorrow with our products and our service.”
The firm’s cash distribution per unit of $0.40 is payable on May 19, 2016, to holders of record of AB Holding Units at the close of business on May 9, 2016.
Market Performance
US and global equity markets were mixed in the first quarter, while US and global fixed income markets were higher. The S&P 500’s total return was 1.4% in the first quarter, while the MSCI EAFE Index’s total return was (2.9)%. The Barclays US Aggregate Index returned 3.0% during the first quarter and the Barclays Global Aggregate ex US Index’s total return was 8.3%.


www.abglobal.com
 
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Assets Under Management ($ Billions)
Total assets under management as of March 31, 2016 were $479.0 billion, up $11.6 billion, or 2.5%, from December 31, 2015, and down $6.9 billion, or 1.4%, from March 31, 2015.
 
Institutions
 
Retail
 
Private Wealth Management
 
Total
Assets Under Management 3/31/16
$244.8
 
$155.9
 
$78.3
 
$479.0
Net Flows for Three Months Ended 3/31/16
$1.8
 
$(0.6)
 
$1.0
 
$2.2
Total net inflows were $2.2 billion, compared to the prior quarter’s net outflows of $2.5 billion and the prior-year period’s net inflows of $6.0 billion.
Net inflows to the Institutions channel were $1.8 billion, compared to net outflows of $0.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015. Institutions gross sales of $4.5 billion increased 5% from $4.3 billion in the prior quarter. The pipeline of awarded but unfunded Institutional mandates increased sequentially from $6.1 billion to $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2016.
The Retail channel experienced first quarter 2016 net outflows of $0.6 billion, compared to $1.5 billion of net outflows in the prior quarter. Retail gross sales of $7.7 billion decreased 5% from the fourth quarter’s $8.1 billion.
In the Private Wealth channel, net inflows of $1.0 billion compared to net outflows of $0.1 billion in the prior quarter. Private Wealth gross sales increased 52% to $3.2 billion from the prior quarter’s $2.1 billion.
First Quarter Financial Results
We are presenting both earnings information derived in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and non-GAAP, adjusted earnings information in this release. Management principally uses these non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating performance because they present a clearer picture of our operating performance, and allow management to see long-term trends without the distortion caused by long-term incentive compensation-related mark-to-market adjustments, real estate consolidation charges/credits and other adjustment items. Similarly, we believe that this non-GAAP earnings information helps investors better understand the underlying trends in our results and, accordingly, provides a valuable perspective for investors. AB Holding is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the AB Holding Partnership Agreement, to its Unitholders (including the General Partner). Since the third quarter of 2012, Available Cash Flow has been the adjusted diluted net income per unit for the quarter multiplied by the number of units outstanding at the end of the quarter. Management anticipates that Available Cash Flow will continue to be based on adjusted diluted net income per unit, unless management determines that one or more of the non-GAAP adjustments that are made for adjusted net income should not be made with respect to the Available Cash Flow calculation. These non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to, and not as substitutes for, any measures derived in accordance with US GAAP and they may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures presented by other companies. Management uses both US 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.







www.abglobal.com
 
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Non-GAAP Earnings
This section discusses our first quarter 2016 non-GAAP financial results, as compared to the first quarter of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2015. The phrases “adjusted net revenues”, “adjusted operating expenses”, “adjusted operating income”, “adjusted operating margin” and “adjusted diluted net income per Unit” are used in the following earnings discussion to identify non-GAAP information. The most directly comparable US GAAP items are reconciled to these non-GAAP items on pages 12-15 of this release.
Adjusted net revenues of $590 million were down 7% compared to the first quarter of 2015, due to lower advisory fees and higher net distribution expenses. Sequentially, adjusted net revenues were down 3%, driven by the same factors and partly offset by higher Bernstein Research revenues and lower investment losses. Bernstein Research revenues were essentially flat compared to the first quarter of 2015 and increased 7% from the fourth quarter of 2015 as a result of a volatility-driven increase in client activity in the US and Asia.
Adjusted operating expenses were $458 million for the first quarter, down 5% compared to the prior-year period, as total compensation and benefits, general and administrative (“G&A”) and promotion and servicing expenses were all lower. The year-over-year decrease in total compensation and benefits expenses was a result of lower incentive compensation, commissions and fringes, partially offset by higher base compensation. Within G&A, the decrease was primarily due to lower other miscellaneous expenses. The decrease in promotion and servicing expenses was due to lower marketing and travel and entertainment expenses, partly offset by higher trade execution fees.
Sequentially, adjusted operating expenses were up 3%, driven by higher total compensation and benefits expenses, which were partly offset by lower promotion and servicing and G&A expenses. The sequential increase in total compensation and benefits expenses was driven by higher base and incentive compensation, partly offset by lower commissions, fringes and other employment costs. The sequential decrease in promotion and servicing expenses was driven by lower travel and entertainment expenses, partly offset by higher trade execution fees. Within G&A, the decrease was driven by lower professional fees.
Adjusted operating income of $132 million decreased 13% from $152 million for the first quarter of 2015, and the adjusted operating margin decreased to 22.4% from 23.9%. On a sequential basis, adjusted operating income decreased 19% from $162 million, and the adjusted operating margin decreased from 26.7%.
Adjusted diluted net income per Unit was $0.40 compared to $0.45 in the first quarter of 2015 and $0.50 in the fourth quarter of 2015.

www.abglobal.com
 
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US GAAP Earnings
Net revenues of $769 million were up 1% compared to the first quarter of 2015, largely the result of higher investment gains, partly offset by lower advisory fees and distribution revenues. During the quarter we recorded a realized gain of $75 million upon the close of the sale of our investment in Jasper Technologies, Inc. to Cisco Systems, Inc. Sequentially, net revenues increased 6% as a result of investment gains in the current quarter compared to investment losses in the previous period and higher Bernstein Research revenues, partly offset by lower advisory fees and distribution revenues.
Operating expenses were $596 million for the first quarter of 2016, down 2% year-over-year, due to lower total compensation and benefits, promotion and servicing and G&A expenses. Within employee compensation and benefits expenses, lower incentive compensation, commissions and fringes were partly offset by higher base compensation, reflecting higher severance costs. Promotion and servicing expenses decreased from the prior-year period due to lower distribution-related payments, travel and entertainment and marketing expenses and amortization of deferred sales commissions. Within G&A, the decrease was primarily due to lower other miscellaneous expenses. During the first quarter of 2016, we recorded a $27.6 million non-cash real estate charge, resulting from new charges of $28.5 million relating to the further consolidation of office space at our New York metro offices, offset by changes in estimates related to previously recorded real estate charges. This compares to a $0.4 million non-cash real estate credit in the first quarter of 2015.
On a sequential basis, operating expenses were up 7% as a result of higher total employee compensation and benefits expenses, partly offset by lower promotion and servicing and G&A expenses. Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased due to higher incentive compensation, commissions and fringes and base compensation, reflecting higher severance costs. Within promotion and servicing, lower distribution plan payments and travel and entertainment expense were partly offset by higher trade execution fees. Within G&A, the decrease was driven by lower professional fees. The $27.6 million non-cash real estate charge in the current quarter compares to a $0.2 million non-cash real estate credit in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Operating income of $173 million for the first quarter of 2016 increased 13% from $153 million for the first quarter of 2015 and increased 1% from $171 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Diluted net income per Unit for the first quarter of 2016 was $0.56 compared to $0.45 in the first quarter of 2015 and $0.53 in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Headcount
As of March 31, 2016, we had 3,450 employees, compared to 3,486 employees as of March 31, 2015 and 3,600 employees as of December 31, 2015.
Unit Repurchases
During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we purchased 1.9 million and 0.7 million AB Holding Units for $39.7 million and $17.0 million, respectively (on a trade date basis). These amounts reflect open-market purchases of 1.8 million and 0.6 million AB Holding Units for $38.1 million and $15.1 million, respectively, with the remainder relating to purchases of AB Holding Units from employees to allow them to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of distribution of long-term incentive compensation awards.

www.abglobal.com
 
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First Quarter 2016 Earnings Conference Call Information
Management will review first quarter 2016 financial and operating results during a conference call beginning at 8:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28, 2016. The conference call will be hosted by Peter S. Kraus, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and John C. Weisenseel, Chief Financial Officer.
Parties may access the conference call by either webcast or telephone:
1.    To listen by webcast, please visit AB’s Investor Relations website at http://abglobal.com/corporate/investor-relations/home.htm at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.
2.       To listen by telephone, please dial (866) 556-2265 in the U.S. or (973) 935-8521 outside the U.S. 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. The conference ID# is 87493602.
The presentation that will be reviewed during the conference call will be available on AB’s Investor Relations website shortly after the release of first quarter 2016 financial and operating results on April 28, 2016.
AB will be providing live updates via Twitter during the conference call. To access the tweets, follow AB on Twitter: @AB_insights. Also, in the future, AB may provide public disclosures to investors via Twitter and other appropriate internet-based social media.
A replay of the webcast will be made available beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the conference call and will be available on AB’s website for one week. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available for one week. To access the audio replay, please call (855) 859-2056 in the US, or (404) 537-3406 outside the US, and provide the conference ID #: 87493602.
Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements provided by management in this news release 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 current and proposed government regulations, including changes in tax regulations and rates and the manner in which the earnings of publicly-traded partnerships are taxed. AB cautions readers to carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made; AB undertakes 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” and “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in AB’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Any or all of the forward-looking statements made in this news release, Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, other documents AB files with or furnishes to the SEC, and any other public statements issued by AB, may turn out to be wrong. It is important to remember that other factors besides those listed in “Risk Factors” and “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”, and those listed below, could also adversely affect AB’s financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.

www.abglobal.com
 
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The forward-looking statements referred to in the preceding paragraph include statements regarding:
The pipeline of new institutional 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 currently anticipated.
Our expectation that, as a result of vacating and marketing for sublease two floors in New York during the first quarter of 2016, and recording real estate charges totaling $28.5 million, approximately $3.7 million of annualized savings will be generated: Any charges we record are based on our current assumptions regarding sublease marketing periods, costs to prepare the properties to market, market rental rates, broker commissions and subtenant allowance/incentives, all of which are factors largely beyond our control. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, we may be forced to record additional charges, which may result in annual savings different from our current expectation.
The possibility that AB will engage in open market purchases of Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program: The number of Holding Units AB may decide to buy in future periods, if any, to help fund 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 and the availability of cash to make these purchases.

Qualified Tax Notice
This announcement is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation §1.1446-4(b). Please note that 100% of AB Holding’s distributions to foreign investors is attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, AB Holding’s distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable tax rate, currently 39.6%.
About AB
AB is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals and private wealth clients in major world markets.
As of March 31, 2016, AB Holding owned approximately 36.4% of the issued and outstanding AB Units and AXA, one of the largest global financial services organizations, owned an approximate 63.2% economic interest in AB.
Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.abglobal.com.










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AB (The Operating Partnership)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(US $ Thousands)
1Q 2016
 
1Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 1Q 2015 % Change
 
4Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 4Q 2015 % Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Base fees
$
448,332

 
$
487,378

 
(8.0
%)
 
$
471,488

 
(4.9
%)
Performance fees
622

 
4,152

 
(85.0
%)
 
3,513

 
(82.3
%)
Bernstein research services
126,465

 
126,046

 
0.3
%
 
118,442

 
6.8
%
Net distribution revenues
(5,646
)
 
(3,601
)
 
56.8
%
 
(4,295
)
 
31.5
%
Net dividends and interest
7,219

 
4,943

 
46.0
%
 
7,130

 
1.2
%
Investments gains (losses)
(374
)
 
89

 
n/m

 
(4,146
)
 
(91.0
%)
Other revenues
15,523

 
15,607

 
(0.5
%)
 
15,508

 
0.1
%
Total adjusted revenues
592,141

 
634,614

 
(6.7
%)
 
607,640

 
(2.6
%)
Less: interest expense
2,075

 
619

 
235.2
%
 
1,269

 
63.5
%
Total adjusted net revenues
590,066

 
633,995

 
(6.9
%)
 
606,371

 
(2.7
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
302,223

 
323,677

 
(6.6
%)
 
284,533

 
6.2
%
Promotion and servicing
45,115

 
46,285

 
(2.5
%)
 
47,051

 
(4.1
%)
General and administrative
102,567

 
104,760

 
(2.1
%)
 
105,431

 
(2.7
%)
Contingent payment arrangements
353

 
443

 
(20.3
%)
 
443

 
(20.3
%)
Interest
1,232

 
854

 
44.3
%
 
817

 
50.8
%
Amortization of intangible assets
6,409

 
6,461

 
(0.8
%)
 
6,414

 
(0.1
%)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests
101

 
(98
)
 
n/m

 
(64
)
 
n/m

Total adjusted operating expenses
458,000

 
482,382

 
(5.1
%)
 
444,625

 
3.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income
132,066

 
151,613

 
(12.9
%)
 
161,746

 
(18.3
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted income taxes
7,200

 
10,448

 
(31.1
%)
 
7,978

 
(9.8
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income
$
124,866

 
$
141,165

 
(11.5
%)
 
$
153,768

 
(18.8
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AB Holding Adjusted diluted EPU
$
0.40

 
$
0.45

 
(11.1
%)
 
$
0.50

 
(20.0
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending headcount
3,450

 
3,486

 
(1.0
%)
 
3,600

 
(4.2
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending AUM (in billions)
$
479.0

 
$
485.9

 
(1.4
%)
 
$
467.4

 
2.5
%
Average AUM (in billions)
$
465.4

 
$
481.0

 
(3.2
%)
 
$
470.9

 
(1.2
%)

www.abglobal.com
 
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AB (The Operating Partnership)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US GAAP Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(US $ Thousands)
1Q 2016
 
1Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 1Q 2015 % Change
 
4Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 4Q 2015 % Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Base fees
$
450,791

 
$
489,836

 
(8.0
%)
 
$
474,126

 
(4.9
%)
Performance fees
622

 
4,152

 
(85.0
%)
 
3,513

 
(82.3
%)
Bernstein research services
126,465

 
126,046

 
0.3
%
 
118,442

 
6.8
%
Distribution revenues
92,692

 
109,184

 
(15.1
%)
 
100,757

 
(8.0
%)
Dividends and interest
7,370

 
5,094

 
44.7
%
 
8,651

 
(14.8
%)
Investments gains (losses)
65,650

 
3,888

 
1,588.5
%
 
(2,003
)
 
n/m

Other revenues
27,611

 
24,990

 
10.5
%
 
24,509

 
12.7
%
  Total revenues
771,201

 
763,190

 
1.0
%
 
727,995

 
5.9
%
Less: interest expense
2,075

 
619

 
235.2
%
 
1,269

 
63.5
%
Total net revenues
769,126

 
762,571

 
0.9
%
 
726,726

 
5.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
302,011

 
326,327

 
(7.5
%)
 
286,399

 
5.5
%
Promotion and servicing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Distribution-related payments
87,127

 
100,386

 
(13.2
%)
 
93,379

 
(6.7
%)
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
11,242

 
12,399

 
(9.3
%)
 
11,673

 
(3.7
%)
   Other
54,201

 
55,537

 
(2.4
%)
 
55,907

 
(3.1
%)
General and administrative
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   General & administrative
105,923

 
107,333

 
(1.3
%)
 
108,214

 
(2.1
%)
   Real estate (credits) charges
27,586

 
(383
)
 
n/m

 
(221
)
 
n/m

Contingent payment arrangements
353

 
443

 
(20.3
%)
 
(6,769
)
 
(105.2
%)
Interest on borrowings
1,232

 
854

 
44.3
%
 
817

 
50.8
%
Amortization of intangible assets
6,409

 
6,461

 
(0.8
%)
 
6,414

 
(0.1
%)
Total operating expenses
596,084

 
609,357

 
(2.2
%)
 
555,813

 
7.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
173,042

 
153,214

 
12.9
%
 
170,913

 
1.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income taxes
9,864

 
10,470

 
(5.8
%)
 
8,354

 
18.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
163,178

 
142,744

 
14.3
%
 
162,559

 
0.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
(5,748
)
 
1,275

 
n/m

 
1,496

 
n/m

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
168,926

 
$
141,469

 
19.4
%
 
$
161,063

 
4.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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AB Holding L.P. (The Publicly-Traded Partnership)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(US $ Thousands)
1Q 2016
 
1Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 1Q 2015 % Change
 
4Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 4Q 2015 % Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in Net Income Attributable to AB Unitholders
$
61,132

 
$
51,616

 
18.4
%
 
$
57,485

 
6.3
%
Income Taxes
5,585

 
6,031

 
(7.4
%)
 
5,803

 
(3.8
%)
Net Income
55,547

 
45,585

 
21.9
%
 
51,682

 
7.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Equity in Earnings of Operating Partnership (1)
155

 
355

 
(56.3
%)
 
310

 
(50.0
%)
Net Income - Diluted
$
55,702

 
$
45,940

 
21.2
%
 
$
51,992

 
7.1
%
Diluted Net Income per Unit
$
0.56

 
$
0.45

 
24.4
%
 
$
0.53

 
5.7
%
Distribution per Unit
$
0.40

 
$
0.45

 
(11.1
%)
 
$
0.50

 
(20.0
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) To reflect higher ownership in the Operating Partnership resulting from application of the treasury stock method to outstanding options.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Units Outstanding
1Q 2016
 
1Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 1Q 2015 % Change
 
4Q 2015
 
1Q 2016 vs. 4Q 2015 % Change
AB L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period-end
270,638,334

 
272,607,593

 
(0.7
%)
 
272,301,827

 
(0.6
%)
Weighted average - basic
271,853,243

 
272,831,439

 
(0.4
%)
 
269,417,724

 
0.9
%
Weighted average - diluted
272,253,490

 
273,929,180

 
(0.6
%)
 
270,238,983

 
0.7
%
AB Holding L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period-end
98,381,192

 
100,324,540

 
(1.9
%)
 
100,044,485

 
(1.7
%)
Weighted average - basic
99,595,925

 
100,548,013

 
(0.9
%)
 
97,160,266

 
2.5
%
Weighted average - diluted
99,996,172

 
101,645,754

 
(1.6
%)
 
97,981,525

 
2.1
%


























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10 of 15








AllianceBernstein L.P.
 
 
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT | March 31, 2016
 
 
($ billions)
 
 
Ending and Average
Three Months Ended
 
 
3/31/16
3/31/15
 
Ending Assets Under Management
$479.0
$485.9
 
Average Assets Under Management
$465.4
$481.0
Three-Month Changes By Distribution Channel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Institutions
 
Retail
 
Private Wealth Management
 
Total
 
Beginning of Period
$
236.2

 
$
154.4

 
$
76.8

 
$
467.4

 
Sales/New accounts
4.5

 
7.7

 
3.2

 
15.4

 
Redemption/Terminations
(1.3
)
 
(7.1
)
 
(2.1
)
 
(10.5
)
 
Net Cash Flows
(1.4
)
 
(1.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(2.7
)
 
Net Flows
1.8

 
(0.6
)
 
1.0

 
2.2

 
Investment Performance
6.8

 
2.1

 
0.5

 
9.4

 
End of Period
$
244.8

 
$
155.9

 
$
78.3

 
$
479.0

Three-Month Changes By Investment Service
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Active
 
Equity Passive (1)
 
Fixed Income Taxable
 
Fixed Income Tax-Exempt
 
Fixed Income Passive (1)
 
Other (2)
 
Total
 
Beginning of Period
$
110.6

 
$
46.4

 
$
207.4

 
$
33.5

 
$
10.0

 
$
59.5

 
$
467.4

 
Sales/New accounts
3.7

 
0.1

 
8.6

 
2.0

 
0.1

 
0.9

 
15.4

 
Redemption/Terminations
(3.8
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(4.4
)
 
(1.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(10.5
)
 
Net Cash Flows

 
(0.5
)
 
(1.4
)
 

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(2.7
)
 
Net Flows
(0.1
)
 
(0.8
)
 
2.8

 
0.9

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.4
)
 
2.2

 
Investment Performance
(0.4
)
 
(0.1
)
 
8.9

 
0.6

 
0.5

 
(0.1
)
 
9.4

 
End of Period
$
110.1

 
$
45.5

 
$
219.1

 
$
35.0

 
$
10.3

 
$
59.0

 
$
479.0

(1) Includes index and enhanced index services.
(2) Includes multi-asset solutions and services and certain alternative investments.

By Client Domicile
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Institutions
 
Retail
 
Private Wealth
 
Total
 
U.S. Clients
$
145.4

 
$
96.8

 
$
76.6

 
$
318.8

 
Non-U.S. Clients
99.4

 
59.1

 
1.7

 
160.2

 
Total
$
244.8

 
$
155.9

 
$
78.3

 
$
479.0














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First Quarter 2016 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In US $ Thousands
 
Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP
 
Distribution Related Payments
 
Pass Through Expenses
 
Deferred Comp. Inv.
 
Consolidated VIEs
 
Real Estate Charges
 
Contingent Payment Adjust
 
Acquisition-Related Expenses
 
Other
 
Non-GAAP
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
 
(B)
 
(C)
 
(D)
 
(E)
 
(F)
 
(G)
 
(H)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment advisory and services fees
$
451,413




$
(2,405
)



$
(54
)








 
$
448,954

 
Bernstein research services
126,465

















 
126,465

 
Distribution revenues
92,692


(98,369
)





31









 
(5,646
)

Dividend and interest income
7,370






(151
)










 
7,219


Investment gains (losses)
65,650






1,326


7,923








(75,273
)
 
(374
)

Other revenues
27,611




(9,246
)



(2,842
)








 
15,523


 
Total revenues
771,201


(98,369
)

(11,651
)

1,175


5,058








(75,273
)
 
592,141


Less: interest expense
2,075

















 
2,075


 
Net revenues
769,126


(98,369
)

(11,651
)

1,175


5,058








(75,273
)
 
590,066


 

















 


Employee compensation and benefits
302,011






212











 
302,223


Promotion and servicing
152,570


(98,369
)

(9,086
)












 
45,115

 
General and administrative
133,509




(2,565
)



(791
)

(27,586
)






 
102,567


Contingent payment arrangements
353

















 
353


Interest on borrowings
1,232

















 
1,232


Amortization of intangible assets
6,409

















 
6,409


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
















101

 
101


 
Total expenses
596,084


(98,369
)

(11,651
)

212


(791
)

(27,586
)





101

 
458,000


 
 

















 


Operating income
173,042






963


5,849


27,586






(75,374
)
 
132,066


Income taxes
9,864






55




1,572






(4,291
)
 
7,200


Net income
163,178






908


5,849


26,014






(71,083
)
 
124,866


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
(5,748
)







5,849








(101
)
 


Net income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
168,926


$


$


$
908


$


$
26,014


$


$


$
(70,982
)
 
$
124,866


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

























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12 of 15




Fourth Quarter 2015 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In US $ Thousands
 
Adjustments
 
 
 
 
GAAP
 
Distribution Related Payments
 
Pass Through Expenses
 
Deferred Comp. Inv.
 
Venture Capital Fund
 
Real Estate Charges
 
Contingent Payment Adjust
 
Acquisition-Related Expenses
 
Other
 
Non-GAAP
 
 
 
 
(A)
 
(B)
 
(C)
 
(D)
 
(E)
 
(F)
 
(G)
 
(H)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment advisory and services fees
$
477,639




$
(2,638
)













$
475,001

Bernstein research services
118,442


















118,442

Distribution revenues
100,757


(105,052
)















(4,295
)
Dividend and interest income
8,651






(1,521
)











7,130

Investment gains (losses)
(2,003
)





(583
)

(1,560
)









(4,146
)
Other revenues
24,509




(9,001
)













15,508

 
Total revenues
727,995


(105,052
)

(11,639
)

(2,104
)

(1,560
)









607,640

Less: interest expense
1,269


















1,269

 
Net revenues
726,726


(105,052
)

(11,639
)

(2,104
)

(1,560
)









606,371

 
 



















Employee compensation and benefits
286,399






(1,866
)












284,533

Promotion and servicing
160,959


(105,052
)

(8,856
)













47,051

General and administrative
107,993




(2,783
)





221









105,431

Contingent payment arrangements
(6,769
)











7,212






443

Interest on borrowings
817


















817

Amortization of intangible assets
6,414


















6,414

Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
















(64
)

(64
)
 
Total expenses
555,813


(105,052
)

(11,639
)

(1,866
)



221


7,212




(64
)

444,625

 
 



















Operating income
170,913






(238
)

(1,560
)

(221
)

(7,212
)



64


161,746

Income taxes
8,354






(12
)



(11
)

(353
)





7,978

Net income
162,559






(226
)

(1,560
)

(210
)

(6,859
)



64


153,768

Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
1,496








(1,560
)







64



Net income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
161,063


$


$


$
(226
)

$


$
(210
)

$
(6,859
)

$


$


$
153,768






























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First Quarter 2015 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In US $ Thousands
 
Adjustments
 
 
 
 
GAAP
 
Distribution Related Payments
 
Pass Through Expenses
 
Deferred Comp. Inv.
 
Venture Capital Fund
 
Real Estate Charges
 
Contingent Payment Adjust
 
Acquisition-Related Expenses
 
Other
 
Non-GAAP
 
 
 
 
(A)
 
(B)
 
(C)
 
(D)
 
(E)
 
(F)
 
(G)
 
(H)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment advisory and services fees
$
493,988




$
(2,458
)













$
491,530

Bernstein research services
126,046


















126,046

Distribution revenues
109,184


(112,785
)















(3,601
)
Dividend and interest income
5,094






(151
)











4,943

Investment gains (losses)
3,888






(2,426
)

(1,373
)









89

Other revenues
24,990




(9,383
)













15,607

 
Total revenues
763,190


(112,785
)

(11,841
)

(2,577
)

(1,373
)









634,614

Less: interest expense
619


















619

 
Net revenues
762,571


(112,785
)

(11,841
)

(2,577
)

(1,373
)









633,995

 
 



















Employee compensation and benefits
326,327






(2,634
)







(16
)



323,677

Promotion and servicing
168,322


(112,785
)

(9,252
)













46,285

General and administrative
106,950




(2,589
)





383




16




104,760

Contingent payment arrangements
443


















443

Interest on borrowings
854


















854

Amortization of intangible assets
6,461


















6,461

Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
















(98
)

(98
)
 
Total expenses
609,357


(112,785
)

(11,841
)

(2,634
)



383






(98
)

482,382

 
 



















Operating income
 
153,214






57


(1,373
)

(383
)





98


151,613

Income taxes
 
10,470






4




(26
)







10,448

Net income
 
142,744






53


(1,373
)

(357
)





98


141,165

Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
1,275








(1,373
)







98



Net income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
141,469


$


$


$
53


$


$
(357
)

$


$


$


$
141,165




























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14 of 15



AB
Notes to Consolidated Statements of Income and Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)


A.
Adjusted net revenues exclude distribution-related payments to third parties as well as amortization of deferred sales commissions against distribution revenues. We believe excluding 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. We exclude amortization of deferred sales commissions from net revenues because such costs, over time, essentially offset our distribution revenues. These adjustments have no impact on operating income, but they do have an impact on our operating margin.

B.
We exclude pass-through expenses we incur (primarily through our transfer agency) that are reimbursed and recorded as fees in revenues from our adjusted net revenues. These fees have no impact on operating income, but they do have an impact on our operating margin.

C.
Prior to 2009, a significant portion of employee compensation was in the form of long-term incentive compensation awards that were notionally invested in AB investment services and generally vested over a period of four years. AB economically hedged the exposure to market movements by purchasing and holding these investments on its balance sheet. All such investments had vested by year-end 2012 and the investments have been distributed to the participants, except for those investments with respect to which the participant elected a long-term deferral. Fluctuation in the value of these investments is recorded within investment gains and losses on the income statement and also impacts compensation expense. Management believes it is useful to reflect the offset achieved from economically hedging the investments’ market exposure in the calculation of adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin. The non-GAAP measures exclude gains and losses and dividends and interest on employee long-term incentive compensation-related investments included in revenues and compensation expense.

D.
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, US GAAP requires us to consolidate the financial results of the fund. However, recognizing 100% of the gains or losses in net revenues and operating income while only retaining 10% is not reflective of our underlying financial results at the net revenue and operating income level. As a result, we exclude the 90% limited partner interests we do not own from our adjusted net revenues and adjusted operating income. Effective January 1, 2016, our consolidated venture capital fund is included with other consolidated VIEs. In 2016, we adjusted for the revenue impact of consolidating certain VIEs (as a result of the adoption of a new accounting standard; see Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements). This adjustment reflects the elimination of the consolidated VIEs revenues and expenses and the inclusion of AB's revenues and expenses from such VIEs and AB's investment gains and losses on its investments in such VIEs that were eliminated in consolidation.

E.
Real estate (credits)/charges have been excluded because they are not considered part of our core operating results when comparing financial results from period to period and to industry peers.

F.
Recording changes in estimates of the contingent consideration associated with a 2010 acquisition have been excluded because this is not considered part of our core operating results.

G.
Acquisition-related expenses, primarily severance and professional fees incurred as a result of acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2013 and the second quarter of 2014, have been excluded because they are not considered part of our core operating results when comparing results from period to period and to industry peers.

H.
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 AB. In addition, in 2016 we excluded a realized gain on an investment carried at cost due to its' non-recurring nature and it not being part of our core operating results.

Adjusted Operating Margin
Adjusted operating margin allows us to monitor our financial performance and efficiency from period to period without the volatility noted above in our discussion of adjusted operating income and to compare our performance to industry peers on a basis that better reflects our performance in our core business. Adjusted operating margin is derived by dividing adjusted operating income by adjusted net revenues.


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