<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 16, 2000
File Nos. 333-8818
811-9176
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No. X
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT 1940
Amendment No. 5 X
_______________________________
Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code:
(212) 969-1000
_____________________________
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR.
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(Name and address of agent for service)
Copies of communications to:
Thomas G. MacDonald
Seward & Kissel LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004
<PAGE>
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box)
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
on pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
X 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
This post-effective amendment designates a new
effective date for a previously filed post-effective
amendment.
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 relates solely to the
Technology Portfolio of the Registrant. No information
contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement
relating to the Premier Portfolio of the Registrant is
amended or superseded hereby.
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 18, 2000
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THE
SECURITIES FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS
PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN
OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT
PERMITTED.
ALLIANCE SELECT INVESTOR SERIES,
TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
The Technology Portfolio is a portfolio of Alliance Select Investor Series,
Inc., an open-end management investment company structured as a series fund
that offers a selection of investment alternatives to the sophisticated
investor.
Prospectus
_________________, 2000
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS OFFERED
- -----------------------------
o ARE NOT FDIC INSURED
o MAY LOSE VALUE
o ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED
- -----------------------------
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY 3
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND 5
GLOSSARY 6
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND 6
Investment Objective and Principal Policies and
Risks 6
Description of Additional Investment Practices 8
Additional Risk Considerations 13
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND 14
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES 16
How The Fund Values Its Shares 16
How To Buy Shares 16
Initial Offering 16
How To Exchange Shares 16
How To Sell Shares 16
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 17
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS 18
GENERAL INFORMATION 19
The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global
investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and
individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual
funds.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain key information about the Technology
Portfolio (the Fund) of Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc. You will find
additional information about the Fund, including a detailed description of the
risks of an investment in the Fund, after this Summary.
The Risk/Return Summary describes the Fund's objectives, principal investment
strategies, principal risks and fees. A more detailed description of the Fund,
including the risks associated with investing in the Fund, can be found further
back in this Prospectus. Please be sure to read this additional information
BEFORE you invest. The Fund uses certain types of investment derivatives such
as options, futures, and forwards. The use of these techniques involve special
risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. As with all investments, you may
lose money by investing in the Fund.
3
TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND SEEKS SUPERIOR LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
The Fund invests primarily in a non-diversified portfolio of equity securities
of companies that are involved with the development and utilization of
innovative technologies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at
least 65%, and normally substantially all, of the value of its total assets in
these types of securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in
illiquid securities, including securities of privately owned technology
companies (otherwise known as venture capital companies) that plan to conduct
an initial public offering, or IPO, within a period of several months to three
years. To take advantage of investment opportunities in both rising and
declining markets, the Fund may engage in substantial short selling and may use
certain other investment practices, including options, futures and forward
contracts, and leverage.
Within this investment framework, the Fund may invest in companies of any size
and in any subsector of the technology sector. Initially, the Fund is expected
to invest predominately in the shares of U.S. companies, but, in recognition
that the technology revolution is an increasingly global phenomenon, the Fund
will also seek investment opportunities around the globe. The Fund may invest
up to 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies. These
investments will draw on Alliances on-the-ground global technology research
expertise. Alliance anticipates that normally about 35-60 companies, depending
on market conditions, will be represented in the Fund's portfolio, with the top
ten holdings representing approximately 60% of the Fund's portfolio.
PRINCIPAL RISKS:
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk, which is the
risk of losses from adverse changes in the stock markets. Because it invests
predominantly in technology stocks, the Fund has industry/sector risk.
Securities of technology companies, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned
companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. Because the
Fund uses short-selling, derivatives strategies and other leveraging techniques
speculatively to enhance returns, it is subject to greater risk and its returns
may be more volatile than other funds, particularly in periods of market
declines. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, your investment
also has foreign risk, which is the risk of investing in issuers located in
foreign countries, and currency risk, which is the risk of losses from adverse
changes in currency exchange rates. The Fund is non-diversified, which means
that it invests more of its assets in a smaller number of securities than many
other equity funds.
BAR CHART AND PERFORMANCE TABLE:
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
4
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) 4.25% None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of original purchase
price or redemption proceeds,
whichever is lower) None 4.0%* 1.0%**
Exchange Fee None None None
</TABLE>
* Class B Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after 8 years. The
CDSC decreases over time. For Class B shares, the CDSC DECREASES 1.00% ANNUALLY
TO 0% AFTER THE 4TH YEAR.
** For Class C shares, the CDSC IS 0% after the first year.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
OPERATING EXPENSES
-------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
------- ------- -------
Management fees (a) 1.50% 1.50% 1.50%
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00%
Other expenses .95% .95% .95%
---- ---- ----
Total Fund operating expenses (b) 2.75% 3.45% 3.45%
---- ---- ----
---- ---- ----
EXAMPLES
The Examples are to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the
cost of investing in other funds. They assume that you invest $10,000 in the
Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the
end of those periods. They also assume that your investment has a 5% return
each year, that the Fund's operating expenses stay the same and that all
dividends and distributions are reinvested. Your actual costs may be higher or
lower.
EXAMPLES
-------------------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
After 1 Yr. $ 691 $ 748 $ 348 $ 448 $ 348
After 3 Yrs. $1,242 $1,259 $1,059 $1,059 $1,059
+ ASSUMES REDEMPTION AT THE END OF PERIOD.
++ ASSUMES NO REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD.
(A) THE BASIC MANAGEMENT FEE IS 1.50% BUT IT MAY VARY FROM .50% TO 2.50%
DEPENDING ON THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE COMPARED TO THE NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX.
(B) ALLIANCE HAS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED TO WAIVE ITS MANAGEMENT FEES AND/OR TO
BEAR EXPENSES OF THE FUND THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001 TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO
PREVENT TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES, ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS, FROM EXCEEDING
3.25% FOR CLASS A SHARES AND 3.95% FOR CLASSES B & C SHARES. THE FEES WAIVED
AND EXPENSES BORNE BY ALLIANCE DURING THIS PERIOD MAY BE REIMBURSED BY THE FUND
DURING THE THREE YEARS AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS. NO REIMBURSEMENT
PAYMENT WILL BE MADE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE FUND'S TOTAL ANNUALIZED OPERATING
EXPENSES TO EXCEED THESE PERCENTAGES OR CAUSE THE TOTAL OF THE PAYMENTS TO
EXCEED THE FUND'S TOTAL INITIAL ORGANIZATIONAL AND OFFERING EXPENSES.
5
GLOSSARY
This Prospectus uses the following terms.
TYPES OF SECURITIES
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are fixed-income securities that are convertible into
common stock.
DEBT SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, bills, loans, other direct debt
instruments, and other fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations, but
do not include convertible securities.
EQUITY SECURITIES are (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business trust
shares, and other equity ownership interests in business enterprises, and (ii)
securities convertible into, and rights and warrants to subscribe for the
purchase of, such stocks, shares, and interests.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are debt securities and dividend-paying preferred
stocks, including floating rate and variable rate instruments.
RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A of
the Securities Act.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
RATING AGENCIES
MOODY'S is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
S&P is Standard & Poor's Rating Services.
OTHER
1940 ACT is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
CODE is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
COMMISSION is the Securities and Exchange Commission.
EXCHANGE is the New York Stock Exchange.
SECURITIES ACT is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of the
Fund's investment objective, principal strategies and principal risks. Of
course, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
Please note:
o Additional discussion of the Fund's investments, including the risks of the
investments that appear in bold type can be found in the discussion under
DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES following this section.
o Additional information about risks of investing in the Fund can be found in
the discussions under ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS.
o Additional descriptions of the Fund's strategies and investments, as well as
other strategies and investments not described below, may be found in the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI.
o The Fund's investment objective is "fundamental" and cannot be changed
without a shareholder vote and, except as noted, the Fund's investment policies
are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL POLICIES AND RISKS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is to seek superior long-term growth of capital.
PRINCIPAL POLICIES
In seeking to achieve its objective, the Fund invests primarily in the equity
securities of companies that are involved with the development and utilization
of innovative technologies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at
least 65%, and normally substantially all, of the value of its total assets in
these types of securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in
illiquid securities, including securities of privately owned technology
companies (otherwise known as venture capital companies) that plan to conduct
an initial public offering, or IPO, within a period of several months to three
years. To take advantage of investment opportunities in both rising and
declining markets, the Fund may engage in substantial short selling and may use
certain other investment practices, including options, futures and forward
contracts, and leverage. The prices of shares of technology companies can be
highly volatile. Investments in technology companies may offer substantially
more reward but also entail substantially greater risk than many other
investments. An investment in the Fund is appropriate only for sophisticated
investors who understand and are willing to assume the risks of the Fund's
aggressive investment strategies.
6
The speed and magnitude of technological innovation is increasing dramatically.
The pace of progress in the new technology era that began more than 40 years
ago is accelerating beyond many people's expectations. A quiet revolution has
occurred that has changed the way the world thinks and operates, whether at
work, or leisure, in education or communication. Technology has moved from the
workplace to the home, school, college and university and is now integral to
the future planning of all businesses and organizations. With the growth in
consumer acceptance of computerization, the Internet and e-commerce provide a
powerful argument for investing in technology. This, combined with the
potentially much larger "business 2 business" revolution, provides a new area
of vast growth potential for innovative companies that can deliver new
technology-based solutions to help both consumers and companies increase
productivity. Examples of such modern technologies include:
o Internet and New Media -- The Internet has the potential to revolutionize
the way people and businesses communicate and interact. Currently, the Internet
is most widely used in the United States and Western Europe, but it is
increasingly becoming a global phenomenon.
o Broadband and Fiber Optics -- Computer processing power currently exceeds
the transmission capacity of the networks that connect computers. There is
significant demand for broadband and fiber optics technology to keep pace with
requirements of increased speed of data transmission.
o Digital Consumer Electronics -- Digital, as the means of delivering rapid
transmission of data in consumer electronics, is the wave of the future.
Digital technology is becoming cheaper than analog and other predecessor
technologies. This will foster deeper penetration of digital products in the
marketplace.
o Wireless Communications and Computing -- Hand-held devices and cellular
telephones enable workers to remain effective when they are away from their
desktop computers. Wireless communications and computing have the potential for
productivity enhancement for businesses and lifestyle enhancement for workers.
o Biometric Software -- The ability of the human body to interact with a
computer or communications device has far-reaching implications. Technological
developments such as fingerprint and cornea scans may someday gain widespread
use as a means of identification. Doctors are already beginning to use this
technology to operate on patients from remote locations.
Within this investment framework, the Fund may invest in companies of any size
and in any subsector of the technology sector. While initially the Fund is
expected to invest predominately in the shares of U.S. companies, in
recognition that the technology revolution is an increasingly global
phenomenon, the Fund will also seek investment opportunities around the globe,
drawing on Alliance's on-the-ground global technology research expertise. The
Fund may invest up to 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S.
companies.
Alliance depends heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of its
large internal research staff in making investment decisions for the Fund. As
one of the largest multi-national investment firms, Alliance has substantial
experience in technology investing, with more than $25 billion in technology
investments. Alliance has built a team of fifteen technology research analysts,
located in New York, London, India, Singapore and Tokyo, that provides it with
on-the ground, fundamental research in this dynamic growth area.
The Fund will be managed by Alliance's technology research senior analyst team
of six analysts based in New York, supported by Alliance's broader global
technology research analyst team. In managing the Fund, the research team's
investment strategy will emphasize stock selection based on bottom-up
fundamental research. Through its research-driven investment process, the team
will seek to identify and concentrate investments in technology companies that
offer superior earnings growth potential.
The research staff generally follows a universe of approximately 400 technology
companies. Each analyst closely follows 25-30 companies in his or her
respective technology subsector and prepares earnings estimates and financial
models for each company followed. Each analyst has an in-depth understanding of
the products, services, markets and competition of these companies, and a
strong knowledge of company management. While each analyst has responsibility
for following companies in at least one specific subsector and in a given area
of the world, the lateral structure of Alliance's research organization and
constant communication results in decision-making based on the relative
attractiveness of the stocks across the global technology spectrum. The focus
of this industry research-driven process is the early recognition of change
through the dynamics of changing company and industry fundamentals as well as
regional and economic influences.
From this universe of 400 companies, the research team maintains a list of the
80 most highly regarded technology companies. Many of these companies are
considered to have strong management, superior industry positions, excellent
balance sheets, and the ability to demonstrate superior earnings growth.
Companies are continually added and deleted from the group of 80 as
fundamentals change. The research team further refines the selection process on
at least a weekly basis to select from this group of 80 those companies deemed
to be most attractive. Alliance anticipates that normally about 35-60 companies
will be represented in the Fund's portfolio, with the top ten holdings
representing approximately 60% of the Fund's portfolio. The Fund thus differs
from more typical equity mutual funds because it invests most of its assets in
a relatively small number of intensively researched companies.
At different times, the Fund may be attracted to investments in companies with
different market capitalizations (i.e., large, small and mid-cap) and companies
in different technology subsectors, although the Fund currently does not intend
to concentrate in any particular subsector. Any portfolio emphasis upon
particular technology subsectors or particular capitalizations will
7
be a by-product of the stock selection process rather than the result of
assigned targets or ranges.
The Fund also may:
o engage in SHORT SALES of securities for up to 33% of its total assets;
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
o invest up to 10% of its total assets in RIGHTS AND WARRANTS;
o write covered put and call OPTIONS and purchase put and call OPTIONS on U.S.
and foreign securities exchanges and over the counter, including OPTIONS on
market indices, and write uncovered OPTIONS;
o enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of STOCK INDEX FUTURES and
purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on such FUTURES CONTRACTS;
o enter into contracts for the purchase and sale for the future delivery of
foreign currencies or contracts based on financial indices, including any index
of U.S. Government securities or securities issued by foreign government
entities;
o purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies;
o purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS;
o enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS for the purchase or sale of securities;
o enter into REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS and DOLLAR ROLLS;
o enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
o enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
o make secured LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets;
and
o enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
PRINCIPAL RISKS
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
o MARKET RISK This is the risk that the value of the Fund's investments will
fluctuate as the stock markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline
over short or longer-term periods.
o INDUSTRY/SECTOR RISK This is the risk of investments in a particular
industry sector. Market or economic factors affecting that industry sector or
group of related industries could have a major effect on the value of the
Fund's investments. Technology stocks, especially those of smaller,
less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market.
o DERIVATIVE AND LEVERAGE RISK The Fund may make substantial use of
derivatives and employ specialized trading techniques such as short sales,
options, futures, forwards, and leverage to increase its exposure to certain
selected securities. Alliance employs these techniques speculatively to enhance
returns and not merely as hedging tools. These techniques are riskier than many
investment strategies and will result in greater volatility for the Fund,
particularly in periods of market declines.
o FOREIGN RISK This is the risk of investments in issuers located in foreign
countries. Investments in foreign securities may experience more rapid and
extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. companies. This
is because the securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively
small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Additionally, foreign securities issuers are usually not subject to
the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, and
auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly,
from U.S. standards. Also, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, currency blockage, or political changes or diplomatic developments
could adversely affect the Fund's investments in a foreign country. In the
event of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the Fund could
lose its entire investment.
o CURRENCY RISK This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates
between the U.S. Dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect the value
of the Fund's investments.
o MANAGEMENT RISK The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an
actively managed investment Fund. Alliance will apply its investment techniques
and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there is no
guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended result.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The Fund is actively managed and, in some cases in response
to market conditions, the Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed 100%. A higher
rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other expenses, which must
be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover also may
result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains, which,
when distributed, are taxable to shareholders.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may
reduce its position in equity securities and increase without limit its
position in short-term, liquid, high-grade debt securities, which may include
U.S. Government securities, bank deposits, money market instruments, short-term
debt securities, including notes and bonds, or hold its assets in cash. While
the Fund is investing for temporary defensive purposes, it may not meet its
investment objective.
DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the investment practices of the Fund and risks
associated with these practices.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the
same general characteristics as nonconvertible debt securities, which generally
provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of
equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible
security will normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying equity
security, although the higher yield tends to make the price of the convertible
security less volatile than that of the underlying equity security. As with
debt securities, the market
8
values of convertible securities tend to decrease as interest rates rise and
increase as interest rates fall. While convertible securities generally offer
lower interest yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality,
they offer investors the potential to benefit from increases in the market
prices of the underlying common stocks. Convertible securities that are rated
Baa or lower by Moodys and BBB or lower by S&P or, if unrated, determined by
Alliance to be of equivalent quality, may share some or all of the risks of
non-convertible debt securities with those ratings.
CURRENCY SWAPS. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by
the Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A
currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a
substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other
designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap
is subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its
contractual delivery obligations. The Fund will enter into currency swaps for
hedging purposes only. The Fund will not enter into any currency swap unless
the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of
the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least one
nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the
transaction. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction,
the Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities
may include purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a
"delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be
conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and
consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e.,
a "when, as and if issued" trade).
When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the
time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take
place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months
after the transaction, but the Fund may negotiate settlements beyond two
months. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to
market fluctuation, and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior
to the settlement date.
The use of forward commitments enables the Fund to protect against anticipated
changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising
interest rates and falling bond prices, the Fund might sell securities in its
portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling
prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, the Fund
might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar
security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of
currently higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast
incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be
required to complete such when-issued or forward transactions at prices
inferior to the then current market values. When-issued securities and forward
commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund enters into
when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually
receiving securities or delivering them, as the case may be. If the Fund chose
to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its
acquisition or dispose of its right to deliver or receive against a forward
commitment, it may realize a gain or incur a loss. Any significant commitment
of Fund assets to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued"
basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. No forward
commitments will be entered into if, as a result, the Fund's aggregate
commitments under the transactions would be more than 30% of its total assets.
In the event the other party to a forward commitment transaction were to
default, the Fund might lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates
or to dispose of securities at favorable prices.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. The Fund may purchase or sell
forward foreign currency exchange contracts to minimize the risk of adverse
changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. A
forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for
an agreed price at a future date, and is individually negotiated and privately
traded.
The Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a
contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign
currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the security
("transaction hedge"). The Fund may not engage in transaction hedges with
respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the
aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency. When the Fund
believes that a foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the
U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of
that foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's
portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency; or when the Fund
believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a
foreign currency, it may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that
foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). The Fund will
not position hedge with respect to a particular currency to an extent greater
than the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the
securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that currency.
Instead of entering into a position hedge, the Fund may, in the alternative,
enter into a forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed
U.S. Dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the
currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there
is a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which portfolio
securities of the Fund are denominated ("cross-hedge"). Unanticipated changes
in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than
if it does not enter into forward contracts.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the
prices of securities decline. These transactions also preclude the opportunity
for gain if the value of the hedge currency should rise. Moreover, it may not
be possible for
9
the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that
the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the
anticipated devaluation level it anticipates.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund will limit its investment in illiquid securities
to no more than 15% of its net assets. Illiquid securities generally include
(i) direct placements or other securities that are subject to legal or
contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available
market (e.g., when trading in the security is suspended or, in the case of
unlisted securities, when market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids
or offers), including many individually negotiated currency swaps and any
assets used to cover currency swaps, (ii) over-the-counter options and assets
used to cover over-the-counter options, and (iii) repurchase agreements not
terminable within seven days.
Because of the absence of a trading market for illiquid securities, the Fund
may not be able to realize the price at which they are carried on the Fund's
books upon sale. Alliance will monitor the illiquidity of the Fund's
investments in such securities. Rule 144A securities will not be treated as
"illiquid" for purposes of this limit on investments.
The Fund may not be able to readily sell securities for which there is no ready
market. Such securities are unlike securities that are traded in the open
market and can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is adequate.
The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower or higher than Alliance's
most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally, less public information is
available about the issuers of such securities than about companies whose
securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that these securities are
foreign securities, there is no law in many of the countries in which the Fund
may invest similar to the Securities Act requiring an issuer to register the
sale of securities with a governmental agency or imposing legal restrictions on
resales of securities, either as to length of time the securities may be held
or manner of resale. There may, however, be contractual restrictions on resale
of securities.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio
securities to entities with which it can enter into repurchase agreements,
provided that cash and/or liquid high grade debt securities equal to at least
100% of the market value of the securities loaned are deposited and maintained
by the borrower with the Fund. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as
with other extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts
and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While
securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income from the
securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and
earn additional income, or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a
borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. The Fund will have the right
to regain record ownership of loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights
such as voting rights, subscription rights, and rights to dividends, interest
or distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative, and
custodial fees in connection with a loan.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon
payment of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive
from (in the case of a call) the writer of the option a specified amount of a
security on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option
written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has
an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or
exchange of another security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying
security with an exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option
it has written. A put option written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund holds
a put on the underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater
than that of the put option it has written.
A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if the Fund does not own the
underlying security and is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in
value in another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. The
Fund may write call options for cross-hedging purposes. The Fund would write a
call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a covered call
option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge transaction would
exceed that which would be received from writing a covered call option, while
at the same time achieving the desired hedge.
In purchasing an option, the Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if,
during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in
the case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess
of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the
premium paid for the option.
If an option written by the Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to
purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying
security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that,
if the option is exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased or
sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing
transaction (i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could
reduce these risks. The Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or
call option whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of call options
could result in increases in the Fund's portfolio turnover rate, especially
during periods when market prices of the underlying securities appreciate.
The Fund will purchase or write options on securities of the types in which it
is permitted to invest in privately negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter)
transactions only with investment dealers and other financial institutions
(such as commercial banks or savings and loan institutions) deemed creditworthy
by Alliance. Alliance has adopted procedures for monitoring the
creditworthiness of such entities. Options purchased or written by the Fund in
negotiated transactions are illiquid and it may not be possible for the Fund to
effect a closing transaction at an advantageous time.
10
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make
delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index
gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount
of cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case
of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. As in the case of other kinds of options, the
writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up
to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby
incurring losses. The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may
constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates, although,
in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund's position, the Fund may
forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. A "sale" of a futures
contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the
securities or foreign currency or other commodity called for by the contract at
a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means
the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities or foreign currency or
other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified
date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take or make
delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified
dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the
contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was
originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index
is made.
Options on futures contracts written or purchased by the Fund will be traded on
U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the counter. These investment techniques will
be used only to hedge against anticipated future changes in market conditions
and interest or exchange rates which otherwise might either adversely affect
the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or adversely affect the prices of
securities which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date.
The Fund will not enter into any futures contracts or options on futures
contracts if immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding
futures contracts of the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject
to outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 100% of its total
assets.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit the Fund
to keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in
pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. If a vendor defaults on its
repurchase obligation, the Fund would suffer a loss to the extent that the
proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price.
If a vendor goes bankrupt, the Fund might be delayed in, or be prevented from,
selling the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness
of the vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. Reverse repurchase agreements
involve sales by the Fund of portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by
the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. During
the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive
principal and interest payments on these securities. Generally, the effect of
such a transaction is that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash
invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse
repurchase agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income
associated with those portfolio securities. Such transactions are only
advantageous if the interest cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase
transaction is less than the cost of otherwise obtaining the cash.
Dollar rolls involve sales by the Fund of securities for delivery in the
current month and the Fund's simultaneously contracting to repurchase
substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future
date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on
the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current
sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred
to as the "drop") as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the
initial sale.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market
value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement
may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities
under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent, the Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be
restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or
receiver, whether to enforce the Funds obligation to repurchase the securities.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative techniques and
are considered borrowings by the Fund.
RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. The Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if the
underlying equity securities themselves are deemed appropriate by Alliance for
inclusion in the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to
buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights
are similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration.
Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types
of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any
rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant
does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities,
although the value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in
the value of the underlying stock, the passage of time, or a change in
perception as to the potential of the underlying stock, or any combination of
these factors. If the market
11
price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on
the expiration date, the warrant will expire worthless. Moreover, a right or
warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration
date.
SHORT SALES. The Fund may utilize short selling in order to attempt both to
protect its portfolio against the effects of potential downtrends in the
securities markets and as a means of enhancing its overall performance. A short
sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own but
has borrowed in anticipation that the market price of that security will
decline. The Fund may be required to pay a fee to borrow the security and to
pay over to the lender any payments received on the security.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur
a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital
gain. Although the Fund's gain is limited by the price at which it sold the
security short, its potential loss is unlimited.
STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS. Standby commitment agreements commit the Fund,
for a stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of a security that may
be issued and sold to the Fund at the option of the issuer. The price and
coupon of the security are fixed at the time of the commitment. At the time of
entering into the agreement, the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of
whether the security ultimately is issued, typically equal to approximately
0.5% of the aggregate purchase price of the security the Fund has committed to
purchase. The Fund will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of
investing in the security underlying the commitment at a yield and price
considered advantageous to the Fund and unavailable on a firm commitment basis.
The Fund will limit its investment in such commitments so that the aggregate
purchase price of the securities subject to the commitments will not exceed 50%
of its assets taken at the time of making the commitment.
There is no guarantee that the securities subject to a standby commitment will
be issued, and the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date may
be more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, the Fund will bear
the risk of capital loss in the event the value of the security declines and
may not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the
commitment period if the issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to
the Fund.
STOCK INDEX FUTURES. The Fund may purchase and sell stock index futures as a
hedge against movements in the equity markets. There are several risks in
connection with the use of stock index futures by the Fund as a hedging device.
One risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the
price of a stock index future and movements in the price of the securities
which are the subject of the hedge. The price of a stock index future may move
more than or less than the price of the securities being hedged. If the price
of a stock index future moves less than the price of the securities which are
the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the
price of the securities being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, the
Fund would be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all. If the
price of the securities being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this
advantage will be partially offset by the loss on the index futures contract.
If the price of the index future moves more than the price of the stock, the
Fund will experience either a loss or gain on the futures contract which will
not be completely offset by movements in the price of the securities which are
subject to the hedge.
To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of
securities being hedged and movements in the price of a stock index future, the
Fund may buy or sell stock index futures contracts in greater dollar amount
than the dollar amount of securities being hedged if the volatility over a
particular time period of the prices of such securities has been greater than
the volatility over such time period of the stock index, or if otherwise deemed
to be appropriate by Alliance. Conversely, the Fund may buy or sell fewer stock
index futures contracts if the volatility over a particular time period of the
prices of the securities being hedged is less than the volatility over such
time period of the stock index, or it is otherwise deemed to be appropriate by
Alliance. It is also possible that, where the Fund has sold futures to hedge
its portfolio against a decline in the market, the market may advance and the
value of securities held in the Fund may decline. If this occurred, the Fund
would lose money on the futures and also experience a decline in value in its
portfolio securities. However, over time the value of a diversified portfolio
should tend to move in the same direction as the market indices upon which the
index futures are based, although there may be deviations arising from
differences between the composition of the Fund and the stock comprising the
index.
Where a stock index futures contract is purchased to hedge against a possible
increase in the price of stock before the Fund is able to invest its cash (or
cash equivalents) in stocks (or options) in an orderly fashion, it is possible
that the market may decline instead. If the Fund then concludes not to invest
in stock or options at that time because of concern as to possible further
market decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the
futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of securities
purchased.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect correlation, or
no correlation at all, between movements in stock index futures and the portion
of the portfolio being hedged, the price of stock index futures may not
correlate perfectly with movement in the stock index due to certain market
distortions. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements,
investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which
could distort the normal relationship between the index and futures markets.
From the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures
market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market.
Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may
also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price
distortion in the futures market, and because of the imperfect correlation
between the movements in a stock
12
index and movements in the price of stock index futures, a correct forecast of
general market trends by the investment adviser may still not result in a
successful hedging transaction over a short time frame.
Positions in stock index futures may be closed out only on an exchange or board
of trade which provides a secondary market for such futures. Although the Fund
intends to purchase or sell futures only on exchanges or boards of trade where
there appear to be active secondary markets, there is no assurance that a
liquid secondary market on any exchange or board of trade will exist for any
particular futures contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may
not be possible to close a futures investment position, and in the event of
adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily
cash payments of variation margin. However, in the event that futures contracts
have been used to hedge portfolio securities, such securities will not be sold
until the futures contract can be terminated. In such circumstances, an
increase in the price of the securities, if any, may partially or completely
offset losses on the futures contract. As described above, however, there is no
guarantee that the price of the securities will in fact correlate with the
price movements in the futures contract and thus provide an offset on a futures
contract.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. The Fund may, following written notice to its
shareholders, take advantage of other investment practices that are not
currently contemplated for use by the Fund or are not available but may yet be
developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with the
Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such
investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks that exceed those
involved in the activities described above.
GENERAL. The successful use of the investment practices described above draws
upon Alliance's special skills and experience and usually depends on Alliance's
ability to forecast price movements or currency exchange rate movements
correctly. Should prices or exchange rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not
achieve the anticipated benefits of the transactions or may realize losses and
thus be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been used. Unlike
many exchange-traded futures contracts and options on futures contracts, there
are no daily price fluctuation limits for certain options on currencies and
forward contracts, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an
unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition, the correlation between
movements in the prices of such instruments and movements in the prices of the
securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and
could produce unanticipated losses.
The Fund's ability to dispose of its positions in futures contracts, options
and forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such
instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types
of securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing, and there
is no public market for forward contracts. It is impossible to predict the
amount of trading interest that may exist in various types of futures
contracts, options, and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not exist
for an option purchased or written by the Fund, it might not be possible to
effect a closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option) with
the result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be exercised
in order for the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may not be able
to sell portfolio securities or currencies covering an option written by the
Fund until the option expires or it delivers the underlying securities,
currency or futures contract upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be
given that the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments effectively.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Investment in the Fund involves the special risk considerations described
below. These risks may be heightened when investing in emerging markets.
EFFECTS OF BORROWING. The Fund may, when Alliance believes that market
conditions are appropriate, borrow in order to take full advantage of available
investment opportunities. The Fund may, although it has no present intention of
doing so, borrow money from a bank in a privately arranged transaction to
increase the money available to the Fund to invest in securities when the Fund
believes that the return from the securities financed will be greater than the
interest expense paid on the borrowing. Borrowings may involve additional risk
to the Fund because the interest expense may be greater than the income from or
appreciation of the securities carried by the borrowings and the value of the
securities carried may decline below the amount borrowed.
Any investment gains made with the proceeds obtained from borrowings in excess
of interest paid on the borrowings will cause the net income per share and the
net asset value per share of the Fund's common stock to be greater than would
otherwise be the case. On the other hand, if the investment performance of the
additional securities purchased fails to cover their cost (including any
interest paid on the money borrowed) to the Fund, then the net income per share
and net asset value per share of the Fund's common stock will be less than
would otherwise be the case. This is the speculative factor known as "leverage".
Borrowings by the Fund result in leveraging of the Fund's shares of common
stock. Utilization of leverage, which is usually considered speculative,
involves certain risks to the Fund's shareholders. These include a higher
volatility of the net asset value of the Fund's shares of common stock and the
relatively greater effect on the net asset value of the shares. So long as the
Fund is able to realize a net return on its investment portfolio that is higher
than the interest expense paid on borrowings, the effect of leverage will be to
cause the Fund's shareholders to realize a higher current net investment income
than if the Fund were not leveraged. On the other hand, interest rates on U.S.
Dollar-denominated and foreign currency-denominated obligations change from
time to time as does their relationship to each other, depending upon such
factors as supply and demand forces, monetary and tax policies within each
country and investor expectations. Changes in such factors could cause the
relationship between such rates to change so that rates on U.S.
13
Dollar-denominated obligations may substantially increase relative to the
foreign currency-denominated obligations in which the Fund may be invested. To
the extent that the interest expense on borrowings approaches the net return on
the Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the Fund's
shareholders will be reduced, and if the interest expense on borrowings were to
exceed the net return to shareholders, the Fund's use of leverage would result
in a lower rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. Similarly, the
effect of leverage in a declining market could be a greater decrease in net
asset value per share than if the Fund were not leveraged. In an extreme case,
if the Fund's current investment income were not sufficient to meet the
interest expense on borrowings, it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate
certain of its investments, thereby reducing the net asset value of the Fund's
shares.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The securities markets of many foreign countries are
relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume
concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Consequently, the Fund, whose investment portfolio may include
foreign securities, may experience greater price volatility and significantly
lower liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in equity securities of U.S.
companies. These markets may be subject to greater influence by adverse events
generally affecting the market, and by large investors trading significant
blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States. Securities
registration, custody and settlements may in some instances be subject to
delays and legal and administrative uncertainties.
Certain foreign countries require governmental approval prior to investments by
foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified
percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than
securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. These
restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain
securities and may increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. In addition,
the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in
some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority.
If a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
The Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant,
any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the
application of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may
require the Fund to adopt special procedures that may involve additional costs
to the Fund. These factors may affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments
in any country and Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or
factors on the Fund's investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including
brokerage commissions for transactions both on and off the securities exchanges
in many foreign countries are generally higher than in the United States.
Issuers of securities in foreign jurisdictions are generally not subject to the
same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as
insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy
requirements, and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting,
and auditing standards of foreign countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects and less information
may be available to investors in foreign securities than to investors in U.S.
securities. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain
non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers.
The economies of individual foreign countries may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic
product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Nationalization,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes,
government regulation, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments could affect adversely the economy of a foreign country and the
Fund's investments. In the event of expropriation, nationalization or other
confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment in the country
involved. In addition, laws in foreign countries governing business
organizations, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to
security holders, such as the Fund, than that provided by U.S. laws.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND FUND MANAGER
The Fund's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105. Alliance is a leading international
investment adviser supervising client accounts with assets as of December 31,
1999 totaling more than $368 billion (of which more than $169 billion
represented the assets of investment companies). As of December 31, 1999,
Alliance managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private
employee benefit plans (including 31 of the nations FORTUNE 100 companies), for
public employee retirement funds in 31 states, for investment companies, and
for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 53
registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 119 separate
portfolios, currently have more than 5 million shareholder accounts.
Alliance's technology research senior analyst team (the Technology Group) will
be jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Fund's portfolio and the Fund's investments will be managed by the Technology
Group.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Fund. For these advisory services, the Fund pays Alliance a fee at an
annualized rate of 1.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets (the "Basic
Fee") as adjusted based on the investment performance of the Class A shares of
the Fund in relation to the investment record of the NASDAQ
14
Composite Index (the "Index") for certain prescribed periods as described
below. The fee will be accrued daily and paid monthly, except as described
below.
The Index measures all NASDAQ stocks listed on the The NASDAQ Stock Market,
Inc. It is a broad-based, market-value weighted index and includes over 5,000
domestic and foreign companies.
Beginning with the month of April 2001 and for each succeeding month, the Basic
Fee will be a monthly fee equal to 1/12th of 1.50% (1.50% on an annualized
basis) of the average of the net assets of the Fund. The performance period for
each such month will be from April 2000 through the current calendar month,
until the Advisory Agreement has been in effect for 36 full calendar months,
when it will become a rolling 36-month period ending with the current calendar
month. The Basic Fee for each such month may be increased at the rate of 1/12th
of .125% depending on the extent, if any, by which the investment performance
of the Class A shares of the Fund exceeds by at least one percentage point the
percentage change in the investment record of the Index for the applicable
performance period. The Basic Fee for each such month may be decreased at the
rate of 1/12th of .125% depending on the extent, if any, by which the
investment performance of the Class A shares of the Fund exceeds by at least
one percentage point the percentage change in the investment record of the
Index for the applicable performance period. The maximum increase or decrease
in the Basic Fee for any month may not exceed 1/12th of 1.00%. Accordingly, for
each month, commencing with the month of April 2001, the maximum monthly fee as
adjusted for performance is 1/12th of 2.50% and would be payable if the
investment performance of the Class A shares of the Fund exceeded the
percentage change in the investment record of the Index by eight or more
percentage points for the performance period, and the minimum monthly fee rate
as adjusted for performance is 1/12th of .50% and would be payable if the
percentage change in the investment record of the Index exceeded the investment
performance of the Class A shares of the Fund by eight or more percentage
points for the performance period.
For the period from April 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001, Alliance will receive
a minimum fee (the "Minimum Fee"), payable monthly, equal to .50%, annualized,
of the average of the net assets of the Fund for each day included in such
annual period. The performance period relating to such annual period will be
from April 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001. The fee receivable by Alliance for
such annual period may be increased to 2.50% from the Minimum Fee. The
increase, if any, will be equal to the difference between (i) the Basic Fee as
adjusted for such annual period in accordance with the preceding paragraph and
(ii) the Minimum Fee. The maximum increase for such annual period may not
exceed 2.00% annualized. Any such increased amount will not be payable to
Alliance prior to April 2001. For any period prior to April 1, 2000, Alliance
will receive a flat fee of .50 of 1% of the Fund's average net assets without
any performance adjustment.
The following table illustrates the full range of permitted increases or
decreases to the Basic Fee.
PERCENTAGE POINT
DIFFERENCE* BETWEEN
PERFORMANCE OF
CLASS A SHARES AND ADJUSTMENT ANNUAL FEE
NASDAQ COMPOSITE TO 1.50% RATE AS
INDEX** BASIC FEE ADJUSTED
--------------------- ------------ -----------
+8 +1.00% 2.50%
+7 +.875% 2.375%
+6 +.75% 2.25%
+5 +.625% 2.125%
+4 +.50% 2.00%
+3 +.375% 1.875%
+2 +.25% 1.75%
+1 +.125% 1.625%
0 0 1.50%
-1 -.125% 1.375%
-2 -.25% 1.25%
-3 -.375% 1.125%
-4 -.50% 1.00%
-5 -.625% .875%
-6 -.75% .75%
-7 -.875% .625%
-8 -1.00% .50%
* FRACTIONS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT WILL BE ROUNDED TO THE NEARER WHOLE POINT
(TO THE HIGHER WHOLE POINT IF EXACTLY ONE-HALF).
** MEASURED OVER THE PERFORMANCE PERIOD, WHICH WILL BE A TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD
FROM APRIL 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001, AND THEREAFTER THE PERIOD FROM APRIL
1, 2000 TO THE MOST RECENT MONTH-END UNTIL MARCH 31, 2003, AT WHICH TIME THE
PERFORMANCE PERIOD WILL BECOME A ROLLING 36-MONTH PERIOD ENDING WITH THE MOST
RECENT CALENDAR MONTH.
The investment performance of the Class A shares during any performance period
will be measured by the percentage difference between (i) the opening net asset
value ("NAV") of a Class A share of the Fund and (ii) the sum of (a) the
closing NAV of a Class A share of the Fund, (b) the value of any dividends and
distributions on such share during the period treated as if reinvested in Class
A, shares of the Fund and (c) the value of any capital gains taxes per Class A
share paid or payable by the Fund on undistributed realized long-term capital
gains. The measurement of the performance of the Class A shares will not
include any effects resulting from the issuance, sale, repurchase or redemption
of shares of the Fund. The performance of the Index is measured by the
percentage change in the Index between the beginning and the end of the
performance period with cash distributions on the securities that constitute
the Index being treated as reinvested in the Index.
Because the adjustment to the Basic Fee is based on the comparative performance
of the Class A shares with the record of the Index, the controlling factor is
not whether the performance of the Class A shares is up or down, but whether
that performance is up or down more than or less than that of the Index.
Moreover, the comparative investment performance of the Class A shares is based
solely on the relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative
performance over a longer or shorter period of time. The Class A shares of the
Fund have lower expenses and pay correspondingly higher dividends than Class B
and Class C shares and thus will have better performance than the Class B and
Class C shares.
15
From time to time, the Directors may determine that another securities index is
a more appropriate benchmark than the Index then applicable, or the successor
index previously selected by the Directors, for purposes of evaluating the
performance of the Fund. In that event, the other index may be substituted for
the Index or the successor index in prospectively calculating the adjustment to
the Basic Fee. The Fund's performance relative to such index would still be
used in calculating the adjustment with respect to portions of any applicable
performance period prior to its replacement.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
The Fund's net asset value or NAV is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time,
each day the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, the Fund's assets
are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net
assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund values its
securities at their current market value determined on the basis of market
quotations, or, if such quotations are not readily available, such other
methods as the Fund's directors believe accurately reflect fair market value.
Your order for purchase, sale, or exchange of shares is priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund. Your
purchase of Fund shares may be subject to an initial sales charge. Sales of
Fund shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC. See
the Distribution Arrangements section of this Prospectus for details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase the Fund's shares through broker-dealers, banks, or other
financial intermediaries. You also may purchase shares directly from the Fund's
principal underwriter, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., or AFD. The minimum
initial investment amount is $10,000.
If you are an existing Fund shareholder, you may purchase shares by electronic
funds transfer in amounts not exceeding $500,000 if you have completed the
appropriate section of the Shareholder Application. Call 800-221-5672 to
arrange a transfer from your bank account.
The Fund is required to withhold 31% of taxable dividends, capital gains
distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not provided the
Fund with their certified taxpayer identification number. To avoid this, you
must provide your correct Tax Identification Number (Social Security Number for
most investors) on your account application.
The Fund may refuse any order to purchase shares. In particular, the Fund
reserves the right to restrict purchases of shares (including through
exchanges) when they appear to evidence a pattern of frequent purchases and
sales made in response to short-term considerations.
INITIAL OFFERING
It is expected that shares of the Fund will be offered during an initial
offering period which is currently scheduled to end on March 27, 2000. The Fund
will begin its continuous offering of shares on March 28, 2000. During the
Fund's initial offering period, Class A shares will be offered to the public at
their asset value of $10.00 per share plus a sales charge. The maximum offering
price of the Class A shares during the initial offering period is $10.44 per
share. During the initial offering and through March 31, 2000, AFD will reallow
to dealers the entire amount of the initial sales charge on Class A shares.
Class B and Class C shares will be offered to the public during the initial
offering period at their net asset value of $10.00 per share.
During the initial offering period, the Fund will not accept subscriptions for
Fund shares other than through authorized dealers and agents, and any
subscription monies sent directly to the Fund will be promptly returned. In
addition, under Commission Regulations (e.g., Rule 15c-4 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934), authorized dealers and agents will not be permitted to
accept subscription monies from their customers in advance of the purchase date
unless appropriate arrangements are made for the temporary investment or
deposit of such monies. Shares subscribed for during the Fund's initial
offering period will be sold to subscribers on the purchase date, which is
expected to occur not later than March 31, 2000.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You may exchange your Fund shares for shares of the same Class of other
Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD Exchange Reserves, a money market fund
managed by Alliance). Exchanges of shares are made at the next-determined NAV,
without sales or service charges. You may request an exchange by mail or
telephone. You must call by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, to receive that day's NAV.
The Fund may change, suspend, or terminate the exchange service on 60 days'
written notice.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may "redeem" your shares (i.e., sell your shares to the Fund) on any day
the Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary.
Your sales price will be the next-determined NAV, less any applicable CDSC,
after the Fund receives your sales request in proper form. Normally, proceeds
will be sent to you within 7 days. If you recently purchased your shares by
check or electronic funds transfer, your redemption payment may be delayed
until the Fund is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds
transfer has been collected (which may take up to 15 days).
o SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR BROKER
Your broker must receive your sales request by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, and
submit it to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's
NAV, less any applicable CDSC. Your broker is responsible for submitting all
necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this service.
16
o SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
BY MAIL:
--Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with
certificates, to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, N.J. 07906-1520
800-221-5672
--For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange, or
other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee signatures. Stock power
forms are available from your financial intermediary, AFS, and many commercial
banks. Additional documentation is required for the sale of shares by
corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you
have any questions about these procedures, contact AFS.
BY TELEPHONE:
--You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been issued
by telephone request. Call AFS at 800-221-5672 with instructions on how you
wish to receive your sale proceeds.
--A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time,
for you to receive that day's NAV, less any applicable CDSC.
--If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder
Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your bank.
Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you.
--Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000
per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed $50,000 per day.
--Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or "street
name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by a shareholder who
has changed his or her address of record within the previous 30 calendar days.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The income dividend and capital gains distributions, if any, declared by the
Fund on its outstanding shares will, at the election of each shareholder, be
paid in cash or in additional shares of the same class of shares of the Fund.
If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate NAV as of the
close of business on the day following the declaration date of the dividend or
distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or distribution. You may
make an election to receive dividends and distributions in cash or in shares at
the time you purchase shares. Your election can be changed at any time prior to
a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or other charge on the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. Cash dividends may be
paid in check, or at your election, electronically via the ACH network.
If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you
may, within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend
or distribution in additional shares of the Fund without charge by returning to
Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing the dividend or
distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be deemed to
have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions in shares
of the Fund.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's dividend distributions of net
income (or short-term taxable gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary income.
Any distributions of long-term capital gains generally will be taxable to you
as long-term capital gains. The Fund's distributions also may be subject to
certain state and local taxes.
While it is the intention of the Fund to distribute to its shareholders
substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital
gains, if any, the amount and time of any dividend or distribution will depend
on the realization by the Fund of income and capital gains from investments.
There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that the Fund
will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains.
Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries
may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source.
Under certain circumstances, if the Fund realizes losses (e.g., from
fluctuations in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a
portion of the dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of
capital. Returns of capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a
shareholder's basis in shares of the Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero
(which could happen if the shareholder does not reinvest distributions and
returns of capital are significant), any further returns of capital will be
taxable as capital gain.
17
If you buy shares just before the Fund deducts a distribution from its NAV, you
will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price
back as a taxable distribution.
The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income
tax purposes.
Each year shortly after December 31, the Fund will send you tax information
stating the amount and type of all its distributions for the year. Consult your
tax adviser about the federal, state, and local tax consequences in your
particular circumstances.
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
SHARE CLASSES. The Fund offers three classes of shares.
CLASS A SHARES--INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class A shares at NAV plus an initial sales charge, as follows:
COMMISSION
INITIAL SALES CHARGE TO DEALER/
AGENT AS
AS % OF AS % OF % OF
NET AMOUNT OFFERING OFFERING
AMOUNT PURCHASED INVESTED PRICE PRICE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to $100,000 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 up to $250,000 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 up to $500,000 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 up to $1,000,000 1.78 1.75 1.50
You pay no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares in the amount of
$1,000,000 or more, but may pay a 1 % CDSC if you redeem your shares within 1
year. Alliance may pay the dealer, or agent a fee of up to 1% of the dollar
amount purchased. Certain purchases of Class A shares may qualify for reduced
or eliminated sales charges under the Fund's Combined Purchase Privilege,
Cumulative Quantity Discount, Statement of Intention, Privilege for Certain
Retirement Plans, Reinstatement Privilege, and Sales at Net Asset Value
Programs. Consult the Subscription Application and the Fund's SAI for
additional information about these options.
CLASS B SHARES--DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class B Shares at NAV without an initial sales charge. The
Fund will thus receive the full amount of your purchase. Your investment,
however, will be subject to a CDSC if you redeem shares within 4 years of
purchase. The CDSC varies depending of the number of years you hold the shares.
The CDSC amounts are:
YEARS SINCE PURCHASE CDSC
--------------------- --------
First 4.0%
Second 3.0%
Third 2.0%
Fourth 1.0%
Fifth None
If you exchange your shares for the Class B shares of another Alliance Mutual
Fund, the CDSC also will apply to those Class B shares. The CDSC period begins
with the date of your original purchase, not the date of exchange for the other
Class B shares.
The Fund's Class B shares purchased for cash automatically convert to Class A
shares eight years after the end of the month of your purchase. If you purchase
shares by exchange for the Class B shares of another Alliance Mutual Fund, the
conversion period runs from the date of your original purchase.
CLASS C SHARES--ASSET-BASED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase shares at NAV without an initial sales charge. The Fund will
thus receive the full amount of your purchase. Your investment, however, will
be subject to a 1% CDSC if you redeem your shares within 1 year. If you
exchange your shares for the Class C shares of another Alliance Mutual Fund,
the 1% CDSC also will apply to those Class C shares. The 1 year period for the
CDSC begins with the date of your original purchase, not the date of the
exchange for the other Class C shares.
Class C shares do not convert to any other Class of shares of the Fund.
Asset-Based Sales Charges or Rule 12b-1 Fees. The Fund has adopted a plan under
Commission Rule 12b-1 that allows the Fund to pay asset-based sales charges or
distribution and service fees for the distribution and sale of its shares. The
amount of these fees for each Class of the Fund's shares is:
RULE 12B-1 FEE (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AGGREGATE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS)
-----------------------------------
Class A .30%
Class B 1.00%
Class C 1.00%
Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an on-going basis, over
time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more
than paying other types of sales fees. Class B and Class C shares are subject
to higher distribution fees than Class A shares (Class B shares are subject to
these higher fees for a period of eight years, after which they convert to
Class A shares). The higher fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class B and
Class C shares pay correspondingly lower dividends and may have a lower net
asset value than Class A shares.
CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES. The decision as to which Class of shares is more
beneficial to you depends on the amount and intended length of your investment.
If you are making a large investment, thus qualifying for a reduced sales
charge, you might consider purchasing Class A shares. If you are making a
smaller investment, you might consider purchasing Class B shares because 100 %
of your purchase is invested immediately. If you are unsure of the length of
your investment, you might consider Class C shares because there is no initial
sales charge and no CDSC as long as the shares are held for one year or more.
Dealers and agents may receive differing compensation for selling Class A,
Class B, or Class C shares. There is no size limit on purchases of Class A
shares. The maximum purchase of Class B shares is $250,000. The maximum
purchase of Class C shares is $1,000,000.
18
You should consult your financial agent to assist in choosing a Class of Fund
shares.
APPLICATION OF THE CDSC. The CDSC is applied to the lesser of the original cost
of shares being redeemed or NAV at the time of redemption (or, as to Fund
shares acquired through an exchange, the cost of the Alliance Mutual Fund
shares originally purchased for cash). Shares obtained from dividend or
distribution reinvestment are not subject to the CDSC. The Fund may waive the
CDSC on redemptions of shares following the death or disability of a
shareholder, to meet the requirements of certain qualified retirement plans, or
under a monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly systematic withdrawal plan. See the
Fund's SAI for further information about CDSC waivers.
OTHER. A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be
charged by your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary, or other
financial representative with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of
Class A, Class B, or Class C shares made through your financial representative.
The financial intermediaries also may impose requirements on the purchase,
sale, or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those
imposed by a Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amounts.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone
payment for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law.
The Fund reserves the right to close an account that through redemption has
remained below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days written
notice to increase the account value before the account is closed.
During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty in
reaching AFS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions
to AFS. AFS is not responsible for, the authenticity of telephone requests to
purchase, sell, or exchange shares. AFS will employ reasonable procedures to
verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses
resulting from unauthorized transactions if it failed to do so. Dealers and
agents may charge a commission for handling telephone requests. The telephone
service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES. AFS offers a variety of shareholder services. For more
information about these services or your account, call AFS's toll-free number,
800-221-5672. Some services are described in the attached Subscription
Application. You also may request a shareholder's manual explaining all
available services by calling 800-227-4618.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Certain employee benefit plans, including
employer-sponsored tax-qualified 401(k) plans and other defined contribution
retirement plans ("Employee Benefit Plans"), may establish requirements as to
the purchase, sale or exchange of shares, including maximum and minimum initial
investment requirements, that are different from those described in this
Prospectus. Employee Benefit Plans also may not offer all classes of shares of
the Fund. In order to enable participants investing through Employee Benefit
Plans to purchase shares of the Fund, the maximum and minimum investment
amounts may be different for shares purchased through Employee Benefit Plans
from those described in this Prospectus. In addition, the Class A, Class B, and
Class C CDSC may be waived for investments made through Employee Benefit Plans.
19
For more information about the Fund, the following documents are available upon
request:
o STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)
The Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund,
including its operations and investment policies. The Fund's SAI is
incorporated by reference into (and is legally part of) this Prospectus.
You may request a free copy of the SAI or make shareholder inquiries of the
Fund, by contacting your broker or other financial intermediary, or by
contacting Alliance:
BY MAIL: C/O ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
P.O. BOX 1520
SECAUCUS, NJ 07096-1520
BY PHONE: For Information: (800) 221-5672
For Literature: (800) 227-4618
Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission:
o Call the Commission at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of
the Public Reference Room.
o Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR
Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
o Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a fee, by electronic
request at [email protected], or by writing the Commission's Public Reference
Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.
You also may find more information about Alliance and the Fund on the Internet
at: www.Alliancecapital.com.
SECFile No. 811-9176
SISTPPRORED
20
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED FEBRUARY 18, 2000
The information in this Statement of Additional Information
is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these
securities until the registration statement relating to
these securities filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional
Information is not a Prospectus.
(LOGO) ALLIANCE SELECT INVESTOR SERIES,
INC.
-TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
____________________________________________________________
___
c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520, Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Toll Free (800) 221-5672
For Literature: Toll Free (800) 227-4618
____________________________________________________________
___
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
[ ], 2000
____________________________________________________________
___
This Statement of Additional Information is not a
prospectus but supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the Prospectus, dated [ ],2000, for the
Technology Portfolio (the "Fund") of Alliance Select
Investor Series, Inc. (the "Company") (the "Prospectus").
Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained by contacting
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or the "For
Literature" telephone number shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pa
ge
Description of the Fund................................
Management of the Fund.................................
Expenses of the Fund...................................
Purchase of Shares.....................................
Redemption and Repurchase of Shares....................
Shareholder Services...................................
Net Asset Value........................................
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.....................
Portfolio Transactions.................................
4
<PAGE>
General Information....................................
Appendix A: Certain Investment Practices.............. A-1
Appendix B: Certain Employee Benefit Plans............ B-1
(R) This registered service mark used under license from the
owner, Alliance Capital Management L.P.
5
<PAGE>
____________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
____________________________________________________________
Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc. (the
"Company") is an open-end management investment company
whose shares are offered in separate series referred to
herein as "Funds." Each Fund is a separate pool of assets
constituting, in effect, a separate fund with its own
investment objective and policies. A shareholder in a Fund
will be entitled to his or her pro-rata share of all
dividends and distributions arising from that Fund's assets
and, upon redeeming shares of that Fund, the shareholder
will receive the then current net asset value of the
applicable class of shares of that Fund. The Company is
empowered to establish, without shareholder approval,
additional Funds which may have different investment
objectives.
The Company currently has two Funds: the
Technology Portfolio (the "Fund"), which is described in
this Statement of Additional Information, and the Premier
Portfolio, which is described in a separate Statement of
Additional Information, a copy of which can be obtained by
contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or
the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of
this Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund's investment objective is "fundamental"
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act") and cannot be changed without a
shareholder vote. Except as noted, the Fund's investment
policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without
a shareholder vote. The Fund will not change these policies
without notifying its shareholders. There is no guarantee
that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Non-Diversified Status. The Fund is a non-
diversified investment company, which means the Fund is not
limited in the proportion of its assets that may be invested
in the securities of a single issuer. However, the Fund
intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify to be
taxed as a regulated investment company for purposes of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
which will relieve the Fund of any liability for federal
income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed to
shareholders. To so qualify, among other requirements, the
Fund will limit its investments so that, at the close of
each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not more than 25% of
the market value of the Fund's total assets will be invested
2
<PAGE>
in the securities of a single issuer (other than the U.S.
Government), and (ii) at least 50% of the market value of
the Fund's total assets will be comprised of cash and cash
items, U.S. Government securities, and other securities with
respect to which the Fund's investment is limited, in
respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5%
of the Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer. Because the Fund, as a non-
diversified investment company, may invest more of its
assets in a smaller number of individual issuers than a
diversified investment company, an investment in the Fund
may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an
investor than an investment in a diversified investment
company.
Investment Policies and Practices
The following investment policies and practices
supplement those set forth in the Prospectus.
Short Sales. The Fund will utilize the market
technique of short selling in order to attempt both to
protect the Fund's investment portfolio against the effects
of potential downtrends in the securities markets and as a
means of enhancing the Fund's overall performance. The Fund
is permitted to engage in short sales of securities with
respect to up to 33% of its total assets, subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund
sells a security it does not own but has borrowed in
anticipation that the market price of that security will
decline. When the Fund makes a short sale of a security
that it does not own, it must borrow from a broker-dealer
the security sold short and deliver the security to the
broker-dealer upon conclusion of the short sale. The Fund
may be required to pay a fee to borrow particular securities
and is often obligated to pay over any payments received on
such borrowed securities. The Fund's obligation to replace
the borrowed security may be secured by collateral deposited
with a broker-dealer qualified as a custodian and will
consist of cash or highly liquid securities similar to those
borrowed. Depending on the arrangements the Fund makes with
the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security
regarding remittance of any payments received by the Fund on
such security, the Fund may or may not receive any payments
(e.g., dividends or interest) on its collateral deposited
with the broker-dealer. In addition to depositing
collateral with a broker-dealer, the Fund is currently
required under the 1940 Act to establish a segregated
account with its custodian and to maintain therein liquid
3
<PAGE>
assets in an amount that, when added to cash or liquid high
grade debt securities deposited with the broker-dealer, will
at all times equal at least 100% of the current market value
of the security sold short.
If the price of the security sold short increases
between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund
replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss;
conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a
short-term capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and
any loss increased, by the transaction costs described
above. Although the Fund's gain is limited to the price at
which it sold the security short, its potential loss is
theoretically unlimited.
In some cases, the Fund may also make certain short
sales "against the box" which enable it to defer realization
of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes until
the subsequent closing of the short sale. In this type of
short sale, at the time of the sale, the Fund owns or has
the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no
additional cost the identical security. If the Fund has
unrealized gain with respect to a security and enters into a
short sale with respect to such security which does not
satisfy the requirements for deferral, the Fund will be
deemed to have sold the appreciated security at the time of
entering into the short sale and thus will then recognize
gain for tax purposes.
Rights and Warrants. The Fund may invest up to 10%
of its total assets in rights and warrants which entitle the
holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a
specific period of time, but will do so only if the equity
securities themselves are deemed appropriate by the Adviser
for inclusion in the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants
may be considered more speculative than certain other types
of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to
dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities
which may be purchased nor do they represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. Also, the value of a
right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value
of the underlying securities and a right or warrant ceases
to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration
date.
Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest up to
20% of its total assets in the convertible securities of
companies whose common stocks are eligible for purchase by
the Fund under its investment policies. Convertible
securities include bonds, debentures, corporate notes and
preferred stocks that are convertible at a stated exchange
4
<PAGE>
rate into common stock. Prior to their conversion,
convertible securities have the same general characteristics
as non-convertible debt securities which provide a stable
stream of income with generally higher yields than those of
equity securities of the same or similar issuers. As with
all debt securities, the market value of convertible
securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and,
conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. While
convertible securities generally offer lower interest yields
than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality,
they do enable the investor to benefit from increases in the
market price of the underlying common stock. When the
market price of the common stock underlying a convertible
security increases, the price of the convertible security
increasingly reflects the value of the underlying common
stock and may rise accordingly. As the market price of the
underlying common stock declines, the convertible security
tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may
not depreciate to the same extent as the underlying common
stock. Convertible securities rank senior to common stocks
in an issuer's capital structure. They are consequently of
higher quality and entail less risk than the issuer's common
stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced
depends in large measure upon the degree to which the
convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income
security.
Foreign Securities. Investing in securities of
non-United States companies, which are generally denominated
in foreign currencies, involves certain considerations
comprising both risk and opportunity not typically
associated with investing in United States companies. These
considerations include changes in exchange rates and
exchange control regulation, political and social
instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes,
less liquid markets and less available information than are
generally the case in the United States, higher transaction
costs, less government supervision of exchanges and brokers
and issuers, difficulty in enforcing contractual
obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing
standards and greater price volatility. Additional risks
may be incurred in investing in particular countries.
Borrowing by the Fund
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to
borrow unless immediately after such borrowing there is
asset coverage, as that term is defined and used in the 1940
Act, of at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund. In
addition, under the 1940 Act, in the event asset coverage
falls below 300%, the Fund must within three days reduce the
5
<PAGE>
amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the asset
coverage of its borrowings is at least 300%. Assuming, for
example, outstanding borrowings representing not more than
one-third of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other
than such borrowings), the asset coverage would be 300%;
while outstanding borrowings representing 25% of the Fund's
total assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings),
the asset coverage would be 400%. The Fund will maintain
asset coverage of outstanding borrowings of at least 300%
and if necessary will, to the extent possible, reduce the
amounts borrowed by making repayments from time to time in
order to do so. Such repayments could require the Fund to
sell portfolio securities at times considered
disadvantageous by the Adviser. The Fund may not make any
cash distributions to its shareholders if, after the
distribution, there would be less than 300% asset coverage.
This limitation on the Fund's ability to make distributions
could under certain circumstances impair the Fund's ability
to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated
investment company. Without such qualification, the Fund
would be subject to federal income and excise tax and the
amount of distributions to shareholders would be reduced.
The Fund may also borrow for temporary purposes in
an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets
of the Fund. Such borrowings are not subject to the asset
coverage restrictions set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Borrowings by the Fund result in leveraging of the
Fund's shares of common stock. Utilization of leverage,
which is usually considered speculative, involves certain
risks to the Fund's shareholders. These include a higher
volatility of the net asset value of the Fund's shares of
common stock and the relatively greater effect on the net
asset value of the shares. So long as the Fund is able to
realize a net return on its investment portfolio that is
higher than the interest expense paid on borrowings, the
effect of leverage will be to cause the Fund's shareholders
to realize a higher current net investment income than if
the Fund were not leveraged. On the other hand, interest
rate on U.S. Dollar-denominated and foreign currency-
denominated obligations change from time to time as does
their relationship to each other, depending upon such
factors as supply and demand forces, monetary and tax
policies within each country and investor expectations.
Changes in such factors could cause the relationship between
such rates to change so that rates on U.S. Dollar-
denominated obligations may substantially increase relative
to the foreign currency-denominated obligations in which the
Fund may be invested. To the extent that the interest
expense on borrowings approaches the net return on the
6
<PAGE>
Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the
Fund's shareholders will be reduced, and if the interest
expense on borrowings were to exceed the net return to
shareholders, the Fund's use of leverage would result in a
lower rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged.
Similarly, the effect of leverage in a declining market
could be a greater decrease in net asset value per share
than if the Fund were not leveraged. In an extreme case, if
the Fund's current investment income were not sufficient to
meet the interest expense on borrowings, it could be
necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain of its
investments, thereby reducing the net asset value of the
Fund's share.
Other Investment Practices
The Fund may, but is not required to, utilize
various investment strategies. These investment strategies
entail risks. Although the Adviser believes that these
investment strategies may further the Fund's investment
objective, no assurance can be given that they will achieve
this result. The Fund may write covered put and call
options and purchase put and call options on U.S. and
foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter, enter
into contracts for the purchase and sale for future delivery
of common stocks and purchase and write put and call options
on such futures contracts. The Fund may enter into
contracts for the purchase and sale for future delivery of
foreign currencies or contracts based on financial indices,
including any index of U.S. Government Securities or
securities issued by foreign government entities, or write
put and call options on foreign currencies, purchase or sell
forward foreign currency exchange contracts, enter into
forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities,
enter into repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase
agreements, dollar rolls, standby commitment agreements and
currency swaps and make secured loans of its portfolio
securities. Each of these investment strategies is
discussed in Appendix A.
The successful use of the foregoing investment
practices draws upon the Adviser's special skills and
experience with respect to such instruments and usually
depends on the Adviser's ability to forecast price movements
or currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should
prices or exchange rates move in an unexpected manner, the
Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of futures
contracts, options or forward contracts or may realize
losses and thus be in a worse position than if such
strategies had not been used. In addition, the correlation
between movements in the prices of such instruments and
7
<PAGE>
movements in the prices of the securities or currencies
hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could
produce unanticipated losses.
The Fund's ability to dispose of its position in
futures contracts, options and forward contracts will depend
on the availability of liquid markets in such instruments.
Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of
types of securities and currencies are relatively new and
still developing and there is no public market for forward
contracts. It is impossible to predict the amount of
trading interest that may exist in various types of futures
contracts, options and forward contracts. Therefore, no
assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to utilize
these instruments at all or to utilize them effectively for
the purposes set forth above.
Portfolio Turnover. It is the Fund's policy to
sell any security whenever, in the judgment of the Adviser,
its appreciation possibilities have been substantially
realized or the business or market prospects for such
security have deteriorated, irrespective of the length of
time that such security has been held. The Adviser
anticipates that the Fund's annual rate of portfolio
turnover will not exceed 100%. A 100% annual turnover rate
would occur if all the securities in the Fund's portfolio
were replaced once in a period of one year. A high
portfolio rate will cause the Fund to realize short-term
capital gains or losses on the sale of securities.
Certain Fundamental Investment Policies
The Fund has adopted the following investment
restrictions, which may not be changed without the approval
of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding
voting securities. The approval of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities means the affirmative vote of
(i) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting at
which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in
person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding
shares, whichever is less.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may
not:
1. Purchase more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of any one issuer;
2. Invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of issuers conducting their principal
business activities in the same industry, except that
8
<PAGE>
this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government
Securities;
3. Make loans except through (a) the purchase of
debt obligations in accordance with its investment
objective and policies; (b) the lending of portfolio
securities; or (c) the use of repurchase agreements;
4. Borrow money or issue senior securities except
the Fund may, in accordance with the provisions of the
1940 Act, (i) borrow from a bank in a privately arranged
transaction or through reverse repurchase agreements or
dollar rolls if after such borrowing there is asset
coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act and
(ii) borrow for temporary purposes in an amount not
exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the
Fund;
5. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise
encumber its assets, except to secure permitted
borrowings;
6. Invest in companies for the purpose of
exercising control; or
7. (a) Purchase or sell real estate, except that
it may purchase and sell securities of companies which
deal in real estate or interests therein and securities
that are secured by real estate, provided such
securities are securities of the type in which the Fund
may invest; (b) purchase or sell commodities or
commodity contracts, including futures contracts (except
foreign currencies, foreign currency options and
futures, options and futures on securities and
securities indices and forward contracts or contracts
for the future acquisition or delivery of securities and
foreign currencies and related options on futures
contracts and other similar contracts); (c) invest in
interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
development programs; (d) purchase securities on margin,
except for such short-term credits as may be necessary
for the clearance of transactions; and (e) act as an
underwriter of securities, except that the Fund may
acquire restricted securities under circumstances in
which, if such securities were sold, the Fund might be
deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act").
9
<PAGE>
_____________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
_____________________________________________________________
Directors and Officers
The Directors and principal officers of the Company,
their ages and their principal occupations during the past five
years are set forth below. Each of the Directors and officers
are trustees, directors and officers of other registered
investment companies sponsored by the Adviser. Unless otherwise
specified, the address of each such person is 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Directors
JOHN D. CARIFA,* 54, Chairman of the Board, is the
President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Alliance
Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC") with which he has been
associated since prior to 1995.
RUTH BLOCK, 69, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States. She is a Director of Ecolab
Incorporated (specialty chemicals) and BP Amoco Corporation (oil
and gas). Her address is P.O. Box 4623, Stamford, Connecticut
06903.
DAVID H. DIEVLER, 70, is an independent consultant. He
was formerly a Senior Vice President of ACMC until December 1994.
His address is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762.
JOHN H. DOBKIN, 57, has been the President of Historic
Hudson Valley (historic preservation) since prior to 1995.
Previously, he was Director of the National Academy of Design.
His address is 150 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591.
WILLIAM H. FOULK, JR., 67, is an Investment Adviser and
an independent consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of
Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with
which he had been associated since prior to 1995. His address is
Room 100, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
DR. JAMES M. HESTER, 75, is President of the Harry Frank
Guggenheim Foundation with which he has been associated since
____________________
* An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
Act.
10
<PAGE>
prior to 1995. He was formerly President of New York University,
the New York Botanical Garden and Rector of the United Nations
University. His address is 25 Cleveland Lane, Princeton, New
Jersey 08540.
CLIFFORD L. MICHEL, 60, is a partner in the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel with which he has been associated since
prior to 1995. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of
Placer Dome, Inc. (mining). His address is St. Bernard's Road,
Gladstone, New Jersey 07934.
DONALD J. ROBINSON, 65, is Senior Counsel to the law
firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and was formerly a senior
partner and a member of the Executive Committee of that firm. He
was also a Trustee of the Museum of the City of New York from
1977 to 1995. His address is 98 Hell's Peak Road, Weston,
Vermont 05161.
Officers
JOHN D. CARIFA, Chairman and President, see biography
under "Directors," above.
KATHLEEN CORBET, Senior Vice President, 40, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC with which she has been
associated since prior to 1995.
CHRIS TOUB, Senior Vice President,
PETER ANALSAIO, Vice President,
THOMAS BARDONG, Vice President, 54, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior
to 1995.
ANDREW FRANK, Vice President,
GERALD T. MALONE, Vice President, 45, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he has been assoicated since prior
to 1995.
JANET WALSH, Vice President,
STEVEN WELLER, Vice President,
ANTONIO XUEREB, Vice President,
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., Secretary, 49, is a Senior Vice
President and the General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors,
11
<PAGE>
Inc. ("AFD") and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), with which
he has been associated since prior to 1995.
DOMENICK PUGLIESE, Assistant Secretary, 38, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD,with which he has
been associated since May 1995. Prior thereto, he was a Vice
President and Counsel of Concord Holding Corporation since prior
to 1995.
ANDREW L. GANGOLF, Assistant Secretary, 45, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since prior to 1995.
MARK D. GERSTEN, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer,
49, is a Senior Vice President of AFS and a Vice President of
AFD, with which he has been associated since prior to 1995.
VINCENT S. NOTO, Controller, 35, is a Vice President of
AFS, with which he has been associated since prior to 1995.
The Company does not pay any fees to, or reimburse
expenses of, its Directors who are considered "interested
persons" of the Company. The aggregate compensation to be paid
by the Company to each of the Directors during the Company's
fiscal year ending October 31, 2000 (estimating future payments
based upon existing arrangements), and the aggregate compensation
paid to each of the Directors during calendar year 1999 by all of
the registered investment companies to which the Adviser provides
investment advisory services (collectively, the "Alliance Fund
Complex"), and the total number of registered investment
companies (and separate investment portfolios within those
companies) in the Alliance Fund Complex with respect to which
each of the Directors serves as a director or trustee, are set
forth below. Neither the Company nor any other registered
investment company in the Alliance Fund Complex provides
compensation in the form of pension or retirement benefits to any
of its directors or trustees. Each of the Directors is a
director or trustee of one or more other registered investment
company in the Alliance Fund Complex.
12
<PAGE>
Total Number
Total Number of Investment
of Investment Portfolios
Companies in Within the
the Alliance Alliance
Total Fund Complex, Fund Complex,
Compensation Including the Including
From the Company, as the Fund, as
Aggregate Alliance Fund to which the to which the
Compensation Complex, the Director the Director
Name of From the Including is a Director is a Director
Director Company* the Company or Trustee or Trustee
_________ ____________ _____________ _____________ _____________
John D. Carifa $-0- $-0- 50 103
Ruth Block [] 154,263 38 80
David H. Dievler [] 210,188 45 87
John H. Dobkin [] 206,463 42 84
William H. Foulk, Jr. [] 246,413 45 98
James M. Hester [] 164,138 39 81
Clifford L. Michel [] 183,388 39 83
Donald J. Robinson [] 154,313 41 92
_______________
* estimated
As of [__________, 2000], the Directors and officers of
the Company as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the
Fund.
Adviser
The Fund's investment adviser, Alliance Capital
Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10105, is a leading international investment adviser managing
client accounts with assets as of December 31, 1999 totaling more
than $368 billion (of which more than $169 billion represented
the assets of investment companies). As of December 31, 1999,
the Adviser managed retirement assets for many of the largest
public and private employee benefit plans (including 31 of the
nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee retirement
funds in 31 states, for investment companies, and for
foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide.
The 53 registered investment companies managed by the Adviser,
comprising 119 separate investment portfolios, currently have
approximately 5 million shareholder accounts.
ACMC is the general partner of the Adviser and a wholly
owned subsidiary of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the
United States ("Equitable"). Equitable, one of the largest life
insurance companies in the United States, is the beneficial owner
of an approximately 55.4% partnership interest in the Adviser.
13
<PAGE>
Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. ("Alliance Holding")
owns an approximately 41.9% partnership interest in the
Adviser.** Equity interests in Alliance Holding are traded on
the New York Stock Exchange in the form of units. Approximately
98% of such interests are owned by the public and management or
employees of the Adviser and approximately 2% are owned by
Equitable. Equitable is a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA
Financial, Inc. ("AXA Financial"), a Delaware corporation whose
shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. AXA Financial
serves as the holding company for the Adviser, Equitable and
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., an integrated investment and
merchant bank. As of June 30, 1999, AXA, a French insurance
holding company, owned approximately 58.2% of the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock of AXA Financial.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides
investment advisory services and order placement facilities for
the Company and pays all compensation of Directors and officers
of the Company who are affiliated persons of the Adviser. The
Adviser or its affiliates also furnishes the Company, without
charge, management supervision and assistance and office
facilities and provides persons satisfactory to the Company's
Board of Directors to serve as the Company's officers.
The Adviser is, under the Advisory Agreement,
responsible for certain expenses incurred by the Company,
including, for example, office facilities and certain
administrative services, and any expenses incurred in promoting
the sale of Fund shares (other than the portion of the
promotional expenses borne by the Fund in accordance with an
effective plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and the
costs of printing Fund prospectuses and other reports to
shareholders and fees related to registration with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and with state
____________________
** Until October 29, 1999, Alliance Holding served as the
investment adviser to the Fund. On that date, Alliance
Holding reorganized by transferring its business to the
Adviser. Prior thereto, the Adviser had no material
business operations. One result of the organization was
that the Advisory Agreement, then between the Fund and
Alliance Holding, was transferred to the Adviser by means
of a technical assignment, and ownership of Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and Alliance Fund Services, Inc., the
Fund's principal underwriter and transfer agent,
respectively, also was transferred to the Adviser.
14
<PAGE>
regulatory authorities.)
The Company has, under the Advisory Agreement, assumed
the obligation for payment of all of its other expenses. As to
the obtaining of services other than those specifically provided
to the Company by the Adviser, the Company may employ its own
personnel. For such services, it also may utilize personnel
employed by the Adviser or by other subsidiaries of Equitable. In
such event, the services are provided to the Company at cost and
the payments specifically approved by the Company's Board of
Directors.
For the services rendered by the Adviser under the
Advisory Agreement, the Company pays the Adviser, with respect to
the Fund, from April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001, a minimum fee at
an annual rate of .50 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net
assets, which may be increased at the end of such annual period
to a maximum of 2.50% based on the investment performance of the
Portfolio in relation to the performance of the NASDAQ Composite
Index (the "Index"). Beginning in April 2001, the Adviser
receives a basic fee of 1.50% of the Fund's average daily net
assets (the "Basic Fee"). The Basic Fee is adjusted upward or
downward to a maximum of 100 basis points based on the investment
performance of the Fund in relation to the performance of the
Index. For any period prior to April 1, 2000, the Adviser
receives a flat fee of .50 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net
assets, without any performance adjustment.
The Advisory Agreement became effective on [ ,
2000] with respect to the Fund having been approved by the
unanimous vote, cast in person, of the Company's Directors,
including the Directors who are not parties to the Advisory
Agreement or interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act of any
such party, at meetings called for that purpose and held on
January 18-20,2000.
The Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until
February 28, 2001 and continue in effect thereafter only so long
as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities
or by the Company's Board of Directors, including in either case,
approval by a majority of the Directors who are not parties to
the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party as
defined by the 1940 Act.
The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by
a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the 1940 Act) or by a vote of a majority of the
Company's Directors on 60 days' written notice, or by the Adviser
on 60 days' written notice, and will automatically terminate in
the event of its assignment. The Advisory Agreement provides
15
<PAGE>
that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Adviser, or of reckless disregard
of its obligations thereunder, the Adviser shall not be liable
for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties
thereunder.
Certain other clients of the Adviser may have investment
objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund. The
Adviser may, from time to time, make recommendations which result
in the purchase or sale of a particular security by its other
clients simultaneously with the Fund. If transactions on behalf
of more than one client during the same period increase the
demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities
being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price or quantity.
It is the policy of the Adviser to allocate advisory
recommendations and the placing of orders in a manner which is
deemed equitable by the Adviser to the accounts involved,
including the Fund. When two or more of the clients of the
Adviser (including the Fund) are purchasing or selling the same
security on a given day from the same broker-dealer, such
transactions may be averaged as to price.
The Adviser may act as an investment adviser to other
persons, firms or corporations, including investment companies,
and is investment adviser to AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance
Disciplined Value Fund, Inc. Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund,
Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc., Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance Global Dollar Government
Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc., Alliance
Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Government Reserves, Alliance Greater China
'97 Fund, Inc., Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Health Care Fund, Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance
Institutional Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc.,
Alliance International Fund, Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund,
Inc., Alliance Money Market Fund, Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income
Fund II, Alliance Municipal Trust, Alliance New Europe Fund,
Inc., Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance Technology
Fund, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Variable
Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance Worldwide Privatization
Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc. and The Alliance Portfolios,
all registered open-end investment companies; and to ACM
Government Income Fund, Inc., ACM Government Opportunity Fund,
Inc., ACM Government Securities Fund, Inc., ACM Government
Spectrum Fund, Inc., ACM Managed Dollar Income Fund, Inc., ACM
Managed Income Fund, Inc., ACM Municipal Securities Income Fund,
16
<PAGE>
Inc., Alliance All-Market Advantage Fund, Inc., Alliance World
Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance World Dollar Government
Fund II, Inc., The Austria Fund, Inc., The Korean Investment
Fund, Inc., The Southern Africa Fund, Inc. and The Spain Fund,
Inc., all registered closed-end investment companies.
___________________________________________________________
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
___________________________________________________________
Distribution Services Agreement
The Company has entered into a Distribution Services
Agreement (the "Agreement") with Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc., the Company's principal underwriter (the "Principal
Underwriter"), to permit the Principal Underwriter to distribute
the Fund's shares and to permit the Fund to pay distribution
services fees to defray expenses associated with distribution of
its Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares in
accordance with a plan of distribution, which is included in the
Agreement and which has been duly adopted and approved in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the 1940 Act (the "Rule 12b-1
Plan").
Distribution services fees are accrued daily and paid
monthly and charged as expenses of the Fund as accrued. The
distribution services fees attributable to the Class B shares and
Class C shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase
such shares through broker-dealers without the assessment of an
initial sales charge and at the same time to permit the Principal
Underwriter to compensate broker-dealers in connection with the
sale of such shares. In this regard the purpose and function of
the combined contingent deferred sales charge and respective
distribution services fee on the Class B shares and Class C
shares are the same as those of the initial sales charge and
distribution services fee with respect to the Class A shares in
that in each case the sales charge and distribution services fee
provides for the financing of the distribution of the relevant
class of the Fund's shares.
With respect to Class A shares of the Fund, distribution
expenses accrued by AFD in one fiscal year may not be paid from
distribution services fees received from the Fund in subsequent
fiscal years. AFD's compensation with respect to Class B and
Class C shares under the Rule 12b-1 Plan is directly tied to the
expenses incurred by AFD. Actual distribution expenses for
Class B and Class C shares for any given year, however, will
probably exceed the distribution services fees payable under the
Rule 12b-1 Plan and payments received from contingent deferred
17
<PAGE>
sales charges ("CDSCs"). The excess will be carried forward by
AFD and reimbursed from distribution services fees payable under
the Rule 12b-1 Plan and payments subsequently received through
CDSCs, so long as the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the Agreement are in
effect.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan is in compliance with rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. which
effectively limit the annual asset-based sales charges and
service fees that a mutual fund may pay on a class of shares to
.75% and .25%, respectively, of the average annual net assets
attributable to that class. The rules also limit the aggregate
of all front-end, deferred and asset-based sales charges imposed
with respect to a class of shares by a mutual fund that also
charges a service fee to 6.25% of cumulative gross sales of
shares of that class, plus interest at the prime rate plus 1% per
annum.
In approving the Agreement, the Directors of the Company
determined that there was a reasonable likelihood that the
Agreement would benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The
distribution services fee of a particular class will not be used
to subsidize the provision of distribution services with respect
to any other class.
The Adviser may from time to time and from its own funds
or such other resources as may be permitted by rules of the
Commission make payments for distribution services to the
Principal Underwriter; the latter may in turn pay part or all of
such compensation to brokers or other persons for their
distribution assistance.
The Agreement was initially approved by the Directors of
the Fund at meetings held on January 18-20, 2000. The Agreement
will continue in effect until [__________, 2001] and continue in
effect thereafter so long as its continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Directors of the Fund or by
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of that class, and, in
either case, by a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are
not parties to the Agreement or interested persons, as defined in
the 1940 Act, of any such party (other than as directors of the
Fund) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Rule 12b-1 Plan or any agreement related
thereto.
In the event that the Agreement is terminated or not
continued with respect to the Class A shares, Class B shares or
Class C shares, (i) no distribution services fees (other than
current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the
18
<PAGE>
Fund to the Principal Underwriter with respect to that class and
(ii) the Fund would not be obligated to pay the Principal
Underwriter for any amounts expended under the Agreement not
previously recovered by the Principal Underwriter from
distribution services fees in respect of shares of such class or
through deferred sales charges.
Transfer Agency Agreement
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, located at 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus,
New Jersey 07094, acts as the Fund's registrar, transfer agent
and dividend-disbursing agent for a fee based upon the number of
account holders of each of the Class A shares, Class B shares and
Class C shares of the Fund, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket
expenses. The transfer agency fee with respect to the Class B
shares and Class C shares is higher than the transfer agency fee
with respect to the Class A shares.
_______________________________________________________________
PURCHASE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--How to Buy Shares."
General
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at
a price equal to their net asset value plus an initial sales
charge at the time of purchase ("Class A shares"), with a
contingent deferred sales charge ("Class B shares"), or without
any initial sales charge and, as long as the shares are held for
one year or more, without any contingent deferred sales charge
("Class C shares"). Shares of the Fund that are offered subject
to a sales charge are offered through (i) investment dealers that
are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. and have entered into selected dealer agreements with the
Principal Underwriter ("selected dealers"), (ii) depository
institutions and other financial intermediaries or their
affiliates, that have entered into selected agent agreements with
the Principal Underwriter ("selected agents") and (iii) the
Principal Underwriter.
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund either through
selected broker-dealers, agents, financial intermediaries or
other financial representatives or directly through the Principal
Underwriter. A transaction, service, administrative or other
similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent,
19
<PAGE>
financial intermediary or other financial representative with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of shares made through
such financial representative. Such financial representative may
also impose requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or
exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to,
those imposed by the Fund, including requirements as to the
minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts. Sales
personnel of selected dealers and agents distributing the Fund's
shares may receive differing compensation for selling Class A,
Class B or Class C shares. The Fund may refuse any order for the
purchase of shares. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the
sale of its shares to the public in response to conditions in the
securities markets or for other reasons.
The public offering price of shares of the Fund is their
net asset value, plus, in the case of Class A shares, a sales
charge which will vary depending on the purchase alternative
chosen by the investor, as shown in the table below under "-
- -Class A Shares". On each Fund business day on which a purchase
or redemption order is received by the Fund and trading in the
types of securities in which the Fund invests might materially
affect the value of Fund shares, the per share net asset value is
computed in accordance with the Company's Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws as of the next close of regular trading
on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") (currently
4:00 p.m. Eastern time) by dividing the value of the Fund's total
assets, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares
then outstanding. A Fund business day is any day on which the
Exchange is open for trading.
The respective per share net asset values of the
Class A, Class B and Class C shares are expected to be
substantially the same. Under certain circumstances, however,
the per share net asset values of the Class B and Class C shares
may be lower than the per share net asset values of the Class A
shares, as a result of the differential daily expense accruals of
the distribution and transfer agency fees applicable with respect
to those classes of shares. Even under those circumstances, the
per share net asset values of the three classes eventually will
tend to converge immediately after the payment of dividends,
which will differ by approximately the amount of the expense
accrual differential among the classes.
The Fund will accept unconditional orders for its shares
to be executed at the public offering price equal to their net
asset value next determined (plus applicable Class A sales
charges), as described below. Orders received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
on each day the Exchange is open for trading are priced at the
net asset value computed as of the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on that day (plus applicable Class A sales charges).
20
<PAGE>
In the case of orders for purchase of shares placed through
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives, as
applicable, the applicable public offering price will be the net
asset value as so determined, but only if the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative receives the order prior to the
close of regular trading on the Exchange and transmits it to the
Principal Underwriter prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable, is responsible for transmitting such orders by
5:00 p.m. (certain selected dealers, agents or financial
representatives may enter into operating agreements permitting
them to transmit purchase information to the Principal
Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern time and receive that day's
net asset value). If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative fails to do so, the investor's right to that day's
closing price must be settled between the investor and the
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable. If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative, as applicable, receives the order after the close
of regular trading on the Exchange, the price will be based on
the net asset value determined as of the close of regular trading
on the Exchange on the next day it is open for trading.
Following the initial purchase of Fund shares, a
shareholder may place orders to purchase additional shares by
telephone if the shareholder has completed the appropriate
portion of the Subscription Application or an "Autobuy"
application obtained by calling the "For Literature" telephone
number shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information. Except with respect to certain omnibus accounts,
telephone purchase orders may not exceed $500,000. Payment for
shares purchased by telephone can be made only by Electronic
Funds Transfer from a bank account maintained by the shareholder
at a bank that is a member of the National Automated Clearing
House Association ("NACHA"). If a shareholder's telephone
purchase request is received before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a
Fund business day, the order to purchase shares is automatically
placed the following Fund business day, and the applicable public
offering price will be the public offering price determined as of
the close of business on such following business day.
Full and fractional shares are credited to a
subscriber's account in the amount of his or her subscription. As
a convenience to the subscriber, and to avoid unnecessary expense
to the Fund, stock certificates representing shares of the Fund
are not issued except upon written request to the Fund by the
shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or agent.
This facilitates later redemption and relieves the shareholder of
the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost or stolen
certificates. No certificates are issued for fractional shares,
21
<PAGE>
although such shares remain in the shareholder's account on the
books of the Fund.
In addition to the discount or commission amount paid to
dealers or agents, the Principal Underwriter from time to time
pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents, in
connection with the sale of shares of the Fund. Such additional
amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part to provide
additional compensation to registered representatives who sell
shares of the Fund. On some occasions, such cash or other
incentives will take the form of payment for attendance at
seminars, meals, sporting events or theater performances, or
payment for travel, lodging and entertainment incurred in
connection with travel taken by persons associated with a dealer
or agent to locations within or outside the United States. Such
dealer or agent may elect to receive cash incentives of
equivalent amount in lieu of such payments.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares each represent an
interest in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund, have
the same rights and are identical in all respects, except that
(i) Class A shares bear the expense of the initial sales charge
(or contingent deferred sales charge when applicable) and Class B
and Class C shares bear the expense of the deferred sales charge,
(ii) Class B shares and Class C shares each bear the expense of a
higher distribution services fee than that borne by Class A
shares, (iii) Class B shares and Class C shares bear higher
transfer agency costs than those borne by Class A shares,
(iv) each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares has exclusive
voting rights with respect to provisions of the Rule 12b-1 Plan
pursuant to which its distribution services fee is paid and other
matters for which separate class voting is appropriate under
applicable law, provided that, if the Fund submits to a vote of
the Class A shareholders, an amendment to the Rule 12b-1 Plan
that would materially increase the amount to be paid thereunder
with respect to the Class A shares, then such amendment will also
be submitted to the Class B shareholders and the Class A and
Class B shareholders will vote separately by class, and
(v) Class B shares are subject to a conversion feature. Each
class has different exchange privileges and certain different
shareholder service options available.
The Directors of the Company have determined that
currently no conflict of interest exists between or among the
Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. On an ongoing
basis, the Directors of the Company, pursuant to their fiduciary
duties under the 1940 Act and state law, will seek to ensure that
no such conflict arises.
22
<PAGE>
Alternative Purchase Arrangements
The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that
is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length
of time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other
circumstances. Investors should consider whether, during the
anticipated life of their investment in the Fund, the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class B shares prior to conversion, or the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class C shares, would be less than the initial sales charge and
accumulated distribution services fee on Class A shares purchased
at the same time, and to what extent such differential would be
offset by the higher return of Class A shares. Class A shares
will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to the
investor who qualifies for reduced initial sales charges on
Class A shares, as described below. In this regard, the
Principal Underwriter will reject any order (except orders from
certain retirement plans and certain employee benefit plans) for
more than $250,000 for Class B shares. (See Appendix B for
information concerning the eligibility of certain employee
benefit plans to purchase Class B shares at net asset value
without being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and
the ineligibility of certain such plans to purchase Class A
shares.) Class C shares will normally not be suitable for the
investor who qualifies to purchase Class A shares at net asset
value. For this reason, the Principal Underwriter will reject
any order for more than $1,000,000 for Class C shares.
Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution
services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have
all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.
Other investors might determine, however, that it would
be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares
in order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
23
<PAGE>
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for a four-
year and one-year period, respectively. For example, based on
current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25%
initial sales charge on Class A shares would have to hold his or
her investment approximately seven years for the Class C
distribution services fee to exceed the initial sales charge plus
the accumulated distribution services fee of Class A shares. In
this example, an investor intending to maintain his or her
investment for a longer period might consider purchasing Class A
shares. This example does not take into account the time value
of money, which further reduces the impact of the Class C
distribution services fees on the investment, fluctuations in net
asset value or the effect of different performance assumptions.
Those investors who prefer to have all of their funds
invested initially but may not wish to retain Fund shares for the
four-year period during which Class B shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge may find it more advantageous to
purchase Class C shares.
Class A Shares
The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
Sales Charge
Discount or
Commission
As % of to Dealers
As % of the or Agents
Net Public As % of
Amount of Amount Offering Offering
Purchase Invested Price Price
________ ________ ________ ____________
Less than
$100,000 . . . 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 but
less than
$250,000. . . . 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 but
less than
$500,000. . . . 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 but
less than
$1,000,000*. . . 1.78 1.75 1.50
_____________
* There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000
or more.
24
<PAGE>
With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A
shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1% of the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares will be waived
on certain redemptions, as described below under "--Class B
Shares." In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class A shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because an
initial sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they
have been held beyond the period during which the charge applies
or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares are paid to
the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment
of compensation to selected dealers and agents for selling
Class A shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more
made through selected dealers or agents, the Adviser may,
pursuant to the Distribution Services Agreement described above,
pay such dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to
1% of the amount invested to compensate such dealers or agents
for their distribution assistance in connection with such
purchases.
No initial sales charge is imposed on Class A shares
issued (i) pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income
dividends or capital gains distributions, (ii) in exchange for
Class A shares of other "Alliance Mutual Funds" (as that term is
defined under "Combined Purchase Privilege" below), except that
an initial sales charge will be imposed on Class A shares issued
in exchange for Class A shares of AFD Exchange Reserves ("AFDER")
that were purchased for cash without the payment of an initial
sales charge and without being subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge or (iii) upon the automatic conversion of Class B
shares as described below under "Class B Shares-Conversion
Feature." The Fund receives the entire net asset value of its
Class A shares sold to investors. The Principal Underwriter's
commission is the sales charge shown above less any applicable
discount or commission "reallowed" to selected dealers and
agents. The Principal Underwriter will reallow discounts to
selected dealers and agents in the amounts indicated in the table
above. In this regard, the Principal Underwriter may elect to
25
<PAGE>
reallow the entire sales charge to selected dealers and agents
for all sales with respect to which orders are placed with the
Principal Underwriter. A selected dealer who receives
reallowance in excess of 90% of such a sales charge may be deemed
to be an "underwriter" under the Securities Act.
Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative
may under certain circumstances be entitled to pay (i) no initial
sales charge (but may be subject in most such cases to a
contingent deferred sales charge) or (ii) a reduced initial sales
charge. The circumstances under which such investors may pay a
reduced initial sales charge are described below.
Combined Purchase Privilege. Certain persons may
qualify for the sales charge reductions indicated in the schedule
of such charges above by combining purchases of shares of the
Fund into a single "purchase," if the resulting "purchase" totals
at least $100,000. The term "purchase" refers to: (i) a single
purchase by an individual, or to concurrent purchases, which in
the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed amounts, by an
individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of
21 years purchasing shares of the Fund for his, her or their own
account(s); (ii) a single purchase by a trustee or other
fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust, estate or single
fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is involved;
or (iii) a single purchase for the employee benefit plans of a
single employer. The term "purchase" also includes purchases by
any "company," as the term is defined in the 1940 Act, but does
not include purchases by any such company which has not been in
existence for at least six months or which has no purpose other
than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other
registered investment companies at a discount. The term
"purchase" does not include purchases by any group of individuals
whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein
are credit card holders of a company, policy holders of an
insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or
clients of an investment adviser. A "purchase" may also include
shares, purchased at the same time through a single selected
dealer or agent, of any other "Alliance Mutual Fund." Currently,
the Alliance Mutual Funds include:
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
-Corporate Bond Portfolio
-Quality Bond Portfolio
-U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance Disciplined Value Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
26
<PAGE>
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
-California Portfolio
-Insured California Portfolio
-Insured National Portfolio
-National Portfolio
-New York Portfolio
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
-Arizona Portfolio
-Florida Portfolio
-Massachusetts Portfolio
-Michigan Portfolio
-Minnesota Portfolio
-New Jersey Portfolio
-Ohio Portfolio
-Pennsylvania Portfolio
-Virginia Portfolio
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance World Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
-Alliance Growth Fund
-Alliance Conservative Investors Fund
-Alliance Growth Investors Fund
-Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
Prospectuses for the Alliance Mutual Funds may be
obtained without charge by contacting Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. at the address or the "For Literature" telephone number
shown on the front cover of this Statement of Additional
Information.
27
<PAGE>
Cumulative Quantity Discount (Right of Accumulation). An
investor's purchase of additional Class A shares of the Fund may
qualify for a Cumulative Quantity Discount. The applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of:
(i) the investor's current purchase;
(ii) the net asset value (at the close of business
on the previous day) of (a) all shares of the Fund held by the
investor and (b) all shares of any other Alliance Mutual Fund
held by the investor; and
(iii) the net asset value of all shares described
in paragraph (ii) owned by another shareholder eligible to
combine his or her purchase with that of the investor into a
single "purchase" (see above).
For example, if an investor owned shares of an Alliance
Mutual Fund worth $200,000 at their then current net asset value
and, subsequently, purchased Class A shares of the Fund worth an
additional $100,000, the sales charge for the $100,000 purchase
would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single $300,000
purchase of shares of the Fund, rather than the 3.25% rate.
To qualify for the Combined Purchase Privilege or to
obtain the Cumulative Quantity Discount on a purchase through a
selected dealer or agent, the investor or selected dealer or
agent must provide the Principal Underwriter with sufficient
information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
Statement of Intention. Class A investors may also
obtain the reduced sales charges shown in the table above by
means of a written Statement of Intention, which expresses the
investor's intention to invest not less than $100,000 within a
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B and/or
Class C shares) of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund.
Class A investors investing pursuant to the Statement of
Intention must invest at least $50,000 with their initial
purchase of shares of the Fund. Each purchase of shares under a
Statement of Intention will be made at the public offering price
or prices applicable at the time of such purchase to a single
transaction of the dollar amount indicated in the Statement of
Intention. At the investor's option, a Statement of Intention
may include purchases of shares of the Fund or any other Alliance
Mutual Fund made not more than 90 days prior to the date that the
investor signs the Statement of Intention; however, the 13-month
period during which the Statement of Intention is in effect will
begin on the date of the earliest purchase to be included.
28
<PAGE>
Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege
described above may purchase shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds
under a single Statement of Intention. For example, if at the
time an investor signs a Statement of Intention to invest at
least $100,000 in Class A shares of the Fund, the investor and
the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Fund worth
$50,000 (for a total of $100,000), it will only be necessary to
invest a total of $150,000 during the following 13 months in
shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund, to qualify
for the 2.25% sales charge on the total amount being invested
(the sales charge applicable to an investment of $250,000).
The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation
upon the investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The
minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is
$50,000. Shares purchased with the first 5% of such amount will
be held in escrow (while remaining registered in the name of the
investor) to secure payment of the higher sales charge applicable
to the shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is
not purchased, and such escrowed shares will be involuntarily
redeemed to pay the additional sales charge, if necessary.
Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid in cash or reinvested
in additional Fund shares, are not subject to escrow. When the
full amount indicated has been purchased, the escrow will be
released. To the extent that an investor purchases more than the
dollar amount indicated on the Statement of Intention and
qualifies for a further reduced sales charge, the sales charge
will be adjusted for the entire amount purchased at the end of
the 13-month period. The difference in the sales charge will be
used to purchase additional shares of the Fund subject to the
rate of the sales charge applicable to the actual amount of the
aggregate purchases.
Investors wishing to enter into a Statement of Intention
in conjunction with their initial investment in Class A shares of
the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus while current
Class A shareholders desiring to do so can obtain a form of
Statement of Intention by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
at the address or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this
Statement of Additional Information.
Certain Retirement Plans. Multiple participant payroll
deduction retirement plans may also purchase shares of the Fund
or any other Alliance Mutual Fund at a reduced sales charge on a
monthly basis during the 13-month period following such a plan's
initial purchase. The sales charge applicable to such initial
purchase of shares of the Fund will be that normally applicable,
under the schedule of the sales charges set forth in this
Statement of Additional Information, to an investment 13 times
larger than such initial purchase. The sales charge applicable
29
<PAGE>
to each succeeding monthly purchase will be that normally
applicable, under such schedule, to an investment equal to the
sum of (i) the total purchase previously made during the 13-month
period and (ii) the current month's purchase multiplied by the
number of months (including the current month) remaining in the
13-month period. Sales charges previously paid during such
period will not be retroactively adjusted on the basis of later
purchases.
Reinstatement Privilege. A shareholder who has caused
any or all of his or her Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to
be redeemed or repurchased may reinvest all or any portion of the
redemption or repurchase proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund
at net asset value without any sales charge, provided that
(i) such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after the
redemption or repurchase date, and (ii) for Class B shares, a
contingent deferred sales charge has been paid and the Principal
Underwriter has approved, at its discretion, the reinvestment of
such shares. Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the
net asset value next determined as described above. A
reinstatement pursuant to this privilege will not cancel the
redemption or repurchase transaction; therefore, any gain or loss
so realized will be recognized for federal income tax purposes,
except that no loss will be recognized to the extent that the
proceeds are reinvested in shares of the Fund within 30 calendar
days after the redemption or repurchase transaction. Investors
may exercise the reinstatement privilege by written request sent
to the Fund at the address shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information.
Sales at Net Asset Value. The Fund may sell its Class A
shares at net asset value (i.e., without an initial sales charge)
and without a contingent deferred sales charge to certain
categories of investors including:
(i) investment management clients of the Adviser
or its affiliates;
(ii) officers and present or former Directors of
the Company; present or former directors and
trustees of other investment companies managed
by the Adviser; present or retired full-time
employees of the Adviser, the Principal
Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and
their affiliates; officers and directors of
ACMC, the Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. and their affiliates; officers,
directors and present full-time employees of
selected dealers or agents; or the spouse,
sibling, direct ancestor or direct descendant
(collectively, "relatives") of any such
30
<PAGE>
person; or any trust, individual retirement
account or retirement plan account for the
benefit of any such person or relative; or the
estate of any such person or relative, if such
shares are purchased for investment purposes
(such shares may not be resold except to the
Fund);
(iii) the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter,
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates; certain employee benefit plans for
employees of the Adviser, the Principal
Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and
their affiliates;
(iv) registered investment advisers or other
financial intermediaries who charge a
management, consulting or other fee for their
services and who purchase shares through a
broker or agent approved by the Principal
Underwriter and clients of such registered
investment advisers or financial
intermediaries whose accounts are linked to
the master account of such investment adviser
or financial intermediary on the books of such
approved broker or agent;
(v) persons participating in a fee-based program,
sponsored and maintained by a registered
broker-dealer or other financial intermediary
and approved by the Principal Underwriter,
pursuant to which such persons pay an asset-
based fee to such broker-dealer or financial
intermediary, or its affiliate or agent, for
services in the nature of investment advisory
or administrative services;
(vi) persons who establish to the Principal
Underwriter's satisfaction that they are
investing, within such time period as may be
designated by the Principal Underwriter,
proceeds of redemption of shares of such other
registered investment companies as may be
designated from time to time by the Principal
Underwriter; and
(vii) employer-sponsored qualified pension or
profit-sharing plans (including Section 401(k)
plans), custodial accounts maintained pursuant
to Section 403(b)(7), retirement plans and
individual retirement accounts (including
31
<PAGE>
individual retirement accounts to which
simplified employee pension ("SEP")
contributions are made), if such plans or
accounts are established or administered under
programs sponsored by administrators or other
persons that have been approved by the
Principal Underwriter.
Class B Shares
Investors may purchase Class B shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class B shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Class B shares are
sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will
receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge on
the Class B shares are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are
used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the
Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B
shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers
and agents for selling Class B shares. The combination of the
contingent deferred sales charge and the distribution services
fee enables the Fund to sell the Class B shares without a sales
charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The higher
distribution services fee incurred by Class B shares will cause
such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower
dividends than those related to Class A shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class B shares that
are redeemed within four years of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set forth below
charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The
charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 10,000
Class B shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $100,000) and in
the second year after purchase, the net asset value per share is
$12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 1,000
additional Class B shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such
time the investor makes his or her first redemption of 5,000
Class B shares (proceeds of $60,000), 1,000 Class B shares will
not be subject to the charge because of dividend reinvestment.
With respect to the remaining 4,000 Class B shares, the charge is
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applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the
increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $40,000
of the $60,000 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of
3.0% (the applicable rate in the second year after purchase, as
set forth below).
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of
payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of
redemption of such shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge as a Year
Since Purchase % of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge
____________________ _________________________________________
First 4.0%
Second 3.0%
Third 2.0%
Fourth 1.0%
Fifth and thereafter None
In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class B shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that were acquired
upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and, second,
of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the
sales charge. When shares acquired in an exchange are redeemed,
the applicable contingent deferred sales charge and conversion
schedules will be the schedules that applied at the time of the
purchase of shares of the corresponding class of the Alliance
Mutual Fund originally purchased by the shareholder.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on
redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability, as
defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), of a shareholder, (ii) to the extent that the redemption
represents a minimum required distribution from an individual
retirement account or other retirement plan to a shareholder who
has attained the age of 70-1/2, (iii) that had been purchased by
present or former Directors of the Company, by the relative of
any such person, by any trust, individual retirement account or
retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or
relative, or by the estate of any such person or relative, or
(iv) pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan (see "Shareholder
Services -- Systematic Withdrawal Plan" below).
Conversion Feature. Eight years after the end of the
calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was
accepted, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares and will no longer be subject to a higher distribution
services fee. Such conversion will occur on the basis of the
relative net asset values of the two classes, without the
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<PAGE>
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose
of the conversion feature is to reduce the distribution services
fee paid by holders of Class B shares that have been outstanding
long enough for the Principal Underwriter to have been
compensated for distribution expenses incurred in the sale of
such shares.
For purposes of conversion to Class A, Class B shares
purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions
paid in respect of Class B shares in a shareholder's account will
be considered to be held in a separate sub-account. Each time
any Class B shares in the shareholder's account (other than those
in the sub-account) convert to Class A, an equal pro-rata portion
of the Class B shares in the sub-account will also convert to
Class A.
The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is
subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel
to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income
tax law. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares may
be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available at the
time such conversion is to occur. In that event, no further
conversions of Class B shares would occur, and shares might
continue to be subject to the higher distribution services fee
for an indefinite period which may extend beyond the period
ending eight years after the end of the calendar month in which
the shareholder's purchase order was accepted.
Class C Shares
Investors may purchase Class C shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class C shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge either at the time of purchase or, as long as the
shares are held for one year or more, upon redemption. Class C
shares are sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund
will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment
and, as long as the shares are held for one year or more, without
a contingent deferred sales charge so that the investor will
receive as proceeds upon redemption the entire net asset value of
his or her Class C shares. The Class C distribution services fee
enables the Fund to sell Class C shares without either an initial
or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as the shares are
held for one year or more. Class C shares do not convert to any
other class of shares of the Fund and incur higher distribution
services fees and transfer agency costs than Class A shares, and
will thus have a higher expense ratio and pay correspondingly
lower dividends than Class A shares.
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Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of
purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
1%, charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge on Class C
shares will be waived on certain redemptions, as described above
under "--Class B Shares." In determining the contingent deferred
sales charge applicable to a redemption of Class C shares, it
will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that
are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (for
example, because the shares have been held beyond the period
during which the charge applies or were acquired upon the
reinvestment of dividends or distributions) and, second, of
shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales
charge.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge are
paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Class C shares, such as the
payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for
selling Class C shares. The combination of the contingent
deferred sales charge and the distribution services fee enables
the Fund to sell the Class C shares without a sales charge being
deducted at the time of purchase. The higher distribution
services fee incurred by Class C shares will cause such shares to
have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those
related to Class A shares.
_______________________________________________________________
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares -- How to Sell Shares."
Redemption
Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Company's Articles of Incorporation require that the Fund redeem
the shares tendered to it, as described below, at a redemption
price equal to their net asset value as next computed following
the receipt of shares tendered for redemption in proper form.
35
<PAGE>
Except for any contingent deferred sales charge which may be
applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C shares, there is no
redemption charge. Payment of the redemption price will be made
within seven days after the Fund's receipt of such tender for
redemption. If a shareholder is in doubt about what documents
are required by his or her fee-based program or employee benefit
plan, the shareholder should contact his or her financial
representative.
The right of redemption may not be suspended or the date
of payment upon redemption postponed for more than seven days
after shares are tendered for redemption, except for any period
during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings) or during which the Commission determines
that trading thereon is restricted, or for any period during
which an emergency (as determined by the Commission) exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is
not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value
of its net assets, or for such other periods as the Commission
may by order permit for the protection of security holders of the
Fund.
Payment of the redemption price will be made in cash.
The value of a shareholder's shares on redemption or repurchase
may be more or less than the cost of such shares to the
shareholder, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of such redemption or
repurchase. Redemption proceeds on Class A, Class B and Class C
shares will reflect the deduction of the contingent deferred
sales charge, if any. Payment received by a shareholder upon
redemption or repurchase of his shares, assuming the shares
constitute capital assets in his hands, will result in long-term
or short-term capital gains (or loss) depending upon the
shareholder's holding period and basis in respect of the shares
redeemed.
To redeem shares of the Fund for which no stock
certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners
should forward a letter to the Fund containing a request for
redemption. The signature or signatures on the letter must be
guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
To redeem shares of the Fund represented by stock
certificates, the investor should forward the appropriate stock
certificate or certificates, endorsed in blank or with blank
stock powers attached, to the Fund with the request that the
shares represented thereby, or a specified portion thereof, be
redeemed. The stock assignment form on the reverse side of each
36
<PAGE>
stock certificate surrendered to the Fund for redemption must be
signed by the registered owner or owners exactly as the
registered name appears on the face of the certificate or,
alternatively, a stock power signed in the same manner may be
attached to the stock certificate or certificates or, where
tender is made by mail, separately mailed to the Fund. The
signature or signatures on the assignment form must be guaranteed
in the manner described above.
Telephone Redemption By Electronic Funds Transfer. Each
Fund shareholder is entitled to request redemption by electronic
funds transfer of shares for which no stock certificates have
been issued by telephone at (800) 221-5672 by a shareholder who
has completed the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application or, in the case of an existing shareholder, an
"Autosell" application obtained from Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
A telephone redemption request by electronic funds transfer may
not exceed $100,000 (except for certain omnibus accounts), and
must be made by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day as
defined above. Proceeds of telephone redemptions will be sent by
electronic funds transfer to a shareholder's designated bank
account at a bank selected by the shareholder that is a member of
the NACHA.
Telephone Redemption By Check. Each Fund shareholder is
eligible to request redemption by check of Fund shares for which
no stock certificates have been issued by telephone at
(800) 221-5672 before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business
day in an amount not exceeding $50,000. Proceeds of such
redemptions are remitted by check to the shareholder's address of
record. A shareholder otherwise eligible for telephone
redemption by check may cancel the privilege by written
instruction to Alliance Fund Services, Inc., or by checking the
appropriate box on the Subscription Application found in the
Prospectus.
Telephone Redemptions - General. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information. The
Fund reserves the right to suspend or terminate its telephone
redemption service at any time without notice. Telephone
redemption is not available with respect to shares (i) for which
certificates have been issued, (ii) held in nominee or "street
name" accounts, (iii) held by a shareholder who has changed his
or her address of record within the preceding 30 calendar days or
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<PAGE>
(iv) held in any retirement plan account. Neither the Fund nor
the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. will be responsible for the authenticity of telephone
requests for redemptions that the Fund reasonably believes to be
genuine. The Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to
verify that telephone requests for redemptions are genuine,
including, among others, recording such telephone instructions
and causing written confirmations of the resulting transactions
to be sent to shareholders. If the Fund did not employ such
procedures, it could be liable for losses arising from
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected
dealers or agents may charge a commission for handling telephone
requests for redemptions.
Repurchase
The Fund may repurchase shares through the Principal
Underwriter, selected financial intermediaries or selected
dealers or agents. The repurchase price will be the net asset
value next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the request (less the contingent deferred sales charge, if any,
with respect to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares), except
that requests placed through selected dealers or agents before
the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be
executed at the net asset value determined as of such close of
regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives may enter
into operating agreements permitting them to transmit purchase
information to the Principal Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time and receive that day's net asset value). If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A
shareholder may offer shares of the Fund to the Principal
Underwriter either directly or through a selected dealer or
agent. Neither the Fund nor the Principal Underwriter charges a
fee or commission in connection with the repurchase of shares
(except for the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, with
respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares). Normally, if
shares of the Fund are offered through a financial intermediary
or selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is settled by the
shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or through the
selected dealer or agent, who may charge the shareholder for this
service. The repurchase of shares of the Fund as described above
is a voluntary service of the Fund and the Fund may suspend or
terminate this practice at any time.
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<PAGE>
General
The Fund reserves the right to close out an account that
through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days.
Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the
account value before the account is closed. No contingent
deferred sales charge will be deducted from the proceeds of this
redemption. In the case of a redemption or repurchase of shares
of the Fund recently purchased by check, redemption proceeds will
not be made available until the Fund is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.
______________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
_______________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares." The shareholder services set forth below are applicable
to Class A, Class B and Class C shares unless otherwise
indicated.
Automatic Investment Program
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund through an
automatic investment program utilizing electronic funds transfer
drawn on the investor's own bank account. Under such a program,
pre-authorized monthly drafts for a fixed amount (at least
$50,000 for the initial purchase) are used to purchase shares
through the selected dealer or selected agent designated by the
investor at the public offering price next determined after the
Principal Underwriter receives the proceeds from the investor's
bank. In electronic form, drafts can be made on or about a date
each month selected by the shareholder. Investors wishing to
establish an automatic investment program in connection with
their initial investment should complete the appropriate portion
of the Subscription Application found in the Prospectus. Current
shareholders should contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information to establish an automatic investment
program.
Exchange Privilege
You may exchange your investment in the Fund for shares
of the same class of other Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD
Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by the Adviser).
Exchanges of shares are made at the net asset value next
determined and without sales or service charges. Exchanges may
39
<PAGE>
be made by telephone or written request. Telephone exchange
requests must be received by Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by 4:00
p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day in order to receive that
day's net asset value.
Shares will continue to age without regard to exchanges
for purpose of determining the CDSC, if any, upon redemption and,
in the case of Class B shares, for the purpose of conversion to
Class A shares. After an exchange, your Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance with the
conversion schedule applicable to the Class B shares of the
Alliance Mutual Fund you originally purchased for cash ("original
shares"). When redemption occurs, the CDSC applicable to the
original shares is applied.
Please read carefully the prospectus of the mutual fund
into which you are exchanging before submitting the request. Call
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at (800) 221-5672 to exchange
uncertificated shares. Exchanges of shares as described above in
this section are taxable transactions for federal income tax
purposes. The exchange service may be changed, suspended, or
terminated on 60 days' written notice.
All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment
requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the
Prospectus for the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are being
acquired, as applicable. An exchange is effected through the
redemption of the shares tendered for exchange and the purchase
of shares being acquired at their respective net asset values as
next determined following receipt by the Alliance Mutual Fund
whose shares are being exchanged of (i) proper instructions and
all necessary supporting documents as described in such fund's
Prospectus, or (ii) a telephone request for such exchange in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the following
paragraph. Exchanges involving the redemption of shares recently
purchased by check will be permitted only after the Alliance
Mutual Fund whose shares have been tendered for exchange is
reasonably assured that the check has cleared, normally up to 15
calendar days following the purchase date. Exchanges of shares
or Alliance Mutual Funds will generally result in the realization
of a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
Each Fund shareholder, and the shareholder's selected
dealer, agent or financial representative, as applicable, are
authorized to make telephone requests for exchanges unless
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., receives written instruction to the
contrary from the shareholder, or the shareholder declines the
privilege by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus. Such telephone requests
cannot be accepted with respect to shares then represented by
stock certificates. Shares acquired pursuant to a telephone
40
<PAGE>
request for exchange will be held under the same account
registration as the shares redeemed through such exchange.
Eligible shareholders desiring to make an exchange
should telephone Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with their account
number and other details of the exchange, at (800) 221-5672
before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on a Fund business day as defined
above. Telephone requests for exchange received before 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time on a Fund business day will be processed as of the
close of business on that day. During periods of drastic
economic or market developments, such as the market break of
October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.
A shareholder may elect to initiate a monthly "Auto
Exchange" whereby a specified dollar amount's worth of his or her
Fund shares (minimum $25) is automatically exchanged for shares
of another Alliance Mutual Fund. Auto Exchange transactions
normally occur on the 12th day of each month, or the Fund
business day prior thereto.
None of the Alliance Mutual Funds, the Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund Services, Inc. will be
responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests for
exchanges that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. The
Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to verify that
telephone requests for exchanges are genuine, including, among
others, recording such telephone instructions and causing written
confirmations of the resulting transactions to be sent to
shareholders. If the Fund did not employ such procedures, it
could be liable for losses arising from unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected dealers, agents or
financial representatives, as applicable, may charge a commission
for handling telephone requests for exchanges.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Fund being acquired may be legally
sold. Each Alliance Mutual Fund reserves the right, at any time
on 60 days' notice to its shareholders, to reject any order to
acquire its shares through exchange or otherwise to modify,
restrict or terminate the exchange privilege.
41
<PAGE>
Retirement Plans
The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part
or all of the assets held in various types of retirement plans,
such as those listed below. The Fund has available forms of such
plans pursuant to which investments can be made in the Fund and
other Alliance Mutual Funds. Persons desiring information
concerning these plans should contact Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. at the "For Literature" telephone number on the cover of
this Statement of Additional Information, or write to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
Retirement Plans
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Individual Retirement Account ("IRA"). Individuals who
receive compensation, including earnings from self-employment,
are entitled to establish and make contributions to an IRA.
Taxation of the income and gains paid to an IRA by the Fund is
deferred until distribution from the IRA. An individual's
eligible contribution to an IRA will be deductible if neither the
individual nor his or her spouse is an active participant in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan. If the individual or his or
her spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, the individual's contributions to an IRA may be
deductible, in whole or in part, depending on the amount of the
adjusted gross income of the individual and his or her spouse.
Employer-Sponsored Qualified Retirement Plans. Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor qualified
money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans, including
Section 401(k) plans ("qualified plans"), under which annual tax-
deductible contributions are made within prescribed limits based
on compensation paid to participating individuals. The minimum
initial investment requirement may be waived with respect to
certain of these qualified plans.
If the aggregate net asset value of shares of the
Alliance Mutual Funds held by a qualified plan reaches $1 million
on or before December 15 in any year, all Class B or Class C
shares of the Fund held by the plan can be exchanged at the
plan's request without any sales charge, for Class A shares of
the Fund.
Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP"). Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor a SEP
under which they make annual tax-deductible contributions to an
IRA established by each eligible employee within prescribed
limits based on employee compensation.
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<PAGE>
403(b)(7) Retirement Plan. Certain tax-exempt
organizations and public educational institutions may sponsor
retirement plans under which an employee may agree that monies
deducted from his or her compensation (minimum $25 per pay
period) may be contributed by the employer to a custodial account
established for the employee under the plan.
The Alliance Plans Division of Frontier Trust Company, a
subsidiary of Equitable, which serves as custodian or trustee
under the retirement plan prototype forms available from the
Fund, charges certain nominal fees for establishing an account
and for annual maintenance. A portion of these fees is remitted
to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. as compensation for its services
to the retirement plan accounts maintained with the Fund.
Distributions from retirement plans are subject to
certain Code requirements in addition to normal redemption
procedures. For additional information please contact Alliance
Fund Services, Inc.
Dividend Direction Plan
A shareholder who already maintains, in addition to his
or her Class A, Class B or Class C Fund account, a Class A,
Class B or Class C account with one or more other Alliance Mutual
Funds may direct that income dividends and/or capital gains paid
on the shareholder's Class A, Class B or Class C Fund shares be
automatically reinvested, in any amount, without the payment of
any sales or service charges, in shares of the same class of such
other Alliance Mutual Fund(s). Further information can be
obtained by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the
cover of this Statement of Additional Information. Investors
wishing to establish a dividend direction plan in connection with
their initial investment should complete the appropriate section
of the Subscription Application found in the Prospectus. Current
shareholders should contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to
establish a dividend direction plan.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
General. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000
(for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly
payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a
systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will
periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less
than $50 on a selected date. Systematic withdrawal plan
participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions
from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund.
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Shares of the Fund owned by a participant in the Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed as necessary to meet
withdrawal payments and such payments will be subject to any
taxes applicable to redemptions and, except as discussed below,
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Shares acquired
with reinvested dividends and distributions will be liquidated
first to provide such withdrawal payments and thereafter other
shares will be liquidated to the extent necessary, and depending
upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be
depleted. A systematic withdrawal plan may be terminated at any
time by the shareholder or the Fund.
Withdrawal payments will not automatically end when a
shareholder's account reaches a certain minimum level.
Therefore, redemptions of shares under the plan may reduce or
even liquidate a shareholder's account and may subject the
shareholder to the Fund's involuntary redemption provisions. See
"Redemption and Repurchase of Shares--General." Purchases of
additional shares concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable
because of sales charges when purchases are made. While an
occasional lump-sum investment may be made by a holder of Class A
shares who is maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan, such
investment should normally be an amount equivalent to three times
the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less.
Payments under a systematic withdrawal plan may be made
by check or electronically via the Automated Clearing House
("ACH") network. Investors wishing to establish a systematic
withdrawal plan in conjunction with their initial investment in
shares of the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus, while current
Fund shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an application
form by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or
the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this
Statement of Additional Information.
CDSC Waiver for Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
Under a systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2%
bi-monthly or 3% quarterly of the value at the time of redemption
of the Class B or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may
be redeemed free of any contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995. Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
44
<PAGE>
With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest
will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing
limitations. Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
Statements and Reports
Each shareholder of the Fund receives semi-annual and
annual reports which include a portfolio of investments,
financial statements and, in the case of the annual report, the
report of the Fund's independent accountants,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as well as a confirmation of each
purchase and redemption. By contacting his or her broker or
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a shareholder can arrange for
copies of his or her account statements to be sent to another
person.
_______________________________________________________________
NET ASSET VALUE
_______________________________________________________________
The per share net asset value is computed in accordance
with the Company's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws at the
next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily
4:00 p.m. Eastern time) following receipt of a purchase or
redemption order by the Fund on each Fund business day on which
such an order is received and on such other days as the Board of
Directors deems appropriate or necessary in order to comply with
Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund's per share net asset
value is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund's total
assets, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares
then outstanding. A Fund business day is any weekday on which
the Exchange is open for trading.
In accordance with applicable rules under the 1940 Act,
portfolio securities are valued at current market value or at
fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors has delegated to the Adviser certain of
the Board's duties with respect to the following procedures.
Readily marketable securities listed on the Exchange or on a
foreign securities exchange (other than foreign securities
exchanges whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market) are valued, except as indicted
below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape
at the close of the Exchange or, in the case of a foreign
securities exchange, at the last quoted sale price, in each case
on the business day as of which such value is being determined.
If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued
at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If
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<PAGE>
no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, then the security
is valued in good faith at fair value by, or in accordance with
procedures established by, the Board of Directors. Readily
marketable securities not listed on the Exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange but listed on other United States national
securities exchanges or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
are valued in like manner. Portfolio securities traded on the
Exchange and on one or more foreign or other national securities
exchanges, and portfolio securities not traded on the Exchange
but traded on one or more foreign or other national securities
exchanges are valued in accordance with these procedures by
reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are
traded.
Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-
counter market, securities listed on a foreign securities
exchange whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market, and securities listed on a U.S.
national securities exchange whose primary market is believed to
be over-the-counter (but excluding securities traded on The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.), are valued at the mean of the current
bid and asked prices as reported by Nasdaq or, in the case of
securities not quoted by Nasdaq, the National Quotation Bureau or
another comparable sources.
Listed put or call options purchased by the Fund are
valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that
day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on
that day.
Open futures contracts and options thereon will be
valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of
such a price, the most recent quoted bid price, If there are no
quotations available for the day of valuations, the last
available closing settlement price will be used.
U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments
having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at
amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or
by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to
maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days
(unless in either case the Board of Directors determines that
this method does not represent fair value).
Fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of
prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are
believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. The
prices provided by pricing service take into account many
factors, including institutional size trading in similar groups
of securities and any developments related to specific
securities.
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All other assets of the Fund are valued in good faith at
fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by,
the Board of Directors.
Trading in securities on Far Eastern and European
securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally
completed well before the close of business of each Fund business
day. In addition, trading in foreign markets may not take place
on all Fund business days. Furthermore, trading may take place
in various foreign markets on days that are not Fund business
days. The Fund's calculation of the net asset value per share,
therefore, does not always take place contemporaneously with the
most recent determination of the prices of portfolio securities
in these markets. Events affecting the values of these portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are
determined in accordance with the above procedures and the close
of the Exchange will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation
of net asset value unless it is believed that these prices do not
reflect current market value, in which case the securities will
be valued in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures
established by, the Board of Directors at fair value.
The Board of Directors may suspend the determination of
the Fund's net asset value (and the offering and sale of shares),
subject to the rules of the Commission and other governmental
rules and regulations, at a time when: (1) the Exchange is
closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (2) an
emergency exists as a result of which it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or
to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or (3) for the
protection of shareholders, the Commission by order permits a
suspension of the right of redemption or a postponement of the
date of payment on redemption.
For purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value
per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in a
foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars at the mean
of the current bid and asked prices of such currency against the
U.S. dollar last quoted by a major bank that is a regular
participant in the relevant foreign exchange market or on the
basis of a pricing service that takes into account the quotes
provided by a number of such major banks. If such quotations are
not available as of the close of the Exchange, the rate of
exchange will be determined in good faith by, or under the
direction of, the Board of Directors.
The assets attributable to the Class A shares, Class B
shares and Class C shares will be invested together in a single
portfolio. The net asset value of each class will be determined
separately by subtracting the liabilities allocated to that class
from the assets belonging to that class in conformance with the
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provisions of a plan adopted by the Fund in accordance with Rule
18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
_______________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_______________________________________________________________
The following summary only addresses principal United
States federal income tax considerations pertinent to the Fund
and to shareholders of the Fund who are United States citizens or
residents or United States corporations. The effects of federal
income tax law on shareholders who are nonresident alien
individuals, foreign corporations or other foreign persons may be
substantially different. The summary is based upon the advice of
counsel for the Fund and upon current law and interpretations
thereof. No confirmation has been obtained from the relevant tax
authorities. There is no assurance that the applicable laws and
interpretations will not change.
In view of the individual nature of tax consequences,
each shareholder is advised to consult the shareholder's own tax
adviser with respect to the specific tax consequences of being a
shareholder of the Fund, including the effect and applicability
of federal, state, local, foreign and other tax laws and the
effects of changes therein.
United States Federal Income Taxation
of Dividends and Distributions
General. The Fund intends for each taxable year to
qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the
Code. To so qualify, the Fund must, among other things,
(i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year
from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities
loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock,
securities or foreign currency, or certain other income
(including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures and
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in stock, securities or currency; and (ii) diversify
its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of its taxable
year, the following two conditions are met: (a) at least 50% of
the value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S.
Government securities, securities of other regulated investment
companies and other securities with respect to which the Fund's
investment is limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount
not greater than 5% of the Fund's assets and 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more
than 25% of the value of the Fund's assets is invested in
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities or securities of other regulated investment companies)
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or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are
determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or
businesses or related trades or businesses.
If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company
for any taxable year and makes timely distributions to its
shareholders of 90% or more of its investment company taxable
income for that year (calculated without regard to its net
capital gain, i.e., the excess of its net long-term capital gain
over its net short-term capital loss), it will not be subject to
federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income for the
year (including any net capital gain) that it distributes to
shareholders.
The Fund will also avoid the 4% federal excise tax that
would otherwise apply to certain undistributed income for a given
calendar year if it makes timely distributions to the
shareholders equal to at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary
income for that year; (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income and
foreign currency gains for the twelve-month period ending on
October 31 of that year; and (iii) any ordinary income or capital
gain net income from the preceding calendar year that was not
distributed during that year. For this purpose, income or gain
retained by the Fund that is subject to corporate income tax will
be considered to have been distributed by the Fund by year-end.
For federal income and excise tax purposes, dividends declared
and payable to shareholders of record as of a date in October,
November or December of a given year but actually paid during the
immediately following January will be treated as if paid by the
Fund on December 31 of that calendar year, and will be taxable to
these shareholders for the year declared, and not for the year in
which the shareholders actually receive the dividend.
The Fund intends to make timely distributions of the
Fund's taxable income (including any net capital gain) so that
the Fund will not be subject to federal income or excise taxes.
However, exchange control or other regulations on the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of
securities sales, if any exist or are enacted in the future, may
limit the Fund's ability to make distributions sufficient in
amount to avoid being subject to one or both of such federal
taxes.
Dividends and Distributions. Dividends of the Fund's
net ordinary income and distributions of any net realized short-
term capital gain will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. In the case of corporate shareholders, such dividends
may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction, except that
the amount eligible for the deduction is limited to the amount of
qualifying dividends received by the Fund. A corporation's
dividends-received deduction will be disallowed unless the
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corporation holds shares in the Fund at least 46 days during the
90-day period beginning 45 days before the date on which the
corporation becomes entitled to receive the dividend. In
determining the holding period of such shares for this purpose,
any period during which the corporation's risk of loss is offset
by means of options, short sales or similar transactions is not
counted. Furthermore, the dividends-received deduction will be
disallowed to the extent a corporation's investment in shares of
the Fund is financed with indebtedness.
Distributions of net capital gain will be taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a
shareholder has held shares in the Fund. Distributions of net
capital gain are not eligible for the dividends-received
deduction referred to above.
Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder
on shares of the Fund will have the effect of reducing the net
asset value of such shares by the amount of such dividend or
distribution. Furthermore, a dividend or distribution made
shortly after the purchase of such shares by a shareholder,
although in effect a return of capital to that particular
shareholder, would be taxable to him as described above.
Dividends are taxable in the manner discussed regardless of
whether they are paid to the shareholder in cash or are
reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
After the end of the taxable year, the Fund will notify
shareholders of the federal income tax status of any
distributions made by the Fund to shareholders during such year.
It is the present policy of the Fund to distribute to
shareholders all net investment income and to distribute realized
capital gains, if any, annually. There is no fixed dividend rate
and there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay any
dividends. The amount of any dividend or distribution paid on
shares of the Fund must necessarily depend upon the realization
of income and capital gains from the Fund's investments.
Sales and Redemptions. Any gain or loss arising from a
sale or redemption of Fund shares generally will be capital gain
or loss except in the case of dealers or certain financial
institutions. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain
or loss if such shareholder has held such shares for more than
one year at the time of the sale or redemption; and otherwise
short-term capital gain or loss. If a shareholder has held
shares in the Fund for six months or less and during that period
has received a distribution of net capital gain, any loss
recognized by the shareholder on the sale of those shares during
the six-month period will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of the distribution. In determining the holding
period of such shares for this purpose, any period during which a
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shareholder's risk of loss is offset by means of options, short
sales or similar transactions is not counted.
Any loss realized by a shareholder on a sale or exchange
of shares of the Fund will be disallowed to the extent the shares
disposed of are replaced within a period of 61 days beginning 30
days before and ending 30 days after the shares are sold or
exchanged. For this purpose, acquisitions pursuant to the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan would constitute a replacement if made
within the period. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in
an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.
Qualified Plans. A dividend or capital gains
distribution with respect to shares of the Fund held by a tax-
deferred or qualified plan, such as an individual retirement
account, 403(b)(7) retirement plan or corporate pension or
profit-sharing plan, generally will not be taxable to the plan.
Distributions from such plans will be taxable to individual
participants under applicable tax rules without regard to the
character of the income earned by the qualified plan.
Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required to
withhold federal income tax at the rate of 31% of all taxable
distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the
Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to
make required certifications, or who have been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup
withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other
shareholders specified in the Code are exempt from such backup
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; any
amounts so withheld may be credited against a shareholder's
federal income tax liability or refunded.
United States Federal Income Taxation of the Fund
The following discussion relates to certain significant
United States federal income tax consequences to the Fund with
respect to the determination of its "investment company taxable
income" each year. This discussion assumes that the Fund will be
taxed as a regulated investment company for each of its taxable
years.
Currency Fluctuations-"Section 988" Gains or Losses.
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in
exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues
interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other
liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the
Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities
are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly,
gains or losses from the disposition of foreign currencies, from
the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign
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currency, or from the disposition of a forward contract
denominated in a foreign currency, which are attributable to
fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the
date of acquisition of the asset and the date of disposition also
are treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses,
referred to under the Code as "section 988" gains or losses,
increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company
taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as
ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount
of the Fund's net capital gain. Because section 988 losses
reduce the amount of ordinary dividends the Fund will be allowed
to distribute for a taxable year, such section 988 losses may
result in all or a portion of prior dividend distributions for
such year being recharacterized as a non-taxable return of
capital to shareholders, rather than as an ordinary dividend,
reducing each shareholder's basis in his Fund shares. If such
distributions exceed such shareholder's basis, such excess will
be treated as a gain from the sale of shares.
Options, Futures and Forward Contracts. Certain listed
options, regulated futures contracts, and forward foreign
currency contracts are considered "section 1256 contracts" for
federal income tax purposes. Section 1256 contracts held by the
Fund at the end of each taxable year will be "marked to market"
and treated for federal income tax purposes as though sold for
fair market value on the last business day of such taxable year.
Gain or loss realized by the Fund on section 1256 contracts other
than forward foreign currency contracts will be considered 60%
long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss
realized by the Fund on forward foreign currency contracts
generally will be treated as section 988 gain or loss and will
therefore be characterized as ordinary income or loss and will
increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's net investment
income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary
income, as described above. The Fund can elect to exempt its
section 1256 contracts which are part of a "mixed straddle" (as
described below) from the application of section 1256.
The Treasury Department has the authority to issue
regulations that would permit or require the Fund either to
integrate a foreign currency hedging transaction with the
investment that is hedged and treat the two as a single
transaction, or otherwise to treat the hedging transaction in a
manner that is consistent with the hedged investment. The
regulations issued under this authority generally should not
apply to the type of hedging transactions in which the Fund
intends to engage.
With respect to equity options or options traded over-
the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges, gain or loss
realized by the Fund upon the lapse or sale of such options held
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by the Fund will be either long-term or short-term capital gain
or loss depending upon the Fund's holding period with respect to
such option. However, gain or loss realized upon the lapse or
closing out of such options that are written by the Fund will be
treated as short-term capital gain or loss. In general, if the
Fund exercises an option, or an option that the Fund has written
is exercised, gain or loss on the option will not be separately
recognized but the premium received or paid will be included in
the calculation of gain or loss upon disposition of the property
underlying the option.
Gain or loss realized by the Fund on the lapse or sale
of put and call options on foreign currencies which are traded
over-the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges will be treated
as section 988 gain or loss and will therefore be characterized
as ordinary income or loss and will increase or decrease the
amount of the Fund's net investment income available to be
distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, as described
above. The amount of such gain or loss shall be determined by
subtracting the amount paid, if any, for or with respect to the
option (including any amount paid by the Fund upon termination of
an option written by the Fund) from the amount received, if any,
for or with respect to the option (including any amount received
by the Fund upon termination of an option held by the Fund). In
general, if the Fund exercises such an option on a foreign
currency, or such an option that the Fund has written is
exercised, gain or loss on the option will be recognized in the
same manner as if the Fund had sold the option (or paid another
person to assume the Fund's obligation to make delivery under the
option) on the date on which the option is exercised, for the
fair market value of the option. The foregoing rules will also
apply to other put and call options which have as their
underlying property foreign currency and which are traded over-
the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges to the extent gain or
loss with respect to such options is attributable to fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates.
Tax Straddles. Any option, futures contract, forward
foreign currency contract, currency swap, or other position
entered into or held by the Fund in conjunction with any other
position held by the Fund may constitute a "straddle" for federal
income tax purposes. A straddle of which at least one, but not
all, the positions are section 1256 contracts may constitute a
"mixed straddle". In general, straddles are subject to certain
rules that may affect the character and timing of the Fund's
gains and losses with respect to straddle positions by requiring,
among other things, that (i) loss realized on disposition of one
position of a straddle not be recognized to the extent that the
Fund has unrealized gains with respect to the other position in
such straddle; (ii) the Fund's holding period in straddle
positions be suspended while the straddle exists (possibly
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resulting in gain being treated as short-term capital gain rather
than long-term capital gain); (iii) losses recognized with
respect to certain straddle positions which are part of a mixed
straddle and which are non-section 1256 positions be treated as
60% long-term and 40% short-term capital loss; (iv) losses
recognized with respect to certain straddle positions which would
otherwise constitute short-term capital losses be treated as
long-term capital losses; and (v) the deduction of interest and
carrying charges attributable to certain straddle positions may
be deferred. The Treasury Department is authorized to issue
regulations providing for the proper treatment of a mixed
straddle where at least one position is ordinary and at least one
position is capital. No such regulations have yet been issued.
Various elections are available to the Fund which may mitigate
the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to
mixed straddles. In general, the straddle rules described above
do not apply to any straddles held by the Fund all of the
offsetting positions of which consist of section 1256 contracts.
Other Taxation
Income received by the Fund may also be subject to
foreign income taxes, including withholding taxes. It is not
possible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in
advance since the amount of the Fund's assets to be invested
within various countries is not known. The Fund may also be
subject to state and local taxes. Also, distributions by the
Fund may be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes
depending on each shareholder's particular circumstances.
_______________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
_______________________________________________________________
The management of the Fund has the responsibility for
allocating its brokerage orders and may direct orders to any
broker. It is the Fund's general policy to seek favorable net
prices and prompt reliable execution in connection with the
purchase or sale of all portfolio securities. In the purchase
and sale of over-the-counter securities, it is the Fund's policy
to use the primary market makers except when a better price can
be obtained by using a broker. The Board of Directors has
approved, as in the best interests of the Fund and the
shareholders, a policy of considering, among other factors, sales
of the Fund's shares as a factor in the selection of broker-
dealers to execute portfolio transactions, subject to best
execution. The Adviser is authorized under the Advisory
Agreement to place brokerage business with such brokers and
dealers. The use of brokers who supply supplemental research and
analysis and other services may result in the payment of higher
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commissions than those available from other brokers and dealers
who provide only the execution of portfolio transactions. In
addition, the supplemental research and analysis and other
services that may be obtained from brokers and dealers through
which brokerage transactions are effected may be useful to the
Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than the Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently
from those for other investment companies and other advisory
accounts managed by the Adviser. It may happen, on occasion,
that the same security is held in the portfolio of the Fund and
one or more of such other companies or accounts. Simultaneous
transactions are likely when several funds or accounts are
managed by the same adviser, particularly when a security is
suitable for the investment objectives of more than one of such
companies or accounts. When two or more companies or accounts
managed by the Adviser are simultaneously engaged in the purchase
or sale of the same security, the transactions are allocated to
the respective companies or accounts both as to amount and price,
in accordance with a method deemed equitable to each company or
account. In some cases this system may adversely affect the
price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position
obtainable for the Fund.
Allocations are made by the officers of the Fund or of
the Adviser. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are
determined by the Adviser and are placed with broker-dealers by
the order department of the Adviser.
The extent to which commissions that will be charged by
broker-dealers selected by the Fund may reflect an element of
value for research cannot presently be determined. To the extent
that research services of value are provided by broker-dealers
with or through whom the Fund places portfolio transactions, the
Adviser may be relieved of expenses which it might otherwise
bear. Research services furnished by broker-dealers could be
useful and of value to the Adviser in servicing its other clients
as well as the Fund; but, on the other hand, certain research
services obtained by the Adviser as a result of the placement of
portfolio brokerage of other clients could be useful and of value
to it in serving the Fund. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject
to seeking best execution, the Fund may consider sales of shares
of the Fund or other investment companies managed by the Adviser
as a factor in the selection of brokers to execute portfolio
transactions for the Fund.
The Fund may from time to time place orders for the
purchase or sale of securities (including listed call options)
with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ"),
an affiliate of the Adviser, and with brokers which may have
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their transactions cleared or settled, or both, by the Pershing
Division of DLJ, for which DLJ may receive a portion of the
brokerage commissions. In such instances, the placement of
orders with such brokers would be consistent with the Fund's
objective of obtaining best execution and would not be dependent
upon the fact that DLJ is an affiliate of the Adviser.
Some of the Fund's portfolio transactions in equity
securities may occur on foreign stock exchanges. Transactions on
stock exchanges involve the payment of brokerage commissions. On
many foreign stock exchanges these commissions are fixed.
Securities traded in foreign over-the-counter markets (including
most fixed-income securities) are purchased from and sold to
dealers acting as principal. Over-the-counter transactions
generally do not involve the payment of a stated commission, but
the price usually includes an undisclosed commission or markup.
The prices of underwritten offerings, however, generally include
a stated underwriter's discount. The Adviser expects to effect
the bulk of its transactions in securities of companies based in
foreign countries through brokers, dealers or underwriters
located in such countries. U.S. Government or other U.S.
securities constituting permissible investments will be purchased
and sold through U.S. brokers, dealers or underwriters.
_______________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________
Capitalization
The Company is a Maryland corporation organized in 1998.
The authorized capital stock of the Fund currently consists of
3,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the Fund,
3,000,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock of the Fund and
3,000,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock of the Fund, each
having a par value of $.001 per share. All shares of the Fund,
when issued, are fully paid and non- assessable. A separate
portfolio of the Company, the Premier Portfolio, is represented
by 9,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock.
The Directors are authorized to reclassify any unissued
shares to any number of additional series and classes without
shareholder approval. Any issuance of shares of another class or
series would be governed by the 1940 Act and the law of the State
of Maryland.
A shareholder in the Fund will be entitled to share pro
rata with other holders of the same class of shares in all
dividends and distributions arising from the Fund's assets and,
upon redeeming shares, will receive the then current net asset
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value of the Fund represented by the redeemed shares less any
applicable CDSC. The Company is empowered to establish, without
shareholder approval, additional portfolios, which may have
different investment objectives and policies than those of the
Fund, and additional classes of shares within the Fund. If an
additional portfolio or class were established by the Company,
each share of the portfolio or class would normally be entitled
to one vote for all purposes. Generally, shares of each
portfolio and class would vote as a single series or class on
matters, such as the election of Directors, that affect each
portfolio or class in substantially the same manner. As to
matters affecting each portfolio differently, such as approval of
the Investment Advisory Contract and changes in investment
policy, shares of each portfolio would vote as a separate series.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund have identical
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that each
class bears its own transfer agency expenses, each of Class A,
Class B and Class C shares bears its own distribution expenses,
and Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight years.
Each class of shares of the Fund votes separately with respect to
the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and other matters for
which separate class voting is appropriate under applicable law.
Shares are freely transferable, are entitled to dividends and
distributions as determined by the Directors and, in liquidation
of the Fund, are entitled to receive the net assets of the Fund.
Certain additional matters relating to the Company's organization
are discussed in this Statement of Additional Information.
It is anticipated that annual shareholder meetings will
not be held; shareholder meetings will be held only when required
by federal or state law. Shareholders have available certain
procedures for the removal of Directors.
Procedures for calling a shareholders' meeting for the
removal of Directors of the Company, similar to those set forth
in Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act will be available to
shareholders of the Fund. The rights of the holders of shares of
a series may not be modified except by the vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of such series.
Custodian
The Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, NY will
act as the Company's custodian for the assets of the Fund but
plays no part in deciding the purchase or sale of portfolio
securities. Subject to the supervision of the Company's
Directors, The Bank of New York may enter into sub-custodial
agreements for the holding of the Fund's foreign securities.
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Principal Underwriter
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, located at 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, is the Principal Underwriter
of shares of the Fund, and as such may solicit orders from the
public to purchase shares of the Fund. Under the Agreement, the
Fund has agreed to indemnify the Principal Underwriter, in the
absence of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
Counsel
Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the
common stock offered hereby are passed upon by Seward & Kissel
LLP, New York, New York. Seward & Kissel LLP has relied upon the
opinion of Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP, Baltimore, Maryland,
for matters relating to Maryland law.
Independent Accountants
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, New York, New York, have
been appointed as independent accountants for the Fund.
Performance Information
From time to time, the Fund advertises its total return.
Such advertisements disclose the Fund's average annual compounded
total return for the periods prescribed by the Commission. The
Fund's total return for each such period is computed by
determining, through the use of a formula prescribed by the
Commission, the average annual compounded rate of return over the
period that would equate an assumed initial amount invested to
the value of the investment at the end of the period. For
purposes of computing total return, income dividends and capital
gains distributions paid on shares of the Fund are assumed to
have been reinvested when paid, and the maximum sales charges
applicable to purchases and redemptions of the Fund's shares are
assumed to have been paid.
Total return information is useful in reviewing the
Fund's performance but such information may not provide a basis
for comparison with bank deposits or other investments which pay
a fixed yield for a stated period of time. An investor's
principal invested in the Fund is not fixed and will fluctuate in
response to prevailing market conditions.
The Fund's total return is computed separately for each
class of shares. Total return is not fixed and will fluctuate in
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response to prevailing market conditions or as a function of the
type, and quality of the securities in the Fund's portfolio, the
Fund's average portfolio maturity and its expenses. Quotations
of total return do not include any provision for the effect of
individual income taxes. An investor's principal invested in the
Fund is not fixed and will fluctuate in response to prevailing
market conditions. The Fund may advertise the fluctuation of its
net asset value over certain time periods and compare its
performance to that available from other investments, including
money market funds and certificates of deposit, the later of
which, unlike the Fund, are insured and have fixed rates of
return.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings or ratings
of the Fund as measured by financial publications or by
independent organizations such as Lipper, Inc., and Morningstar,
Inc. (or comparisons between the Fund's performance and those of
various indices) and advertisements presenting the historical
record of payments of income dividends by the Fund may also from
time to time be sent to investors or placed in newspapers,
magazines such as Barrons, Business Week, Changing Times, Forbes,
Investor's Daily, Money Magazine, The New York Times and The Wall
Street Journal or other media on behalf of the Fund.
Additional Information
Any shareholder inquiries may be directed to the
shareholder's broker or to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or telephone numbers shown on the front cover of this
Statement of Additional Information. This Statement of
Additional Information does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the
Commission under the Securities Act. Copies of the Registration
Statement may be obtained at a reasonable charge from the
Commission or may be examined, without charge, at the offices of
the Commission in Washington, D.C.
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____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A:
CERTAIN INVESTMENT PRACTICES
____________________________________________________________
The information in this Appendix concerns investment
practices in which the Fund is authorized to engage, but in which
the Fund is not required to engage and which may not currently be
permitted under applicable laws or regulations or may otherwise
be unavailable in certain countries. The Fund's investment
policies and restrictions authorize it to engage in these
practices to the extent such practices become available and
permissible in the future.
Options
The Fund may write covered put and call options and
purchase put and call options on securities of the types in which
it is permitted to invest that are traded on U.S. and foreign
securities exchanges and over-the-counter, including options on
market indices. There are no specific limitations on the Fund's
writing and purchasing of options.
In certain circumstances, the Fund may purchase put
options to hedge against a decline in the value of its portfolio.
By using put options in this way, the Fund will reduce any profit
it might otherwise have realized in the underlying security by
the amount of the premium paid for the put option and by
transaction costs. In certain circumstances, the Fund may also
purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price
of securities that the Fund anticipates purchasing in the future.
The premium paid for the call option plus any transaction costs
will reduce the benefit, if any, realized by the Fund upon
exercise of the option, and, unless the price of the underlying
security rises sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to
the Fund.
A put option gives the purchaser of such option, upon
payment of a premium, the right to deliver a specified amount of
a security to the writer of the option on or before a fixed date
at a predetermined price. A call option gives the purchaser of
the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to call upon the
writer to deliver a specified amount of a security on or before a
fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by
the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security
covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate right to
acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or
for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by
its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other securities
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held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Fund
holds a call on the same security and in the same principal
amount as the call written where the exercise price of the call
held (i) is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call
written or (ii) is greater than the exercise price of the call
written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in liquid
assets in a segregated account with its custodian. A put option
written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund maintains liquid
assets with a value equal to the exercise price in a segregated
account with its custodian, or else holds a put on the same
security and in the same principal amount as the put written
where the exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater
than the exercise price of the put written. The premium paid by
the purchaser of an option will reflect, among other things, the
relationship of the exercise price to the market price and
volatility of the underlying security, the remaining term of the
option, supply and demand and interest rates.
A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if the Fund
does not own the underlying security but seeks to provide a hedge
against a decline in value in another security which the Fund
owns or has the right to acquire. In such circumstances, the
Fund collateralizes its obligation under the option by
maintaining in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian
liquid assets in an amount not less than the market value of the
underlying security, marked to market daily. The Fund would
write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of
writing a covered call option, when the premium to be received
from the cross-hedge transaction would exceed that which would be
received from writing a covered call option, while at the same
time achieving the desired hedge.
In purchasing a call option, the Fund would be in a
position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the
price of the underlying security increased by an amount in excess
of the premium paid. It would realize a loss if the price of the
underlying security declined or remained the same or did not
increase during the period by more than the amount of the
premium. In purchasing a put option, the Fund would be in a
position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the
price of the underlying security declined by an amount in excess
of the premium paid. It would realize a loss if the price of the
underlying security increased or remained the same or did not
decrease during that period by more than the amount of the
premium. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were
permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium
would be lost by the Fund.
If a put option written by the Fund were exercised, the
Fund would be obligated to purchase the underlying security at
the exercise price. If a call option written by the Fund were
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exercised, the Fund would be obligated to sell the underlying
security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing a
put option is that there could be a decrease in the market value
of the underlying security caused by rising interest rates or
other factors. If this occurred, the option could be exercised
and the underlying security would then be sold by the option
holder to the Fund at a higher price than its current market
value. The risk involved in writing a call option is that there
could be an increase in the market value of the underlying
security caused by declining interest rates or other factors. If
this occurred, the option could be exercised and the underlying
security would then be sold by the Fund at a lower price than its
current market value. These risks could be reduced by entering
into a closing transaction prior to the option expiration dates
if a liquid market is available. The Fund retains the premium
received from writing a put or call option whether or not the
option is exercised.
The Fund may purchase or write options on securities of
the types in which it is permitted to invest in privately
negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter) transactions. The Fund will
effect such transactions only with investment dealers and other
financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and
loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by the Adviser, and the
Adviser has adopted procedures for monitoring the
creditworthiness of such entities. Options purchased or written
by the Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid and it may
not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at a
time when the Adviser believes it would be advantageous to do so.
An option on a securities index is similar to an option
on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make
delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a
securities index gives the holder the right to receive, upon
exercises of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level
of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or
less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the
option. There are no specific limitations on the Fund's
purchasing and selling of options on securities indices.
The writer of an option may have no control over when
the underlying securities must be sold, in the case of a call
option, or purchased, in the case of a put option, since with
regard to certain options, the writer may be assigned an exercise
notice at any time prior to the termination of the obligation.
Whether or not an option expires unexercised, the writer retains
the amount of the premium. This amount, of course, may, in the
case of a covered call option, be offset by a decline in the
market value of the underlying security during the option period.
If a call option is exercised, the writer experiences a profit or
loss from the sale of the underlying security. If a put option
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is exercised, the writer must fulfill the obligation to purchase
the underlying security at the exercise price, which will usually
exceed the then market value of the underlying security.
The writer of a listed option that wishes to terminate
its obligation may effect a "closing purchase transaction." This
is accomplished by buying an option of the same series as the
option previously written. The effect of the purchase is that
the writer's position will be cancelled by the clearing
corporation. However, a writer may not effect a closing purchase
transaction after being notified of the exercise of an option.
Likewise, an investor who is the holder of a listed option may
liquidate its position by effecting a "closing sale transaction."
This is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as
the option previously purchased. There can be no guarantee that
either a closing purchase or a closing sale transaction can be
effected in any particular situation.
Effecting a closing transaction in the case of a written
call option will permit the Fund to write another call option on
the underlying security with either a different exercise price or
expiration date or both, or in the case of a written put option
will permit the Fund to write another put option to the extent
that the exercise price thereof is secured by deposited cash or
short-term securities. Also, effecting a closing transaction
will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of any
securities subject to the option to be used for other Fund
investments. If the Fund desires to sell a particular security
from its portfolio on which it has written a call option, it will
effect a closing transaction prior to or concurrent with the sale
of the security.
The Fund will realize a profit from a closing
transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the
premium received from writing the option or is more than the
premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss
from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is
more than the premium received from writing the option or is less
than the premium paid to purchase the option. Because increases
in the market price of a call option will generally reflect
increases in the market price of the underlying security, any
loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option is likely to
be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying
security owned by the Fund.
An option position may be closed out only where there
exists a secondary market for an option of the same series. If a
secondary market does not exist, it might not be possible to
effect closing transactions in particular options with the result
that the Fund would have to exercise the options in order to
realize any profit. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing
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purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able
to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it
delivers the underlying security upon exercise. Reasons for the
absence of a liquid secondary market include the following:
(i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain
options, (ii) restrictions may be imposed by a national
securities exchange ("Securities Exchange") on opening
transactions or closing transactions or both, (iii) trading
halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with
respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying
securities, (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may
interrupt normal operations on a Securities Exchange, (v) the
facilities of a Securities Exchange or the Options Clearing
Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current
trading volume, or (vi) one or more Securities Exchanges could,
for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some
future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a
particular class or series of options), in which event the
secondary market on that Securities Exchange (or in that class or
series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding
options on that Securities Exchange that had been issued by the
Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that
Securities Exchange would continue to be exercisable in
accordance with their terms.
The Fund may write options in connection with buy-and-
write transactions; that is, the Fund may purchase a security and
then write a call option against that security. The exercise
price of the call the Fund determines to write will depend upon
the expected price movement of the underlying security. The
exercise price of a call option may be below ("in-the-money"),
equal to ("at-the-money") or above ("out-of-the- money") the
current value of the underlying security at the time the option
is written. Buy-and-write transactions using in-the-money call
options may be used when it is expected that the price of the
underlying security will remain flat or decline moderately during
the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using at-the-money
call options may be used when it is expected that the price of
the underlying security will remain fixed or advance moderately
during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using out-
of-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that
the premiums received from writing the call option plus the
appreciation in the market price of the underlying security up to
the exercise price will be greater than the appreciation in the
price of the underlying security alone. If the call options are
exercised in such transactions, the Fund's maximum gain will be
the premium received by it for writing the option, adjusted
upwards or downwards by the difference between the Fund's
purchase price of the security and the exercise price. If the
options are not exercised and the price of the underlying
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security declines, the amount of such decline will be offset in
part, or entirely, by the premium received.
The writing of covered put options is similar in terms
of risk/return characteristics to buy-and-write transactions. If
the market price of the underlying security rises or otherwise is
above the exercise price, the put option will expire worthless
and the Fund's gain will be limited to the premium received. If
the market price of the underlying security declines or otherwise
is below the exercise price, the Fund may elect to close the
position or take delivery of the security at the exercise price
and the Fund's return will be the premium received from the put
option minus the amount by which the market price of the security
is below the exercise price. Out-of-the-money, at-the-money, and
in-the-money put options may be used by the Fund in the same
market environments that call options are used in equivalent buy-
and-write transactions.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
The Fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or
sale for future delivery of foreign currencies, or contracts
based on financial indices, including any index of U.S.
Government Securities, securities issued by foreign government
entities, or common stocks ("futures contracts") and may purchase
and write put and call options to buy or sell futures contracts
("options on futures contracts"). A "sale" of a futures contract
means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the
securities or foreign currencies called for by the contract at a
specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures
contract means the incurring of a contractual obligation to
acquire the securities or foreign currencies called for by the
contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchaser
of a futures contract on an index agrees to take or make delivery
of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified
dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date
of the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which
the contract was originally struck. No physical delivery of the
securities underlying the index is made.
Options on futures contracts written or purchased by the
Fund will be traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-
counter. These investment techniques will be used only to hedge
against anticipated future changes in market conditions and
interest or exchange rates which otherwise might either adversely
affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or adversely
affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to
purchase at a later date. The Fund will not enter into any
futures contracts or options on futures contracts if immediately
thereafter the aggregate of the market value of the outstanding
futures contracts of the Fund and the market value of the
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currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options
written by the Fund would exceed 100% of the market value of the
total assets of the Fund.
The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is
similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on an
individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option
compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which
it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it
may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures
contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of
futures contracts, when the Fund is not fully invested it may
purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against
adverse market conditions.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract
constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the
security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise
of the futures contract or securities comprising an index. If
the futures price at expiration of the option is below the
exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the
option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline
that may have occurred in the Fund's portfolio holdings. The
writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a
partial hedge against increasing prices of the security or
foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise of the
futures contract or securities comprising an index. If the
futures price at expiration of the option is higher than the
exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the
option premium which provides a partial hedge against any
increase in the price of securities which the Fund intends to
purchase. If a put or call option the Fund has written is
exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will be reduced by
the amount of the premium it receives. Depending on the degree
of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio
securities and changes in the value of its futures positions, the
Fund's losses from existing options on futures may to some extent
be reduced or increased by changes in the value of portfolio
securities.
The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is
similar in some respects to the purchase of protective put
options on portfolio securities. For example, the Fund may
purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund's
portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The amount of risk the Fund assumes when it purchases an
option on a futures contract is the premium paid for the option
plus related transaction costs. In addition to the correlation
risks discussed above, the purchase of an option also entails the
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risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract
will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased.
U.S. futures contracts have been designed by exchanges
which have been designated "contracts markets" by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), and must be executed through
a futures commission merchant, or brokerage firm, which is a
member of the relevant contract market. Futures contracts trade
on a number of exchange markets, and, through their clearing
corporations, the exchanges guarantee performance of the
contracts as between the clearing members of the exchange. The
Fund is not a commodity pool and all transactions in futures
contracts and options on futures contracts engaged in by the Fund
must constitute bona fide hedging or other permissible
transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations
promulgated by the CFTC.
At the same time a futures contract is purchased or
sold, the Fund must allocate cash or securities as a deposit
payment ("initial deposit"). It is expected that the initial
deposit would be approximately 1-1/2% to 5% of a contract's face
value. Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the
payment of "variation margin" may be required, since each day the
Fund would provide or receive cash that reflects any decline or
increase in the contract's value.
At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to such a
contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value
arising from the delivery of securities with a different price or
interest rate from that specified in the contract. In some (but
not many) cases, securities called for by a futures contract may
not have been issued when the contract was written.
Although futures contracts by their terms call for the
actual delivery or acquisition of securities, in most cases the
contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the
contract without having to make or take delivery of the
securities. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is
accomplished by buying (or selling, as the case may be) on a
commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for
delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is
effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation
to make or take delivery of the securities. Since all
transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled
through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the
contracts are traded, the Fund will incur brokerage fees when it
purchases or sells futures contracts.
The Fund's Custodian will place liquid assets in a
separate account of the Fund having a value equal to the
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aggregate amount of the Fund's commitments under futures
contracts.
Stock Index Futures
The Fund may purchase and sell stock index futures as a
hedge against movements in the equity markets. There are several
risks in connection with the use of stock index futures by the
Fund as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the stock
index futures and movements in the price of the securities which
are the subject of the hedge. The price of the stock index
futures may move more than or less than the price of the
securities being hedged. If the price of the stock index futures
moves less than the price of the securities which are the subject
of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the
price of the securities being hedged has moved in an unfavorable
direction, the Fund would be in a better position than if it had
not hedged at all. If the price of the securities being hedged
has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be
partially offset by the loss on the index future. If the price
of the future moves more than the price of the stock, the Fund
will experience either a loss or gain on the future which will
not be completely offset by movements in the price of the
securities which are subject to the hedge. To compensate for the
imperfect correlation of movements in the price of securities
being hedged and movements in the price of the stock index
futures, the Fund may buy or sell stock index futures contracts
in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of securities
being hedged if the volatility over a particular time period of
the prices of such securities has been greater than the
volatility over such time period of the index, or if otherwise
deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser. Conversely, the Fund
may buy or sell fewer stock index futures contracts if the
volatility over a particular time period of the prices of the
securities being hedged is less than the volatility over such
time period of the stock index, or it is otherwise deemed to be
appropriate by the Adviser. It is also possible that, where the
Fund has sold futures to hedge its portfolio against a decline in
the market, the market may advance and the value of securities
held in the Fund may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would
lose money on the futures and also experience a decline in value
in its portfolio securities. However, over time the value of a
diversified portfolio should tend to move in the same direction
as the market indices upon which the futures are based, although
there may be deviations arising from differences between the
composition of the Fund and the stocks comprising the index.
Where futures are purchased to hedge against a possible
increase in the price of stock before the Fund is able to invest
its cash (or cash equivalents) in stocks (or options) in an
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orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline
instead. If the Fund then concludes not to invest in stock or
options at that time because of concern as to possible further
market decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss
on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the
price of securities purchased.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an
imperfect correlation, or no correlation at all, between
movements in the stock index futures and the portion of the
portfolio being hedged, the price of stock index futures may not
correlate perfectly with movement in the stock index due to
certain market distortions. Rather than meeting additional
margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures
contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the
normal relationship between the index and futures markets.
Secondly, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit
requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin
requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased
participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price
distortion in the futures market, and because of the imperfect
correlation between the movements in the stock index and
movements in the price of stock index futures, a correct forecast
of general market trends by the investment adviser may still not
result in a successful hedging transaction over a short time
frame.
Positions in stock index futures may be closed out only
on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary
market for such futures. Although the Fund intends to purchase
or sell futures only on exchanges or boards of trade where there
appear to be active secondary markets, there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market on any exchange or board of trade will
exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. In
such event, it may not be possible to close a futures investment
position, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund
would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of
variation margin. However, in the event futures contracts have
been used to hedge portfolio securities, such securities will not
be sold until the futures contract can be terminated. In such
circumstances, an increase in the price of the securities, if
any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures
contract. However, as described above, there is no guarantee
that the price of the securities will in fact correlate with the
price movements in the futures contract and thus provide an
offset on a futures contract.
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Options on Foreign Currencies
The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on
foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines
in the U.S. dollar value of foreign currency-denominated
portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar
cost of such securities to be acquired. For example, a decline
in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio
securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains
constant. In order to protect against such diminutions in the
value of portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put options
on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does
decline, the Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a
fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in
part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would
have resulted. As in the case of other kinds of options,
however, the writing of an option on a foreign currency
constitutes only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium
received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell
foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby
incurring losses. The purchase of an option on a foreign
currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations
in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements
adverse to the Fund's position, it may forfeit the entire amount
of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on
foreign currencies to be written or purchased by the Fund are
traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.
Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a
currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is
projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the
Fund may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of such
options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the
adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other
types of options, however, the benefit to the Fund deriving from
purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the
amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In
addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain
losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would
require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of
advantageous changes in such rates.
The Fund may write options on foreign currencies for the
same types of hedging purposes. For example, where the Fund
anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign currency
denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange
rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call
option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs,
the option will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution
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in value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of
the premium received.
Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge
against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities
to be acquired, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant
currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, will
expire unexercised and allow the Fund to hedge such increased
cost up to the amount of the premium. As in the case of other
types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency
option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of
the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If
this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund
would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at
a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium.
Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund
also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits
which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements
in exchange rates.
The Fund intends to write covered call options on
foreign currencies. A call option written on a foreign currency
by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying foreign
currency covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate
right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by its custodian) upon conversation or
exchange of other foreign currency held in its portfolio. A call
option is also covered if the Fund has a call on the same foreign
currency and in the same principal amount as the call written
where the exercise price of the call held (a) is equal to or less
than the exercise price of the call written or (b) is greater
than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is
maintained by the Fund in liquid assets in a segregated account
with its custodian.
The Fund also intends to write call options on foreign
currencies for cross-hedging purposes. An option that is cross-
hedged is not covered, but is designed to provide a hedge against
a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund
owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the
currency underlying the option due to an adverse change in the
exchange rate. In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes
the option by maintaining in a segregated account with the Fund's
custodian, liquid assets in an amount not less than the value of
the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked to market
daily. There is no specific percentage limitation on the Fund's
investment in options on foreign currencies.
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Additional Risks of Options on Futures Contracts, Forward
Contracts and Options on Foreign Currencies
Unlike transactions entered into by the Fund in futures
contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts
are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with
the exception of certain foreign currency options) by the
Commission. To the contrary, such instruments are traded through
financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign
currency options are also traded on certain national securities
exchanges, such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the
Chicago Board Options Exchange, subject to Commission regulation.
Similarly, options on securities may be traded over-the-counter.
In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of the
protections afforded to exchange participants will not be
available. Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more
than the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs,
this entire amount could be lost. Moreover, the option writer
and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts
substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the
margin and collateral requirements associated with such
positions.
Options on foreign currencies traded on national
securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the
Commission, as are other securities traded on such exchanges. As
a result, many of the protections provided to traders, on
organized exchanges will be available with respect to such
transactions. In particular, all foreign currency option
positions entered into on a national securities exchange are
cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation
("OCC"), thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default.
Further, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a
national securities exchange may be more readily available than
in the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting the Fund
to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or
expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market
movements.
The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign
currency options, however, is subject to the risks of the
availability of a liquid secondary market described above, as
well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, margining
of options written, the nature of the foreign currency market,
possible intervention by governmental authorities and the effects
of other political and economic events. In addition, exchange-
traded options on foreign currencies involve certain risks not
presented by the over-the-counter market. For example, exercise
and settlement of such options must be made exclusively through
the OCC, which has established banking relationships in
applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a result, the
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OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental restrictions
or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign currency
option exercise, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC or
its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and
settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of
delivery of currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or
prohibitions on exercise.
In addition, futures contracts, options on futures
contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies
may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions are
subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in
or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of
such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other
complex foreign political and economic factors, (ii) lesser
availability than in the United States of data on which to make
trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon
economic events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness
hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different
exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin
requirements than in the United States, and (v) lesser trading
volume.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Fund may purchase or sell forward foreign currency
exchange contracts ("forward contracts") to attempt to minimize
the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship
between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward
contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency
for an agreed price at a future date, and is individually
negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their
customers. The Fund may enter into a forward contract, for
example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale
of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock
in" the U.S. dollar price of the security ("transaction hedge").
The Fund may not engage in transaction hedges with respect to the
currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the
aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency.
Additionally, for example, when the Fund believes that a foreign
currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S.
dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an
amount of that foreign currency approximating the value of some
or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such
foreign currency, or when the Fund believes that the U.S. dollar
may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it
may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that foreign
currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). In this
situation the Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a forward
contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S.
dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. dollar value
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of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will
fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar value of the
currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are
denominated ("cross-hedge"). The Fund's custodian will place
liquid assets in a segregated account of the Fund having a value
equal to the aggregate amount of the Fund's commitments under
forward contracts entered into with respect to position hedges
and cross-hedges. If the value of the securities placed in a
segregated account declines, additional cash or securities will
be placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value of
the account will equal the amount of the Fund's commitments with
respect to such contracts. As an alternative to maintaining all
or part of the segregated account, the Fund may purchase a call
option permitting the Fund to purchase the amount of foreign
currency being hedged by a forward sale contract at a price no
higher than the forward contract price or the Fund may purchase a
put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of foreign
currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as
high or higher than the forward contract price. Unanticipated
changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall
performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such
contracts.
Forward Commitments
The Fund may enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities. Such transactions may include
purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a
"delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment
may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event,
such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate
reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a "when, as and if
issued" trade).
When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the
price, which generally is expressed in yield terms, is fixed at
the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the
securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within two months after the transaction, but delayed
settlements beyond two months may be negotiated. Securities
purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to
market fluctuation, and no interest or dividends accrue to the
purchaser prior to the settlement date. At the time the Fund
intends to enter into a forward commitment, it will record the
transaction and thereafter reflect the value of the security
purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in
determining its net asset value. Any unrealized appreciation or
depreciation reflected in such valuation of a "when, as and if
issued" security would be cancelled in the event that the
required conditions did not occur and the trade was cancelled.
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The Fund's right to receive or deliver a security under
a forward commitment may be sold prior to the settlement date,
but the Fund will enter into forward commitments only with the
intention of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as
the case may be. To facilitate such transactions, the Fund's
custodian will maintain, in a segregated account of the Fund,
liquid assets having value equal to, or greater than, any
commitments to purchase securities on a forward commitment basis
and, with respect to forward commitments to sell portfolio
securities of the Fund, the portfolio securities themselves. If
the Fund, however, chooses to dispose of the right to receive or
deliver a security subject to a forward commitment prior to the
settlement date of the transaction, it may incur a gain or loss.
In the event the other party to a forward commitment transaction
were to default, the Fund might lose the opportunity to invest
money at favorable rates or to dispose of securities at favorable
prices. No forward commitments will be made by the Fund if, as a
result, the Fund's aggregate commitments under such transactions
would be more than 30% of the then current value of the Fund's
total assets.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into agreements pertaining to U.S.
Government Securities with member banks of the Federal Reserve
System or "primary dealers" (as designated by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York) in such securities. There is no percentage
restriction on the Fund's ability to enter into repurchase
agreements. Currently, the Fund intends to enter into repurchase
agreements only with its custodian and such primary dealers. A
repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a security and
simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-
upon future date, normally one day or a few days later. The
resale price is greater than the purchase price, reflecting, an
agreed-upon interest rate which is effective for the period of
time the buyer's money is invested in the security and which is
related to the current market rate rather than the coupon rate on
the purchased security. Such agreements permit the Fund to keep
all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility
in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. The Fund
requires continual maintenance by its custodian for its account
in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book Entry System of collateral
in an amount equal to, or in excess of, the resale price. In the
event a vendor defaulted on its repurchase obligation, the Fund
might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale
of the collateral were less than the repurchase price. In the
event of a vendor's bankruptcy, the Fund might be delayed in, or
prevented from, selling the collateral for its benefit. The
Fund's Board of Directors has established procedures, which are
periodically reviewed by the Board, pursuant to which the Fund's
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<PAGE>
Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of the dealers with which
the Fund enters into repurchase agreement transactions.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls
The Fund may use reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls as part of its investment strategy. Reverse
repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio
assets concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase
the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. Generally, the
effect of such a transaction is that the Fund can recover all or
most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved
during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while it
will be able to keep the interest income associated with those
portfolio securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if
the interest cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase
transaction is less than the cost of otherwise obtaining the
cash.
The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the Fund
sells securities for delivery in the current month and
simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar
(same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date.
During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest
paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the
difference between the current sales price and the lower forward
price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop")
as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the
initial sale.
The Fund will establish a segregated account with its
custodian in which it will maintain liquid assets equal in value
to its obligations in respect of reverse repurchase agreements
and dollar rolls. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls
involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund
is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below
the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under
a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for
bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund's use of the proceeds
of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the
other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the
Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.
Standby Commitment Agreements
The Fund may from time to time enter into standby
commitment agreements. Such agreements commit the Fund, for a
stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of a security
which may be issued and sold to the Fund at the option of the
issuer. The price and coupon of the security are fixed at the
time of the commitment. At the time of entering into the
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agreement the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of
whether or not the security ultimately is issued, which is
typically approximately 0.5% of the aggregate purchase price of
the security which the Fund has committed to purchase. The Fund
will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of investing
in the security underlying the commitment at a yield and price
which are considered advantageous to the Fund and which are
unavailable on a firm commitment basis. The Fund will not enter
into a standby commitment with a remaining term in excess of 45
days and will limit its investment in such commitments so that
the aggregate purchase price of the securities subject to the
commitments will not exceed 50% of its assets taken at the time
of acquisition of such commitment. The Fund will at all times
maintain a segregated account with its custodian of liquid assets
in an aggregate amount equal to the purchase price of the
securities underlying the commitment.
There can be no assurance that the securities subject to
a standby commitment will be issued and the value of the
security, if issued, on the delivery date may be more or less
than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, the
Fund will bear the risk of capital loss in the event the value of
the security declines and may not benefit from an appreciation in
the value of the security during the commitment period if the
issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to the Fund.
The purchase of a security subject to a standby
commitment agreement and the related commitment fee will be
recorded on the date on which the security can reasonably be
expected to be issued and the value of the security will
thereafter be reflected in the calculation of the Fund's net
asset value. The cost basis of the security will be adjusted by
the amount of the commitment fee. In the event the security is
not issued, the commitment fee will be recorded as income on the
expiration date of the standby commitment.
Currency Swaps
The Fund may enter into currency swaps for hedging
purposes. Currency swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with
another party of a series of payments in specified currencies.
Since currency swaps are individually negotiated, the Fund
expects to achieve an acceptable degree of correlation between
its portfolio investments and its currency swaps positions. A
currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange
period of a substantial amount of one designated currency in
exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore the entire
principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that
the other party to the swap will default on its contractual
delivery obligations. The net amount of the excess, if any, of
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the Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
currency swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of
liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal
to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account
by the Fund's custodian. The Fund will not enter into any
currency swap unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior
debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is
rated in the highest rating category of at least one nationally
recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the
transaction. If there is a default by the other party to such a
transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to
the agreements related to the transactions.
Loans of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio
securities to entities with which it can enter into repurchase
agreements, provided that cash and/or liquid high grade debt
securities equal to at least 100% of the market value of the
securities loaned are deposited and maintained by the borrower
with the Fund. See "Repurchase Agreements" above. The risks in
lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit,
consist of possible loss of rights in the collateral should the
borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular borrower, the Adviser (subject to
review by the Board of Directors) will consider all relevant
facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the
borrower. While securities are on loan, the borrower will pay
the Fund any income earned thereon and the Fund may invest any
cash collateral in portfolio securities, thereby earning
additional income, or receive an agreed upon amount of income
from a borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. The
Fund will have the right to regain record ownership of loaned
securities to exercise beneficial rights such as voting rights,
subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or
distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable finders',
administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan. The
Fund will not lend portfolio securities in excess of 30% of the
value of its total assets, nor will the Fund lend its portfolio
securities to any officer, director, employee or affiliate of the
Fund or the Adviser. The Board of Directors will monitor the
Fund's lending of portfolio securities.
General
The successful use of the foregoing investment practices
draws upon the Adviser's special skills and experience with
respect to such instruments and usually depends on the Adviser's
ability to forecast price movements or currency exchange rate
movements correctly. Should exchange rates move in an unexpected
manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of
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<PAGE>
futures contracts, options or forward contracts or may realize
losses and thus be in a worse position than if such strategies
had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts
and options on futures contracts, there are no daily price
fluctuation limits with respect to options on currencies and
forward contracts, and adverse market movements could therefore
continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. In
addition, the correlation between movements in the prices of such
instruments and movements in the prices of the securities and
currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could
produce unanticipated losses.
The Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures
contracts, options and forward contracts will depend on the
availability of liquid markets in such instruments. Markets in
options and futures with respect to a number of fixed income
securities and currencies are relatively new and still
developing. It is impossible to predict the amount of trading
interest that may exist in various types of futures contracts,
options and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not
exist with respect to an option purchased or written by the Fund
over-the-counter, it might not be possible to effect a closing
transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option) with the
result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be
exercised in order for the Fund to realize any profit and
(ii) the Fund may not be able to sell currencies or portfolio
securities covering an option written by the Fund until the
option expires or it delivers the underlying futures contract or
currency upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given
that the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments
effectively for the purposes set forth above. Furthermore, the
Fund's ability to engage in options and futures transactions may
be limited by tax considerations. See "Taxation-United States
Federal Income Taxes-General."
Future Developments
The Fund may, following written notice to its
shareholders, take advantage of other investment practices which
are not at present contemplated for use by the Fund or which
currently are not available but which may be developed, to the
extent such investment practices are both consistent with the
Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund.
Such investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks which
exceed those involved in the activities described above.
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____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX B:
CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
____________________________________________________________
Employee benefit plans described below which are
intended to be tax-qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Tax Qualified Plans"), for
which Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or an
affiliate thereof ("Merrill Lynch") is recordkeeper (or with
respect to which recordkeeping services are provided pursuant to
certain arrangements as described in paragraph (ii) below)
("Merrill Lynch Plans") are subject to specific requirements as
to the Fund shares which they may purchase. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Statement of
Additional Information, the following Merrill Lynch Plans are not
eligible to purchase Class A shares and are eligible to purchase
Class B shares of the Fund at net asset value without being
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge:
(i) Plans for which Merrill Lynch is the recordkeeper on a daily
valuation basis, if when the plan is established as an
active plan on Merrill Lynch's recordkeeping system:
(a) the plan is one which is not already investing in
shares of mutual funds or interests in other commingled
investment vehicles of which Merrill Lynch Asset
Management, L.P. is investment adviser or manager
("MLAM Funds"), and either (A) the aggregate assets of
the plan are less than $3 million or (B) the total of
the sum of (x) the employees eligible to participate in
the plan and (y) those persons, not including any such
employees, for whom a plan account having a balance
therein is maintained, is less than 500, each of (A)
and (B) to be determined by Merrill Lynch in the normal
course prior to the date the plan is established as an
active plan on Merrill Lynch's recordkeeping system (an
"Active Plan"); or
(b) the plan is one which is already investing in shares of
or interests in MLAM Funds and the assets of the plan
have an aggregate value of less than $5 million, as
determined by Merrill Lynch as of the date the plan
becomes an Active Plan.
For purposes of applying (a) and (b), there are to be
aggregated all assets of any Tax-Qualified Plan
maintained by the sponsor of the Merrill Lynch Plan (or
any of the sponsor's affiliates) (determined to be such
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<PAGE>
by Merrill Lynch) which are being invested in shares of
or interests in MLAM Funds, Alliance Mutual Funds or
other mutual funds made available pursuant to an
agreement between Merrill Lynch and the principal
underwriter thereof (or one of its affiliates) and
which are being held in a Merrill Lynch account.
(ii) Plans for which the recordkeeper is not Merrill Lynch, but
which are recordkept on a daily valuation basis by a
recordkeeper with which Merrill Lynch has a subcontracting
or other alliance arrangement for the performance of
recordkeeping services, if the plan is determined by Merrill
Lynch to be so eligible and the assets of the plan are less
than $3 million.
Class B shares of the Fund held by any of the above-
described Merrill Lynch Plans are to be replaced at Merrill
Lynch's direction through conversion, exchange or otherwise by
Class A shares of the Fund on the earlier of the date that the
value of the plan's aggregate assets first equals or exceeds $5
million or the date on which any Class B share of the Fund held
by the plan would convert to a Class A share of the Fund as
described under "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption and
Repurchase of Shares."
Any Tax Qualified Plan, including any Merrill Lynch
Plan, which does not purchase Class B shares of the Fund without
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under the
above criteria is eligible to purchase Class B shares subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge as well as other classes of
shares of the Fund as set forth above under "Purchase of Shares"
and "Redemption and Repurchase of Shares."
00250247.AA9
B-2
<PAGE>
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 23. Exhibits
(a) (1) Articles of Incorporation - Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 1 to the Fund's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-8818 and
811-9176) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 22, 1998.
(2) Articles of Amendment of the Fund's Articles
of Incorporation dated June 25th, 1998 -
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 of the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(3) Articles Supplementary.***
(b) By-Laws of the Fund - Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of the
Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Alliance
Capital Management L.P. as amended February __,
2000*.
(e) (1) Distribution Services Agreement between the
Fund and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. -
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a) to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 of the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(2) Form of Selected Dealer Agreement between
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. and selected
dealers offering shares of the Fund - Incorporated
____________________
*** To be filed in a subsequent Post-Effective Amendment.
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<PAGE>
by reference to Exhibit 6(b) to the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 1998.
(3) Form of Selected Agent Agreement between
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. and selected
agents making available shares of the Fund -
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(c) to the
Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 1998.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) Custody Agreement between the Fund and The Bank of
New York - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(h) (1) Transfer Agency Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. -
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(a) to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 of the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(2) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Fund
and Alliance Capital Management, L.P. relating to
the Premier Portfolio - Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 9(b) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of
the Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(3) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Fund
and Alliance Capital Management, L.P. relating to
the Technology Portfolio*
(i) (1) Opinion and Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP
relating to the Premier Portfolio - Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(a) to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 of the Fund's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-8818 and
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<PAGE>
811-9176) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June 29, 1998.
(2) Opinion and Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP
relating to the Technology Portfolio.*
(3) Opinion and Consent of Venable, Baetjer and
Howard, LLP relating to the Premier Portfolio -
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 of the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(4) Opinion and Consent of Venable, Baetjer and
Howard, LLP relating to the Technology Portfolio.*
(j) Not applicable.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Investment representation letter of Alliance
Capital Management L.P. - Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 13 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of
the Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan - See Exhibit (e)(1) hereto.
(n) Not applicable.
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan - Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 18 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 of the
Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29,
1998.
Other Exhibits:
Powers of Attorney for John D. Carifa, Ruth Block, David
H. Dievler, John H. Dobkin, William H. Foulk, Jr., Dr. James M.
Hester, Clifford L. Michel, Donald J. Robinson - Incorporated by
reference to Other Exhibits to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 of
the Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 333-8818 and 811-9176) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on January 12, 1999.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the
Fund.
None.
ITEM 25. Indemnification.
It is the Registrant's policy to indemnify its directors
and officers, employees and other agents to the maximum
extent permitted by Section 2-418 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, which is
incorporated by reference herein, and as set forth in
Article EIGHTH of Registrant's Articles of
Incorporation, filed as Exhibit (a) hereto, Article VII
and Article VIII of Registrant's By-Laws, filed as
Exhibit (b) hereto, and Section 10 of the proposed
Distribution Services Agreement, filed as Exhibit (e)(1)
hereto. The Adviser's liability for any loss suffered
by the Registrant or its shareholders is set forth in
Section 4 of the proposed Advisory Agreement, filed as
Exhibit (d) hereto.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection
with the securities being registered, the Registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of
whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
In accordance with Release No. IC-11330 (September 2,
1980), the Registrant will indemnify its directors,
officers, investment manager and principal underwriters
only if (1) a final decision on the merits was issued by
the court or other body before whom the proceeding was
brought that the person to be indemnified (the
"indemnitee") was not liable by reason or willful
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misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office ("disabling conduct") or (2) a reasonable
determination is made, based upon a review of the facts,
that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of
disabling conduct, by (a) the vote of a majority of a
quorum of the directors who are neither "interested
persons" of the Registrant as defined in section
2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 nor
parties to the proceeding ("disinterested, non-party
directors"), or (b) an independent legal counsel in a
written opinion. The Registrant will advance attorneys
fees or other expenses incurred by its directors,
officers, investment adviser or principal underwriters
in defending a proceeding, upon the undertaking by or on
behalf of the indemnitee to repay the advance unless it
is ultimately determined that he is entitled to
indemnification and, as a condition to the advance,
(1) the indemnitee shall provide a security for his
undertaking, (2) the Registrant shall be insured against
losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or
(3) a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party
directors of the Registrant, or an independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on
a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a
full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to
believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found
entitled to indemnification.
The Registrant participates in a joint
trustees/directors and officers liability insurance
policy issued by the ICI Mutual Insurance Company.
Coverage under this policy has been extended to
directors, trustees and officers of the investment
companies managed by Alliance Capital Management L.P.
Under this policy, outside trustees and directors are
covered up to the limits specified for any claim against
them for acts committed in their capacities as trustee
or director. A pro rata share of the premium for this
coverage is charged to each investment company and to
the Adviser.
ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
The descriptions of Alliance Capital Management L.P.
under the captions "Management of the Fund" in the
Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of
this Registration Statement are incorporated by
reference herein.
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The information as to the directors and executive
officers of Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the
general partner of Alliance Capital Management L.P., set
forth in Alliance Capital Management L.P.'s Form ADV
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 21, 1988 (File No. 801-32361) and amended through
the date hereof, is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 27. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., the Registrant's
Principal Underwriter in connection with the sale of
shares of the Registrant. Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. acts as Principal Underwriter or Distributor for
the following investment companies:
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
Alliance Capital Reserves
Alliance Disciplined Value Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Government Reserves
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance Institutional Funds, Inc.
Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Money Market Fund
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
Alliance Municipal Trust
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
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Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
(b) The following are the Directors and Officers of Alliance
Fund Distributors, Inc., the principal place of business
of which is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York, 10105.
POSITIONS AND POSITIONS AND
OFFICES WITH OFFICES WITH
NAME UNDERWRITER REGISTRANT
Michael J. Laughlin Director and Chairman
John D. Carifa Director Chairman and
President
Robert L. Errico Director and President
Geoffrey L. Hyde Director and Senior
Vice President
Dave H. Williams Director
David Conine Executive Vice President
Richard K. Saccullo Executive Vice President
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. Senior Vice President, Secretary
General Counsel and
Secretary
Richard A. Davies Senior Vice President
and Managing Director
Robert H. Joseph, Jr. Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Anne S. Drennan Senior Vice President
and Treasurer
Benji A. Baer Senior Vice President
Karen J. Bullot Senior Vice President
John R. Carl Senior Vice President
James S. Comforti Senior Vice President
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James L. Cronin Senior Vice President
Daniel J. Dart Senior Vice President
Byron M. Davis Senior Vice President
Mark J. Dunbar Senior Vice President
Donald N. Fritts Senior Vice President
Bradley F. Hanson Senior Vice President
George H. Keith Senior Vice President
Richard E. Khaleel Senior Vice President
Stephen R. Laut Senior Vice President
Susan L. Matteson-King Senior Vice President
Daniel D. McGinley Senior Vice President
Antonios G. Poleondakis Senior Vice President
Robert E. Powers Senior Vice President
Kevin A. Rowell Senior Vice President
Raymond S. Sclafani Senior Vice President
Gregory K. Shannahan Senior Vice President
Joseph F. Sumanski Senior Vice President
Peter J. Szabo Senior Vice President
William C. White Senior Vice President
Nicholas K. Willett Senior Vice President
Richard A. Winge Senior Vice President
Gerard J. Friscia Vice President and
Controller
Ricardo Arreola Vice President
Kenneth F. Barkoff Vice President
Charles M. Barrett Vice President
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<PAGE>
Gregory P. Best Vice President
Casimir F. Bolanowski Vice President
Robert F. Brendli Vice President
Christopher L. Butts Vice President
Timothy W. Call Vice President
Jonathan W. Cangalosi Vice President
Kevin T. Cannon Vice President
William W. Collins, Jr. Vice President
Leo H. Cook Vice President
Russell R. Corby Vice President
John W. Cronin Vice President
William J. Crouch Vice President
Robert J. Cruz Vice President
Richard W. Dabney Vice President
John F. Dolan Vice President
Richard P. Dyson Vice President
John C. Endahl Vice President
John E. English Vice President
Sohaila S. Farsheed Vice President
Duff C. Ferguson Vice President
Daniel J. Frank Vice President
Shawn C. Gage Vice President
Joseph C. Gallagher Vice President
Andrew L. Gangolf Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General Secretary
Counsel
Alex G. Garcia Vice President
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<PAGE>
Mark D. Gersten Vice President Treasurer and
Chief
Financial
Officer
John Grambone Vice President
Charles M. Greenberg Vice President
Alan Halfenger Vice President
William B. Hanigan Vice President
Michael S. Hart Vice President
Timothy A. Hill Vice President
Brian R. Hoegee Vice President
George R. Hrabovsky Vice President
Valerie J. Hugo Vice President
Michael J. Hutten Vice President
Scott Hutton Vice President
Oscar J. Isoba Vice President
Richard D. Keppler Vice President
Richard D. Kozlowski Vice President
Daniel W. Krause Vice President
Donna M. Lamback Vice President
P. Dean Lampe Vice President
Nicholas J. Lapi Vice President
Henry Michael Lesmeister Vice President
Eric L. Levinson Vice President
James M. Liptrot Vice President
James P. Luisi Vice President
Jerry W. Lynn Vice President
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<PAGE>
Michael F. Mahoney Vice President
Shawn P. McClain Vice President
David L. McGuire Vice President
Jeffrey P. Mellas Vice President
Michael V. Miller Vice President
Thomas F. Monnerat Vice President
Timothy S. Mulloy Vice President
Joanna D. Murray Vice President
Michael F. Nash, Jr. Vice President
Nicole Nolan-Koester Vice President
Daniel A. Noto Vice President
Peter J. O'Brien Vice President
John C. O'Connell Vice President
John J. O'Connor Vice President
Christopher W. Olson Vice President
Richard J. Olszewski Vice President
Catherine N. Peterson Vice President
James J. Posch Vice President
Domenick Pugliese Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General Secretary
Counsel
Bruce W. Reitz Vice President
Karen C. Satterberg Vice President
John P. Schmidt Vice President
Robert C. Schultz Vice President
Richard J. Sidell Vice President
Clara Sierra Vice President
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Teris A. Sinclair Vice President
Scott C. Sipple Vice President
Martine H. Stansbery, Jr. Vice President
Vincent T. Strangio Vice President
Andrew D. Strauss Vice President
Michael J. Tobin Vice President
Joseph T. Tocyloski Vice President
Benjamin H. Travers Vice President
David R. Turnbough Vice President
Martha D. Volcker Vice President
Patrick E. Walsh Vice President
Mark E. Westmoreland Vice President
David E. Willis Vice President
Emilie D. Wrapp Vice President and
Assistant General
Counsel
Michael W. Alexander Assistant Vice
President
Richard J. Appaluccio Assistant Vice
President
Paul G. Bishop Assistant Vice President
Mark S. Burns Assistant Vice President
John M. Capeci Assistant Vice
President
Maria L. Carreras Assistant Vice
President
John P. Chase Assistant Vice
President
William P. Condon Assistant Vice President
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Jean A. Coomber Assistant Vice
President
Terri J. Daly Assistant Vice
President
Ralph A. DiMeglio Assistant Vice
President
Faith C. Deutsch Assistant Vice
President
Timothy J. Donegan Assistant Vice President
Adam E. Engelhardt Assistant Vice
President
Michele Grossman Assistant Vice
President
Theresa Iosca Assistant Vice
President
Erik A. Jorgensen Assistant Vice
President
Eric G. Kalender Assistant Vice
President
Edward W. Kelly Assistant Vice
President
Victor Kopelakis Assistant Vice
President
Evamarie C. Lombardo Assistant Vice
President
Kristine J. Luisi Assistant Vice
President
Kathryn Austin Masters Assistant Vice
President
Richard F. Meier Assistant Vice
President
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Rizwan A. Raja Assistant Vice
President
Carol H. Rappa Assistant Vice
President
Mark V. Spina Assistant Vice
President
Gayle S. Stamer Assistant Vice
President
Eileen Stauber Assistant Vice
President
Margaret M. Tompkins Assistant Vice
President
Marie R. Vogel Assistant Vice
President
Wesley S. Williams Assistant Vice
President
Matthew Witschel Assistant Vice
President
Christopher J. Zingaro Assistant Vice
President
David M. Wolf Assistant Vice
President
Mark R. Manley Assistant Secretary
(c) Not applicable.
ITEM 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
The majority of the accounts, books and other documents
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder
are maintained as follows: journals, ledgers,
securities records and other original records are
maintained principally at the offices of Alliance Fund
Services, Inc., 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey,
07094 and at the offices of The Bank of New York, the
Registrant's custodian, One Wall Street, New York, New
York 10286. All other records so required to be
maintained are maintained at the offices of Alliance
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<PAGE>
Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105.
ITEM 29. Management Services.
Not applicable.
ITEM 30. Undertakings.
The Registrant undertakes to provide assistance to
shareholders in communications concerning the removal of
any Director of the Fund in accordance with Section 16
of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The City of New York
and the State of New York, on the 16th day of February 2000.
Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc.
/s/John D. Carifa, Jr.
________________________
John D. Carifa
Chairman and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, this Amendment to the Registration Statement
has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
and on the date indicated.
Signature Title Date
_____________ __________ ________
(1) Principal Executive Officer:
/s/ John D. Carifa Chairman and February 16, 2000
______________________ President
John D. Carifa
(2) Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer:
/s/ Mark D. Gersten Treasurer February 16, 2000
_____________________ and Chief
Mark D. Gersten Financial
Officer
(3) All of the Directors:
John D. Carifa William H. Foulk
Ruth Block Dr. James M. Hester
David H. Dievler Clifford L. Michel
John H. Dobkin Donald J. Robinson
/s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. February 16, 2000
_________________________
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Attorney-in-Fact
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Index To Exhibits
None.
C-17
00250247.AB0
