AllianceBernstein - 10-Q quarterly report FY

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

The number of units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests outstanding as of March 31, 2008 was 87,404,955.*

Index to Form 10-Q

Part I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

(in thousands, except unit amounts)

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

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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.

Holding’s principal source of income and cash flow is attributable to its investment in AllianceBernstein limited partnership interests. The condensed financial statements and notes of Holding should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes of AllianceBernstein included as an exhibit to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and with Holding’s and AllianceBernstein’s audited financial statements included in Holding’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

AllianceBernstein provides research, diversified investment management, and related services globally to a broad range of clients. Its principal services include:

AllianceBernstein also provides distribution, shareholder servicing, and administrative services to the mutual funds it sponsors.

AllianceBernstein provides a broad range of services with expertise in:

AllianceBernstein manages 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.

AllianceBernstein’s independent research is the foundation of its business. AllianceBernstein’s research disciplines include fundamental research, quantitative research, economic research, and currency forecasting capabilities. In addition, AllianceBernstein has created several specialized research units, including one unit that examines global strategic changes that can affect multiple industries and geographies, and another dedicated to identifying potentially successful innovations within private early-stage and later-stage high growth companies.

As of March 31, 2008, 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, AXA Financial, Inc. (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, “AXA Financial”), AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, “AXA Equitable”), and certain subsidiaries of AXA Financial, collectively referred to as “AXA and its subsidiaries”, owned approximately 1.7% of the issued and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests in Holding (“Holding Units”).

As of March 31, 2008, the ownership structure of AllianceBernstein, as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests, was as follows:

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 the general partnership interests in AllianceBernstein and Holding, and their equity interest in Holding, as of March 31, 2008, AXA and its subsidiaries had an approximate 63.1% economic interest in AllianceBernstein.

Basis of Presentation

The interim condensed financial statements of Holding 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 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 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, 2007 condensed 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.

Investment in AllianceBernstein

Holding records its investment in AllianceBernstein using the equity method of accounting. Holding’s investment is increased to reflect its proportionate share of income of AllianceBernstein and decreased to reflect its proportionate share of losses of AllianceBernstein and cash distributions made by AllianceBernstein to its unitholders. In addition, Holding’s investment is adjusted to reflect certain capital transactions of AllianceBernstein.

Cash Distributions

Holding is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Holding (“Holding Partnership Agreement”), to its unitholders pro rata in accordance with their percentage interests in Holding. Available Cash Flow is defined as the cash distributions Holding receives from AllianceBernstein minus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be retained by Holding for use in its business.

On April 23, 2008, the General Partner declared a distribution of $72.5 million, or $0.83 per unit, representing Available Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Each general partnership unit in Holding is entitled to receive distributions equal to those received by each Holding Unit. The distribution is payable on May 15, 2008 to holders of record at the close of business on May 5, 2008.

Compensatory Option Plans

AllianceBernstein maintains certain compensation plans under which options to buy Holding Units have been, or may be, granted to employees of AllianceBernstein and independent directors of the General Partner. AllianceBernstein uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of Holding Unit option awards. Upon exercise of Holding Unit options, Holding exchanges the proceeds for AllianceBernstein Units, thus increasing Holding’s investment in AllianceBernstein.

Basic net income per unit is derived by dividing net income by the basic weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by adjusting net income for the assumed dilutive effect of compensatory options (“Net income – diluted”) and dividing Net income – diluted by the diluted weighted average number of units outstanding for each period.

As of March 31, 2008 and 2007, we excluded 3,667,552 and 1,669,205 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), respectively, from the diluted net income per unit computation due to their anti-dilutive effect.

Changes in Holding’s investment in AllianceBernstein for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

The following table summarizes the activity in Holding Units:

Units awarded and units forfeited pertain to restricted unit awards to independent members of the Board of Directors and Century Club Plan unit awards to AllianceBernstein mutual fund sales personnel. Issuance of units pertains to Holding Units issued by AllianceBernstein to fund deferred compensation plan elections by participants.

Holding is a publicly-traded partnership for federal tax purposes and, accordingly, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, Holding is subject to the 4.0% New York City unincorporated business tax (“UBT”), net of credits for UBT paid by AllianceBernstein, and to a 3.5% federal tax on partnership gross income from the active conduct of a trade or business. Holding’s partnership gross income is derived from its interest in AllianceBernstein.

In order to preserve Holding’s status as a “grandfathered” publicly-traded partnership for federal income tax purposes, management ensures that Holding does not directly or indirectly (through AllianceBernstein) enter into a substantial new line of business. However, if Holding were to lose its status as a grandfathered publicly-traded partnership, it would be subject to corporate income tax, which would reduce materially Holding’s net income and its quarterly distributions to Holding Unitholders.

Legal and regulatory matters described below pertain to AllianceBernstein and are included here due to their potential significance to Holding’s investment in AllianceBernstein.

Legal Proceedings

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 as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, and FASB Interpretation No. 14, “Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a Loss – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 5”.  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.

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 will be documented by a stipulation of settlement and will be submitted for court approval at a later date. The settlement amount ($30 million), which 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 material damages. While any proceeding or litigation has the element of uncertainty, management believes that the outcome of any one of the other 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.

Claims Processing Contingency

During the fourth quarter of 2006, AllianceBernstein recorded a $56.0 million pre-tax charge ($54.5 million, net of related income tax benefit) for the estimated cost of reimbursing certain clients for losses arising out of an error AllianceBernstein made in processing claims for class action settlement proceeds on behalf of these clients, which include some AllianceBernstein-sponsored mutual funds. We believe that most of this cost will ultimately be recovered from residual settlement proceeds and insurance. Our fourth quarter 2006 cash distribution was declared by the General Partner prior to recognition of this adjustment. As a result, to the extent that all or a portion of the cost is recovered in subsequent periods, we do not intend to include recoveries in Available Cash Flow (as defined in the Holding Partnership Agreement), and would not distribute those amounts to unitholders. As of March 31, 2008, AllianceBernstein had $10.0 million remaining in accrued expenses related to the $56.0 million pre-tax charge.

Partners’ capital is adjusted to reflect certain capital transactions of AllianceBernstein. Comprehensive income was comprised of:

To the General Partner and Unitholders

AllianceBernstein Holding L.P.

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed statement of financial condition of AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AllianceBernstein Holding”) as of March 31, 2008, the related condensed statements of income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, and the condensed statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. 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 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 statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2007, and the related statements of income, 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 22, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the statement of financial condition from which it has been derived.

New York, New York

May 2, 2008

Holding’s principal source of income and cash flow is attributable to its investment in AllianceBernstein limited partnership interests. The Holding interim condensed financial statements and notes and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with those of AllianceBernstein included as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q. They should also be read in conjunction with AllianceBernstein’s audited financial statements and notes and MD&A included in Holding’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Results of Operations

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 decreased $6.1 million to $72.4 million from net income of $78.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The decrease reflects lower equity in earnings of AllianceBernstein. See AllianceBernstein’s MD&A contained in Exhibit 99.1.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

The following table identifies selected items relating to capital resources and liquidity:

Cash and cash equivalents were zero as of March 31, 2008 and 2007.  Cash inflows from AllianceBernstein distributions received were offset by cash distributions paid to unitholders and income taxes paid. Holding is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the Holding Partnership Agreement, to its unitholders (including the General Partner). Management believes that the cash flow realized from its investment in AllianceBernstein will provide Holding with the resources to meet its financial obligations. See Note 2 to the Holding condensed financial statements contained in Item 1 for a description of Available Cash Flow.

Commitments and Contingencies

See Note 7 to the Holding condensed financial statements contained in Item 1.

Certain statements provided by management in this report and in the portion of AllianceBernstein’s Form 10-Q attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 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, 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, 2007 and Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q. Any or all of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Form 10-Q or 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 revenues, financial condition, results of operations, and business prospects.

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

With respect to the unaudited condensed interim financial information of Holding for the three months ended March 31, 2008, 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 May 2, 2008 appearing herein states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on the unaudited condensed 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 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.

There have been no material changes to Holding’s market risk for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Each of Holding and 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 first quarter of 2008 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

See Note 7 to the condensed financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1.

In addition to the information set forth in this report, please consider carefully“Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Such factors could materially affect our revenues, financial condition, results of operations, and business prospects. See also our cautions regarding forward-looking statements in Part I, Item 2.

There were no Holding Units sold by Holding in the period covered by this report that were not registered under the Securities Act.

The following table provides information relating to any purchases of Holding Units by AllianceBernstein made in the quarter covered by this report:

All Holding Units were purchased from employees to allow them to fulfill statutory withholding tax requirements at the time of distribution of deferred compensation awards.

None.

None.

None.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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