<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 16, 1999
File Nos.
333-77953
811-09329
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
Post-Effective Amendment No.
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 2
_______________________________
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, 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 (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registrant Statement under
the Securities Act of 1933 on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Securities
Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to
Section 8(a), may determine.
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc. is an open-end management investment company
that offers investors the opportunity to seek capital appreciation through
investment in health care and health care-related industries.
Prospectus and Application
July 26, 1999
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
AllianceCapital [logo]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY 3
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND 5
GLOSSARY 6
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND 6
Investment Objective, Policies and Risk
Considerations 6
Description of Investment Practices 8
Additional Risk Considerations 10
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND 12
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES 13
How The Fund Values Its Shares 13
How To Buy Shares 13
How To Exchange Shares 13
How To Sell Shares 13
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 14
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS 15
GENERAL INFORMATION 16
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 Alliance Health
Care Fund, Inc. This Summary describes the Fund's objective, principal
investment strategies, principal risks and fees. This Summary includes a short
discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund.
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.
Other important things for you to note:
. You may lose money by investing in the Fund.
. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency.
3
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS CAPITAL APPRECIATION AND, SECONDARILY,
CURRENT INCOME.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
Under normal circumstances the Fund invests at least 65%, and normally
substantially all, of the value of its total assets in securities issued
by companies principally engaged in health care and health care-related
industries ("Health Care Industries") (companies principally engaged in
the discovery, development, provision, production or distribution of
products and services that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention
of diseases or other medical disorders). The Fund seeks primarily to take
advantage of capital appreciation opportunities identified by Alliance in
emerging technologies and services in Health Care Industries by investing in
companies which are expected to profit from the development of new products
and services for these industries. The Fund expects under normal circumstances
to invest primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund may
invest up to 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies and
other foreign securities. The Fund may invest in new, smaller or less-seasoned
companies as well as in larger, established companies in Health Care
Industries.
PRINCIPAL RISKS:
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk and sector
risk. Unlike many other equity funds, the Fund invests in the securities of
companies principally engaged in Health Care Industries. As a result, certain
economic conditions and market changes that affect those industries may have
a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value than on the value of a
more broadly diversified fund. For example, the Fund's share price could be
affected by changes in competition, legislation or government regulation,
government funding, product liability and other litigation, the obsolescence
or development of products, or other factors specific to the health care and
health sciences industries. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
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 may invest in small- to
mid-capitalization companies and such investments have capitalization risk.
These investments may be more volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. The Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives
such as forwards. The use of these techniques involves special risks that are
discussed in this Prospectus. The Fund is not a complete investment program
and investors should invest only a portion of their assets in the Fund.
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)
Class A Shares Class B Shares Class C Shares
-------------- -------------- --------------
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%
during the 1st during the
year* 1st year*
Exchange Fee None None None
* 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 1st year.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
OPERATING EXPENSES
---------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
------- ------- -------
Management fees .95% .95% .95%
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00%
Other expenses 1.40% 1.40% 1.40%
----- ----- -----
Total Fund operating
expenses 2.65% 3.35% 3.35%
----- ----- -----
----- ----- -----
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.15)% (.15)% (.15)%
----- ----- -----
Net expenses 2.50% 3.20% 3.20%
----- ----- -----
----- ----- -----
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 (b)
------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- -------- --------- ------- --------
After 1 Yr. $ 667 $ 723 $ 323 $ 423 $ 323
After 3 Yr $1,200 $1,216 $1,016 $1,016 $1,016
(A) ALLIANCE HAS AGREED TO WAIVE ITS MANAGEMENT FEES AND/OR TO BEAR EXPENSES
OF THE FUND THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000 TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PREVENT TOTAL
FUND OPERATING EXPENSES, ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS, FROM EXCEEDING THE NET
EXPENSES REFLECTED IN THIS TABLE. FROM THAT DATE THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2002, THE
FEES WAIVED AND EXPENSES BORNE BY ALLIANCE DURING THIS PERIOD MAY BE REIMBURSED
BY THE FUND. NO REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT WILL BE MADE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE FUND'S
TOTAL ANNUALIZED OPERATING EXPENSES TO EXCEED THE NET EXPENSES REFLECTED IN THE
TABLE OR CAUSE THE TOTAL OF THE PAYMENTS TO EXCEED THE FUND'S TOTAL INITIAL
ORGANIZATIONAL AND OFFERING EXPENSES.
(B) THESE EXAMPLES ASSUME THAT ALLIANCE'S AGREEMENT TO WAIVE MANAGEMENT FEES
AND/OR TO BEAR OPERATING EXPENSES IS NOT EXTENDED BEYOND ITS INITIAL PERIOD. IF
THE AGREEMENT IS EXTENDED AND NET EXPENSES ARE THEREFORE REDUCED, THE EXPENSES
FOR THE 3-YEAR PERIOD WOULD BE LOWER.
+ ASSUMES REDEMPTION AT THE END OF PERIOD.
++ ASSUMES NO REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD.
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.
HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIES include the health care and health care-related
(including health sciences) industries. These industries are principally
engaged in the discovery, development, provision, production or distribution
of products and services that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention
of diseases or other medical disorders. Companies in these fields include, but
are not limited to, pharmaceutical firms; companies that design, manufacture or
sell medical supplies, equipment and support services; companies that operate
hospitals and other health care facilities; and companies engaged in medical,
diagnostic, biochemical, biotechnological or other health sciences research and
development.
NON-U.S. COMPANIES are entities (i) that are organized under the laws of a
country other than the United States and have their principal office in a
country other than the United States, or (ii) the equity securities of which
are traded principally in securities markets outside the United States.
RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A
under 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:
. 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 INVESTMENT PRACTICES following this section.
. The description of the Fund's risks may include risks discussed in the
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY above. Additional information about the risks of investing
in the Fund can be found in the discussions under ADDITIONAL RISK
CONSIDERATIONS.
. 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.
. 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, POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is capital appreciation and, secondarily,
current income.
HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE
In seeking to achieve its investment objective, under normal circumstances the
Fund invests at least 65%, and normally substantially all, of the value of its
total assets in securities issued by companies principally engaged in Health
Care Industries.
The Fund seeks investments in both new, smaller and less seasoned companies and
well-known, larger and established companies. Whenever possible, investments in
new, smaller or less seasoned companies will be made with a view to benefiting
from the development and growth of new products and markets in Health Care
Industries. Investments in these companies may offer more reward but may also
entail more risk than is generally true of larger, established companies.
While the Fund anticipates that a substantial portion of its portfolio will be
invested in the securities of U.S. companies, the Fund is not limited to
investing in such securities. Many companies in the forefront of world medical
technology are located outside the United States, primarily in Japan and
Europe. Accordingly, the Fund may invest up to 40% of the value of its total
assets in foreign securities, including up to 25% in issuers located in any one
foreign country. However, no more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total net
assets may be invested in securities of issuers located in emerging market
6
countries. All percentage limitations are applied at the time of investment.
Although the payment of dividends will be a factor considered in the selection
of investments for the Fund, the Fund seeks primarily to take advantage of
capital appreciation opportunities identified by Alliance in emerging
technologies and services in Health Care Industries by investing in companies
which are expected to profit from the development of new products and services
for these industries. Examples of such emerging technologies and services
include:
. New methods for administering drugs to a patient, such as surgical implants
and skin patches which enhance the effectiveness of the drugs and may reduce
patient side effects by delivering the drugs in precise quantities over a
prolonged time period or by evading natural body defense mechanisms which delay
the effect of the drugs;
. Developments in medical imaging such as the application of computer
technology to the output of conventional x-ray systems which allow for
cross-sectional images of soft tissue and organs (CT scanning) and continuous
imaging (digital radiography) as well as more advanced nuclear medicine,
ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as angioplasty and
related technologies for diseased blood vessels and laser beams for the eye,
general and cardiovascular surgery, which provide greater effectiveness, lower
cost and improved patient safety than more traditional surgical techniques;
. New therapeutic pharmaceutical compounds that control or alleviate disease,
including prescription and non-prescription drugs and treatment regimes for
conditions not controlled, alleviated or treatable by existing medications or
treatments and chemical or biological pharmaceuticals for use in diagnostic
testing;
. Advances in molecular biology such as signal transduction, cell adhesion
and cell to cell communication which have facilitated a rapid increase in new
classes of drugs. These have included monoclonal antibodies, bio-engineered
proteins and small molecules from novel synthesis and screening techniques;
. Genomics, which allows scientists to better understand the causes of human
diseases, and in some cases has led to the manufacture of proteins for use as
therapeutic drugs;
. Gene chips and other equipment that provides for the screening, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases;
. The introduction of large scale business efficiencies to the management of
nursing homes, acute and specialty hospitals as well as free-standing
outpatient facilities, surgical centers and rehabilitation centers;
. Adaptations of microprocessors for use by pharmaceutical manufacturers,
hospitals, doctors and others in Health Care Industries to increase
distribution efficiency;
. Health care delivery organizations which combine cost effectiveness with
high quality medical care and help address the rising cost of health care; and
. The sale of prescription drugs and other pharmaceuticals to consumers via
the Internet.
The Fund's portfolio may also include companies that provide traditional
products and services currently in use in Health Care Industries and that are
likely to benefit from any increases in the general demand for such products
and services. The following are examples of the products and services that may
be offered by companies in Health Care Industries:
. DRUGS OR PHARMACEUTICALS, including both ethical and proprietary drugs,
drug administration products and pharmaceutical components used in diagnostic
testing;
. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, including equipment and supplies used by
health service companies and individual practitioners, such as electronic
equipment used for diagnosis and treatment, surgical and medical instruments
and other products designed especially for Health Care Industries;
. HEALTH CARE SERVICES, including the services of clinical testing
laboratories, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, centers for convalescence and
rehabilitation, and products and services for home health care; and
. MEDICAL RESEARCH, including scientific research to develop drugs, processes
or technologies with possible commercial application in Health Care Industries.
The Fund also may:
. make SECURED LOANS OF SECURITIES of up to 20% of its total assets;
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS;
. purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS; and
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS for the purchase or sale of securities.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The value of an investment in the Fund changes with the values of the Fund's
investments. Many factors can affect those values. In the following summary, we
describe the principal risks that may affect the Fund's portfolio as a whole.
The Fund could be subject to additional principal risks because the types of
investments made by the Fund can change over time. This Prospectus has
additional descriptions of investments and risks that appear in bold type below
under DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES or ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS.
This section also includes more information about the Fund, its investments,
and related risks. Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
. MARKET RISK This is the risk that the value of the Fund's investments will
fluctuate as the stock or bond markets
7
fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over short or longer-term
periods.
. SECTOR RISK This is the risk of investments in a particular industry
sector. Market or economic factors affecting the Health Care Industries
sector could have a major effect on the value of the Fund's investments.
Certain of the companies in which the Fund invests may allocate substantial
financial resources to research and product development. The securities of
such companies may experience above-average price movements associated with
the perceived prospects of success of the research and development programs.
. 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 in that country. To the extent the Fund invests a
substantial amount of its assets in a particular country, your investment has
the risk that market changes or other events affecting that country, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a
particularly significant effect on the Fund's net asset value.
. 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.
. CAPITALIZATION RISK This is the risk of investments in small- to
mid-capitalization companies. Investments in small- to mid-cap companies may be
more volatile than large-cap companies. In addition, the Fund's investments in
smaller capitalization stocks may have additional risks because these companies
often have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources.
. 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.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the investment practices of the Fund and risks
associated with these practices. Unless otherwise noted, the Fund's use of any
of these practices was specified in the previous section.
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.
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
8
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 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.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund will limit its investment in illiquid securities
to no more than 10% 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 generally 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. 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 Fund may lend not more than half of the
securities representing each holding of the portfolio and will not permit a
loan to remain outstanding for more than 30 days. The value of the securities
loaned will not exceed 20% of the value of the Fund's total net assets at the
time a loan is made. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other
extensions of credit, consists of the possible failure of the borrower to
return the loaned securities, the possible inadequacy of the collateral given
increases in the market value of the loaned securities, and 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.
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.
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.
The Fund's ability to dispose of its positions in forward contracts depends on
the availability of liquid markets in such instruments. There is no public
market for forward contracts. It
9
is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in
various types of forward contracts. The lack of a secondary market may reduce
the Fund's ability to obtain the maximum value from the use of forward
contracts. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to
utilize these instruments effectively.
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
invest in certain types of short-term, liquid, high-grade or high-quality debt
securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities, qualifying
bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and other types
of short-term debt securities, including notes and bonds. Such securities may
also include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type
mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies and
supranational organizations. While the Fund is investing for temporary
defensive purposes, it may not meet its investment objective.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
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.
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 includes 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,
and if a deterioration occurs in a
10
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 of profits 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.
YEAR 2000. Many computer systems and applications in use today process
transactions using two-digit date fields for the year of the transaction,
rather than the full four digits. If these systems are not modified or
replaced, transactions occurring after 1999 could be processed as year "1900,"
which could result in processing inaccuracies and computer system failures at
or after the year 2000. This is commonly known as the Year 2000 problem. The
Fund and its major service providers, including Alliance, utilize a number of
computer systems and applications that have been either developed internally or
licensed from third-party suppliers. In addition, the Fund and its major
service providers, including Alliance, are dependent on third-party suppliers
for certain systems applications and for electronic receipt of information
critical to their business. Should any of the computer systems employed by the
Fund or its major service providers, including Alliance, fail to process Year
2000 related information properly, that could have a significant negative
impact on the Fund's operations and the services that are provided to the
Fund's shareholders. To the extent that the operations of issuers of securities
held by the Fund are impaired by the Year 2000 problem, the value of the Fund's
shares may be materially affected. In addition, for the Fund's investments in
foreign markets, it is possible that foreign companies and markets will not be
as prepared for Year 2000 as domestic companies and markets.
The Year 2000 issue is a high priority for the Fund and Alliance. The Fund has
been advised that, during 1997, Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative
which established a structured and coordinated process to deal with the Year
2000 issue. As part of its initiative, Alliance established a Year 2000 project
office to manage the Year 2000 initiative, focusing on both information
technology and non-information technology systems. Alliance has also retained
the services of a number of consulting firms which have expertise in advising
and assisting with regard to Year 2000 issues. Alliance reports that by June
30, 1998 it had completed its inventory and assessment of its domestic and
international computer systems and applications, identified mission critical
systems and non-mission critical systems and determined which of these systems
were not Year 2000 compliant. All third-party suppliers of mission critical
computer systems and applications have been contacted to verify whether their
systems and applications will be Year 2000 compliant and their responses are
being evaluated. Substantially all of those contacted have responded and
approximately 90% have informed Alliance that their systems and applications
are or will be Year 2000 compliant. Alliance will seek alternative solutions or
third-party suppliers for all suppliers who do not furnish a satisfactory
response by July 31, 1999. The same process is being performed for non-mission
critical systems and is estimated to be completed by July 31, 1999. Alliance
had remediated, replaced or retired all of its non-compliant mission critical
systems and applications that can affect the Fund. After each system has been
remediated, it is tested with 19XX dates to determine if it still performs its
intended business function correctly. Next, each system undergoes a simulation
test using dates occurring after December 31, 1999. Inclusive of the
replacement and retirement of some of its systems, Alliance has completed these
testing phases for approximately 89% of non-mission critical systems.
Integrated systems tests will then be conducted to verify that the systems will
continue to work together. Full integration testing of all mission critical and
non-mission critical systems is estimated to be completed by July 31, 1999.
Testing of interfaces with third-party suppliers has begun and will continue
throughout 1999. The same process is being performed for non-mission critical
systems and is estimated to be completed by July 31, 1999. Alliance reports
that it has completed an inventory of its facilities and related technology
applications and has begun to evaluate and test these systems. Alliance reports
that it anticipates that these systems will be fully operable in the year 2000.
Alliance, with the assistance of a consulting firm, is developing Year 2000
specific contingency plans with emphasis on mission critical
11
functions. These plans seek to provide alternative methods of processing in
the event of a failure that is outside Alliance's control. The estimated date
for the completion of these plans is July 31, 1999.
There are many risks associated with Year 2000 issues, including the risks that
the computer systems and applications used by the Fund and its major service
providers, will not operate as intended and that the systems and applications
of third-party providers to the Fund and its service providers will not be
Year 2000 compliant. Likewise there can be no assurance the compliance
schedules outlined above will be met or that the actual cost incurred will not
exceed current cost estimates. Should the significant computer systems and
applications used by the Fund or its major service providers, or the systems
of their important third-party suppliers, be unable to process date sensitive
information accurately after 1999, the Fund and its service providers may be
unable to conduct their normal business operations and to provide shareholders
with required services. In addition, the Fund and its service providers may
incur unanticipated expenses, regulatory actions and legal liabilities. The
Fund and Alliance cannot determine which risks, if any, are most reasonably
likely to occur or the effects of any particular failure to be Year 2000
compliant. Certain statements provided by Alliance in this section entitled
"Year 2000," as such statements relate to Alliance, are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the foregoing Year 2000
discussion is a "Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" within the meaning of the
Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1 (1998).
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND FUND MANAGER
The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue
of the Americas, New York, New York 10105. Alliance is a leading international
investment adviser managing client accounts with assets as of March 31, 1999
totaling more than $301 billion (of which approximately $127 billion
represented assets of investment companies). As of March 31, 1999, Alliance
managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee
benefit plans (including 30 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public
employee retirement funds in 32 out of the 50 states, for investment companies,
and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The
54 registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 120 separate
investment portfolios, currently have more than four million shareholder
accounts.
The person primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund is
Norman Fidel. Mr. Fidel is a Senior Vice President of Alliance Capital
Management Corporation with which he has been associated since prior to 1994.
Under the Advisory Agreement, Alliance receives a fee at an annualized rate of
.95% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee will be accrued daily and
paid monthly.
PERFORMANCE OF A SIMILARLY MANAGED FUND. Alliance is the investment adviser of
an investment company organized and operated under the laws of the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg, ACM International Health Care Fund (the "ACM Fund"), that has
substantially the same investment objective and policies as those of the Fund.
The ACM Fund has been managed in accordance with substantially the same
investment strategies and techniques as are intended to be employed with
respect to the Fund.
Norman Fidel, the portfolio manager of the Fund, is also the person who has
been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the ACM Fund since
1988. Mr. Fidel manages approximately $950 million of Health Care Industries
assets, including approximately $330 million of assets in the ACM Fund as of
June 30, 1999.
The ACM Fund is not subject to certain limitations, diversification
requirements and other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act and the Code to
which the Fund, as a registered investment company, is subject and which, if
applicable to the ACM Fund, may have adversely affected the performance results
of the ACM Fund.
Set forth below are performance data provided by Alliance relating to the Class
AX shares of the ACM Fund since 1988, when Mr. Fidel began managing that
fund. Performance data are shown annually and cumulatively through June 30,
1999.
The performance data are net of all fees imposed by the ACM Fund. The
performance data have not been adjusted to reflect the fees that will be
payable by the Fund, which, at comparable asset levels, may be lower than the
fees imposed on the ACM Fund and may result in a lower expense ratio for the
Fund. Expenses associated with the distribution of Class A, Class B and Class
C shares of the Fund in accordance with the plan adopted by the Fund's Board
of Directors pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act also are not reflected
in the data below relating to the ACM Fund. See "Fees and Expenses of the
Fund." The performance data have also not been adjusted for corporate or
individual taxes, if any, payable by the ACM Fund shareholders.
The following performance data are provided solely to illustrate Mr. Fidel's
performance in managing the ACM Fund. Investors should not rely on the
following performance data of the ACM Fund as an indication of future
performance of the Fund. The investment performance for the periods presented
may not be indicative of future rates of return.
12
ACM INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE FUND
- ----------------------------------
TOTAL RETURNS
-------------
1988 21.82%
1989 46.75%
1990 25.96%
1991 83.07%
1992 -10.46%
1993 -1.38%
1994 13.84%
1995 46.49%
1996 2.18%
1997 23.07%
1998 24.29%
1999* -6.24%
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
(FOR PERIODS ENDED 6/30/99)
One year -1.17%
Five years 20.19%
Ten years 19.27%
Cumulative Total Return of the ACM Fund from 12/31/87
to 6/30/99: 789.68%
* THROUGH JUNE 30, 1999 (UNANNUALIZED)
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.
Minimum investment amounts are:
Initial: $250
Subsequent: $50
Automatic Investment Program: $25
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 this regard, 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 August 24, 1999. The
Fund will begin its continuous offering of shares on August 27, 1999. During
the Fund's initial offering period, Class A shares will be offered to the
public at their net 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, 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 agent, 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 August 27, 1999.
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 NYSE 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
13
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, you cannot redeem any portion of it until the Fund
is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer has been
collected (which may take up to 15 days).
. 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.
. SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
BY MAIL:
- --Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with certificates,
to:
Alliance Fund Services
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 may 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
The income dividends and capital gains distribution, 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 net asset value
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 in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge on the
reinvestment of Fund distributions.
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.
The Fund expects that distributions will consist either of net income or
long-term capital gains. 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 capital gains distributions may be taxable to you
as 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. The final determination of
the amount of the Fund's return of capital distributions for the period will be
made after the end of each calendar year.
Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries
may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent
that the Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, the
Fund intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the
Code to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders credits for foreign income
taxes paid (or to permit shareholders to claim a deduction for such foreign
taxes), but there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to do so.
Furthermore, a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction
in
14
respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not be permitted to
claim a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes.
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. See the Fund's SAI for a further explanation of these
tax issues.
If you buy shares just before the Fund deducts a distribution from its net
asset value, 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 with an initial sales charge as follows.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE
COMMISSION
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 on the number of years you hold the shares.
The CDSC amounts are:
YEAR 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 CHARGE 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
15
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.
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 such financial representative. Such financial
intermediaries 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.
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.
For more information about the Fund, the following documents are available upon
request:
. 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:
IN PERSON: at the Commission's Public Reference Room
in Washington, D.C.
BY PHONE: 1-800-SEC-0330
BY MAIL: Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-6009
(duplicating fee required)
ON THE INTERNET: www.sec.gov
You also may find more information about Alliance and the Fund on the Internet
at: www.Alliancecapital.com.
SEC File No. 811-09329
16
Alliance Health Care Fund Subscription Application
TO OPEN YOUR NEW ALLIANCE ACCOUNT...
Please complete the application and mail it to:
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
P.O. BOX 1520
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07096-1520
For certified or overnight deliveries, send to:
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
500 PLAZA DRIVE
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07094
SECTION 1 YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (REQUIRED)
Complete one of the available choices. To ensure proper tax reporting to the
IRS:
x Individuals, Joint Tenants, Transfer on Death and Gift/Transfer to a Minor:
. Indicate your name(s) exactly as it appears on your social security card.
X Transfer on Death:
. Ensure that your state participates
x Trust/Other:
. Indicate the name of the entity exactly as it appeared on the notice you
received from the IRS when your Employer Identification number was assigned.
SECTION 2 YOUR ADDRESS (REQUIRED)
Complete in full.
X Non-Resident Alien:
. Indicate your permanent country of residence.
SECTION 3 YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT (REQUIRED)
For each fund in which you are investing: 1 Write the three digit fund number
in the column titled 'INDICATE THREE DIGIT FUND NUMBER LOCATED BELOW'. 2 Write
the dollar amount of your initial purchase in the column titled 'INDICATE
DOLLAR AMOUNT'. (If you are eligible for a reduced sales charge, you must also
complete Section 4F). 3 Check off a distribution option for your dividends. 4
Check off a distribution option for your capital gains. All distributions
(dividends and capital gains) will be reinvested into your fund account unless
you direct otherwise. If you want distributions sent directly to your bank
account, then you must complete Section 4D and attach a preprinted, voided
check for that account. If you want your distributions sent to a third party
you must complete Section 4E.
SECTION 4 YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (COMPLETE ONLY THOSE OPTIONS YOU WANT)
A. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS (AIP) - You can make periodic investments into
any of your Alliance Funds in one of three ways. First, by a periodic
withdrawal ($25 minimum) directly from your bank account and invested into an
Alliance Fund. Second, you can direct your distributions (dividends and capital
gains) from one Alliance Fund into another Fund. Or third, you can
automatically exchange monthly ($25 minimum) shares of one Alliance Fund for
shares of another Fund. To elect one of these options, complete the appropriate
portion of Section 4A & 4D.
If more than one dividend direction or monthly exchange is desired, please call
our Literature Center to obtain a Shareholder Account Services Options Form for
completion.
B. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS VIA EFT - Complete this option if you would like to
be able to transact via telephone between your fund account and your bank
account.
C. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS (SWP) - Complete this option if you wish to
periodically redeem dollars from one of your fund accounts. Payments can be
made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to your bank account or by check.
D. BANK INFORMATION - If you have elected any options that involve
transactions between your bank account and your fund account or have elected
cash distribution options and would like the payments sent to your bank
account, please tape a preprinted, voided check of the account you wish to use
to this section of the application.
E. THIRD PARTY PAYMENT DETAILS - If you have chosen cash distributions and/or
a Systematic Withdrawal Plan and would like the payments sent to a person
and/or address other than those provided in section 1 or 2, complete this
option. Medallion Signature Guarantee is required if your account is not
maintained by a broker dealer.
F. REDUCED CHARGES (CLASS A ONLY) - Complete if you would like to link fund
accounts that have combined balances that might exceed $100,000 so that future
purchases will receive discounts. Complete if you intend to purchase over
$100,000 within 13 months.
SECTION 5 SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION (REQUIRED) All owners must sign. If it is a
custodial, corporate, or trust account, the custodian, an authorized officer,
or the trustee respectively must sign.
IF WE CAN ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US AT: (800)
221-5672
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: WWW.ALLIANCECAPITAL.COM
FOR LITERATURE CALL: (800) 227-4618
Alliance Health Care Fund Subscription Application
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Your Account Registration (Please Print in Capital Letters and Mark Check
Boxes Where Applicable)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|_| Individual Account [ |_| Male |_| Female ] - or - |_| Joint Account - or -
|_| Transfer On Death [ |_| Male |_| Female ] - or - Gift/Transfer to a Minor
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Owner or Custodian (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
(First Name) Joint Owner*, (MI) (Last Name)
Transfer On Death Beneficiary
or Minor
|_| |_| |_| - |_| |_| - |_| |_| |_| |_|
Social Security Number of Owner or Minor
(required to open account)
If Uniform Gift/Transfer
to Minor Account:
|_| |_| Minor's State of Residence
If Joint Tenants Account: * The Account will be registered "Joint Tenants with
right of Survivorship" unless you indicate otherwise below:
|_| In Common |_| By Entirety |_| Community Property
|_| Trust - or - |_| Corporation - or - |_| Other
-------------------------------
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name of Trustee if applicable (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity continued
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Trust Dated (MM, DD, YYYY) Tax ID Number (required to open account)
|_| Employer ID Number - OR - |_| Social Security
Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Your Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Street Number Street Name
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
City State Zip code
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_| |_| |_| - |_| |_| |_| |_|
If Non-U.S., Specify Country Daytime Phone Number
|_| U.S. Citizen |_| Resident Alien |_| Non-Resident Alien
-------------------
-------------------
90663GEN-HCFApp-P1 e-mail address
1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Your Initial Investment The minimum investment is $250 per fund.
The maximum investment in Class B is $250,000; Class C is $1,000,000.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hereby subscribe for shares of the following the Alliance Health Care Fund
and elect distribution options as indicated.
- ---------------------------------------
Broker/Dealer Use Only: Wire Confirm #
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
- ---------------------------------------
Dividend and Capital Gain Distribution Options:
R Reinvest distributions into my fund account.
C Send my distributions in cash to the address I have provided in Section 2.
(Complete Section 4D for direct deposit to your bank account. Complete
Section 4E for payment to a third party).
D Direct my distributions to another Alliance fund. Complete the appropriate
portion of Section 4A to direct your distributions (dividends and capital
gains) to another Alliance Fund.
- ----------- ------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------
Make all Distributions Options
checks* Indicate three *Check One*
payable to: digit Fund Indicate Dollar Amount ---------------------------
Alliance number Dividends Capital Gains
Funds located below R C D R C D
- ----------- ------------- ---------------------- ----------- -------------
|_| |_| |_| $ |__________________| |R| |C| |D| |R| |C| |D|
|_| |_| |_| $ |__________________| |R| |C| |D| |R| |C| |D|
|_| |_| |_| $ |__________________| |R| |C| |D| |R| |C| |D|
- ----------------------
Total Investment $ |__________________|
- ----------------------
* Cash and money orders are not accepted
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Health Care Fund Numbers
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------- -------------- ------------
Contingent
Initial Sales Deferred Sales Asset-Based
Charge Charge Sales Charge
A B C
------------- -------------- ------------
Alliance Health Care Fund 108 208 308
----------------------------------------------------------------------
90663GEN-HCFApp-P2 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
The Investment Professional's Choice
2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Your Shareholder Options
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Automatic Investment Plans (AIP)
|_| Withdraw From My Bank Account Via EFT*
I authorize Alliance to draw on my bank account for investment in my
fund account(s) as indicated below (Complete Section 4D also for the
bank account you wish to use).
1 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
2 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
3 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
Frequency: M = monthly Q = quarterly A = annually
* Electronic Funds Transfer. Your bank must be a member of the
National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA)
|_| Direct My Distributions As indicated in Section 3, I would like my
dividends and/or capital gains directed to the same class of shares of
another Alliance Fund.
FROM: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
TO: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
|_| Exchange My Shares Monthly I authorize Alliance to transact monthly
exchanges, within the same class of shares, between my fund accounts as
listed below.
FROM: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
|_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_| |_|
Amount ($25 minimum) Day of Exchange**
TO: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
** Shares exchanged will be redeemed at the net asset value on the "Day of
Exchange" (If the "Day of Exchange" is not a fund business day, the
exchange transaction will be processed on the next fund business day). The
exchange privilege is not available if stock certificates have been
issued.
B. Purchases and Redemptions Via EFT
You can call our toll-free number 1-800-221-5672 and instruct Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. in a recorded conversation to purchase, redeem or
exchange shares for your account. Purchase and redemption requests will be
processed via electronic funds transfer (EFT) to and from your bank
account.
Instructions: o Review the information in the Prospectus about
telephone transaction services.
o If you select the telephone purchase or redemption
privilege, you must write "VOID" across the face
of a check from the bank account you wish to use
and attach it to Section 4D of this application.
|_| Purchases and Redemptions via EFT
I hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to effect the purchase
and/or redemption of Fund shares for my account according to my telephone
instructions or telephone instructions from my Broker/Agent, and to
withdraw money or credit money for such shares via EFT from the bank
account I have selected.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For shares recently purchased by check or electronic funds transfer
redemption proceeds will not be made available until the Fund is
reasonably assured the check or electronic funds transfer has been
collected, normally 15 calendar days after the purchase date.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90663GEN-HCFApp-P3
3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Your Shareholder Options (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP)
In order to establish a SWP, you must reinvest all dividends and capital
gains.
|_| I authorize Alliance to transact periodic redemptions from my fund
account and send the proceeds to me as indicated below.
1 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
2 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
3 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
Frequency: M = monthly Q = quarterly A = annually
Please send my SWP proceeds to:
|_| My Address of Record (via check)
|_| The Payee and address specified in section 4E (via check) (Medallion
Signature Guarantee required)
|_| My checking account-via EFT (complete section 4D) Your bank must be
a member of the National Automated Clearing House Association
(NACHA) in order for you to receive SWP proceeds directly into your
bank account. Otherwise payment will be made by check
D. Bank Information This bank account information will be used for:
|_| Distributions (Section 3)
|_| Automatic Investments (Section 4A)
|_| Telephone Transactions (Section 4B)
|_| Withdrawals (Section 4C)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please Tape a Pre-printed Voided Check Here*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
* The above services cannot be established without a pre-printed voided
check.
For EFT transactions, the fund requires signatures of bank account owners
exactly as they appear on bank records. If the registration at the bank
differs from that on the Alliance mutual fund, all parties must sign in
Section 5.
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Your Bank's ABA Routing Number
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Your Bank Account Number
|_| Checking Account |_| Savings Account
90663GEN-HCFApp-P4
4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Your Shareholder Options (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Third Party Payment Details Your signature(s) in Section 5 must be
Medallion Signature Guaranteed if your account is not maintained by a
broker/dealer. This third party payee information will be used for:
|_| Distributions (section 3) |_| Systematic Withdrawals (section 4C)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Street Number Street Name
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
City State Zip code
F. Reduced Charges (Class A only) If you, your spouse or minor children own
shares in other Alliance funds, you may be eligible for a reduced sales
charge. Please complete the Right of Accumulation section or the Statement
of Intent section.
|_| A. Right of Accumulation
Please link the tax identification numbers or account numbers
listed below for Right of Accumulation privileges, so that this and
future purchases will receive any discount for which they are
eligible.
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
Tax ID or Account Number Tax ID or Account Number
________________________
________________________
Tax ID or Account Number
|_| B. Statement of Intent
I want to reduce my sales charge by agreeing to invest the
following amount over a 13-month period:
|_| $100,000 |_| $250,000 |_| $500,000 |_| $1,000,000
If the full amount indicated is not purchased within 13 months, I
understand that an additional sales charge must be paid from my
account.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dealer/Agent Authorization - For selected Dealers or Agents ONLY.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act as our agent in
connection with transactions under this authorization form; and we guarantee the
signature(s) set forth in Section 5, as well as the legal capacity of the
shareholder.
____________________________________ ______________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm Authorized Signature
___________________________ |_| ______________________________________
Representative First Name MI Last Name
____________________________________ ______________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm Number Representative Number
____________________________________ ______________________________________
Branch Number Branch Telephone Number
______________________________________________________________________________
Branch Office Address
____________________________________ |_| |_| ____________________________
City State Zip Code
90663GEN-HCFApp-P5
5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Shareholder Authorization -- This section MUST be completed
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Exchanges and Redemptions by Check
Unless I have checked one or both boxes below, these privileges will
automatically apply, and by signing this application, I hereby authorize
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act on my telephone instructions, or on
telephone instructions from any person representing himself to be an
authorized employee of an investment dealer or agent requesting a
redemption or exchange on my behalf. (NOTE: Telephone exchanges may only
be processed between accounts that have identical registrations.)
Telephone redemption checks will only be mailed to the name and address of
record; and the address must not have changed within the last 30 days. The
maximum telephone redemption amount is $50,000 for redemptions by check.
|_| I do not elect the telephone exchange service
|_| I do not elect the telephone redemption by check service
By selecting any of the above telephone privileges, I agree that neither
the Fund nor Alliance, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. or other Fund Agent will be liable for any loss, injury,
damage or expense as a result of acting upon telephone instructions
purporting to be on my behalf, that the Fund reasonably believes to be
genuine, and that neither the Fund nor any such party will be responsible
for the authenticity of such telephone instructions. I understand that any
or all of these privileges may be discontinued by me or the Fund at any
time. I understand and agree that the Fund reserves the right to refuse
any telephone instructions and that my investment dealer or agent reserves
the right to refuse to issue any telephone instructions I may request.
For non-residents only: Under penalties of perjury, I certify that to the
best of my knowledge and belief, I qualify as a foreign person as
indicated in Section 2.
I am of legal age and capacity and have received and read the Prospectus
and agree to its terms.
I certify under penalty of perjury that the number shown in Section 1 of
this form is my correct tax identification number or I am waiting for a
number to be issued to me and that I have not been notified that this
account is subject to backup withholding.
The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any
provision of this document other than the certification required to avoid
backup withholding.
- ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Signature Date
- ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Signature Date
- --------------------------------------------
Medallion Signature Guarantee required if
completing Section 4E and your mutual
fund is not maintained by a broker dealer
90663GEN-HCFApp-P6 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
The Investment Professional's Choice
6
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc. is an open-end management investment company
that offers investors the opportunity to seek capital appreciation through
investment in health care and health care-related industries.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Advisor Class Prospectus and Application
July 26, 1999
ALLIANCE CAPITAL [logo]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY 3
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND 5
GLOSSARY 6
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND 6
Investment Objective, Policies and Risk
Considerations 6
Description of Investment Practices 8
Additional Risk Considerations 10
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND 12
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES 13
How The Fund Values Its Shares 13
How To Buy Shares 13
How To Exchange Shares 13
How To Sell Shares 13
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 14
CONVERSION FEATURE 15
GENERAL INFORMATION 15
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 Alliance Health
Care Fund, Inc. This Summary describes the Fund's objective, principal
investment strategies, principal risks and fees. This Summary includes a short
discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund.
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.
Other important things for you to note:
. You may lose money by investing in the Fund.
. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency.
3
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS CAPITAL APPRECIATION AND, SECONDARILY,
CURRENT INCOME.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
Under normal circumstances the Fund invests at least 65%, and normally
substantially all, of the value of its total assets in securities issued by
companies principally engaged in health care and health care-related
industries ("Health Care Industries") (companies principally engaged in the
discovery, development, provision, production or distribution of products and
services that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases or
other medical disorders). The Fund seeks primarily to take advantage of
capital appreciation opportunities identified by Alliance in emerging
technologies and services in Health Care Industries by investing in
companies which are expected to profit from the development of new
products and services for these industries. The Fund expects under normal
circumstances to invest primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies.
The Fund may invest up to 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S.
companies and other foreign securities. The Fund may invest in new, smaller or
less-seasoned companies as well as in larger, established companies in the
Health Care Industries.
PRINCIPAL RISKS:
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk and sector
risk. Unlike many other equity funds, the Fund invests in the securities of
companies principally engaged in Health Care Industries. As a result,
certain economic conditions and market changes that affect those industries may
have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value than on the value
of a more broadly diversified fund. For example, the Fund's share price could
be affected by changes in competition, legislation or government regulation,
government funding, product liability and other litigation, the obsolescence
or development of products, or other factors specific to the health care and
health sciences industries. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
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 may invest in small- to mid-capitalization
companies and such investments have capitalization risk. These investments may
be more volatile than investments in large-cap companies. The Fund may at times
use certain types of investment derivatives such as forwards. The use of these
techniques involves special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus. The
Fund is not a complete investment program and investors should invest only a
portion of their assets in the Fund.
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)
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
--------------------
Maximum Front-End or Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of original purchase price or
redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
OPERATING EXPENSES
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Management fees .95%
12b-1 fees None
Other expenses 1.40%
Total Fund operating
expenses 2.35%
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.15)%
Net expenses 2.20%
EXAMPLE
The Example is to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the
cost of investing in other funds. It assumes 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. It also assumes 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.
EXAMPLE(b)
- --------------------------------
After 1 year $223
After 3 years $719
(A) ALLIANCE HAS AGREED TO WAIVE ITS MANAGEMENT FEES AND/OR TO BEAR EXPENSES
OF THE FUND THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000 TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PREVENT TOTAL
FUND OPERATING EXPENSES, ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS, FROM EXCEEDING THE NET
EXPENSES REFLECTED IN THIS TABLE. FROM THAT DATE THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2002, THE
FEES WAIVED AND EXPENSES BORNE BY ALLIANCE DURING THIS PERIOD MAY BE REIMBURSED
BY THE FUND. NO REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT WILL BE MADE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE
FUND'S TOTAL ANNUALIZED OPERATING EXPENSES TO EXCEED THE NET EXPENSES REFLECTED
IN THE TABLE OR CAUSE THE TOTAL OF THE PAYMENTS TO EXCEED THE FUND'S TOTAL
INITIAL ORGANIZATIONAL AND OFFERING EXPENSES.
(B) THIS EXAMPLE ASSUMES THAT ALLIANCE'S AGREEMENT TO WAIVE MANAGEMENT FEES
AND/OR TO BEAR OPERATING EXPENSES IS NOT EXTENDED BEYOND ITS INITIAL PERIOD. IF
THE AGREEMENT IS EXTENDED AND NET EXPENSES ARE THEREFORE REDUCED, THE EXPENSES
FOR THE 3-YEAR PERIOD WOULD BE LOWER.
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.
HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIES include the health care and health care-related
(including health sciences) industries. These industries are principally
engaged in the discovery, development, provision, production or distribution
of products and services that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and
prevention of diseases or other medical disorders. Companies in these fields
include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical firms; companies that design,
manufacture or sell medical supplies, equipment and support services;
companies that operate hospitals and other health care facilities; and
companies engaged in medical, diagnostic, biochemical, biotechnological or
other health sciences research and development.
NON-U.S. COMPANIES are entities (i) that are organized under the laws of a
country other than the United States and have their principal office in a
country other than the United States, or (ii) the equity securities of which
are traded principally in securities markets outside the United States.
RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A
under 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:
. 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 INVESTMENT PRACTICES following this section.
. The description of the Fund's risks may include risks discussed in the
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY above. Additional information about the risks of investing
in the Fund can be found in the discussions under ADDITIONAL RISK
CONSIDERATIONS.
. 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.
. 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, POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is capital appreciation and, secondarily,
current income.
HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE
In seeking to achieve its investment objective, under normal circumstances the
Fund invests at least 65%, and normally substantially all, of the value of its
total assets in securities issued by companies principally engaged in
Health Care Industries.
The Fund seeks investments in both new, smaller and less seasoned companies and
well-known, larger and established companies. Whenever possible, investments in
new, smaller or less seasoned companies will be made with a view to benefiting
from the development and growth of new products and markets in Health Care
Industries. Investments in these companies may offer more reward but may also
entail more risk than is generally true of larger, established companies.
While the Fund anticipates that a substantial portion of its portfolio will be
invested in the securities of U.S. companies, the Fund is not limited to
investing in such securities. Many companies in the forefront of world medical
technology are located outside the United States, primarily in Japan and
Europe. Accordingly, the Fund may invest up to 40% of the value of its total
assets in foreign securities, including up to 25% in issuers located in any one
foreign country. However, no more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total net
assets may be invested in securities of issuers located in emerging market
6
countries. All percentage limitations are applied at the time of investment.
Although the payment of dividends will be a factor considered in the selection
of investments for the Fund, the Fund seeks primarily to take advantage of
capital appreciation opportunities identified by Alliance in emerging
technologies and services in Health Care Industries by investing in companies
which are expected to profit from the development of new products and services
for these industries. Examples of such emerging technologies and services
include:
. New methods for administering drugs to a patient, such as surgical implants
and skin patches which enhance the effectiveness of the drugs and may reduce
patient side effects by delivering the drugs in precise quantities over a
prolonged time period or by evading natural body defense mechanisms which delay
the effect of the drugs;
. Developments in medical imaging such as the application of computer
technology to the output of conventional x-ray systems which allow for
cross-sectional images of soft tissue and organs (CT scanning) and continuous
imaging (digital radiography) as well as more advanced nuclear medicine,
ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as angioplasty and
related technologies for diseased blood vessels and laser beams for the eye,
general and cardiovascular surgery, which provide greater effectiveness, lower
cost and improved patient safety than more traditional surgical techniques;
. New therapeutic pharmaceutical compounds that control or alleviate disease,
including prescription and non-prescription drugs and treatment regimes for
conditions not controlled, alleviated or treatable by existing medications or
treatments and chemical or biological pharmaceuticals for use in diagnostic
testing;
. Advances in molecular biology such as signal transduction, cell adhesion
and cell to cell communication which have facilitated a rapid increase in new
classes of drugs. These have included monoclonal antibodies, bio-engineered
proteins and small molecules from novel synthesis and screening techniques;
. Genomics, which allows scientists to better understand the causes of human
diseases, and in some cases has led to the manufacture of proteins for use as
therapeutic drugs;
. Gene chips and other equipment that provides for the screening, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases;
. The introduction of large scale business efficiencies to the management of
nursing homes, acute and specialty hospitals as well as free-standing
outpatient facilities, surgical centers and rehabilitation centers;
. Adaptations of microprocessors for use by pharmaceutical manufacturers,
hospitals, doctors and others in the Health Care Industries to increase
distribution efficiency;
. Health care delivery organizations which combine cost effectiveness with
high quality medical care and help address the rising cost of health care; and
. The sale of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals to consumers via the
Internet.
The Fund's portfolio may also include companies that provide traditional
products and services currently in use in Health Care Industries and that are
likely to benefit from any increases in the general demand for such products
and services. The following are examples of the products and services that may
be offered by companies in Health Care Industries:
. DRUGS OR PHARMACEUTICALS, including both ethical and proprietary drugs,
drug administration products and pharmaceutical components used in diagnostic
testing;
. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, including equipment and supplies used by
health service companies and individual practitioners, such as electronic
equipment used for diagnosis and treatment, surgical and medical instruments
and other products designed especially for Health Care Industries;
. HEALTH CARE SERVICES, including the services of clinical testing
laboratories, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, centers for convalescence and
rehabilitation, and products and services for home health care; and
. MEDICAL RESEARCH, including scientific research to develop drugs, processes
or technologies with possible commercial application in Health Care Industries.
The Fund also may:
. make SECURED LOANS OF SECURITIES of up to 20% of its total assets;
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS;
. purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS; and
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS for the purchase or sale of securities.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The value of an investment in the Fund changes with the values of the Fund's
investments. Many factors can affect those values. In the following summary, we
describe the principal risks that may affect the Fund's portfolio as a whole.
The Fund could be subject to additional principal risks because the types of
investments made by the Fund can change over time. This Prospectus has
additional descriptions of investments and risks that appear in bold type below
under DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES or ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS.
This section also includes more information about the Fund, its investments,
and related risks. Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
. MARKET RISK This is the risk that the value of the Fund's investments will
fluctuate as the stock or bond markets
7
fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over short or longer-term
periods.
. SECTOR RISK This is the risk of investments in a particular industry
sector. Market or economic factors affecting the Health Care Industries
sector could have a major effect on the value of the Fund's investments.
Certain of the comapnies in which the Fund invests may allocate substantial
financial resources to research and product development. The securities of
such companies may experience above-average price movements associated with
the perceived prospects of success of the research and development programs.
. 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 in that country. To the extent the Fund invests a
substantial amount of its assets in a particular country, your investment has
the risk that market changes or other events affecting that country, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a
particularly significant effect on the Fund's net asset value.
. 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.
. CAPITALIZATION RISK This is the risk of investments in small- to
mid-capitalization companies. Investments in small- to mid-cap companies may be
more volatile than large-cap companies. In addition, the Fund's investments in
smaller capitalization stocks may have additional risks because these companies
often have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources.
. 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.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the investment practices of the Fund and risks
associated with these practices. Unless otherwise noted, the Fund's use of any
of these practices was specified in the previous section.
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.
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
8
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 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.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund will limit its investment in illiquid securities
to no more than 10% 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 generally 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. 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 Fund may lend not more than half of the
securities representing each holding of the portfolio and will not permit a
loan to remain outstanding for more than 30 days. The value of the securities
loaned will not exceed 20% of the value of the Fund's total net assets at the
time a loan is made. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other
extensions of credit, consists of the possible failure of the borrower to
return the loaned securities, the possible inadequacy of the collateral given
increases in the market value of the loaned securities, and 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.
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.
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.
The Fund's ability to dispose of its positions in forward contracts depends on
the availability of liquid markets in such instruments. There is no public
market for forward contracts.
9
It is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in
various types of forward contracts. The lack of a secondary market may reduce
the Fund's ability to obtain the maximum value from the use of forward
contracts. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to
utilize these instruments effectively.
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
invest in certain types of short-term, liquid, high-grade or high-quality debt
securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities, qualifying
bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and other types
of short-term debt securities, including notes and bonds. Such securities may
also include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type
mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies and
supranational organizations. While the Fund is investing for temporary
defensive purposes, it may not meet its investment objective.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
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.
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 includes 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,
and if a deterioration occurs in a
10
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 of profits, 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.
YEAR 2000. Many computer systems and applications in use today process
transactions using two-digit date fields for the year of the transaction,
rather than the full four digits. If these systems are not modified or
replaced, transactions occurring after 1999 could be processed as year "1900,"
which could result in processing inaccuracies and computer system failures at
or after the year 2000. This is commonly known as the Year 2000 problem. The
Fund and its major service providers, including Alliance, utilize a number of
computer systems and applications that have been either developed internally or
licensed from third-party suppliers. In addition, the Fund and its major
service providers, including Alliance, are dependent on third-party suppliers
for certain systems applications and for electronic receipt of information
critical to their business. Should any of the computer systems employed by the
Fund or its major service providers, including Alliance, fail to process Year
2000 related information properly, that could have a significant negative
impact on the Fund's operations and the services that are provided to the
Fund's shareholders. To the extent that the operations of issuers of securities
held by the Fund are impaired by the Year 2000 problem, the value of the Fund's
shares may be materially affected. In addition, for the Fund's investments in
foreign markets, it is possible that foreign companies and markets will not be
as prepared for Year 2000 as domestic companies and markets.
The Year 2000 issue is a high priority for the Fund and Alliance. The Fund has
been advised that, during 1997, Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative
which established a structured and coordinated process to deal with the Year
2000 issue. As part of its initiative, Alliance established a Year 2000 project
office to manage the Year 2000 initiative, focusing on both information
technology and non-information technology systems. Alliance has also retained
the services of a number of consulting firms which have expertise in advising
and assisting with regard to Year 2000 issues. Alliance reports that by June
30, 1998 it had completed its inventory and assessment of its domestic and
international computer systems and applications, identified mission critical
systems and non-mission critical systems and determined which of these systems
were not Year 2000 compliant. All third-party suppliers of mission critical
computer systems and applications have been contacted to verify whether their
systems and applications will be Year 2000 compliant and their responses are
being evaluated. Substantially all of those contacted have responded and
approximately 90% have informed Alliance that their systems and applications
are or will be Year 2000 compliant. Alliance will seek alternative solutions or
third-party suppliers for all suppliers who do not furnish a satisfactory
response by July 31, 1999. The same process is being performed for non-mission
critical systems and is estimated to be completed by July 31, 1999. Alliance
had remediated, replaced or retired all of its non-compliant mission critical
systems and applications that can affect the Fund. After each system has been
remediated, it is tested with 19XX dates to determine if it still performs its
intended business function correctly. Next, each system undergoes a simulation
test using dates occurring after December 31, 1999. Inclusive of the
replacement and retirement of some of its systems, Alliance has completed these
testing phases for approximately 89% of non-mission critical systems.
Integrated systems tests will then be conducted to verify that the systems will
continue to work together. Full integration testing of all mission critical and
non-mission critical systems is estimated to be completed by July 31, 1999.
Testing of interfaces with third-party suppliers has begun and will continue
throughout 1999. The same process is being performed for non-mission critical
systems and is estimated to be completed by July 31, 1999. Alliance reports
that it has completed an inventory of its facilities and related technology
applications and has begun to evaluate and test these systems. Alliance reports
that it anticipates that these systems will be fully operable in the year 2000.
Alliance, with the assistance of a consulting firm, is developing Year 2000
specific contingency plans with emphasis on mission critical
11
functions. These plans seek to provide alternative methods of processing in
the event of a failure that is outside Alliance's control. The estimated date
for the completion of these plans is July 31, 1999.
There are many risks associated with Year 2000 issues, including the risks that
the computer systems and applications used by the Fund and its major service
providers, will not
operate as intended and that the systems and applications of third-party
providers to the Fund and its service providers will not be Year 2000
compliant. Likewise there can be no assurance the compliance schedules
outlined above will be met or that the actual cost incurred will not exceed
current cost estimates. Should the significant computer systems and
applications used by the Fund or its major service providers, or the systems
of their important third-party suppliers, be unable to process date sensitive
information accurately after 1999, the Fund and its service providers may be
unable to conduct their normal business operations and to provide shareholders
with required services. In addition, the Fund and its service providers may
incur unanticipated expenses, regulatory actions and legal liabilities. The
Fund and Alliance cannot determine which risks, if any, are most reasonably
likely to occur or the effects of any particular failure to be Year 2000
compliant. Certain statements provided by Alliance in this section entitled
"Year 2000," as such statements relate to Alliance, are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the foregoing Year 2000
discussion is a "Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" within the meaning of the
Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1 (1998).
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND FUND MANAGER
The Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue
of the Americas, New York, New York 10105. Alliance is a leading international
investment adviser managing client accounts with assets as of March 31, 1999
totaling more than $301 billion (of which approximately $127 billion
represented assets of investment companies). As of March 31, 1999, Alliance
managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee
benefit plans (including 30 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public
employee retirement funds in 32 out of the 50 states, for investment companies,
and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The
54 registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 120 separate
investment portfolios, currently have more than four million shareholder
accounts.
The person primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund is
Norman Fidel. Mr. Fidel is a Senior Vice President of Alliance Capital
Management Corporation with which he has been associated since prior to 1994.
Under the Advisory Agreement, Alliance receives a fee at an annualized rate of
.95% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee will be accrued daily and
paid monthly.
PERFORMANCE OF A SIMILARLY MANAGED FUND. Alliance is the investment adviser of
an investment company organized and operated under the laws of the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg, ACM International Health Care Fund (the "ACM Fund"), that has
substantially the same investment objective and policies as those of the Fund.
The ACM Fund has been managed in accordance with substantially the same
investment strategies and techniques as are intended to be employed with
respect to the Fund.
Norman Fidel, the portfolio manager of the Fund, is also the person who has
been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the ACM Fund since
1988. Mr. Fidel manages approximately $950 million of Health Care Industries
assets, including approximately $330 million of assets in the ACM Fund as of
June 30, 1999.
The ACM Fund is not subject to certain limitations, diversification
requirements and other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act and the Code to
which the Fund, as a registered investment company, is subject and which, if
applicable to the ACM Fund, may have adversely affected the performance results
of the ACM Fund.
Set forth below are performance data provided by Alliance relating to the Class
AX shares of the ACM Fund since 1998, when Mr. Fidel began managing that
fund. Performance data are shown annually and cumulatively through June 30,
1999.
The performance data are net of all fees imposed by the ACM Fund. The
performance data have not been adjusted to reflect the fees that will be
payable by the Fund, which, at comparable asset levels, may be lower than the
fees imposed on the ACM Fund and may result in a lower expense ratio for the
Fund. Expenses associated with the distribution of Class A, Class B and
Class C shares of the Fund in accordance with the plan adopted by the Fund's
Board of Directors pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act also are not
reflected in the data below relating to the ACM Fund. See "Fees and Expenses
of the Fund." The performance data have also not been adjusted for corporate
or individual taxes, if any, payable by the ACM Fund shareholders.
The following performance data are provided solely to illustrate Mr. Fidel's
performance in managing the ACM Fund. Investors should not rely on the
following performance data of the ACM Fund as an indication of future
performance of the Fund. The investment performance for the periods
presented may not be indicative of future rates of return.
12
ACM INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE FUND
- ----------------------------------
TOTAL RETURNS
-------------
1988 21.82%
1989 46.75%
1990 25.96%
1991 83.07%
1992 -10.46%
1993 -1.38%
1994 13.84%
1995 46.49%
1996 2.18%
1997 23.07%
1998 24.29%
1999* -6.24%
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
(FOR PERIODS ENDED 6/30/99)
One year -1.17%
Five years 20.19%
Ten years 19.27%
Cumulative Total Return of the ACM Fund from
12/31/87 to 6/30/99: 789.68%
* THROUGH JUNE 30, 1999 (UNANNUALIZED)
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.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase Advisor Class shares through your financial representative at
NAV. Advisor Class shares are not subject to any initial or contingent sales
charges or distribution expenses. You may purchase and hold Advisor Class
shares solely:
. through accounts established under a fee-based program, sponsored and
maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and
approved by the Fund's principal underwriter, AFD;
. through a self-directed defined contribution employee benefit plan (e.g., a
401(k) plan) that has at least 1,000 participants or $25 million in assets;
. by investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated
with, Alliance and its affiliates or the Fund; and
. through 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 AFD 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.
Generally, a fee-based program must charge an asset-based or other similar fee
and must invest at least $250,000 in Advisor Class shares to be approved by AFD
for investment in Advisor Class shares. The Fund's Statement of Additional
Information has more detailed information about who may purchase and hold
Advisor Class shares.
The Fund may refuse any order to purchase Advisor Class shares. In this regard,
the Fund reserves the right to restrict purchases of Advisor Class shares
(including through exchanges) when there appears to be 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 August 24, 1999. The
Fund will begin its continuous offering of shares on August 27, 1999. During
the Fund's initial offering period, Advisor Class shares will be offered to
the public 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 agent, 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 August 27, 1999.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You may exchange your Advisor Class shares for Advisor Class shares of other
Alliance Mutual Funds. Exchanges of Advisor Class shares are made at the
next-determined NAV without any sales or service charge. 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 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, you cannot redeem any portion of
13
it until the Fund is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds
transfer has been collected (which may take up to 15 days). If you are in doubt
about what procedures or documents are required by your fee-based program or
employee benefit plan to sell your shares, you should contact your financial
representative.
. SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE
Your financial representative 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. Your financial representative is responsible for
submitting all necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this
service.
. SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
BY MAIL:
--Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with
certificates, to:
Alliance Fund Services
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.
--If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder
Application, the redemption proceeds may 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.
OTHER
If you are a Fund shareholder through an account established under a fee-based
program, your fee-based program may impose requirements with respect to the
purchase, sale, or exchange of Advisor Class shares of the Fund that are
different from those described in this Prospectus. 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 Advisor Class shares made through such
financial representative. Such financial intermediaries 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.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The income dividends and capital gains distribution, 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 net asset value
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 in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge on the
reinvestment of Fund distributions.
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.
The Fund expects that distributions will consist either of net income or
long-term capital gains. 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 capital gains distributions may be taxable to you
as 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
14
no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that the Fund
will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. The final determination
of the amount of the Fund's return of capital distributions for the period
will be made after the end of each calendar year.
Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries
may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent
that the Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, the
Fund intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the
Code to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders credits for foreign income
taxes paid (or to permit shareholders to claim a deduction for such foreign
taxes), but there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to do so.
Furthermore, a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction
in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain
limitations imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not be
permitted to claim a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes.
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.
See the Fund's SAI for a further explanation of these tax issues.
If you buy shares just before the Fund deducts a distribution from its net
asset value, 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.
CONVERSION FEATURE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONVERSION
As described above, Advisor Class shares may be held solely through certain
fee-based program accounts, employee benefit plans and registered investment
advisory or other financial intermediary relationships, and by investment
advisory clients of, and certain persons associated with, Alliance and its
affiliates or the Fund. If a holder of Advisor Class shares (i) ceases to
participate in the fee-based program or plan, or to be associated with an
eligible investment advisor or financial intermediary or (ii) is otherwise no
longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares (each a "Conversion Event"),
then all Advisor Class shares held by the shareholder will convert
automatically, to Class A shares of the Fund. The Fund will provide
shareholders with at least 30 days advance notice of such conversion. The
failure of a shareholder or a fee-based program to satisfy the minimum
investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not constitute
a Conversion Event. The conversion would occur on the basis of the relative
NAV of the two classes and without the imposition of any sales load, fee or
other charge.
DESCRIPTION OF CLASS A SHARES
The Class A shares of the Fund have a distribution fee of .30% under the Fund's
Rule 12b-1 plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service fees for
the distribution and sale of its shares. Because this fee is paid out of the
Fund's assets, Class A shares have a higher expense ratio and may pay lower
dividends and may have a lower NAV than Advisor Class shares.
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.
15
For more information about the Fund, the following documents are available upon
request:
. 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:
IN PERSON: at the Commission's Public Reference Room
in Washington, D.C.
BY PHONE: 1-800-SEC-0330
BY MAIL: Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-6009
(duplicating fee required)
ON THE INTERNET: www.sec.gov
You also may find more information about Alliance and the Fund on the Internet
at: www.Alliancecapital.com.
SEC File No. 811-09329
16
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
- - ADVISOR CLASS
TO OPEN YOUR NEW ALLIANCE ACCOUNT...
Please complete the application and mail it to:
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
P.O. BOX 1520
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07096-1520
For certified or overnight deliveries, send to:
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
500 PLAZA DRIVE
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07094
SECTION 1 YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (REQUIRED)
Complete one of the available choices. To ensure proper tax reporting to the
IRS:
x Individuals, Joint Tenants, Transfer on Death and Gift/Transfer to a Minor:
. Indicate your name(s) exactly as it appears on your social security
card.
X Transfer on Death:
. Ensure that your state participates
x Trust/Other:
. Indicate the name of the entity exactly as it appeared on the notice
you received from the IRS when your Employer Identification number was assigned.
SECTION 2 YOUR ADDRESS (REQUIRED) Complete in full.
X Non-Resident Alien:
. Indicate your permanent country of residence.
SECTION 3 YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT (REQUIRED)
For each fund in which you are investing: 1 Write the three digit fund number
in the column titled 'INDICATE THREE DIGIT FUND NUMBER LOCATED BELOW'.
2 Write the dollar amount of your initial purchase in the column titled
'INDICATE DOLLAR AMOUNT'.
3 Check off a distribution option for your dividends.
4 Check off a distribution option for your capital gains. All distributions
(dividends and capital gains) will be reinvested into your fund account unless
you direct otherwise. If you want distributions sent directly to your bank
account, then you must complete Section 4D and attach a preprinted, voided
check for that account. If you want your distributions sent to a third party
you must complete Section 4E.
SECTION 4 YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (COMPLETE ONLY THOSE OPTIONS YOU WANT)
A. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS (AIP) - You can make periodic investments into
any of your Alliance Funds in one of three ways. First, by a periodic
withdrawal ($25 minimum) directly from your bank account and invested into an
Alliance Fund. Second, you can direct your distributions (dividends and capital
gains) from one Alliance Fund into another Fund. Or third, you can
automatically exchange monthly ($25 minimum) shares of one Alliance Fund for
shares of another Fund. To elect one of these options, complete the appropriate
portion of Section 4A & 4D. If more than one dividend direction or monthly
exchange is desired, please call our Literature Center to obtain a Shareholder
Account Services Options Form for completion.
B. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS VIA EFT - Complete this option if you would like to
be able to transact via telephone between your fund account and your bank
account.
C. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS (SWP) - Complete this option if you wish to
periodically redeem dollars from one of your fund accounts. Payments can be
made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to your bank account or by check.
D. BANK INFORMATION - If you have elected any options that involve
transactions between your bank account and your fund account or have elected
cash distribution options and would like the payments sent to your bank
account, please tape a preprinted, voided check of the account you wish to use
to this section of the application.
E. THIRD PARTY PAYMENT DETAILS - If you have chosen cash distributions and/or
a Systematic Withdrawal Plan and would like the payments sent to a person
and/or address other than those provided in section 1 or 2, complete this
option. Medallion Signature Guarantee is required if your account is not
maintained by a broker dealer.
SECTION 5 SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION (REQUIRED) All owners must sign. If it is a
custodial, corporate, or trust account, the custodian, an authorized officer,
or the trustee respectively must sign.
IF WE CAN ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US AT: (800)
221-5672.
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: WWW.ALLIANCECAPITAL.COM
FOR LITERATURE CALL: (800) 227-4618
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
- - ADVISOR CLASS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Your Account Registration (Please Print in Capital Letters and Mark Check
Boxes Where Applicable)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|_| Individual Account [ |_| Male |_| Female ] - or - |_| Joint Account - or -
|_| Transfer On Death [ |_| Male |_| Female ] - or - Gift/Transfer to a Minor
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Owner or Custodian (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
(First Name) Joint Owner*, (MI) (Last Name)
Transfer On Death Beneficiary
or Minor
|_| |_| |_| - |_| |_| - |_| |_| |_| |_|
Social Security Number of Owner or Minor
(required to open account)
If Uniform Gift/Transfer
to Minor Account:
|_| |_| Minor's State of Residence
If Joint Tenants Account: * The Account will be registered "Joint Tenants with
right of Survivorship" unless you indicate otherwise below:
|_| In Common |_| By Entirety |_| Community Property
|_| Trust - or - |_| Corporation - or - |_| Other
-------------------------------
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name of Trustee if applicable (MI) (Last Name)
(First Name)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity continued
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Trust Dated (MM, DD, YYYY) Tax ID Number (required to open account)
|_| Employer ID Number - OR - |_| Social Security
Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Your Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Street Number Street Name
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
City State Zip code
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_| |_| |_| - |_| |_| |_| |_|
If Non-U.S., Specify Country Daytime Phone Number
|_| U.S. Citizen |_| Resident Alien |_| Non-Resident Alien
90663-HCFApp-Advisor-P1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Your Initial Investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hereby subscribe for shares of the Alliance Health Care Fund Advisor Class
and elect distribution options as indicated.
- ---------------------------------------
Broker/Dealer Use Only: Wire Confirm #
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
- ---------------------------------------
Dividend and Capital Gain Distribution Options:
R Reinvest distributions into my fund account.
C Send my distributions in cash to the address I have provided in Section 2.
(Complete Section 4D for direct deposit to your bank account. Complete
Section 4E for payment to a third party).
D Direct my distributions to another Alliance fund. Complete the appropriate
portion of Section 4A to direct your distributions (dividends and capital
gains) to another Alliance Fund.
- ----------- ------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------
Make all Distributions Options
checks* Indicate three *Check One*
payable to: digit Fund Indicate Dollar Amount ---------------------------
Alliance number Dividends Capital Gains
Funds located below R C D R C D
- ----------- ------------- ---------------------- ----------- -------------
4 0 8 $ |__________________| |R| |C| |D| |R| |C| |D|
* Cash and money orders are not accepted
90663-HCFApp-Advisor-P2 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
The Investment Professional's Choice
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Your Shareholder Options
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Automatic Investment Plans (AIP)
|_| Withdraw From My Bank Account Via EFT* I authorize Alliance to draw on my
bank account for investment in my fund account(s) as indicated below
(Complete Section 4D also for the bank account you wish to use).
1 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
2 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
3 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
Frequency: M = monthly Q = quarterly A = annually
* Electronic Funds Transfer. Your bank must be a member of the
National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA)
|_| Direct My Distributions As indicated in Section 3, I would like my
dividends and/or capital gains directed to the same class of shares of
another Alliance Fund.
FROM: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
TO: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
|_| Exchange My Shares Monthly I authorize Alliance to transact monthly
exchanges, within the same class of shares, between my fund accounts as
listed below.
FROM: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
|_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_| |_|
Amount ($25 minimum) Day of Exchange**
TO: |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| - |_|
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
** Shares exchanged will be redeemed at the net asset value on the "Day of
Exchange" (If the "Day of Exchange" is not a fund business day, the
exchange transaction will be processed on the next fund business day). The
exchange privilege is not available if stock certificates have been
issued.
B. Purchases and Redemptions Via EFT
You can call our toll-free number 1-800-221-5672 and instruct Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. in a recorded conversation to purchase, redeem or
exchange shares for your account. Purchase and redemption requests will be
processed via electronic funds transfer (EFT) to and from your bank
account.
Instructions: o Review the information in the Prospectus about
telephone transaction services.
o If you select the telephone purchase or redemption
privilege, you must write "VOID" across the face
of a check from the bank account you wish to use
and attach it to Section 4D of this application.
|_| Purchases and Redemptions via EFT
I hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to effect the purchase
and/or redemption of Fund shares for my account according to my telephone
instructions or telephone instructions from my Broker/Agent, and to
withdraw money or credit money for such shares via EFT from the bank
account I have selected.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For shares recently purchased by check or electronic funds transfer
redemption proceeds will not be made available until the Fund is
reasonably assured the check or electronic funds transfer has been
collected, normally 15 calendar days after the purchase date.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90663-HCFApp-Advisor-P3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Your Shareholder Options (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP)
In order to establish a SWP, you must reinvest all dividends and capital
gains.
|_| I authorize Alliance to transact periodic redemptions from my fund
account and send the proceeds to me as indicated below.
1 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
2 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
3 - |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| , |_| |_| |_|.00 |_|
Fund Number Beginning Date Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
(MM,DD)
Frequency: M = monthly Q = quarterly A = annually
Please send my SWP proceeds to:
|_| My Address of Record (via check)
|_| The Payee and address specified in section 4E (via check) (Medallion
Signature Guarantee required)
|_| My checking account-via EFT (complete section 4D) Your bank must be
a member of the National Automated Clearing House Association
(NACHA) in order for you to receive SWP proceeds directly into your
bank account. Otherwise payment will be made by check
D. Bank Information This bank account information will be used for:
|_| Distributions (Section 3)
|_| Automatic Investments (Section 4A)
|_| Telephone Transactions (Section 4B)
|_| Withdrawals (Section 4C)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please Tape a Pre-printed Voided Check Here*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
* The above services cannot be established without a pre-printed voided
check.
For EFT transactions, the fund requires signatures of bank account owners
exactly as they appear on bank records. If the registration at the bank
differs from that on the Alliance mutual fund, all parties must sign in
Section 5.
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Your Bank's ABA Routing Number
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Your Bank Account Number
|_| Checking Account |_| Savings Account
90663-HCFApp-Advisor-P4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Your Shareholder Options (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Third Party Payment Details Your signature(s) in Section 5 must be
Medallion Signature Guaranteed if your account is not maintained by a
broker/dealer. This third party payee information will be used for:
|_| Distributions (section 3) |_| Systematic Withdrawals (section 4C)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Name (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
Street Number Street Name
|_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_|
City State Zip code
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dealer/Agent Authorization - For selected Dealers or Agents ONLY.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act as our agent in
connection with transactions under this authorization form; and we guarantee the
signature(s) set forth in Section 5, as well as the legal capacity of the
shareholder.
____________________________________ ______________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm Authorized Signature
___________________________ |_| ______________________________________
Representative First Name MI Last Name
____________________________________ ______________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm Number Representative Number
____________________________________ ______________________________________
Branch Number Branch Telephone Number
______________________________________________________________________________
Branch Office Address
____________________________________ |_| |_| ____________________________
City State Zip Code
90663-HCFApp-Advisor-P5 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
The Investment Professional's Choice
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Shareholder Authorization -- This section MUST be completed
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Exchanges and Redemptions by Check
Unless I have checked one or both boxes below, these privileges will
automatically apply, and by signing this application, I hereby authorize
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act on my telephone instructions, or on
telephone instructions from any person representing himself to be an
authorized employee of an investment dealer or agent requesting a
redemption or exchange on my behalf. (NOTE: Telephone exchanges may only
be processed between accounts that have identical registrations.)
Telephone redemption checks will only be mailed to the name and address of
record; and the address must not have changed within the last 30 days. The
maximum telephone redemption amount is $50,000 for redemptions by check.
|_| I do not elect the telephone exchange service
|_| I do not elect the telephone redemption by check service
By selecting any of the above telephone privileges, I agree that neither
the Fund nor Alliance, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. or other Fund Agent will be liable for any loss, injury,
damage or expense as a result of acting upon telephone instructions
purporting to be on my behalf, that the Fund reasonably believes to be
genuine, and that neither the Fund nor any such party will be responsible
for the authenticity of such telephone instructions. I understand that any
or all of these privileges may be discontinued by me or the Fund at any
time. I understand and agree that the Fund reserves the right to refuse
any telephone instructions and that my investment dealer or agent reserves
the right to refuse to issue any telephone instructions I may request.
For non-residents only: Under penalties of perjury, I certify that to the
best of my knowledge and belief, I qualify as a foreign person as
indicated in Section 2.
I am of legal age and capacity and have received and read the Prospectus
and agree to its terms.
I certify under penalty of perjury that the number shown in Section 1 of
this form is my correct tax identification number or I am waiting for a
number to be issued to me and that I have not been notified that this
account is subject to backup withholding.
The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any
provision of this document other than the certification required to avoid
backup withholding.
- ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Signature Date
- ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Signature Date
- --------------------------------------------
Medallion Signature Guarantee required if
completing Section 4E and your mutual
fund is not maintained by a broker dealer
90663-HCFApp-Advisor-P6 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
The Investment Professional's Choice
<PAGE>
(LOGO) ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
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
July 26, 1999
_________________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a
prospectus but supplements and should be read in conjunction with
the Prospectus dated July 26, 1999 for Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc. (the "Fund") that offers the Class A, Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund and the Prospectus dated July 26, 1999 that
offers the Advisor Class shares of the Fund (the "Advisor Class
Prospectus" and, together with the Prospectus for the Fund that
offers the Class A, Class B, and Class C shares of the Fund, 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
Page
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.................................
General Information....................................
Financial Statement and Report of Independent
Accountants .........................................
Appendix A: Certain Employee Benefit Plans
(R): This registered service mark used under license from the
owner, Alliance Capital Management L.P.
<PAGE>
_________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
_________________________________________________________________
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a
diversified open-end management investment company. The Fund was
incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on April 30,
1999. The Fund's investment objective is "fundamental" 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.
Investment Policies and Practices
The Fund's principal investment policies, practices and
risks are set forth in the Prospectus. The information set forth
below concerning the Fund's investment practices and policies
supplements the information in the Prospectus. Except as
otherwise noted, the Fund's investment policies described below
are not designated "fundamental policies" within the meaning of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
and may be changed by the Directors of the Fund without
shareholder approval. However, the Fund will not change its
investment policies without contemporaneous written notice to
shareholders.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The following information about the Fund's investment
policies and practices supplements the information set forth in
the Prospectus.
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 is generally 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 within four
months after the transaction, although delayed settlements beyond
four months may be negotiated. Securities purchased or sold
under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and
2
<PAGE>
no interest accrues to the purchaser prior to the settlement
date. At the time the Fund enters 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.
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 bond
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, thereby obtaining the benefit of
currently higher cash yields. However, if Alliance Capital
Management L.P., the Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser"),
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 less favorable than
current market values.
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 the separate account of the Fund,
liquid assets having value equal to, or greater than, any
commitments to purchase securities on a forward commitment basis.
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 can 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.
Although the Fund intends to make such purchases for
speculative purposes, purchases of securities on such bases may
involve more risk than other types of purchases. For example, by
committing to purchase securities in the future, the Fund
subjects itself to a risk of loss on such commitments as well as
on its portfolio securities. Also, the Fund may have to sell
assets that have been set aside in order to meet redemptions. In
addition, if the Fund determines it is advisable as a matter of
investment strategy to sell the forward commitment or when-issued
3
<PAGE>
or delayed delivery securities before delivery, the Fund may
incur a gain or loss because of market fluctuations since the
time the commitment to purchase such securities was made. Any
such gain or loss would be treated as a capital gain or loss and
would be treated for tax purposes as such. When the time comes
to pay for the securities to be purchased under a forward
commitment or on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the
Fund will meet its obligations from the then available cash flow
or the sale of securities, or, although it would not normally
expect to do so, from the sale of the forward commitment or when-
issued or delayed delivery securities themselves (which may have
a value greater or less than the Fund's payment obligation).
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
of 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 which 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 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. 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 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").
4
<PAGE>
To the extent required by applicable law, the Fund's
Custodian will place liquid assets in a separate 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 assets
placed in a separate account declines, additional liquid assets
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 separate 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. In addition, the
Fund may use such other methods of "cover" as are permitted by
applicable law.
While these contracts are not presently regulated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"), the CFTC may
in the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts. In
such event the Fund's ability to utilize forward contracts in the
manner set forth in the Prospectus may be restricted.
The Fund will not speculate in forward currency
contracts. The Fund will only enter forward foreign currency
exchange contracts with counterparties that, in the opinion of
the Adviser, do not present undue credit risk. Generally, such
forward contracts will be for a period of less than three months.
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 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. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in
poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not
entered into such contracts. The matching of the increase in
value of a forward contract and the decline in the U.S. Dollar
equivalent value of the foreign currency-denominated asset that
is the subject of the hedge generally will not be precise. In
addition, the Fund may not always be able to enter into foreign
currency forward contracts at attractive prices and this will
limit the Fund's ability to use such contract to hedge or cross-
hedge its assets. Also, with regard to the Fund's use of cross-
hedges, there can be no assurance that historical correlations
between the movement of certain foreign currencies relative to
5
<PAGE>
the U.S. Dollar will continue. Thus, at any time poor
correlation may exist between movements in the exchange rates of
the foreign currencies underlying the Fund's cross-hedges and the
movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies in
which the Fund's assets that are the subject of such cross-hedges
are denominated.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Consistent with
applicable regulatory requirements, the Fund may lend its
portfolio securities provided the loan is continuously secured by
cash, marketable securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies, or a standby letter of credit issued
by qualified banks equal to no less than the market value,
determined daily, of the securities loaned. In lending its
portfolio securities, the Fund will require that interest or
dividends on securities loaned be paid to the Fund. Where voting
or consent rights with respect to loaned securities pass to the
borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loan, in
whole or in part as may be appropriate, to permit it to exercise
such voting or consent rights if the exercise of such rights
involves issues having a material effect on the Fund's investment
in the securities loaned. Loans will be made only to firms
deemed by the Adviser to be of good standing and will not be made
unless, in the judgment of the Adviser, the consideration to be
earned from such loans would justify the risk. 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.
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
6
<PAGE>
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
Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of the dealers with which
the Fund enters into repurchase agreement transactions.
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.
Repurchase agreements may exhibit the characteristics of
loans by the Fund. During the term of the repurchase agreement,
the Fund retains the security subject to the repurchase agreement
as collateral securing the seller's repurchase obligation,
continually monitors on a daily basis the market value of the
security subject to the agreement and requires the seller to
deposit with the Fund collateral equal to any amount by which the
market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement
falls below the resale amount provided under the repurchase
agreement.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund will not invest more than
10% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose,
illiquid securities are securities restricted as to disposition
under Federal securities laws and include, among others,
(a) direct placements or other securities which are subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is
no readily available market (e.g., trading in the security is
suspended or, in the case of unlisted securities, market makers
do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers), and
(b) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days.
Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale
7
<PAGE>
but have a readily available market are not deemed illiquid for
purposes of this limitation.
Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale
because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), securities which are
otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having
a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not
been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as
private placements or restricted securities and are purchased
directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual
funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential
for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations
on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of
portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose
of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at
reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might
also have to register such restricted securities in order to
dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay.
Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of
securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market
has developed for certain securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act including repurchase agreements,
commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and
corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand
for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal
restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain
institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such
investments.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader
institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to
restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A
establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified
institutional buyers. An insufficient number of qualified
institutional buyers interested in purchasing certain restricted
securities held by the Fund, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of such portfolio securities and the Fund might be
unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable
prices. Rule 144A has already produced enhanced liquidity for
many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such
securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation
and the consequent inception of the PORTAL System, which is an
8
<PAGE>
automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of
unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored
by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
"NASD").
The Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board
of Directors, will monitor the liquidity of restricted securities
in the Fund that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A.
In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser will consider, among
others, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and
quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers issuing
quotations to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of
other potential purchasers of the security; (4) the number of
dealers undertaking to make a market in the security; (5) the
nature of the security (including its unregistered nature) and
the nature of the marketplace for the security (e.g., the time
needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting
offers and the mechanics of the transfer); and (6) any applicable
Commission interpretation or position with respect to such type
of securities.
The Fund may not be able to readily sell securities for
which there is no ready market. 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.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Because the Fund will actively use
trading to achieve its investment objective and policies, the
Fund may be subject to a greater degree of turnover and, thus, a
higher incidence of short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary
income than might be expected from investment companies which
invest substantially all of their funds on a long-term basis, and
correspondingly larger mark-up charges can be expected to be
borne by the Fund. Management anticipates that the annual
turnover in the Fund may be in excess of 100%. An annual
turnover rate of 100% occurs, for example, when all of the
securities in the Fund are replaced one time in a period of one
year.
The value of the Fund's shares will be influenced by the
factors which generally affect securities, such as the economic
and political outlook, earnings, dividends and the supply and
demand for various classes of securities. There can be, of
course, no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be
achieved.
9
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RISK CONSIDERATIONS
RISKS OF INVESTMENTS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES. Foreign
issuers are subject to accounting and financial standards and
requirements that differ, in some cases significantly, from those
applicable to U.S. issuers. In particular, the assets and
profits appearing on the financial statements of a foreign issuer
may not reflect its financial position or results of operations
in the way they would be reflected had the financial statement
been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles. In addition, for an issuer that keeps
accounting records in local currency, inflation accounting rules
in some of the countries in which the Fund will invest require,
for both tax and accounting purposes, that certain assets and
liabilities be restated on the issuer's balance sheet in order to
express items in terms of currency of constant purchasing power.
Inflation accounting may indirectly generate losses or profits.
Consequently, financial data may be materially affected by
restatements for inflation and may not accurately reflect the
real condition of those issuers and securities markets.
Substantially less information is publicly available about
certain non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers.
Expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization,
political, economic or social instability or other similar
developments, such as military coups, have occurred in the past
in countries in which the Fund will invest and could adversely
affect the Fund's assets should these conditions or events recur.
Foreign investment in certain foreign securities is
restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions
or controls may at times limit or preclude foreign investment in
certain foreign securities and increase the costs and expenses of
the Fund. Certain countries in which the Fund will invest
require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign
persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a
particular issuer, limit the investment by foreign persons only
to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less
advantageous rights than the classes available for purchase by
domiciliaries of the countries and/or impose additional taxes on
foreign investors.
Certain countries other than those on which the Fund
will focus it investments may require governmental approval for
the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of
sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a
deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the
country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital
remittances.
10
<PAGE>
Income from certain investments held by the Fund could
be reduced by foreign income taxes, including withholding taxes.
It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax
in advance. The Fund's net asset value may also be affected by
changes in the rates or methods of taxation applicable to the
Fund or to entities in which the Fund has invested. The Adviser
generally will consider the cost of any taxes in determining
whether to acquire any particular investments, but can provide no
assurance that the tax treatment of investments held by the Fund
will not be subject to change.
For many foreign securities, there are U.S. dollar-
denominated American Depository Receipts (ADRs) which are traded
in the United States on exchanges or over-the-counter, are issued
by domestic banks or trust companies and which market quotations
are readily available. ADRs do not lessen the foreign exchange
risk inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers.
However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in stock of
foreign issuers, the Fund can avoid currency risks which might
occur during the settlement period for either purchases or sales.
The Fund may purchase foreign securities directly, as well as
through ADRs.
SECURITIES RATINGS. The ratings of fixed-income
securities by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services are a generally accepted barometer of
credit risk. They are, however, subject to certain limitations
from an investor's standpoint. The rating of an issuer is
heavily weighted by past developments and does not necessarily
reflect probable future conditions. There is frequently a lag
between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated.
In addition, there may be varying degrees of difference in credit
risk of securities within each rating category.
The Adviser will try to reduce the risk inherent in the
Fund's investment approach through credit analysis,
diversification and attention to current developments and trends
in interest rates and economic conditions. However, there can be
no assurance that losses will not occur. In considering
investments for the Fund, the Adviser will attempt to identify
those high-yielding securities whose financial condition is
adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is expected
to improve in the future. The Adviser's analysis focuses on
relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend
coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience
and managerial strength of the issuer.
Non-rated securities will also be considered for
investment by the Fund when the Adviser believes that the
financial condition of the issuers of such securities, or the
protection afforded by the terms of the securities themselves,
11
<PAGE>
limits the risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of
rated securities which are consistent with the Fund's objectives
and policies.
1940 ACT RESTRICTIONS. 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
amount of its borrowing 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 of the Fund's portfolio would be
300%; while outstanding borrowings representing 25% of the total
assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the asset
coverage of the Fund's portfolio 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 and such sales could cause the Fund to incur related
transaction costs and to realize taxable gains.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest not more than
10% of its total assets in securities of other investment
companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act the Fund may not own
more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any
investment company and not more than 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any
investment company.
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. Invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of a single issuer, or in securities of
issuers in any single industry (other than Health
12
<PAGE>
Care Industries, as defined in the Prospectus),
except that these restrictions do not apply to
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or
other U.S. Government securities ("U.S. Government
Securities");
2. 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;
3. Borrow money or issue senior securities
except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act;
4. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or
otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure
permitted borrowings;
5. Invest in companies for the purpose of
exercising control; or
6. (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, futures on securities, currencies and
securities indices and forward contracts or
contracts for the future acquisition or delivery of
securities and foreign currencies and other similar
contracts and options on the foregoing); and
(c) 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 Securities Act.
Whenever any investment restriction states a maximum
percentage of the Fund's assets which may be invested in any
security or other asset, it is intended that such maximum
percentage limitation be determined immediately after and as a
result of the Fund's acquisition of such securities or other
assets. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease in
percentage beyond the specified limitation resulting from a
change in values or net assets will not be considered a violation
of any such maximum.
13
<PAGE>
Certain Non-Fundamental Investment Policies
The following investment restrictions are not
fundamental. They may be changed without a vote of the Fund's
shareholders.
The Fund may not:
1. Borrow money except from banks on a temporary basis
in order to meet redemption requests and only if the aggregate of
the amount borrowed would not exceed 10% of the value of its
total net assets (not including the aggregate amount borrowed);
2. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short
position for the account of the Fund; or
3. Invest in the securities of any single issuer if
immediately after and as a result of such investment more than
10% of the total net assets of the fund would consist of the
securities of such issuer, provided that:
a. the above limit of 10% shall be 25% in respect
of the securities issued or guaranteed by any
Member State of the European Union ("EU") or
any local authority thereof, or public
international bodies of which one or more
Member States of the EU are members or any
other national government; and
b. the above limit of 10% shall be 25% for debt
securities issued by a credit institution
whose registered office is situated in a
Member State of the EU.
In addition, the Fund has adopted a non-fundamental
policy that under normal circumstances it invests at least 65%,
and normally substantially all, of the value of its total assets
in securities issued by companies principally engaged in Health
Care Industries (as that term is defined in the Prospectus).
________________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
________________________________________________________________
Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under
the direction of the Board of Directors. The Directors and
officers of the Fund, their ages and their principal occupations
during the past five years are set forth below. Each such
Director and officer is also a trustee, director or officer of
14
<PAGE>
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 ACMC, with
which he has been associated since prior to 1994.
RUTH BLOCK, 68, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of Equitable. She is a Director
of Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals) and Amoco
Corporation (oil and gas). Her address is P.O. Box 4623,
Stamford, Connecticut 06903.
DAVID H. DIEVLER, 69, 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 1994.
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., 66, 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 1986. 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
prior to 1994. 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, 59, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1994. 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, 64, is Senior Counsel to the law
firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and was formerly a senior
____________________
* An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
Act.
15
<PAGE>
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,
above).
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., SECRETARY, 49, is a Senior Vice
President and the General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. ("AFD") and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS") with which
he has been associated since prior to 1994.
MARK D. GERSTEN, TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
48, is a Senior Vice President of AFS, with which he has been
associated since prior to 1994.
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 Financial Holding Corporation
since 1994, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of
Prudential Securities since prior to 1993.
ANDREW L. GANGOLF, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, 45, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since December 1994. Prior thereto, he was Vice
President and Assistant Secretary of Delaware Management Co.,
Inc.
EMILIE D. WRAPP, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, 43, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which she
has been associated since prior to 1994.
The Fund does not pay any fees to, or reimburse
expenses of, its Directors who are considered "interested
persons" of the Fund. The aggregate compensation to be paid
by the Fund to each of the Directors during the Fund's
fiscal period ending June 30, 2000 (estimating future
payments based upon existing arrangements), and the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Directors during
calendar year 1998 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 Fund nor any other registered investment
16
<PAGE>
company in the Alliance Fund Complex provides compensation
in the form of pension or retirement benefits to any of its
directors or trustees.
Total Number Total Number
of Investment of Investment
Total Companies in Portfolios Within
Compensation the Alliance the Alliance
From the Fund Complex, Fund Complex,
Alliance Fund Including the Including the
Complex, Fund, for which Fund, as to which
Aggregate Including the the Director the Director
Name of Compensation Fund, During is a Director is a Director or
Director From the Fund 1998 or Trustee Trustee
___________ _____________ ______________ _____________ _______________
John D. Carifa $-0- $-0- 50 116
Ruth Block $ $180,762.50 37 79
David H. Dievler $ $216,287.50 43 82
John H. Dobkin $ $185,362.50 41 93
William H. Foulk, Jr.$ $241,002.50 45 111
Dr. James M. Hester $ $172,912.50 37 76
Clifford L. Michel $ $187,762.50 38 92
Donald J. Robinson $ $193,708.50 41 105
As of July 26, 1999, the Directors and officers of the
Fund 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 March 31, 1999 totaling more
than $301 billion (of which approximately $127 billion
represented the assets of investment companies). As of March 31,
1999, the Adviser managed retirement assets for many of the
largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 30
of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee
retirement funds in 32 out of the 50 states, for investment
companies, and for foundations, endowments, banks and insurance
companies worldwide. The 54 registered investment companies
managed by the Adviser, comprising 120 separate investment
portfolios, currently have more than four million shareholder
accounts.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), the
sole general partner of, and the owner of a 1% general
partnership interest in, the Adviser, is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United
17
<PAGE>
States ("Equitable"), one of the largest life insurance companies
in the United States and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The
Equitable Companies Incorporated ("ECI"). ECI is a holding
company controlled by AXA, a French insurance holding company.
As of March 1, 1999 AXA and certain of its subsidiaries
beneficially owned approximately 58.4% of ECI's outstanding
common stock. ECI is a public company with shares traded on the
New York Stock Exchange.
AXA, a French company, is the holding company for an
international group of insurance and related financial services
companies. AXA's insurance operations include activities in life
insurance, property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. The
insurance operations are diverse geographically with activities
principally in Western Europe, North America, the Asia/Pacific
area and, to a lesser extent, in Africa and South America. AXA
is also engaged in asset management, investment banking,
securities trading, brokerage, real estate and other financial
services activities principally in the United States, as well as
in Western Europe and the Asia/Pacific area.
For insurance regulatory purposes the shares of capital
stock of ECI beneficially owned by AXA and its subsidiaries have
been deposited into a voting trust which has an initial term of
10 years commencing in 1992. The trustees of the voting trust
(the "Voting Trustees") have agreed to protect the legitimate
economic interests of AXA, but with a view of ensuring that
certain minority shareholders of AXA do not exercise control over
ECI or certain of its insurance subsidiaries. As of March 1,
1999, AXA, ECI, Equitable and certain subsidiaries of Equitable
were the beneficial owners of approximately 56.6% of the issued
and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial
ownership of limited partnership interests ("Units") in the
Adviser.
Based on information provided by AXA, on March 1, 1999,
approximately 20.7% of the issued ordinary shares (representing
32.7% of the voting power) of AXA were owned directly and
indirectly by Finaxa, a French holding company. As of March 1,
1999, 61.7% of the shares (representing 72.3% of the voting
power) of Finaxa were owned by four French mutual insurance
companies (the "Mutuelles AXA") (one of which, AXA Assurances
I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, owned 35.4% of the shares, representing 41.5%
of the voting power of Finaxa), and 22.7% of the shares of Finaxa
(representing 13.7% of the voting power) were owned by Paribas, a
French bank. Including the ordinary shares owned by Finaxa, on
March 1, 1999, the Mutuelles AXA directly and indirectly owned
approximately 23.9% of the issued ordinary shares (representing
37.6% of the voting power) of AXA. The Voting Trustees may be
deemed to be beneficial owners of all Units beneficially owned by
AXA and its subsidiaries. By virtue of the provisions of the
18
<PAGE>
voting trust agreement, AXA may be deemed to have shared voting
power with respect to the Units. In addition, the Mutuelles AXA,
as a group, and Finaxa may be deemed to be beneficial owners of
all Units beneficially owned by AXA and its subsidiaries. AXA
and its subsidiaries have the power to dispose or direct the
disposition of all shares of the capital stock of ECI deposited
in the voting trust. The Mutuelles AXA, as a group, and Finaxa
may be deemed to share the power to vote or to direct the vote
and to dispose or to direct the disposition of all the Units
beneficially owned by AXA and its subsidiaries. By reason of
their relationship, AXA, the Voting Trustees, the Mutuelles AXA,
Finaxa, ECI, Equitable, Equitable Holdings, L.L.C., Equitable
Investment Corporation, ACMC and Equitable Capital Management
Corporation may be deemed to share the power to vote or to direct
the vote and to dispose or direct the disposition of all or a
portion of the Units beneficially owned by AXA and its
subsidiaries.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides
investment advisory services and order placement facilities for
the Fund and pays all compensation of Directors and officers of
the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser. The Adviser
or its affiliates also furnishes the Fund, without charge,
management supervision and assistance and office facilities and
provides persons satisfactory to the Fund's Board of Directors to
serve as the Fund's officers.
The Adviser is, under the Advisory Agreement,
responsible for certain expenses incurred by the Fund, 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 regulatory authorities.)
The Fund 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 Fund by the Adviser, the Fund 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 will be provided to the Fund at cost and the
payments specifically approved by the Fund's Board of Directors.
For the services rendered by the Adviser under the
Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser at an annualized
rate of .95% of the average daily value of the Fund's net assets.
The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
19
<PAGE>
The Advisory Agreement became effective on July 13,
1999. The Advisory Agreement was approved by the unanimous vote,
cast in person, of the Fund's Directors including the Directors
who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested
persons as defined in the Act, of any such party, at a meeting
called for the purpose and held on July 13, 1999.
The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty on
60 days' written notice by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by a vote of a
majority of the Fund's Directors, or by the Adviser on 60 days'
written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of
its assignment. The Advisory Agreement provides 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.
The Advisory Agreement continues in effect until
July 31, 2001, and thereafter for successive twelve-month periods
computed from each August 1, provided that such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of a majority
of the Fund's outstanding voting securities or by the Fund'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 such parties as defined by the
1940 Act.
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 the 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. 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 or 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 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
20
<PAGE>
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 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., Alliance Variable Products Series
Fund, Inc., Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, The Alliance
Fund, Inc., The Alliance Portfolios, and The Hudson River Trust,
all registered open-end investment companies; ACM Government
Income Fund, Inc., ACM Government Securities Fund, Inc., ACM
Government Spectrum Fund, Inc., ACM Government Opportunity Fund,
Inc., ACM Managed Dollar Income Fund, Inc., ACM Managed Income
Fund, Inc., ACM Municipal Securities Income Fund, 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 Fund has entered into a Distribution Services
Agreement (the "Agreement") with Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc., the Fund'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 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
21
<PAGE>
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 of the Fund 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 with respect to the class
involved and, in the case of Class B and Class C shares, payments
received from contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs"). The
excess will be carried forward by AFD and reimbursed from
distribution services fees payable under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with
respect to the class involved and, in the case of Class B and
Class C shares, payments subsequently received through CDSCs, so
long as the Rule 12b-1 Plan is 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 Rule 12b-1 Plan, the Directors of the
Fund determined that there was a reasonable likelihood that the
Rule 12b-1 Plan 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
22
<PAGE>
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 a meeting held on July 13, 1999. The Agreement will
continue in effect until July 31, 2000 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 Rule 12b-1 Plan 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
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.
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws may
limit the ability of a bank or other depository institution to
become an underwriter or distributor of securities. However, in
the opinion of the Funds' management, based on the advice of
counsel, these laws do not prohibit such depository institutions
from providing services for investment companies such as the
administrative, accounting and other services referred to in the
Agreement. In the event that a change in these laws prevented a
bank from providing such services, it is expected that other
service arrangements would be made and that shareholders would
not be adversely affected.
Transfer Agency Agreement
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, receives a transfer agency fee per
account holder of each of the Class A shares, Class B shares,
Class C shares and Advisor Class 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 and Advisor Class shares, reflecting the additional costs
23
<PAGE>
associated with the Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales
charge.
_________________________________________________________________
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.
Advisor Class shares of the Fund may be purchased and
held solely (i) through accounts established under fee-based
programs, sponsored and maintained by registered broker-dealers
or other financial intermediaries and approved by the Principal
Underwriter, (ii) through self-directed defined contribution
employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that have at least
1,000 participants or $25 million in assets, (iii) by the
categories of investors described in clauses (i) through (iv)
under "--Sales at Net Asset Value" (other than officers,
directors and present and full-time employees of selected dealers
or agents, or relatives of such person, or any trust, individual
retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of
such relative, none of whom is eligible on the basis solely of
such status to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares), or
(iv) by directors and present or retired full-time employees of
CB Richard Ellis, Inc. Generally, a fee-based program must
charge an asset-based or other similar fee and must invest at
least $250,000 in Advisor Class shares of the Fund in order to be
approved by the Principal Underwriter for investment in Advisor
Class shares.
24
<PAGE>
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,
financial intermediary or other financial representative with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Class A, Class B,
Class C or Advisor Class 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, Class C or
Advisor Class 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 Fund'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, Class C and Advisor Class 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 and Advisor Class 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.
25
<PAGE>
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).
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. 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
26
<PAGE>
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, although such shares remain in the
shareholder's account on the books of the Fund.
In addition to the discount or commission 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, cash or other incentives
will be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum dollar
amount of the shares of the Fund and/or other Alliance Mutual
Funds, as defined below, during a specific period of time. On
some occasions, such cash or other incentives may 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 urban or resort 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, Class C and Advisor Class 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, and Advisor Class shares do not
bear such a fee, (iii) Class B shares and Class C shares bear
higher transfer agency costs than those borne by Class A and
Advisor Class 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 and Advisor Class
shareholders and the Class A and Class B and Advisor Class
shareholders will vote separately by class, and (v) Class B and
Advisor Class shares are each subject to a conversion feature.
Each class has different exchange privileges and certain
different shareholder service options available.
27
<PAGE>
The Directors of the Fund have determined that currently
no conflict of interest exists between or among the Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. On an ongoing basis,
the Directors of the Fund, pursuant to their fiduciary duties
under the 1940 Act and state law, will seek to ensure that no
such conflict arises.
Alternative Purchase Arrangements -- Class A, Class B
and Class C Shares**
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 A 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
____________________
** Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section "--General."
28
<PAGE>
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
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.
29
<PAGE>
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.
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
30
<PAGE>
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
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.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing
the offering price of the Class A shares. The example assumes a
purchase of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating less than
$100,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above
at a price based upon the net asset value of Class A shares of
the Fund on July 26, 1999.
Net Asset Value per Class A Share at
July 26, 1999 $10.00
Class A Per Share Sales Charge 4.25%
of offering price (4.44% of net asset
value per share) $ .44
-----
Class A Per Share Offering Price to
the Public $10.44
=====
31
<PAGE>
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
-U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
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 High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
32
<PAGE>
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 Variable Products Series Fund, 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.
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
33
<PAGE>
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 $250,000 within a
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B,
Class C and/or Advisor Class 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.
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
$20,000 (for a total of $40,000), it will only be necessary to
invest a total of $60,000 during the following 13 months in
34
<PAGE>
shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund, to qualify
for the 3.25% sales charge on the total amount being invested
(the sales charge applicable to an investment of $100,000).
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 5%
of such amount. 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
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.
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<PAGE>
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 Fund; 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 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);
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(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 individual
retirement accounts to which simplified
employee pension ("SEP") contributions
are made), if such plans or accounts are
established or administered under
37
<PAGE>
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
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
38
<PAGE>
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 Fund, 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
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose
39
<PAGE>
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.
Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of
purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
40
<PAGE>
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.
Conversion of Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares
Advisor Class shares may be held solely through the fee-
based program accounts, employee benefit plans and registered
investment advisory or other financial intermediary relationships
described above under "Purchase of Shares--General" and by
investment advisory clients of, and by certain other persons
associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund. If
(i) a holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to participate in the
fee-based program or plan or, to be associated with the
investment adviser or financial intermediary, in each case that
satisfies the requirements to purchase shares set forth under
"Purchase of Shares--General" or (ii) the holder is otherwise no
longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares as described in
the Advisor Class Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information (each, a "Conversion Event"), then all Advisor Class
shares held by the shareholder will convert automatically and
without notice to the shareholder, other than the notice
41
<PAGE>
contained in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information, to Class A shares of the Fund during the
calendar month following the month in which the Fund is informed
of the occurrence of the Conversion Event. The failure of a
shareholder of a fee-based program to satisfy the minimum
investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not
constitute a Conversion Event. The conversion would occur on the
basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes and
without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
Class A shares currently bear a .30% distribution services fee
and have a higher expense ratio than Advisor Class shares. As a
result, Class A shares may pay correspondingly lower dividends
and have a lower net asset value than Advisor Class shares.
The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares
is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under
federal income tax law. The conversion of Advisor Class 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, the Advisor Class shareholder would be required to
redeem his Advisor Class shares, which would constitute a taxable
event under federal income tax law.
_________________________________________________________________
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." If you are an Advisor Class
shareholder through an account established under a fee-based
program your fee-based program may impose requirements with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares
of the Fund that are different from those described herein. A
transaction fee may be charged by your financial representative
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares made through such financial representative.
Redemption
Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Fund'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. 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
42
<PAGE>
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
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,
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<PAGE>
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
(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
44
<PAGE>
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. 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.
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
45
<PAGE>
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--Shareholder Services." The shareholder services set
forth below are applicable to Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class shares unless otherwise indicated. If you are an
Advisor Class shareholder through an account established under a
fee-based program your fee-based program may impose requirements
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares of the Fund that are different from those described
herein. A transaction fee may be charged by your financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
Advisor Class shares made through such financial representative.
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).
In addition, (i) present officers and full-time employees of the
Adviser, (ii) present Directors or Trustees of any Alliance
Mutual Fund and (iii) certain employee benefit plans for
46
<PAGE>
employees of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates may exchange Class A
shares of the Fund for Advisor Class shares of the Fund.
Exchanges of shares are made at the net asset value next
determined and without sales or service charges. Exchanges may
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. 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.
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
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<PAGE>
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
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.
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<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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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, Class C or Advisor Class Fund account, a
Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class 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,
Class C or Advisor Class 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
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from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund.
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
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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.
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, [ ],
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 Fund'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
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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 quoted bid prices on such day. If no bid prices are
quoted on such day, then the security is valued at the mean of
the bid and asked prices at the close of the Exchange on such day
as obtained from one or more dealers regularly making a market in
such security. Where a bid and asked price can be obtained from
only one such dealer, such security is valued at the mean of the
bid and asked price obtained from such dealer unless it is
determined that such price does not represent current market
value, in which case the security shall be value in good faith at
fair value by, or pursuant to procedures established by, the
Board of Directors. Securities for which no bid and asked price
quotations are readily available are 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 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 only 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 debt securities listed on a
U.S. national securities exchange whose primary market is
believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at the mean of the
bid and asked prices at the close of the Exchange on such day as
obtained from two or more dealers regularly making a market in
such security. Where a bid and asked price can be obtained from
only one such dealer, such security is valued at the mean of the
bid and asked price obtained from such dealer unless it is
determined that such price does not represent current market
value, in which case the security shall be value in good faith at
fair value by, or pursuant to procedures established by, the
Board of Directors.
Open futures contracts 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
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(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.
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 these prices do not reflect current
market value, in which case the securities will be valued in good
faith at fair value by, or in accordance with procedures
established by, the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may suspend the determination of
the Fund's, net asset value (and the offering and sales 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
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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, Class C shares and Advisor Class 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 provisions of a plan adopted
by the Fund in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
_________________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_________________________________________________________________
Dividends paid by the Fund, if any, with respect to
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares will be
calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day
and will be in the same amount, except that the higher
distribution services applicable to Class B and C shares, and any
incremental transfer agency costs relating to Class B and Class C
shares, will be borne exclusively by the class to which they
relate.
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
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (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 or 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; (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
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<PAGE>
U.S. Government Securities or securities of other regulated
investment companies).
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
corporation holds shares in the Fund at least 46 days during the
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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.
Pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, two
different tax rates apply to net capital gains--that is, the
excess of net gains from capital assets held for more than one
year over net losses from capital assets held for not more than
one year. One rate (generally 28%) applies to net gains on
capital assets held for more than one year but not more than 18
months ("mid-term gains"), and a second rate (generally 20%)
applies to the balance of such net capital gains ("adjusted net
capital gains"). Distributions of mid-term gains and adjusted
net capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as such,
regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in the Fund.
Distributions of net capital gains 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
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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. In the case of an individual
shareholder, the applicable tax rate imposed on long-term capital
gain differs depending on whether the shares were held at the
time of the sale or redemption for more than eighteen months, or
for more than one year but not more than eighteen months. 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
gains, 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 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.
Foreign Taxes. Income received by the Fund may also be
subject to foreign income taxes, including withholding taxes. The
United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign
countries which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes
or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible 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. If more than 50% of the value of the
Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of
stocks or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be
eligible and intends to file an election with the Internal
Revenue Service to pass through to its shareholders the amount of
foreign taxes paid by the Fund. However, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to do so. Pursuant to this
election a United States shareholder will be required to
(i) include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends
actually received) his pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by
the Fund, (ii) treat his pro rata share of such foreign taxes as
having been paid by him, and (iii) either deduct such pro rata
share of foreign taxes in computing his taxable income or treat
such foreign taxes as a credit against United States federal
income taxes. Shareholders who are not liable for federal income
taxes, such as retirement plans qualified under section 401 of
the Code, will not be affected by any such pass through of taxes
by the Fund. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by an
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individual United States shareholder who does not itemize
deductions. In addition, certain individual United States
shareholders may be subject to rules which limit or reduce their
ability to fully deduct, or claim a credit for, their pro rata
share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. A shareholder's
foreign tax credit with respect to a dividend received from the
Fund will be disallowed unless the shareholder holds shares in
the Fund on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 other days
during the 30-day period beginning 15 days prior to the ex-
dividend date. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days
after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign
taxes paid by the Fund will pass through for that year and, if
so, such notification will designate (i) the shareholder's
portion of the foreign taxes paid to each such country and
(ii) the portion of dividends that represents income derived from
sources within each such country.
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
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
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are treated as ordinary gain 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.
Futures and Forward Contracts. Certain 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.
Tax Straddles. Any futures contract, forward foreign
currency contract, 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
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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 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.
Taxation of Foreign Stockholders
The foregoing discussion relates only to United States
federal income tax law as it affects shareholders who are United
States citizens or residents or United States corporations. The
effects of federal income tax law on shareholders who are non-
resident alien individuals or foreign corporations may be
substantially different. Foreign investors should therefore
consult their counsel for further information as to the United
States tax consequences of receipt of income from the Fund.
Other Taxation
The Fund may be subject to other state and local
taxes.
_________________________________________________________________
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
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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
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
62
<PAGE>
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
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 authorized capital stock of the Fund currently
consists of 3,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock,
3,000,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, 3,000,000,000
shares of Class C Common Stock and 3,000,000,000 shares of
Advisor Class Common Stock, each having a par value of $.001 per
share. All shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable. The Directors are authorized to reclassify any
unissued shares to any number of additional series and classes
63
<PAGE>
without shareholder approval. Accordingly, the Directors in the
future, for reasons such as the desire to establish one or more
additional portfolios with different investment objectives,
policies or restrictions, may create additional classes or series
of shares. Any issuance of shares of another class or series
would be governed by the 1940 Act and the law of the State of
Maryland. If shares of another series were issued in connection
with the creation of a second portfolio, each share of either
portfolio would normally be entitled to one vote for all
purposes. Generally, shares of both portfolios would vote as a
single series on matters, such as the election of Directors, that
affected both portfolios 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.
Procedures for calling a shareholders' meeting for the removal of
Directors of the Fund, 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.
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.
A shareholder will be entitled to share pro rata with
other holders of the same class of shares all dividends and
distributions arising from the Fund's assets and, upon redeeming
shares, will receive the then current net asset value of the Fund
represented by the redeemed shares less any applicable CDSC. The
Fund 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 in the Fund, 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 together
as a single class on matters, such as the election of Directors,
that affect each portfolio and class in substantially the same
manner. Class A, B, C and Advisor Class shares 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 of the Fund bears its own distribution
expenses and Class B shares and Advisor Class shares convert to
Class A shares under certain circumstances. 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 as determined by the
64
<PAGE>
Directors and, in liquidation of the Fund, are entitled to
receive the net assets of the Fund.
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. will act as the Fund'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 Fund's Directors, Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co. may enter into sub-custodial agreements for the
holding of the Fund's foreign securities.
Principal Underwriter
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, serves as the Fund's
Principal Underwriter, 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, has been
appointed as independent accountants for the Fund.
Performance Information
From time to time the Fund advertises its "total
return." Computed separately for each class, the Fund's "total
return" is its average annual compounded total return for its
most recently completed one, five, and ten-year periods (or the
period since the Fund's inception). The Fund's total return for
such a period is computed by finding, 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 such 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
65
<PAGE>
and the maximum sales charge applicable to purchases of Fund
shares is assumed to have been paid.
The Fund's total return is computed separately for
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. The Fund's
total return is not fixed and will fluctuate in response to
prevailing market conditions or as a function of the type and
quality of the securities in the Fund's portfolio and its
expenses. 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.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings of the Fund
as measured by financial publications or by independent
organizations such as Lipper Inc. and Morningstar, Inc. 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 Barron's,
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.
66
<PAGE>
_________________________________________________________________
FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
_________________________________________________________________
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
JULY 14,1999
ASSETS
Cash $100,300
Receivable from Adviser (Note B) 42,000
Deferred Offering Expenses (Note A) 169,000
--------
Total Assets 311,300
--------
LIABILITIES
Organization Costs Payable (Note A) 42,000
offering Expenses Payable (Note A) 169,000
--------
Total Liabilities 211,000
--------
NET ASSETS
Paid in Capital (Applicable to 10
Class A shares issued and
outstanding, 10 Class B shares
issued and outstanding, 10 Class C
shares issued and outstanding and
10,000 Advisor Class shares issued
and outstanding; each with $.001
par value; 3,000,000,000 shares of
each class authorized) $100,300
========
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING
PRICE.
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value and redemption
price per share
($100/10 shares issued and
outstanding) $10.00
1
<PAGE>
Sales charge - 4.25% of public
offering price .44
--------
Maximum offering price $10.44
========
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value and offering
price per share
($100/10 shares issued and
outstanding) $10.00
========
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value and offering
price per share
($100/10 shares issued and
outstanding) $10.00
========
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
Net asset value, offering and
redemption price per share
($100,000/10,000 shares issued
and outstanding) $10.00
========
See notes to financial statements.
2
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Period April 30, 1999 (date
of organization) to July 14,1999
Organization Expenses $42,000
Expenses reimbursed by the Adviser (42,000)
--------
Net Income/Loss 0
========
3
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JULY 14,1999
NOTE A - ORGANIZATION:
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") was organized as a
Maryland corporation on April 30,1999. The Fund is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end,
diversified management investment company. The Fund has had no
operations to date, other than the sale to Alliance Capital
Management L.P. (the "Adviser") of 10 shares of Class A common
shares for the amount of $ 100, 10 shares of Class B common
shares for the amount of S100, and 10 shares of Class C common
shares for the amount of S100 and 10,000 shares of Advisor Class
common stock for the amount of $100,000, in each case on July 14,
1999.
The Fund currently offers four classes of shares. Class A shares
are sold with an initial sales charge imposed at the time of
purchase. Class B share's are sold with a contingent deferred
sales charge imposed on most redemptions made within four years
of purchase and higher distribution fees. Class C shares are sold
with a contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions
made within one year of purchase and higher distribution fees.
Advisor Class shams are sold without any initial or contingent
deferred sales charge and without ongoing distribution expenses.
Costs incurred and to be incurred in connection with the
organization of the Fund, estimated at $42,000, will be borne by
the Fund, subject to the expense limitation agreement described
in Note, R below. Certain costs incurred and to be incurred in
connection with the initial offering of shares of the Fund,
estimated at $169,000, will be paid initially by the Advisor. The
Fund will reimburse the Advisor for such costs, which will be
deferred and amortized by the Fund over the period of benefit,
not to exceed 12 months from the date the Fund commences
operations.
NOTE B - INVESTMENT ADVISORY, DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND TRANSFER
AGENCY AGREEMENTS:
Under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund
pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annualized rate of .9 5% of
the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund and the Adviser have entered into an Expense Limitation
Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated July 13, 1999, under which the
Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and, if necessary, reimburse
expenses for the period from April 30, 1999 (date of organization
of the Fund) to August 31, 2000, exceeding the annual rate of
4
<PAGE>
2.50% of average daily net assets for Class A shares, 3.20% of
average daily net assets for Class B shares and Class C shares
and 2.20% of average daily net assets for Advisor class shares,
respectively. Under the Agreement, any waivers or reimbursements
made by the Adviser during this period are subject to repayment
by the Fund by August 31, 2002, provided that repayment does not
result in the Fun&s aggregate expenses exceeding the foregoing
expense limitations. Further, the aggregate repayment to the
Adviser will not exceed the sum of the Fund's organization costs
and initial offering expenses.
The Fund recorded its initial organization costs of $42,000 as an
expense as of July 13, 1999 and recognized an offsetting expense
reduction as a result of the Adviser's commitment to reimburse
these costs under the Agreement. The Fund may be obliged to repay
some or all of these costs to the Adviser if the Agreements
conditions are met.
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the
"Distribution Agreement) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Distribution Agreement,
the Fund pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an annual
rate of up to .30% of the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class A shares and 1% of the average daily not
assets attributable to both Class B and Class C shares. There is
no distribution fee on the Advisor Class shares. The fees are
accrued daily and paid monthly. The Distribution Agreement
provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their
entirety for distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for
providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency
services for the Fund.
5
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Shareholder and Board of Directors of
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities
and the related statement of operations present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
(the "Fund") at July 14, 1999, and the results of its operations for
the period from April 30, 1999 (date of organization) to July 14, 1999,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management;
our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements
based on our audit. We conducted our aduit of these financial statements
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, which require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts
and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York
July 15, 1999
6
00250248.AF1
<PAGE>
_________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A:
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
A-1
<PAGE>
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
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."
A-2
<PAGE>
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 23. Exhibits
(a) (1) Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant -
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May 6, 1999.
(2) Articles of Amendment and Restatement, dated
June 25, 1999 - Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (a)(2) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
tothe Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
N-1A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 9, 1999.
(b) By-Laws of the Registrant - Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (b) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 tothe
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 9,
1999.
(c) See Exhibit (b).
(d) Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Alliance
Capital Management L.P. - Filed herewith.
(e) (1) Distribution Services Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. -
Filed herewith.
(2) Form of Selected Dealer Agreement between Alliance
Fund Distributors, Inc. and selected dealers
offering shares of Registrant - Filed herewith.
(3) Form of Selected Agent Agreement between Alliance
Fund Distributors, Inc. and selected agents making
available shares of Registrant - Filed herewith.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Brown
Brothers Harriman & Co. - Filed herewith.
(h) (1) Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant
and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. - Filed herewith.
C-1
<PAGE>
(2) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant
and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - Filed
herewith.
(i) (1) Opinion and Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP - Filed
herewith.
(2) Opinion and Consent of Venable, Baetjer and Howard,
LLP - Filed herewith.
(j) Consent of Independent Accountants - Filed herewith.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Investment representation letter of Alliance Capital
Management L.P. - Filed herewith.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan - see Exhibit (e)(1).
(n) Not applicable.
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan - Filed herewith.
Other Exhibits - Powers of Attorney of Mssrs. Carifa,
Dievler, Dobkin, Foulk, Hester, Michel, Robinson and Ms.
Block - Filed herewith.
ITEM 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with
Registrant.
None.
C-2
<PAGE>
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
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
C-3
<PAGE>
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 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.
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
C-4
<PAGE>
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. also 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 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 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.
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.
C-5
<PAGE>
POSITIONS AND POSITIONS AND
OFFICES WITH OFFICES WITH
NAME UNDERWRITER REGISTRANT
Michael J. Laughlin Director and Chairman
John D. Carifa Director
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
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
C-6
<PAGE>
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
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
C-7
<PAGE>
William W. Collins, Jr. Vice President
Leo H. Cook Vice President
Russell R. Corby Vice President
John W. Cronin Vice President
Richard W. Dabney Vice President
Stephen J. Demetrovits 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
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
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
Scott F. Heyer Vice President
Timothy A. Hill Vice President
C-8
<PAGE>
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
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
Michael F. Mahoney Vice President
Shawn P. McClain Vice President
David L. McGuire Vice President
Jeffrey P. Mellas 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. Notto Vice President
C-9
<PAGE>
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
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
C-10
<PAGE>
Mark E. Westmoreland Vice President
David E. Willis Vice President
Emilie D. Wrapp Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General Secretary
Counsel
Michael W. Alexander Assistant Vice
President
Richard J. Appaluccio Assistant Vice
President
Paul G. Bishop Assistant Vice
President
John M. Capeci Assistant Vice
President
Maria L. Carreras Assistant Vice
President
John P. Chase Assistant Vice
President
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
Duff C. Ferguson Assistant Vice
President
Michele Grossman Assistant Vice
President
C-11
<PAGE>
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
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
C-12
<PAGE>
John Wilkens Assistant Vice
President
Wesley S. Williams Assistant Vice
President
Matthew Witschel Assistant Vice
President
David M. Wolf Assistant Vice
President
Christopher J. Zingaro 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 Brown Brothers Harriman &
Co., the Registrant's custodian. All other records so
required to be maintained are maintained at the offices
of Alliance 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.
C-13
<PAGE>
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 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 July, 1999.
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
/s/Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
________________________
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Chairman
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, this Amendment 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 July 16, 1999
______________________ President
John D. Carifa
(2) Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer:
/s/ Mark D. Gersten Treasurer July 16, 1999
_____________________ 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. July 16, 1999
_________________________
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Attorney-in-Fact
C-14
<PAGE>
Index To Exhibits
(d) Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Alliance
Capital Management L.P.
(e)(1) Distribution Services Agreement between the Registrant
and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
(e)(2) Form of Selected Dealer Agreement between Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and selected dealers offering shares
of Registrant.
(e)(3) Form of Selected Agent Agreement between Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and selected agents making available
shares of Registrant.
(g) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Brown
Brothers Harriman & Co.
(h)(1) Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
(h)(2) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
(i)(1) Opinion and Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP.
(i)(2) Opinion and Consent of Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP.
(j) Consent of Independent Accountants.
(l) Investment representation letter of Alliance Capital
Management L.P.
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan.
Other Powers of Attorney of Mssrs. Carifa, Dievler, Dobkin,
Foulk, Hester, Michel, Robinson and Ms. Block
C-15
00250248.AC9
<PAGE>
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
1345 Avenue Of The Americas
New York, New York 10105
July 13, 1999
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Dear Sirs:
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") herewith
confirms our agreement with you as follows:
1. We are an open-end, diversified management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"). We are currently authorized to
issue separate classes of shares and our Directors are authorized
to reclassify and issue any unissued shares to any number of
additional classes or series (portfolios) each having its own
investment objective, policies and restrictions, all as more
fully described in the prospectus and the statement of additional
information constituting parts of our Registration Statement on
Form N-1A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the Act (the "Registration Statement"). We propose to engage in
the business of investing and reinvesting the assets of each of
our portfolios in securities ("the portfolio assets") of the type
<PAGE>
and in accordance with the limitations specified in our Articles
of Incorporation, By-Laws and Registration Statement, and any
representations made in our prospectus and statement of
additional information, all in such manner and to such extent as
may from time to time be authorized by our Board of Directors.
We enclose copies of the documents listed above and will from
time to time furnish you with any amendments thereof.
2. (a) We hereby employ you to manage the investment
and reinvestment of the portfolio assets as above specified and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to provide
management and other services specified below.
(b) You will make decisions with respect to all
purchases and sales of the portfolio assets. To carry out such
decisions, you are hereby authorized, as our agent and attorney-
in-fact, for our account and at our risk and in our name, to
place orders for the investment and reinvestment of the portfolio
assets. In all purchases, sales and other transactions in the
portfolio assets you are authorized to exercise full discretion
and act for us in the same manner and with the same force and
effect as we might or could do with respect to such purchases,
sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other
things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of
such purchases, sales or other transactions.
(c) You will report to our Board of Directors at
each meeting thereof all changes in the portfolio assets since
2
<PAGE>
the prior report, and will also keep us in touch with important
developments affecting the portfolio assets and on your own
initiative will furnish us from time to time with such
information as you may believe appropriate for this purpose,
whether concerning the individual issuers whose securities are
included in the portfolio assets, the industries in which they
engage, or the conditions prevailing in the economy generally.
You will also furnish us with such statistical and analytical
information with respect to the portfolio assets as you may
believe appropriate or as we reasonably may request. In making
such purchases and sales of the portfolio assets, you will bear
in mind the policies set from time to time by our Board of
Directors as well as the limitations imposed by our Articles of
Incorporation and in our Registration Statement, in each case as
amended from time to time, the limitations in the Act and of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in respect of
regulated investment companies and the investment objective,
policies and practices, including restrictions applicable to each
of our portfolios.
(d) It is understood that you will from time to
time employ or associate with yourselves such persons as you
believe to be particularly fitted to assist you in the execution
of your duties hereunder, the cost of performance of such duties
to be borne and paid by you. No obligation may be incurred on
our behalf in any such respect. During the continuance of this
3
<PAGE>
Agreement and at our request you will provide to us persons
satisfactory to our Board of Directors to serve as our officers.
You or your affiliates will also provide persons, who may be our
officers, to render such clerical, accounting and other services
to us as we may from time to time request of you. Such personnel
may be employees of you or your affiliates. We will pay to you
or your affiliates the cost of such personnel for rendering such
services to us, provided that all time devoted to the investment
or reinvestment of the portfolio assets shall be for your
account. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to restrict
our right to hire our own employees or to contract for services
to be performed by third parties. Furthermore, you or your
affiliates shall furnish us without charge with such management
supervision and assistance and such office facilities as you may
believe appropriate or as we may reasonably request subject to
the requirements of any regulatory authority to which you may be
subject. You or your affiliates shall also be responsible for
the payment of any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of our
shares (other than the portion of the promotional expenses to be
borne by us in accordance with an effective plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Act and the costs of printing our prospectuses
and reports to shareholders and fees related to registration with
the Commission and with state regulatory authorities).
3. We hereby confirm that we shall be responsible and
hereby assume the obligation for payment of all of our expenses,
4
<PAGE>
including: (a) payment to you of the fee provided for in
paragraph 5 below; (b) custody, transfer and dividend disbursing
expenses; (c) fees of directors who are not your affiliated
persons; (d) legal and auditing expenses; (e) clerical,
accounting and other office costs; (f) the cost of personnel
providing services to us, as provided in subparagraph (d) of
paragraph 2 above; (g) costs of printing our prospectuses and
shareholder reports; (h) cost of maintenance of our corporate
existence; (i) interest charges, taxes, brokerage fees and
commissions; (j) costs of stationery and supplies; (k) expenses
and fees related to registration and filing with the Commission
and with state regulatory authorities; and (l) such promotional,
shareholder servicing and other expenses as may be contemplated
by one or more effective plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act or one or more duly approved and effective non-Rule 12b-1
shareholder servicing plans, in each case provided, however, that
our payment of such promotional, shareholder servicing and other
expenses shall be in the amounts, and in accordance with the
procedures, set forth in such plan or plans.
4. We shall expect of you, and you will give us the
benefit of, your best judgment and efforts in rendering these
services to us, and we agree as an inducement to your undertaking
these services that you shall not be liable hereunder for any
mistake of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for lack
of good faith, provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to
5
<PAGE>
protect, or purport to protect, you against any liability to us
or to our security holders to which you would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of your duties hereunder, or by
reason of your reckless disregard of your obligations and duties
hereunder.
5. In consideration of the foregoing we will pay you a
monthly fee at an annualized rate of .95% of our average daily
net assets. Your compensation for the period from the date
hereof through the last day of the month of the effective date
hereof will be prorated based on the proportion that such period
bears to the full month. In the event of any termination of this
Agreement, your compensation will be calculated on the basis of a
period ending on the last day on which this Agreement is in
effect, subject to proration based on the number of days elapsed
in the current period as a percentage of the total number of days
in such period.
6. This Agreement shall become effective on the date
hereof and shall remain in effect until July 31, 2001 and
continue in effect thereafter with respect to a portfolio only so
long as its continuance with respect to that portfolio is
specifically approved at least annually by our Board of Directors
or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the Act) of such portfolio, and, in either case,
by a vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
6
<PAGE>
voting on such approval, of a majority of our Directors who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons, as defined
in the Act, of any party to this Agreement (other than as our
Directors), and provided further, however, that if the
continuation of this Agreement is not approved as to a portfolio,
you may continue to render to such portfolio the services
described herein in the manner and to the extent permitted by the
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Upon the
effectiveness of this Agreement, it shall supersede all previous
agreements between us covering the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement may be terminated with respect to any portfolio at any
time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of
such portfolio, or by a vote of our Board of Directors on 60
days' written notice to you, or by you with respect to any
portfolio on 60 days' written notice to us.
7. This Agreement shall not be amended as to any
portfolio unless such amendment is approved by vote, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval, of a majority of our Directors who are not parties to
this Agreement or interested persons, as defined in the Act, of
any party to this Agreement (other than as our Directors), and,
if required by law, by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities (as defined in the Act) of such portfolio.
7
<PAGE>
Shareholders of a portfolio not affected by any such amendment
shall have no right to participate in any such vote.
8. As to any particular portfolio, this Agreement may
not be assigned by you and, as to such portfolio, this Agreement
shall terminate automatically in the event of any assignment by
you. The term "assignment" as used in this paragraph shall have
the meaning ascribed thereto by the Act and any regulations or
interpretations of the Commission thereunder.
9. (a) Except to the extent necessary to perform your
obligations hereunder, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or
restrict your right, or the right of any of your employees, or
any of the officers or directors of Alliance Capital Management
Corporation, your general partner, who may also be a Director,
officer or employee of ours, or persons otherwise affiliated with
us (within the meaning of the Act), to engage in any other
business or to devote time and attention to the management or
other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or
dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other
trust, corporation, firm, individual or association.
(b) You will notify us of any change in the general
partners of your partnership within a reasonable time after such
change.
10. If you cease to act as our investment adviser, or,
in any event, if you so request in writing, we agree to take all
necessary action to change our name to a name not including the
8
<PAGE>
term "Alliance." You may from time to time make available
without charge to us for our use such marks or symbols owned by
you, including marks or symbols containing the term "Alliance" or
any variation thereof, as you may consider appropriate. Any such
marks or symbols so made available will remain your property and
you shall have the right, upon notice in writing, to require us
to cease the use of such mark or symbol at any time.
11. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, provided, however, that
nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the
Act.
9
<PAGE>
If the foregoing is in accordance with your
understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and
returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.
Very truly yours,
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE
FUND, INC.
By /s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Agreed to and accepted
as of the date first set forth above.
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
By ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION, its general
partner
By /s/ John D. Carifa
10
00250248.AB3
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of July 13, 1999 between ALLIANCE
HEALTH CARE FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Underwriter").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"),
as a diversified, open-end management investment company and it
is in the interest of the Fund to offer its shares for sale
continuously;
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is a securities firm engaged in
the business of selling shares of investment companies either
directly to purchasers or through other securities dealers;
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Underwriter wish to enter into
an agreement with each other with respect to the continuous
offering of the Fund's shares in order to promote the growth of
the Fund and facilitate the distribution of its shares;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Appointment of the Underwriter. The Fund
hereby appoints the Underwriter as the principal underwriter and
distributor of the Fund to sell to the public shares of its Class
A Common Stock (the "Class A shares"), Class B Common Stock (the
"Class B shares"), Class C Common Stock (the "Class C shares"),
Advisor Class Common Stock (the "Advisor Class shares") and
shares of such other class or classes as the Fund and the
Underwriter shall from time to time mutually agree in writing
shall become subject to this Agreement (the "New shares") (the
Class A shares, the Class B shares, the Class C shares, the
Advisor Class shares and the New shares being collectively
referred to herein as the "shares") and hereby agrees during the
term of this Agreement to sell shares to the Underwriter upon the
terms and conditions herein set forth.
SECTION 2. Exclusive Nature of Duties. The Underwriter
shall be the exclusive representative of the Fund to act as
principal underwriter and distributor of the shares except that
the rights given under this Agreement to the Underwriter shall
not apply to shares issued in connection with (a) the merger or
consolidation of any other investment company with the Fund, (b)
the Fund's acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all or
substantially all of the assets or stock of any other investment
<PAGE>
company or (c) the reinvestment in shares by the Fund's
shareholders of dividends or other distributions.
SECTION 3. Purchase of Shares from the Fund.
(a) Prior to the continuous offering of the shares
commencing on a date agreed upon by the Fund and the Underwriter,
the Underwriter agrees to solicit subscriptions for shares during
an initial offering period which shall last for such period as
may be agreed upon by the parties hereto. The subscriptions will
be payable within three business days after the termination of
the initial offering period.
(b) After a period of time following the termination of
the initial offering period, which will be determined by the
Fund, the Fund will commence a continuous offering of its shares
and thereafter the Underwriter shall have the right to buy from
the Fund the shares needed to fill unconditional orders for
shares of the Fund placed with the Underwriter by investors or
securities dealers, depository institutions or other financial
intermediaries acting as agent for their customers. The price
which the Underwriter shall pay for the shares so purchased from
the Fund shall be the net asset value, determined as set forth in
Section 3(d) hereof, used in determining the public offering
price on which such orders are based.
(c) The shares are to be resold by the Underwriter to
investors at a public offering price, as set forth in Section
3(d) hereof, or to securities dealers, depository institutions or
other financial intermediaries acting as agent for their
customers having agreements with the Underwriter upon the terms
and conditions set forth in Section 8 hereof.
(d) The public offering price of the shares, i.e., the
price per share at which the Underwriter or selected dealers or
selected agents (each as defined in Section 8(a) below) may sell
shares to the public, shall be the public offering price
determined in accordance with one or more then current
prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Fund
(each a "Prospectus" and a "Statement of Additional Information,"
respectively) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), relating to such shares, but not to exceed the
net asset value at which the Underwriter is to purchase such
shares, plus, in the case of Class A shares, an initial sales
charge equal to a specified percentage or percentages of the
public offering price of the Class A shares as set forth in the
Prospectus. Class A shares may be sold without such a sales
charge to certain classes of persons as from time to time set
forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
All payments to the Fund hereunder shall be made in the manner
set forth in Section 3(g) hereof.
2
<PAGE>
(e) The net asset value of shares of the Fund shall be
determined by the Fund, or any agent of the Fund, as of the close
of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each Fund
business day in accordance with the method set forth in the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and guidelines
established by the Directors of the Fund.
(f) The Fund reserves the right to suspend the offering
of its shares at any time in the absolute discretion of its
Directors.
(g) The Fund, or any agent of the Fund designated in
writing to the Underwriter by the Fund, shall be promptly advised
by the Underwriter of all purchase orders for shares received by
the Underwriter. Any order may be rejected by the Fund;
provided, however, that the Fund will not arbitrarily or without
reasonable cause refuse to accept or confirm orders for the
purchase of shares. The Fund (or its agent) will confirm orders
upon their receipt, will make appropriate book entries and, upon
receipt by the Fund (or its agent) of payment thereof, will
deliver deposit receipts or certificates for such shares pursuant
to the instructions of the Underwriter. Payment shall be made to
the Fund in New York Clearing House funds. The Underwriter
agrees to cause such payment and such instructions to be
delivered promptly to the Fund (or its agent).
SECTION 4. Repurchase or Redemption of
Shares by the Fund.
(a) Any of the outstanding shares may be tendered for
redemption at any time, and the Fund agrees to redeem or
repurchase the shares so tendered in accordance with its
obligations as set forth in paragraph 9(d) of ARTICLE FIFTH of
its Articles of Incorporation and in accordance with the
applicable provisions set forth in the Prospectus and Statement
of Additional Information. The price to be paid to redeem or
repurchase the shares shall be equal to the net asset value
calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(e)
hereof, less any applicable sales charge or redemption fee. All
payments by the Fund hereunder shall be made in the manner set
forth below. The redemption or repurchase by the Fund of any of
the Class A shares purchased by or through the Underwriter will
not affect the initial sales charge secured by the Underwriter or
any selected dealer or compensation paid to any selected agent
(unless such selected dealer or selected agent has otherwise
agreed with the Underwriter), in the course of the original sale,
regardless of the length of the time period between purchase by
an investor and his tendering for redemption or repurchase.
The Fund (or its agent) shall pay the total amount of
the redemption price and, except as may be otherwise required by
3
<PAGE>
the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and any interpretations thereof ("NASD
rules and interpretations"), the deferred sales charges, if any,
pursuant to the instructions of the Underwriter in New York
Clearing House funds on or before the seventh business day
subsequent to its having received the notice of redemption in
proper form.
(b) Redemption of shares or payment may be suspended at
times when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, when trading
thereon is restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of
which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for
the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or
during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission, by order, so permits.
SECTION 5. Plan of Distribution.
(a) It is understood that Sections 5, 12 and 16 hereof
together constitute a plan of distribution (the "Plan") within
the meaning of Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Investment Company Act ("Rule 12b-1").
(b) Except as may be required by NASD rules and
interpretations, the Fund will pay to the Underwriter each month
a distribution services fee with respect to each portfolio of the
Fund specified by the Fund's Directors (a "Portfolio") that will
not exceed, on an annualized basis, .30% of the aggregate average
daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the Class A shares,
1.00% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund
attributable to the Class B shares and 1.00% of the aggregate
average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the Class C
shares. With respect to each Portfolio, the distribution
services fee will be used in its entirety by the Underwriter to
make payments (i) to compensate broker-dealers or other persons
for providing distribution assistance, (ii) to otherwise promote
the sale of shares of each Portfolio, including payment for the
preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and sales
literature or other promotional activities, and (iii) to
compensate broker-dealers, depository institutions and other
financial intermediaries for providing administrative, accounting
and other services with respect to each Portfolio's shareholders.
A portion of the distribution services fee that will not exceed,
on an annualized basis, .25% of the aggregate average daily net
assets of the Fund attributable to each of the Class A shares,
Class B shares and Class C shares will constitute a service fee
that will be used by the Underwriter for personal service and/or
the maintenance of shareholder accounts within the meaning of
NASD rules and interpretations.
4
<PAGE>
(c) Alliance Capital Management L.P., the Fund's
investment adviser (the "Adviser"), may, with respect to any and
all classes of shares of the Fund, make payments from time to
time from its own resources for the purposes described in Section
5(b) hereof.
(d) Payments to broker-dealers, depository institutions
and other financial intermediaries for the purposes set forth in
Section 5(b) are subject to the terms and conditions of the
respective written agreements between the Underwriter and each
broker-dealer, depository institution or other financial
intermediary. Such agreements will be in a form satisfactory to
the Directors of the Fund.
(e) The Treasurer of the Fund will prepare and furnish
to the Fund's Directors, and the Directors will review, at least
quarterly, a written report complying with the requirements of
Rule 12b-1 setting forth all amounts expended hereunder and the
purposes for which such expenditures were made.
(f) The Fund is not obligated to pay any distribution
expenses in excess of the distribution services fee described
above in Section 5(b) hereof. Any expenses of distribution of
the Fund's Class A shares accrued by the Underwriter in one
fiscal year of the Fund may not be paid from distribution
services fees received from the Fund in respect of Class A shares
in another fiscal year. Any expenses of distribution of the
Fund's Class B shares or Class C shares accrued by the
Underwriter in one fiscal year of the Fund may be carried forward
and paid from distribution services fees received from the Fund
in respect of such class of shares in another fiscal year. No
portion of the distribution services fees received from the Fund
in respect of Class A shares may be used to pay any interest
expense, carrying charges or other financing costs or allocation
of overhead of the Underwriter. The distribution services fees
received from the Fund in respect of Class B shares and Class C
shares may be used to pay interest expenses, carrying charges and
other financing costs or allocation of overhead of the
Underwriter to the extent permitted by Securities and Exchange
Commission rules, regulations or Securities and Exchange
Commission staff no-action or interpretative positions in effect
from time to time. In the event this Agreement is terminated by
either party or is not continued with respect to a class of
shares as provided in Section 12 below: (i) no distribution
services fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet
paid) will be owed by the Fund to the Underwriter with respect to
that class, and (ii) the Fund will not be obligated to pay the
Underwriter for any amounts expended hereunder not previously
reimbursed by the Fund from distribution services fees in respect
of shares of such class or recovered through deferred sales
5
<PAGE>
charges. The distribution services fee of a particular class may
not be used to subsidize the sale of shares of any other class.
SECTION 6. Duties of the Fund.
(a) The Fund shall furnish to the Underwriter copies of
all information, financial statements and other papers that the
Underwriter may reasonably request for use in connection with the
distribution of shares of the Fund, and this shall include one
certified copy, upon request by the Underwriter, of all financial
statements prepared for the Fund by the Fund's independent public
accountants. The Fund shall make available to the Underwriter
such number of copies of the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information as the Underwriter shall reasonably
request.
(b) The Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject
to any necessary approval of its shareholders, all necessary
action to fix the number of authorized shares and such steps as
may be necessary to register the same under the Securities Act,
to the end that there will be available for sale such number of
shares as the Underwriter reasonably may be expected to sell.
(c) The Fund shall use its best efforts to qualify for
sale and maintain the qualification for sale of an appropriate
number of its shares under the securities laws of such states as
the Underwriter and the Fund may approve. Any such qualification
may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Fund at any time
in its discretion. As provided in Section 9(b) hereof, the
expense of qualification and maintenance of qualification shall
be borne by the Fund. The Underwriter shall furnish such
information and other material relating to its affairs and
activities as may be required by the Fund in connection with such
qualification.
(d) The Fund will furnish, in reasonable quantities
upon request by the Underwriter, copies of annual and interim
reports of the Fund.
SECTION 7. Duties of the Underwriter.
(a) The Underwriter shall devote reasonable time and
effort to effect sales of shares of the Fund, but shall not be
obligated to sell any specific number of shares. The services
hereunder of the Underwriter to the Fund are not to be deemed
exclusive as to the Underwriter and nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent the Underwriter from entering into like
arrangements with other investment companies so long as the
performance of its obligations hereunder is not impaired thereby.
6
<PAGE>
(b) In selling shares of the Fund, the Underwriter
shall use its best efforts in all material respects duly to
conform with the requirements of all federal and state laws
relating to the sale of such securities. Neither the
Underwriter, any selected dealer, any selected agent nor any
other person is authorized by the Fund to give any information or
to make any representations, other than those contained in the
Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration
Statement"), as amended from time to time, under the Securities
Act and the Investment Company Act or the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information or in any sales literature
specifically approved in writing by the Fund.
(c) The Underwriter shall adopt and follow procedures,
as approved by the appropriate officers of the Fund, for the
confirmation of sales to investors and selected dealers, the
collection of amounts payable by investors and selected dealers
on such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as
may be necessary to comply with the requirements of the NASD, as
such requirements may from time to time exist.
SECTION 8. Selected Dealer and Agent Agreements.
(a) The Underwriter shall have the right to enter into
selected dealer agreements with securities dealers of its choice
("selected dealers") and selected agent agreements with
depository institutions and other financial intermediaries of its
choice ("selected agents") for the sale of shares and fix therein
the portion of the sales charge that may be allocated to the
selected dealers and selected agents; provided, that the Fund
shall approve the forms of agreements with selected dealers and
selected agents and the selected dealer and selected agent
compensation set forth therein. Shares sold to selected dealers
or through selected agents shall be for resale by such selected
dealers and for sale through such selected agents only at the
public offering price set forth in the Prospectus and/or
Statement of Additional Information.
(b) Within the United States, the Underwriter shall
offer and sell shares only to such selected dealers as are
members in good standing of the NASD.
SECTION 9. Payment of Expenses.
(a) The Fund shall bear all costs and expenses of the
Fund, including fees and disbursements of its counsel and
auditors, in connection with the preparation and filing of its
Registration Statement and Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and
preparing and mailing annual and interim reports and proxy
materials to shareholders (including but not limited to the
7
<PAGE>
expense of printing any such registration statements,
prospectuses, annual or interim reports or proxy materials).
(b) The Fund shall bear the cost of expenses of
qualification of shares for sale, and, if necessary or advisable
in connection therewith, of qualifying the Fund as an issuer or
as a broker or dealer, in such states of the United States or
other jurisdiction as shall be selected by the Fund and the
Underwriter pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof and the cost and
expenses payable to each such state for continuing qualification
therein until the Fund decides to discontinue such qualification
pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof.
SECTION 10. Indemnification.
(a) The Fund shall indemnify, defend and hold the
Underwriter, and any person who controls the Underwriter within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and
harmless from and against any and all claims, demands,
liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or
defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel
fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Underwriter or
any such controlling person may incur, under the Securities Act,
or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon
any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Fund's Registration Statement, Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information in effect from time to time under the
Securities Act or arising out of or based upon any alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated in any
one thereof or necessary to make the statements in any one
thereof not misleading; provided, however, that in no event shall
anything herein contained be so construed as to protect the
Underwriter against any liability to the Fund or its security
holders to which the Underwriter would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in
the performance of its duties, or by reason of the Underwriter's
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement. The Fund's agreement to indemnify the Underwriter and
any such controlling person as aforesaid is expressly conditioned
upon the Fund's being notified of the commencement of any action
brought against the Underwriter or any such controlling person,
such notification to be given by letter or by telegram addressed
to the Fund at its principal office in New York, New York, and
sent to the Fund by the person against whom such action is
brought within ten days after the summons or other first legal
process shall have been served. The failure to so notify the
Fund of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve the
Fund from any liability which it may have to the person against
whom such action is brought by reason of any such alleged untrue
statement or omission otherwise than on account of the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 10. The Fund will be
8
<PAGE>
entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any
such claim, and to retain counsel of good standing chosen by the
Fund and approved by the Underwriter. In the event the Fund does
not elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
counsel of good standing approved by the Underwriter, the
defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but
if Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or
in case the Underwriter does not approve of counsel chosen by the
Fund, the Fund will reimburse the Underwriter or the controlling
person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit,
for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the
Underwriter or any such person. The indemnification agreement
contained in this Section 10 shall remain operative and in full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the Underwriter or any controlling person and shall
survive the sale of any of the Fund's shares made pursuant to
subscriptions obtained by the Underwriter. This agreement of
indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of the
Underwriter, to the benefit of its successors and assigns, and to
the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors and
assigns. The Fund shall promptly notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceeding against the Fund in
connection with the issue and sale of any of its shares.
(b) The Underwriter shall indemnify, defend and hold
the Fund, its several officers and directors, and any person who
controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act, free and harmless from and against any and all
claims, demands, liabilities, and expenses (including the cost of
investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities
and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the
Fund, its officers or directors, or any such controlling person
may incur under the Securities Act or under common law or
otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability, or expense
incurred by the Fund, its officers, directors or such controlling
person resulting from such claims or demands shall arise out of
or be based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in information furnished in writing by the Underwriter
to the Fund for use in its Registration Statement, Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information in effect from time to time
under the Securities Act, or shall arise out of or be based upon
any alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with
such information required to be stated in the Registration
Statement, Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information or
necessary to make such information not misleading. The
Underwriter's agreement to indemnify the Fund, its officers and
directors, and any such controlling person as aforesaid is
expressly conditioned upon the Underwriter being notified of the
commencement of any action brought against the Fund, its officers
or directors or any such controlling person, such notification to
9
<PAGE>
be given by letter or telegram addressed to the Underwriter at
its principal office in New York, and sent to the Underwriter by
the person against whom such action is brought, within ten days
after the summons or other first legal process shall have been
served. The Underwriter shall have a right to control the
defense of such action, with counsel of its own choosing,
satisfactory to the Fund, if such action is based solely upon
such alleged misstatement or omission on its part, and in any
other event the Underwriter and the Fund, and their officers and
directors or such controlling person, shall each have the right
to participate in the defense or preparation of the defense of
any such action. The failure so to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any such action shall not relieve the Underwriter
from any liability which it may have to the Fund, to its officers
and directors, or to such controlling person by reason of any
such untrue statement or omission on the part of the Underwriter
otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement contained in
this Section 10.
SECTION 11. Notification by the Fund.
The Fund shall advise the Underwriter immediately:
(a) of any request by the Securities and Exchange
Commission for any amendment to the Fund's Registration
Statement, Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information or
for additional information,
(b) in the event of the issuance by the Securities and
Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Fund's Registration Statement, Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information or the initiation of any
proceeding for that purpose,
(c) of the happening of any material event which makes
untrue any statement made in the Fund's Registration Statement,
Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information or which
requires the making of a change in any one thereof in order to
make the statements therein not misleading, and
(d) of all actions of the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to any amendment to the Fund's
Registration Statement, Prospectus or Statement of Additional
Information which may from time to time be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.
SECTION 12. Term of Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date
hereof and shall continue in effect until July 31, 2000 and
continue in effect thereafter with respect to each class of
10
<PAGE>
shares of a Portfolio of the Fund so long as its continuance with
respect to that class is specifically approved 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 Investment
Company Act) of that class, and, in either case, by a majority of
the Directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement
or interested persons, as defined in the Investment Company 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 Plan or any agreement related thereto; provided, however,
that if the continuation of this Agreement is not approved as to
a class or a Portfolio, the Underwriter may continue to render to
such class or Portfolio the services described herein in the
manner and to the extent permitted by the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder. Upon effectiveness of this Agreement, it
shall supersede all previous agreements between the parties
hereto covering the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be
terminated (i) by the Fund with respect to any class or Portfolio
at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities (as so defined) of
such class or Portfolio, or by a vote of a majority of the
Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons, as defined
in the Investment Company Act, of the Fund (other than as
directors of the Fund) and have no direct and indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreement related
thereto, in any such event on sixty days' written notice to the
Underwriter; provided, however, that no such notice shall be
required if such termination is stated by the Fund to relate only
to Sections 5 and 16 hereof (in which event Sections 5 and 16
shall be deemed to have been severed herefrom and all other
provisions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and
effect), or (ii) by the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio
on sixty days' written notice to the Fund.
(b) This Agreement may be amended at any time with the
approval of the Directors of the Fund, provided that (i) any
material amendments of the terms hereof will become effective
only upon approval as provided in the first sentence of Section
12(a) hereof, and (ii) any amendment to increase materially the
amount to be expended for distribution services fees pursuant to
Section 5(b) hereof will be effective only upon the additional
approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities as defined in the Investment Company Act of the class
affected.
SECTION 13. No Assignment. This Agreement may not be
transferred, assigned, sold or in any manner hypothecated or
pledged by either party hereto, and this Agreement shall
terminate automatically in the event of any such transfer,
assignment, sale, hypothecation or pledge. The terms "transfer",
"assignment", and "sale" as used in this paragraph shall have the
11
<PAGE>
meanings ascribed thereto by governing law and any interpretation
thereof contained in rules or regulations promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
SECTION 14. Notices. Any notice required or permitted
to be given hereunder by either party to the other shall be
deemed sufficiently given if sent by registered mail, postage
prepaid, addressed by the party giving such notice to the other
party at the last address furnished by such other party to the
party given notice, and unless and until changed pursuant to the
foregoing provisions hereof addressed to the Fund or the
Underwriter.
SECTION 15. Governing Law. The provisions of this
Agreement shall be, to the extent applicable, construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 16. Disinterested Directors of the Fund. While
this Agreement is in effect, the selection and nomination of the
Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) will be committed to the
discretion of such disinterested Directors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed
this Agreement.
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE
FUND, INC.
By /s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS,
INC.
By /s/ Robert L. Errico
Accepted as to
Sections 5, 12 and 16
as of July 13, 1999:
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
By Alliance Capital Management Corporation,
General Partner
By /s/ John D. Carifa
12
00250248.AB4
<PAGE>
(LOGO) ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10105
(800) 221-5672
Selected Dealer Agreement
For Broker/Dealers (other than Bank Subsidiaries)
Dear Sirs:
As the principal underwriter of shares of certain
registered investment companies presently or hereafter managed by
Alliance Capital Management LP, shares of which companies are
distributed by us pursuant to our Distribution Services Agreements
with such companies (the "Funds"), we invite you to participate as
principal in the distribution of shares of any and all of the
Funds upon the following terms and conditions:
1. You are to offer and sell such shares only at the
public offering prices which shall be currently in effect, in
accordance with the terms of the then current prospectuses and
statements of additional information of the Funds. You agree to
act only as principal in such transactions and shall not have
authority to act as agent for the Funds, for us, or for any other
dealer in any respect. All orders are subject to acceptance by us
and become effective only upon confirmation by us.
2. On each purchase of shares by you from us, the total
sales charges and discount to selected dealer, if any, shall be as
stated in each Fund's then current prospectus.
Such sales charges and discount to selected dealers are
subject to reductions under a variety of circumstances as
described in each Fund's then current prospectus and statement of
additional information. To obtain these reductions, we must be
notified when the sale takes place which would qualify for the
reduced charge.
There is no sales charge or discount to selected dealers
on the reinvestment of dividends.
3. As a selected dealer, you are hereby authorized
(i) to place orders directly with the Funds for their shares to be
resold by us to you subject to the applicable terms and conditions
governing the placement of orders by us set forth in the
Distribution Services Agreement between each fund and us and
<PAGE>
subject to the applicable compensation provisions set forth in
each Fund's then current prospectus and statement of additional
information and (ii) to tender shares directly to the Funds or
their agent for redemption subjected to the applicable terms and
conditions set forth in the Distribution Services Agreement.
4. Repurchases of shares will be made at the net asset
value of such shares in accordance with the then current
prospectuses and statements of additional information of the
Funds.
5. You represent that you are a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and that you agree to
abide by the Rules of Fair Practice of such Association.
6. This Agreement is in all respects subject to Rule 26
of the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of
Securities Dealer, Inc. which shall control any provision to the
contrary in this Agreement.
7. You agree:
(a) To purchase shares only from us or only from
your customers.
(b) To purchase shares from us only for the purpose
of covering purchase orders already received or
for your own bona fide investment.
(c) That you will not purchase any shares from your
customers at prices lower than the redemption
or repurchase prices then quoted by the Fund.
You shall, however, be permitted to sell shares
for the account of their record owners to the
Funds at the repurchase prices currently
established for such shares and may charge to
owner a fair commission for handling the
transaction.
(d) That you will not withhold placing customers'
orders for shares so as to profit yourself as a
result of such withholding.
(e) That if any shares confirmed to you hereunder
are redeemed or repurchased by any of the Funds
within seven business days after such
confirmation of your original order, you shall
forth with refund to us the full discount
allowed to you on such sales. We shall notify
you of such redemption or repurchase within ten
days from the date of delivery of the request
2
<PAGE>
therefor or certificates to us or such fund.
Termination or cancellation of this Agreement
shall not relieve you or us from the
requirements of this subparagraph.
8. We shall not accept from you conditional orders for
shares. Delivery of certificates for shares purchased shall be
made by the Funds only against receipt of the purchase price,
subject to deduction for the discount reallowed to you and our
portion of the sales charge on such sales. If payment for the
shares purchased is not received within the time customary for
such payments, the sale may be cancelled forthwith without any
responsibility or liability on our part or on the part of the
Funds (in which case we may hold you responsible for any loss,
including loss of profit, suffered by the Funds resulting from
your failure to make payment as aforesaid), or, at our option, we
may sell the shares ordered back to the Funds (in which case we
may hold you responsible for any loss, including loss of profit
suffered by us resulting from your failure to make payments as
aforesaid).
9. You will not offer or sell any of the shares except
under circumstances that will result in compliance with the
applicable Federal and State securities laws and in connection
with sales and offers to sell shares you will furnish to each
person to whom any such sale or offer is made a copy of the
applicable then current prospectus. We shall be under no
liability to you except for lack of good faith and for obligations
expressly assumed by us herein. Nothing herein contained however,
shall be deemed to be a condition, stipulation or provision
binding any persons acquiring any security to waive compliance
with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, or of the Rules
and Regulations of the Securities and Exchanges Commission, or to
relieve the parties hereto from any liability arising under the
Securities Act of 1933.
10. From time to time during the term of this Agreement
we may make payments to you pursuant to one or more of the
distribution plans adopted by certain of the Funds pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") in
consideration, with respect to each such Fund, of your furnishing
distribution services hereunder and providing administrative,
accounting and other services, including personal service and/or
the maintenance of shareholder accounts. We have no obligation to
make any such payments and you waive any such payment until we
receive monies therefor from the Fund. Any such payments made
pursuant to this Section 10 shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions:
(a) Any such payments shall be in such amounts as
we may from time to time advise you in writing
3
<PAGE>
but in any event not in excess of the amounts
permitted by the plan in effect with respect to
each particular Fund. Any such payments shall
be in addition to the selling concession, if
any, allowed to you pursuant to this Agreement.
Such payments shall include a service fee in
the amount of .25 of 1% per annum of the
average daily net assets of certain Funds
attributable to you clients. Any such service
fee shall be paid to you solely for personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder
accounts.
(b) The provisions of this Section 10 relate to the
plan adopted by a particular Fund pursuant to
Rule 12b-1. In accordance with Rule 12b-1, any
person authorized to direct the disposition of
monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to
this Section 10 shall provide the Fund's Board
of Directors, and the Directors shall review,
at least quarterly, a written report of the
amounts so expended and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made.
(c) The provisions of this Section 10 applicable to
each Fund shall remain in effect for not more
than a year and thereafter for successive
annual periods only so long as such continuance
is specifically approved at least annually in
conformity with Rule 12b-1 and the Act. The
provisions of this Section 10 shall
automatically terminate with respect to a
particular Plan in the event of the assignment
(as defined by the Act) of this Agreement, in
the event such Plan terminates or is not
continued or in the event this Agreement
terminates or ceases to remain in effect. In
addition, the provisions of this Section 10 may
be terminated any any time, without penalty, by
either party with respect to any particular
Plan on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30
days' written notice delivered or mailed by
registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other
party.
11. No person is authorized to make any representations
concerning shares of the Funds except hose contained in the
current prospectus, statement of additional information, and
printed information issued by each Fund or by us as information
supplemental to each prospectus. We shall supple prospectuses and
statements of additional information, reasonable quantities of
4
<PAGE>
reports to shareholders, supplemental sales literature, sales
bulletins, and additional information as issued. You agree to
distribute prospectuses and reports to shareholders of the Funds
to your customers in compliance with the applicable requirements,
except to the extent that we expressly undertake to do so on your
behalf. You agree not to use other advertising or sales material
relating to the Funds, unless approved in writing by us in advance
of such use. Any printed information furnished by us other than
the then current prospectus and statement of additional
information for each Fund, periodic reports and proxy solicitation
materials are our sole responsibility and not the responsibility
of the Funds, and you agree that the Funds shall have no liability
or responsibility to you in these respects unless expressly assume
in connection therewith.
12. In connection with your distribution of shares of a
Fund, you shall conform to such written compliance standards as we
have provided you in the past or may from time to time provide to
you in the future.
13. We, our affiliates and the Funds shall not be liable
for any loss, expense, damages, costs or other claim arising out
of any redemption or exchange pursuant to telephone instructions
from any person or our refusal to execute such instructions for
any reason.
14. Either party to this Agreement may cancel this
Agreement by giving written notice to the other. Such notice
shall be deemed to have been given on the date on which it was
either delivered personally to the other party or any officer or
member thereof, or was mailed postpaid or delivered to a telegraph
office for transmission to the other party at his or its address
as shown below. This Agreement may be amended by us at any time
and your placing of an order after the effective date of any such
amendment shall constitute your acceptance thereof.
5
<PAGE>
15. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York and shall be binding upon both
parties thereto when signed by us and accepted by you in the space
provided below.
Very truly yours
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:________________________________
(Authorized Signature)
Firm Name_______________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________
City____________________________ State_________ Zip Code________
ACCEPTED BY (signature)__________________ Title_________________
Name(printed)____________________________ Title_________________
Date____________________________ 199_____ Phone #_______________
Please return two signed copies of this Agreement
(one of which will be signed above by us
and thereafter returned to you)
in the accompanying return envelope to:
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 38th Floor
New York, NY 10105
6
00250248.AE6
<PAGE>
(LOGO) ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10105
(800) 221-5672
Selected Agent Agreement
For Depository Institutions and Their Subsidiaries
Dear Sirs:
As the principal underwriter of shares of certain
registered investment companies presently or hereafter managed by
Alliance Capital Management L.P., shares of which companies are
distributed by us pursuant to our Distribution Services Agreements
with such companies (the "Funds"), we invite you, acting as agent
for your customers, to make available to your customers shares of
any or all of the funds upon the following terms and conditions:
1. The customers in question will be for all purposes
your customers. We all execute transactions in shares of the
Funds for each of your customers only upon your authorization, if
being understood in all causes that (a) you are acting as the
agent for the customer; (b) each transaction is initiated solely
upon the order of the customer; (c) each transaction is for the
account of the customer and not for your account; (d) the
transactions are without recourse against you by the customer;
(e) except as we otherwise agree, each transaction is reflected on
a fully disclosed basis; (f) as between you and the customer, the
customer will have full beneficial ownership of the shares;
(g) you shall provide no investment advice and exercise no
investment discretion regarding the purchase, sale, or redemption
of the shares; and (h) you shall make appropriate disclosure to
your customer that any Fund's shares are not endorsed by you, do
not constitute your obligation and are not entitled to federal
deposit insurance.
2. You are to sell shares of the Funds only at the
public offering prices which shall be currently in effect, in
accordance with the terms of the then current prospectuses and
statements of additional information of the Funds. You agree to
act only as agent for your customers in such transactions and
shall not have authority to act as agent for the Funds or for us
in any respect. All orders are subject to acceptance by us and
become effective only upon confirmation by us.
<PAGE>
3. On each purchase of shares of a Fund authorized by
you, the total sales charge and commission, if any, shall be as
stated in the Fund's then current prospectus. Such sales charges
and commissions are subject to reductions under a variety of
circumstances as described in each Fund's then current prospectus
and statement of additional information. To obtain such a
reduction, you must provide us with such information as we may
request to establish that a particular transaction qualifies for
the reduction. There is no sales charge or commission to selected
agents on the reinvestment of dividends.
4. As a selected agent, you are hereby authorized
(i) to place orders directly with the Funds for their shares to be
resold by us through you subject to the applicable terms and
conditions governing the placement of orders by us set forth in
the Distribution Services Agreement between each Fund and us and
subject to the applicable compensation provisions set forth in
each Fund's then current prospectus and statement of additional
information, and (ii) to tender shares directly to the Funds or
their agent for redemption or repurchase subject to the applicable
terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Services
Agreement.
5. Redemptions and repurchases of shares will be made
at the net asset value of such shares in accordance with the then
current prospectuses and statements of additional information of
the Funds.
6. You represent that you are either:
(a) a bank as defined in Section 3(o)(6) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), duly authorized to engage in
the transactions to be performed hereunder and
not required to register as a broker-dealer
pursuant to the 1934 Act; or
(b) a bank (as so defined) or an affiliate of a
bank, in either case registered as a
broker-dealer pursuant to the 1934 Act and a
member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., and that you agree to
abide by the rules and regulations of the
National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., and that you agree to abide by the rules
and regulations of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
2
<PAGE>
7. You Agree:
(a) to order shares of the Funds only from us and
to act as agent only for your customers;
(b) to order shares from us only for the purpose of
covering purchase orders already received;
(c) that you will not purchase any shares from your
customers at prices lower than the redemption
or repurchase prices then quoted by the Funds,
provided, however, that you shall be permitted
to sell shares for the accounts of their record
owners to the Funds at the repurchase prices
currently established for such shares and may
charge the owner a fair commission for handling
the transaction; repurchase prices currently
established for such shares and may charge the
owner a fair commission for handling the
transaction;
(d) that you will not withhold placing customers'
orders for shares so as to profit yourself as a
result of such withholding; and
(e) that if any shares confirmed through you
hereunder are redeemed or repurchased by any of
the Funds within seven business days after such
confirmation of your original order, you shall
forthwith refund to us the full commission
reallowed to you on such sales. We shall
notify you of such redemption or repurchase
within ten days from the date of delivery of
the request therefor or certificates to us or
such Fund. Termination or cancellation of this
Agreement shall not relieve you or us from the
requirements of this subparagraph.
8. We shall not accept from you any conditional orders
for shares. Delivery of certificates for shares purchased shall
be made by the Funds only against receipt of the purchase price,
subject to deduction for the commission reallowed to you and our
portion of the sales charge on such sale. If payment for the
shares purchased is not received within the time customary for
such payments, the sale may be cancelled forthwith without any
responsibility or liability on our part or on the part of the
Funds (in which case you will be responsible for any loss,
including loss of profit, suffered by the Funds resulting from
your failure to make payment as aforesaid).
3
<PAGE>
9. You will not accept orders for shares of any of the
Funds except under circumstances that will result in compliance
with the applicable Federal and State securities laws and banking
laws, and in connection with sale of shares to your customers you
will furnish, unless we agree otherwise, to each customer who has
ordered shares a copy of the applicable then current prospectus.
We shall be under no liability to you except for lack of good
faith and for obligations expressly assumed by us herein. Nothing
herein contained, however, shall be deemed to be a condition,
stipulation or provision binding any persons acquiring any
security to waive compliance with any provision of the Securities
Act of 1933 or of the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or to relieve the parties hereto from any
liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
10. From time to time during the term of this Agreement
we may make payments to you pursuant to one or more of the
distribution plans adopted by certain of the Funds pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"),
to compensate you with respect to the shareholder accounts of your
customers in such Funds for providing administrative, accounting
and other services, including personal service and/or the
maintenance of such accounts. We have no obligation to make any
such payments and you waive any such payment until we receive
monies therefor from the Fund. Any such payments made pursuant to
this Section 10 shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions.
(a) Any such payments shall be in such amounts as
we may from time to time advise you in writing
but in any event not in excess of the amounts
permitted by the plan in effect with respect to
each particular Fund. Such payments shall
include a service fee in the amount of .25% of
1% per annum of the average daily net assets of
certain Funds attributable to your clients.
Any such service fee shall be paid to you
solely for personal service and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
(b) The provisions of this Section 10 relate to the
plan adopted by a particular Fund pursuant to
Rule 12b-1. In accordance with Rule 12b-1, any
person authorized to direct the disposition of
monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to
this Section 10 shall provide the Fund's Board
of Directors, and the Directors shall review,
at least quarterly, a written report of the
amounts so expended and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made.
4
<PAGE>
(c) The provisions of this Section 10 applicable to
each fund remain in effect for not more than a
year and thereafter for successive annual
periods only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually in
conformity with Rule 12~1 and the Act. The
provisions of this Section 10 shall
automatically terminate with respect to a
particular Plan in the event of the assignment
(as defined by the Act) of this Agreement, in
the event such Plan terminates or in the event
this Agreement terminates or ceases to remain
in effect. In addition, the provisions of this
Section 10 may be terminated at any time,
without penalty, by either party with respect
to any particular Plan on not more than 60
days' nor less than 30 days' written notice
delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage
prepaid, to the other party.
11. No person is authorized to make any representation
concerning shares of the Fund except those contained in the
current prospectus, statement of additional information, and
printed information issued by each Fund or by us as information
supplemental to each prospectus. We shall supply prospectuses and
statements of additional information, reasonable quantities of
reports to shareholders, supplemental sales literature, sales
bulletins, and additional information as issued. You agree to
distribute prospectuses and reports to shareholders of the Funds
to your customers in compliance with applicable requirements,
except to the extent that we expressly undertake to do so on your
behalf. You agree to use other advertising or sales material
relating to the Funds except in compliance with all laws and
regulations applicable to you and unless approved in writing by us
in advance of such use. Any printed information furnished by us
other than the current prospectus and statement of additional
information for each Fund, periodic reports and proxy solicitation
material are our sole responsibility and not the responsibility of
the Funds, and you agree that the Funds shall have no liability or
responsibility to you in these respects unless expressly assumed
in connection therewith.
12. In connection with your making shares of a Fund
available to your customers, you shall conform to such written
compliance standards as we have provided you in the past or may
from time to time provide to you in the future.
13. We, our affiliates and the Funds shall not be liable
for any loss, expense, damages, costs or other claim arising out
of any redemption or exchange pursuant to telephone instruction
5
<PAGE>
from any person or our refusal to execute such instruction for any
reason.
14. Either party to this Agreement may cancel this
Agreement by giving written notice to the other. Such notice
shall be deemed to have been given as of the date on which it was
either delivered personally to the other party or any officer or
member thereof, or was mailed postpaid or delivered to a telegraph
office for transmission to the other party at his or its address
as show below. This Agreement may be amended by us at any time
and your placing of an order after the effective date of any such
amendment shall constitute your acceptance thereof. If you are a
bank or an affiliate of a bank, this agreement will automatically
terminate if you cease to be, or the bank of which you are an
affiliate ceases to be, a bank as defined in the 1934 Act.
15. The Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York and shall be binding upon both
parties hereto when signed by us and accepted by you in the space
provided below.
Very truly yours,
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:_________________________________
(Authorized Signature)
Bank or Firm Name_______________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________
City____________________________ State_________ Zip Code________
ACCEPTED BY (signature)
Name (print)____________________________ Title__________________
Date____________________________199_____ Phone #________________
Please return two signed copies of this Agreement
(one of which will be signed by us and
thereafter returned to you) in the
accompanying return envelope to:
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 38th Floor
New York, NY 10105
6
00250248.AE5
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 13th of July, 1999 between ALLIANCE
HEALTH CARE FUND, INC. (the "Fund") and Brown Brothers Harriman &
Co. (the "Custodian").
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby employs and appoints the Custodian
as a custodian for the term and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or
obligation to require the Fund to deliver to it any securities or
funds owned by the Fund and shall have no responsibility or
liability for or on account of securities or funds not so
delivered. The Fund will deposit with the Custodian copies of
the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (or comparable
documents) of the Fund and all amendments thereto, and copies of
such votes and other proceedings of the Fund as may be necessary
for or convenient to the Custodian in the performance of its
duties.
2. Except for securities and funds held by
subcustodians appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 3
hereof, the Custodian shall have and perform the following powers
and duties:
A. Safekeeping - To keep safely the securities of the
Fund that have been delivered to the Custodian and from time to
time to receive delivery of securities for safekeeping.
B. Manner of Holding Securities - To hold securities
of the Fund (1) by physical possession of the share certificates
or other instruments representing such securities in registered
or bearer form, or (2) in book-entry form by a Securities System
(as said term is defined in Section 2U).
C. Registered Name; Nominee - To hold registered
securities of the Fund (1) in the name or any nominee name of the
Custodian or the Fund, or in the name or any nominee name of any
agent appointed pursuant to Section 6E, or (2) in street
certificate form, so-called, and in any agent appointed pursuant
to Section 6E, or (2) in street certificate form, so-called, and
in any case with or without any indication of fiduciary capacity.
D. Purchases - Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, as
defined in Section Y , insofar as funds are available for the
purpose, to pay for and receive securities purchased for the
account of the Fund, payment being made only upon receipt of the
securities (1) by the Custodian, or (2) by a clearing corporation
2
<PAGE>
of a national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a
member, or (3) by a Securities System. However, (i) in the case
of repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, the Custodian
(as well as an Agent) may release funds to a Securities System or
to a Subcustodian prior to the receipt of advice from the
Securities System or Subcustodian that the securities underlying
such repurchase agreement have been transferred by book entry
into the Account (as defined in Section 2U) of the Custodian (or
such Agent) maintained with such Securities System or
Subcustodian, so long as such payment instructions to the
Securities System or Subcustodian include a requirement that
delivery is only against payment for securities, (ii) in the case
of foreign exchange contracts, options, time deposits, call
account deposits, currency deposits and other deposits, contracts
or options pursuant to Sections 2J, 2L, 2M and 2N, the Custodian
may make payment therefor without receiving an instrument
evidencing said deposit, contract or option so long as such
payment instructions detail specific securities to be acquired,
and (iii) in the case of securities in which payment for the
security and receipt of the instrument evidencing the security
are tinder generally accepted trade practice or the terms of the
instrument representing the security expected to take place in
different locations or through separate parties, such as
commercial paper which is indexed to foreign currency exchange
rates, derivatives and similar securities, the Custodian may make
payment for such securities prior to delivery thereof in
accordance with such generally accepted trade practice or the
terms of the instrument representing such security.
E. Exchanges - Upon receipt of proper instructions to
exchange securities held by it for the account of the Fund for
other securities in connection with any reorganization,
recapitalization, split-up of shares, change of par value,
conversion or other event, and to deposit any such securities in
accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective
plan. Without such instructions, the Custodian may surrender
securities in temporary form for definitive securities, may
surrender securities for transfer into a name or nominee name as
permitted in Section 2C, and may surrender securities for a
different number of certificates or instruments representing the
same number of shares or same principal amount of indebtedness,
provided the securities to be issued are to be delivered to the
Custodian and further provided custodian shall at the time of
surrendering securities or instruments receive a receipt or other
evidence of ownership thereof
F. Sales of Securities - Upon receipt of proper
instructions, to make delivery of securities which have been sold
for the account of the Fund, but only against payment therefor
(1) in cash, by a certified check, bank cashier's check, bank
credit, or bank wire transfer, or (2) by credit to the account of
3
<PAGE>
the Custodian with a clearing corporation of a national
securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member, or (3) by
credit to the account of the Custodian or an Agent of the
Custodian with a Securities System; provided, however, that (i)
in the case of delivery of physical certificates or instruments
representing securities, the Custodian may make delivery to the
broker buying the securities, against receipt therefor, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom, provided
that the payment therefor is to be made to the Custodian (which
payment may be made by a broker's check) or that such securities
are to be returned to the Custodian, and (ii) in the case of
securities referred to in clause (iii) of the last sentence of
Section 2D, the Custodian may make settlement, including with
respect to the form of payment, in accordance with generally
accepted trade practice relating to such securities or the terms
of the instrument representing said security.
G. Depositary Receipt - Upon receipt of proper
instructions, to instruct a subcustodian appointed pursuant to
Section 3 hereof (a "Subcustodian") or an agent of the Custodian
appointed pursuant to Section 6E hereof (an "Agent") to surrender
securities to the depositary used by an issuer of American
Depositary Receipts or International Depositary Receipts
(hereinafter collectively referred to as "ADRs") for such
securities against a written receipt therefor adequately
describing such securities and written evidence satisfactory to
the Subcustodian or Agent that the depositary has acknowledged
receipt of instructions to issue with respect to such securities
ADRs in the name of the Custodian, or a nominee of the Custodian,
for delivery to the Custodian in Boston, Massachusetts, or at
such other place as the Custodian may from time to time
designate.
Upon receipt of proper instructions, to surrender ADRs
to the issuer thereof against a written receipt therefor
adequately describing the ADRs surrendered and written evidence
satisfactory to the Custodian that the issuer of the ADRs has
acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its depositary to
deliver the securities underlying such ADRs to a Subcustodian or
an Agent.
H. Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers - Upon timely
receipt of proper instructions, to deliver to the issuer or
trustee thereof, or to the agent of either, warrants puts, calls,
rights or similar securities for the purpose of being exercised
or sold, provided that the new securities and cash, if any,
acquired by such action are to be delivered to the Custodian,
and, upon receipt of proper instructions, to deposit securities
upon invitations for tenders of securities, provided that the
consideration is to be paid or delivered or the tendered
securities are to be returned to the Custodian.
4
<PAGE>
I. Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc. - To receive and
collect all stock dividends, rights and other items of like
nature; and to deal with the same pursuant to proper instructions
relative thereto.
J. Options - Upon receipt of proper instructions, to
receive and retain confirmations or other documents evidencing
the purchase writing an option on a security or securities index
by the Fund; to deposit and maintain in a segregated account,
either physically or by book-entry in a Securities System,
securities, subject to a covered call option written by the Fund;
and to release and/or transfer such securities or other assets
only in accordance with a notice or other communication
evidencing the expiration, termination or exercise of such
covered option furnished by The Options Clearing Corporation, the
securities or options exchange on which such covered option is
traded or such other organization as may be responsible for
handling such options transactions.
K. Borrowings - Upon receipt of proper instructions to
deliver securities of the Fund to lenders or their agents as
collateral for borrowings effected by the Fund, provided that
such borrowed money is payable to or upon the Custodian's order
as Custodian for the Fund.
L. Demand Deposit Bank Accounts - To open and operate
an account or accounts in the name of the Fund on the Custodian's
books subject only to draft or order by the Custodian. All funds
received by the Custodian from or for the account of the Fund
shall be deposited in said account(s). The responsibilities of
the Custodian to the Fund for deposits accepted on the
Custodian's books shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar
deposit.
If and when authorized by proper instructions, the
Custodian may open and operate an additional account(s) in such
other banks or trust companies as may be designated by the Fund
in such instructions (any such bank or trust company so
designated by the Fund being referred to hereafter as a "Banking
Institution"), provided that such account(s) shall be in the name
of the Custodian for account of the Fund and subject only to the
Custodian's draft or order. Such accounts may be opened with
Banking Institutions in the United States and in other countries
and may be denominated in either U.S. Dollars or other currencies
as the Fund may determine. All such deposits shall be deemed to
be portfolio securities of the Fund and accordingly the
responsibility of the Custodian therefore shall be the same as
and no greater than the Custodian's responsibility in respect of
other portfolio securities of the Fund.
5
<PAGE>
M. Interest Bearing Call or Time Deposits - To place
interest bearing fixed term and call deposits with such banks and
in such amounts as the Fund may authorize pursuant to proper
instructions. Such deposits may be placed with the Custodian or
with Subcustodians or other Banking Institutions as the Fund may
determine. Deposits may be denominated in U.S. Dollars or other
currencies and need not be evidenced by the issuance or delivery
of a certificate to the Custodian, provided that the: Custodian
shall include in its records with respect to the assets of the
Fund, appropriate notation as to the amount and currency of each
such deposit, the accepting Banking Institution, and other
appropriate details. Such deposits, other than those placed with
the Custodian, shall be deemed portfolio securities of the Fund
and the responsibilities of the Custodian therefor shall be the
same as those for demand deposit bank accounts placed with other
banks, as described in Section 2.L of this agreement. The
responsibility of the Custodian for such deposits accepted on the
Custodian's books shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar
deposit.
N. Foreign Exchange Transactions and Futures Contracts
- - Pursuant to proper instructions, to enter into foreign exchange
contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for
spot and future delivery on behalf and for the account of the
Fund. Such transactions may be undertaken by the Custodian with
such Banking Institutions, including the Custodian and
Subcustodian(s) as principals, as approved and authorized by the
Fund. Foreign exchange contracts and options other than those
executed with the Custodian, shall be deemed to be portfolio
securities of the Fund and the responsibilities of the Custodian
therefor shall be the same as those for demand deposit bank
accounts placed with other banks as described in Section 2.1, of
this agreement. Upon receipt of proper instructions, to receive
and retain confirmations evidencing the purchase or sale of a
futures contract or an option on a futures contract by the Fund;
to deposit and maintain in a segregated account, for the benefit
of any futures commission merchant or to pay to such futures
commission merchant, assets designated by the fund as initial,
maintenance or variation "margin" deposits intended to secure the
Fund's performance of its obligations under any futures contracts
purchased or sold or any options on futures contracts written by
the Fund, in accordance with the provisions of any agreement or
agreements among any of the Fund, the Custodian and such futures
commission merchant, designated to comply with the rules of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market,
or any similar organization or organizations, regarding such
margin deposits; and to release and/or transfer assets in such
margin accounts only in accordance with any such agreements or
rules.
6
<PAGE>
0. Stock Loans - Upon receipt of proper instructions,
to deliver securities of the Fund, in connection with loans of
securities by the Fund, to the borrower thereof upon the receipt
of the cash collateral, if any, for such borrowing. In the event
U.S. Government securities are to be used as collateral, the
Custodian will not release the securities to be loaned until it
has received confirmation that such collateral has been delivered
to the Custodian. The Custodian and Fund understand that the
timing of receipt of such confirmation will normally require that
the delivery of securities to be loaned will be made one day
after receipt of the U.S. Government collateral.
P. Collections - To collect, receive and deposit in
said account or accounts all income, payments of principal and
other payments with respect to the securities held hereunder, and
in connection therewith to deliver the certificates or other
instruments representing the securities to the issuer thereof or
its agent when securities are called, redeemed, retired or
otherwise become payable; provided, that the payment is to be
made in such form and manner and at such time, which may be after
delivery by the Custodian of the instrument representing the
security, as is in accordance with the terms of the instrument
representing the security, or such proper instructions as the
Custodian may receive, or governmental regulations, the rules of
Securities Systems or other U.S. securities depositories and
clearing agencies or, with respect to securities referred to in
clause (iii) of the last sentence of Section 2.D, in accordance
with generally accepted trade practice; (ii) to execute ownership
and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
payments with respect to securities of the Fund or in connection
with transfer of securities, and (iii) pursuant to proper
instructions to take such other actions with respect to
collection or receipt of funds or transfer of securities which
involve an investment decision.
Q. Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions - Upon
receipt of proper instructions from the Fund, or upon receipt of
instructions from the Fund's shareholder servicing agent or agent
with comparable duties (the "Shareholder Servicing Agent") (given
by such person or persons and in such manner on behalf of the
Shareholder Servicing Agent as the Fund shall have authorized),
the Custodian shall release funds or securities to the
Shareholder Servicing Agent or otherwise apply funds or
securities, insofar as available, for the payment of dividends or
other distributions to Fund shareholders. Upon receipt of proper
instructions from the Fund, or upon receipt of instructions from
the Shareholder Servicing Agent (given by such person or persons
and in such manner on behalf of the Shareholder Servicing Agent
as the Fund shall have authorized), the Custodian shall release
funds or securities, insofar as available, to the Shareholder
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<PAGE>
Servicing Agent or as such Agent shall otherwise instruct for
payment to Fund shareholders who have delivered to such Agent a
request for repurchase or redemption of their shares of capital
stock of the Fund.
R. Proxies, Notices, Etc. - Promptly to deliver or
mail to the Fund all forms of proxies and all notices of meetings
and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to
securities owned by the Fund that are received by the Custodian,
and upon receipt of proper instructions, to execute and deliver
or cause its nominee to execute and deliver such proxies or other
authorizations as may be required. Neither the Custodian nor its
nominee shall vote upon any of such securities or execute any
proxy to vote thereon or give any consent or take any other
action with respect thereto (except as otherwise herein provided)
unless ordered to do so by proper instructions.
S. Nondiscretionary Details - Without the necessity of
express authorization from the Fund, (1) to attend to all
nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange,
substitution, purchase, transfer or other dealings with
securities, funds or other property of the Portfolio held by the
Custodian except as otherwise directed from time to time by the
Directors of the Fund, and (2) to make payments to itself or
others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar
items relating to the Custodian's duties under this Agreement,
provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the
Fund.
T. Bills - Upon receipt of proper instructions to pay
or cause to be paid, insofar as funds are available for the
purpose, bills, statements, or other obligations of the Fund.
U. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems - The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by, the
Fund in (i) The Depository Trust Company, (ii) any book-entry
system as provided in Subpart 0 of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31
CFR 306, Subpart B of 31 CFR Part 350, or the book-entry
regulations of federal agencies substantially in the form of
Subpart O, or (iii) any other domestic clearing agency registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which acts as a securities
depository and whose use the Fund has previously approved in
writing (each of the foregoing being referred to in this
Agreement as a "Securities System"). Utilization of a Securities
System shall be in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve
Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Fund
securities, either directly or through one or more Agents
8
<PAGE>
appointed by the Custodian (provided that any such agent shall be
qualified to act as a custodian of the Fund pursuant to the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
thereunder), in a Securities System provided that such securities
are represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian or
such Agent in the Securities System which shall not include any
assets of the Custodian or Agent other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to
securities of the Fund which are maintained in a Securities
System shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to
the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased
for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred to
the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of
the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Fund. The Custodian shall Transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from
the Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment
for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the
Securities System of transfers of securities for the account of
the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by
the Custodian or an Agent as referred to above, and be provided
to the Fund at its request. The Custodian shall furnish the Fund
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Fund
in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to
the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account of the Fund
on the next business day;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any
report obtained by the Custodian or any Agent as referred to
above on the Securities System's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities
deposited in the Securities System; and the Custodian and such
Agents shall send to the Fund such reports on their own systems
of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request
from time to time.
5) At the written request of the Fund, the Custodian
will terminate the use of any such Securities System on behalf of
the Fund as promptly as practicable.
V. Other Transfers - Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, to deliver securities, funds and other property of
the Fund to a Subcustodian or another custodian of the Fund; and,
9
<PAGE>
upon receipt of proper instructions, to make such other
disposition of securities, funds or other property of the Fund in
a manner other than or for purposes other than as enumerated
elsewhere in this Agreement, provided that the instructions
relating to such disposition shall include a statement of the
purpose for which the delivery is to be made, the amount of
securities to be delivered and the name of the person or persons
to whom delivery is to be made,
W. Investment Limitations - In performing its duties
generally, and more particularly in connection with the purchase,
sale and exchange of securities made by or for the Fund, the
Custodian may assume unless and until notified in writing to the
contrary that proper instructions received by it are not in
conflict with or in any way contrary to any provisions of the
Fund's Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws (or comparable
documents) or votes or proceedings of the shareholders or
Directors of the Fund. The Custodian shall in no event be liable
to the Fund and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any
violation which occurs in the course of carrying out instructions
given by the Fund of any investment limitations to which the Fund
is subject or other limitations with respect to the Fund's powers
to make expenditures, encumber securities, borrow or take similar
actions affecting its portfolio.
X. Restricted Securities - Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the Custodian shall not be liable
for failure to take any action in respect of a "restricted
security" (as hereafter defined) if the Custodian has not
received Proper Instructions to take such action (including but
not limited to the failure to exercise in a timely manner any
right in respect of any restricted security) unless the
Custodian's responsibility to take such action is set forth in a
writing, agreed upon by the Custodian and the Fund or the
investment adviser of the Fund, which specifies particular
actions the Custodian is to take without Proper Instructions in
respect of specified rights and obligations pertaining to a
particular restricted security. Further, the Custodian shall not
be responsible for transmitting to the Fund information
concerning a restricted security, such as with respect to
exercise periods and expiration dates for rights relating to the
restricted security, except such information which the Custodian
actually receives or which is published in a source which is
publicly distributed and generally recognized as a major source
of information with respect to corporate actions of securities
similar to the particular restricted security. As used herein,
the term "restricted securities" shall mean securities which are
subject to restrictions on transfer, whether by reason of
contractual restrictions or federal, state or foreign securities
or similar laws, or securities which have special rights or
10
<PAGE>
contractual features which do not apply to publicly-traded shares
of, or comparable interests representing, such security.
Y. Proper Instructions - Proper instructions shall
include in order of preference, authenticated electro-mechanical
communications including SWIFT and tested telex; a written
request signed by two or more authorized persons as set forth
below; telefax transmissions and oral instructions. Each of the
foregoing methods of communicating proper instructions is
described and defined below and may from time to time be further
described and defined in written operating memoranda between the
Custodian and the Fund,
Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or
systems, including authenticated SWIFT and tested telex
transmissions. The media through which such Proper Instructions
shall be transmitted and the data which must be contained in such
Proper Instructions in order for such instruction to be complete
shall be set forth in certain operating memoranda to which the
Custodian and the Fund shall from time to time agree. The Fund
shall be responsible for sending instructions which meet the
requirements set forth therein and the Custodian shall only be
responsible for acting on instructions which meet such
requirements. The Custodian shall not be liable for direct or
consequential losses resulting from technical failures of any
kind in respect of instructions sent via electro-mechanical or
electronic communications.
Proper Instructions shall include a written request,
direction, instruction or certification signed or initialed on
behalf of the Fund by two or more persons as the Board of
Trustees or Directors of the Fund shall have from time to time
authorized, provided, however, that no such instructions
directing the delivery of securities or the payment of funds to
an authorized signatory of the Fund shall be signed by such
persons. Those persons authorized to give proper instructions
may be identified by the Board of Trustees or Directors by name,
title or position and will include at least one officer empowered
by the Board to name other individuals who are authorized to give
proper instructions on behalf of the Fund. Telephonic or other
oral instructions or instructions given by facsimile transmission
may be given by any one of the above persons and will be
considered proper instructions if the Custodian reasonably
believes them to have been given by a person authorized to give
such instructions with respect to the transaction involved.
With respect to telefax transmissions, the Fund hereby
acknowledges that (i) receipt of legible instructions cannot be
assured, (ii) the Custodian cannot verify that authorized
signatures on telefax instructions are original, and (iii) the
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<PAGE>
Custodian shall not be responsible for losses or expenses
incurred through actions taken in reliance on such telefax
instructions.
The Custodian may act on oral instructions provided such
instructions will be confirmed by authenticated electro-
mechanical communications in the manner set forth above but the
lack of such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken
by the Custodian in reliance upon such oral instructions. The
Fund authorizes the Custodian to tape record any and all
telephonic or other oral instructions given to the Custodian by
or on behalf of the Fund (including any of its officers,
Directors, Trustees, employees or agents or any investment
manager or adviser or person or entity with similar
responsibilities which is authorized to give proper instructions
on behalf of the Fund to the Custodian.)
Proper instructions may relate to specific transactions
or to types or classes of transactions, and may be in the form of
standing instructions.
Proper instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or
systems, in addition to tested telex, provided that the Fund and
the Custodian agree to the use of such device or system.
3. Securities, funds and other property of the Fund
may be held by subcustodians appointed pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 3 (a "Subcustodian"). The Custodian may, at any
time and from time to time, appoint any bank or trust company
(meeting the requirements of a custodian or a foreign custodian
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and
regulations thereunder) to act as a Subcustodian for the Fund,
provided that the Fund shall have approved in writing (1) any
such bank or trust company and the subcustodian agreement to be
entered into between such bank or trust company and the
Custodian, and (2) if the subcustodian is a bank organized under
the laws of a country other than the United States, the holding
of securities, cash and other property of the Fund in the country
in which it is proposed to utilize the services of such
subcustodian. Upon such approval by the Fund, the Custodian is
authorized on behalf of the Fund to notify each Subcustodian of
its appointment as such. The Custodian may, at any time in its
discretion, remove any bank or trust company that has been
appointed as a Subcustodian but will promptly notify the Fund of
any such action.
Those Subcustodians, their offices or branches which the
Fund has approved to date are set forth on Appendix A hereto.
Such Appendix shall be amended from time to time as
Subcustodians, branches or offices are changed, added or deleted.
12
<PAGE>
The Fund shall be responsible for informing the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which
is to be held at a location not listed on Appendix A, in order
that there shall be sufficient time for the Fund to give the
approval required by the preceding paragraph and for the
Custodian to put the appropriate arrangements in place with such
Subcustodian pursuant to such subcustodian agreement.
Although the Fund does not intend to invest in a country
before the foregoing procedures have been completed, in the event
that an investment is made prior to approval, if practical, such
security shall be removed to an approved location or if not
practical such security shall be held by such agent as the
Custodian may appoint. In such event, the Custodian shall be
liable to the Fund for the actions of such agent if and only to
the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from such agent for
any damages caused the Fund by such agent and provided that the
Custodian shall pursue its rights against such agent.
With respect to the securities and funds held by a
Subcustodian, either directly or indirectly, including demand and
interest bearing deposits, currencies or other deposits and
foreign exchange contracts as referred to in Sections 2K, 2L or
2M, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund if and only to the
extent that such Subcustodian is liable to the Custodian;
provided, however, that the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund
for losses resulting from the bankruptcy or insolvency of a
Subcustodian if and only to the extent that such Subcustodian is
liable to the Custodian and the Custodian recovers from such
Subcustodian under the applicable subcustodian agreement. The
Custodian shall nevertheless be liable to the Fund for its own
negligence in transmitting any instructions received by it from
the Fund and for its own negligence in connection with the
delivery of any securities or funds held by it to any such
Subcustodian.
In the event that any Subcustodian appointed pursuant to
the provisions of this Section 3 fails to perform any of its
obligations under the terms and conditions of the applicable
subcustodian agreement, the Custodian shall use its best efforts
to cause such Subcustodian to perform such obligations. In the
event that the Custodian is unable to cause such Subcustodian to
perform fully its obligations thereunder, the Custodian shall
forthwith upon the Fund's request terminate such Subcustodian
and, if necessary or desirable, appoint another subcustodian in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 3. At the
election of the Fund, it shall have the right to enforce, to the
extent permitted by the subcustodian agreement and applicable
law, the Custodian's rights against any such Subcustodian for
loss or damage caused the Fund by such Subcustodian.
13
<PAGE>
At the written request of the Fund, the Custodian will
terminate any subcustodian appointed pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 3 in accordance with the termination provisions
under the applicable subcustodian agreement. The Custodian will
not amend any subcustodian agreement or agree to change or permit
any changes thereunder except upon the prior written approval of
the Fund.
In the event the Custodian receives a claim from a
Subcustodian under the indemnification provisions of any
subcustodian agreement, the Custodian shall promptly give written
notice to the Fund of such claim. No more than thirty days after
written notice to the Fund of the Custodian's intention to make
such payment, the Fund will reimburse the Custodian the amount of
such payment except in respect of any negligence or misconduct of
the Custodian.
4. The Custodian may assist generally in the
preparation of reports to Fund shareholders and others, audits of
accounts, and other ministerial matters of like nature.
5. The Fund hereby also appoints the Custodian as its
financial agent. With respect to the appointment as financial
agent, the Custodian shall have and perform the following powers
and duties:
A. Records - To create, maintain and retain such
records relating to its activities and obligations under this
Agreement as are required under the Investment Company Act of
1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder (including Section
3 1 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder) and under
applicable Federal and State tax laws. All such records will be
the property of the Fund and in the event of termination of this
Agreement shall be delivered to the successor custodian, and the
Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in execution of
documents and other action necessary or desirable in order to
substitute the successor custodian for the custodian under their
agreement.
B. Accounts - To keep books of account and render
statements, including interim monthly and complete quarterly
financial statements, or copies thereof, from time to time as
reasonably requested by proper instructions.
C. Access to Records - Subject to security
requirements of the Custodian applicable to its own employees
having access to similar records within the Custodian and such
regulations as may be reasonably imposed by the Custodian, the
books and records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to
Sections 5A and 5B shall be open to inspection and audit at
14
<PAGE>
reasonable times by officers of, attorneys for, and auditors
employed by, the Fund.
D. Calculation of Net Asset Value - To compute and
determine the net asset value per share of capital stock of the
Fund as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange
on each day on which such Exchange is open, unless otherwise
directed by proper instructions. Such computation and
determination shall be made in accordance with (1) the provisions
of the Fund's Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Fund,
as they may from time to time be amended and delivered to the
Custodian, (2) the votes of the Board of Directors of the Fund at
the time in force and applicable, as they may from time to time
be delivered to the Custodian, and (3) proper instructions from
such officers of the Fund or other persons as are from time to
time authorized by the Board of Directors of the Fund to give
instructions with respect to computation and determination of the
net asset value. On each day that the Custodian shall compute
the net asset value per share of the Fund, the Custodian shall
provide the Fund with written reports which permit the Fund to
verify that portfolio transactions have been recorded in
accordance with the Fund's instructions.
In computing the net asset value, the Custodian may rely
upon any information furnished by proper instructions, including
without limitation any information (1) as to accrual of
liabilities of the Fund and as to liabilities of the Fund not
appearing on the books of account kept by the custodian, (2) as
to the existence, status and proper treatment of reserves, if
any, authorized by the fund, (3) as to the sources of quotations
to be used in computing the net asset value, including those
listed in Appendix B, (4) as to the fair value to be assigned to
any securities or other property for which price quotations are
not readily available, and (5) as to the sources of information
with respect to "corporate actions" affecting portfolio
securities of the fund, including those listed in Appendix B.
(Information as to "corporate actions" shall include information
as to dividends, distributions, stock splits, stock dividends,
rights offerings, conversions, exchanges, recapitalizations,
mergers, redemptions, calls, maturity dates and similar
transactions, including the ex- and record dates and the amounts
or other terms thereof.)
In like manner, the Custodian shall compute and
determine the net asset value as of such other times as the Board
of Directors of the Fund from time to time may reasonably
request.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement,
including Section 6C, the following provisions shall apply with
respect to the Custodian's foregoing responsibilities in this
15
<PAGE>
Section 5.D: The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in computing and determining net asset value as
provided in this Section 5.D, but shall not be held accountable
or liable for any losses, damages or expenses the Fund or any
shareholder or former shareholder of the Fund may suffer or incur
arising from or based upon errors or delays in the determination
of such net asset value unless such error or delay was due to the
Custodian's negligence, gross negligence or reckless or willful
misconduct in determination of such net asset value. (The
parties hereto acknowledge, however, that the Custodian's causing
an error or delay in the determination of net asset value may,
but does not in and of itself, constitute negligence, gross
negligence or reckless or willful misconduct.) In no event shall
the Custodian be liable or responsible to the Fund, any present
or former shareholder of the fund or any other party for any
error or delay which continued or was undetected after the date
of an audit performed by the certified public accountants
employed by the Fund if, in the exercise of reasonable care in
accordance with generally accepted accounting standards, such
accountants should have become aware of such error or delay in
the course of performing such audit. The Custodian's liability
for any such negligence, gross negligence or reckless or willful
misconduct which results in an error in determination of such net
asset value shall be limited to the direct, out-of-pocket loss
the Fund, shareholder or former shareholder shall actually incur,
measured by the difference between the actual and the erroneously
computed net asset value, and any expenses the fund shall incur
in connection with correcting the records of the Fund affected by
such error (including charges made by the Fund's registrar and
transfer agent for making such corrections) or communicating with
shareholders or former shareholders of the Fund affected by such
error.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall not
be held accountable or liable to the Fund, any shareholder or
former shareholder thereof or any other person for any delays or
losses, damages or expenses any of them may suffer or incur
resulting from (1) the Custodian's failure to receive timely and
suitable notification concerning quotations or corporate actions
relating to or affecting portfolio securities of the fund or
(2) any errors in the computation of the net asset value based
upon or arising out of quotations or information as to corporate
actions if received by the Custodian either (i) from a source
which the Custodian was authorized pursuant to the second
paragraph of this Section 5.D to rely upon, or (ii) from a source
which in the Custodian's reasonable judgment was as reliable a
source for such quotations or information as the sources
authorized pursuant to that paragraph. Nevertheless, the
Custodian will use its best judgment in determining whether to
verify through other sources any information it has received as
16
<PAGE>
to quotations or corporate actions if the Custodian has reason to
believe that any such information might be incorrect.
In the event of any error or delay in the determination
of such net asset value for which the Custodian may be liable,
the Fund and the Custodian will consult and make good faith
efforts to reach agreement on what actions should be taken in
order to mitigate any loss suffered by the Fund or its present or
former shareholders, in order that the custodian's exposure to
liability shall be reduced to the extent possible after taking
into account all relevant factors and alternatives. Such actions
might include the Fund or the custodian taking reasonable steps
to collect from any shareholder or former shareholder who has
received any overpayment upon redemption of shares such overpaid
amount or to collect from any shareholder who has underpaid upon
a purchase of shares the amount of such underpayment or to reduce
the number of shares issued to such shareholder. It is
understood that in attempting to reach agreement on the actions
to be taken or the amount of the loss which should appropriately
be borne by the Custodian, the Fund and the Custodian will
consider such relevant factors as the amount of the loss
involved, the Fund's desire to avoid loss of shareholder good
will, the fact that other persons or entitles could have been
reasonably expected to have detected the error sooner than the
time it was actually discovered, the appropriateness of limiting
or eliminating the benefit which shareholders or former
shareholders might have obtained by reason of the error, and the
possibility that other parties providing services to the fund
might be induced to absorb a portion of the loss incurred.
E. Disbursements - Upon receipt of proper
instructions, to pay or cause to be paid, insofar as funds are
available for the purpose, bills, statements and other
obligations of the Fund (including but not limited to interest
charges, taxes, management fees, compensation to Fund officers
and employees, and other operating expenses of the Fund).
6. A. The Custodian shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted in reliance upon proper instructions believed by
it to be genuine or upon any other written notice, request,
direction, instruction, certificate or other instrument believed
by it to be genuine and signed by the proper party or parties.
The Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund shall
certify to the Custodian the names, signatures and scope of
authority of all persons authorized to give proper instructions
or any other such notice, request, direction, instruction,
certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund, the names and
signatures of the officers of the Fund, the name and address of
the Shareholder Servicing Agent, and any resolutions, votes,
instructions or directions of the Fund's Board of Directors or
17
<PAGE>
shareholders. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon
by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth
therein and may be considered in full force and effect until
receipt of a similar certificate to the contrary.
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise
of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for
the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of
title thereto received by it or delivered b, it pursuant to this
Agreement.
The Custodian shall be entitled, at the expense of the
Fund, to receive and act upon advice of counsel (who may be
counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and the Custodian shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted
pursuant to such advice.
B. With respect to the portfolio securities, cash and
other property of the Fund held by a Securities System, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund only for any loss or damage
to the Fund resulting from use of the Securities System if caused
by any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or
any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from any
failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively
such rights as it may have against the Securities System.
C. Except as may otherwise be set forth in this
Agreement with respect to particular matters, the Custodian shall
be held only to the exercise of reasonable care and diligence in
carrying out the provisions of" this Agreement, provided that the
Custodian shall not thereby be required to take any action which
is in contravention of any applicable law. However, nothing
herein shall exempt the Custodian from liability due to its own
negligence or willful misconduct. The Fund agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Custodian and its nominees from all claims
and liabilities (including counsel fees) incurred or assessed
against it or its nominees in connection with the performance of
this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's breach of the relevant standard of conduct set forth in
this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing indemnification
obligation of the Fund, the Fund agrees to indemnify the
Custodian and its nominees against any liability the Custodian or
such nominee may incur by reason of taxes assessed to the
Custodian or such nominee or other costs, liability or expense
incurred by the Custodian or such nominee resulting directly or
indirectly from the fact that portfolio securities or other
property of the Fund is registered in the name of the Custodian
or such nominee.
In order that the indemnification provisions contained
in this Paragraph 6.C shall apply, however, it is understood that
18
<PAGE>
if in any case the Fund may be asked to indemnify or hold the
Custodian harmless, the Fund shall be fully and promptly advised
of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and
it is further understood that the Custodian will use all
reasonable care to identify and notify the Fund promptly
concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to
present the probability of such a claim for indemnification
against the Fund. The Fund shall have the option to defend the
Custodian against any claim which may be the subject of this
indemnification, and in the event that the Fund so elects it will
so notify the Custodian, and thereupon the Fund shall take: over
complete defense of the claim, and the Custodian shall in such
situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which
it shall seek indemnification under this Paragraph 6.C. The
Custodian shall in no case confess any claim or make any
compromise in any case in which the Fund will be asked to
indemnify the Custodian except with the Fund's prior written
consent.
It is also understood that the Custodian shall not be
liable for any loss involving any securities, currencies,
deposits or other property of the Fund, whether maintained by it,
a Subcustodian, an agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian, a
Securities System, or a Banking Institution, or a loss arising
from a foreign currency transaction or contract, resulting from a
Sovereign Risk. A "Sovereign Risk" shall mean nationalization,
expropriation, devaluation, revaluation, confiscation, seizure,
cancellation, destruction or similar action by any governmental
authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation,
imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of
currency restrictions, exchange controls, taxes, levies or other
charges affecting the Fund's property; or acts of war, terrorism,
insurrection or revolution; or any other similar act or event
beyond the Custodian's control.
D. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive
reimbursement from the Fund on demand, in the manner provided in
Section 7, for its cash disbursements, expenses and charges
(including the fees and expenses of any Subcustodian or any
Agent) in connection with this Agreement, but excluding salaries
and usual overhead expenses.
E. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or
trust company as its agent (an "Agent") to carry out such of the
provisions of this Agreement as the Custodian may from time to
time direct, provided, however, that the appointment of such
Agent (other than an Agent appointed pursuant to the third
paragraph of Section 3) shall not relieve the Custodian of any of
its responsibilities under this agreement.
19
<PAGE>
F. Upon request, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments;
as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable in connection
with the performance by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of
their respective obligations under this Agreement or any
applicable: subcustodian agreement.
7. The Fund shall pay the Custodian a custody fee
based on such fee schedule as may from time to time be agreed
upon in writing by the Custodian and the Fund. Such fee,
together with all amounts for which the Custodian is to be
reimbursed in accordance with Section 6D, shall be billed to the
Fund in such a manner as to permit payment by a direct cash
payment to the Custodian.
8. This Agreement shall continue in full force and
effect until terminated by either party by an instrument in
writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party,
such termination to take effect not sooner than seventy five (75)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing. In the event of
termination the Custodian shall be entitled to receive prior to
delivery of the securities, funds and other property held by it
all accrued fees and unreimbursed expenses the payment of which
is contemplated by Sections 6D and 7, upon receipt by the Fund of
a statement setting forth such fees and expenses.
In the event of the appointment of a successor
custodian, it is agreed that the funds and securities owned by
the Fund and held by the Custodian or any Subcustodian shall be
delivered to the successor custodian, and the Custodian agrees to
cooperate with the Fund in execution of documents and performance
of other actions necessary or desirable in order to substitute
the successor custodian for the Custodian under this Agreement.
9. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding
and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof No provision of this Agreement may be amended or
terminated except by a statement in writing signed by the party
against which enforcement of the amendment or termination is
sought.
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the
Custodian and the Fund may agree in writing from time to time on
such provisions interpretative of or in addition to the
provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. No
interpretative or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Agreement.
20
<PAGE>
10. This instrument is executed and delivered in The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall be governed by and
construed according to the laws of said Commonwealth.
11. Notices and other writings delivered or mailed
postage prepaid to the Fund addressed to the Fund at 500 Plaza
Drive 3rd Floor, Secaucus, NJ 07094 or to such other address as
the Fund may have designated to the Custodian in writing, or to
the Custodian at 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109,
Attention: Manager, Securities Department, or to such other
address as the Custodian may have designated to the Fund in
writing, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given
hereunder to the respective addressee.
12. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure
to the benefit of the Fund and the Custodian and their respective
successors and assigns, provided that neither party hereto may
assign this Agreement or an), of its rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.
13. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original. This
Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts
have been signed and delivered by each of the parties.
21
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf on the day and
year first above written.
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC. BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
By: /s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. By:_________________________
22
<PAGE>
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. - GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
APPENDIX A
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN DEPOSITORIES
ARGENTINA CITIBANK, N.A., BUENOS AIRES Caja de Valores
CRYL
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
AUSTRALIA NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD., MELBOURNE Austraclear Ltd.
CHESS
National Australia Bank Agt. 5/l/85 Reserve Bank of
Agreement Amendment 2/13/92 Australia
Omnibus Amendment 11/22/93
AUSTRIA BANK AUSTRIA AG OeKB
Creditanstalt Bankverein Agreement 12/18/89
Omnibus Amendment 1/17/94
BAHRAIN BRITISH BANK OF THE MIDDLE EAST, None
BAHRAIN FOR HONGKONG
& SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD.
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14/96
BBME Supplement 5/14/96
Side Letter Agreement dated 7/28/97
BANGLADESH STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, DHAKA None
Standard Chartered Bank Agreement 2/18/92
Omnibus Amendment 6/13/94
Appendix 4/8/96
BELGIUM BANQUE BRUXELLES LAMBERT CIK
National Bank of
Banque Bruxelles Lambert Agt, 11/15/90 Belgium
Omnibus Amendment 3/1/94
BERMUDA THE BANK OF N.T. BUTTERFIELD
& SON LTD., BERMUDA None
The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son
Ltd. Agreement 5/27/97
1
<PAGE>
BOLIVIA CITIBANK, N.A., LA PAZ, BOLIVIA BCB
***Requires additional documentation BBV
prior to investment.
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8131/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank N.A. Appointment Letter 4/13/98
BOTSWANA STANBIC BANK BOTSWANA LIMITED FOR None
STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
Standard Bank of South Africa Agreement 3/11194
Subsidiary Amendment 9/29/97
BRAZIL BANKBOSTON, N.A., SAO PAULO BOVESPA
CLC
The First National Bank of Boston
Agreement 1/5/88
Omnibus Amendment 2/22/94
Amendment 7/29/96
BULGARIA ING BANK, N.V., BULGARIA CDAD
BNB
ING Bank N.V. Agreement 9/15/97
CANADA ROYAL BANK OF CANADA Bank of Canada
CDS
The Royal Bank of Canada Agreement 2/23/96
CHILE CITIBANK, N.A., SANTIAGO DCV
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 9/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
CHINA STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, SHANGHAI SSCCRC
Standard Chartered Bank Agreement 2/18/92
Omnibus Amendment 6/13/94
Appendix 4/8/96
CHINA STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, SHENZHEN SSCC
Standard Chartered Bank Agreement 2/18/92
Omnibus Amendment 6/13194
Appendix 4/8/96
2
<PAGE>
COLOMBIA CITITRUST COLOMBIA, S.A. SOCIEDAD DCV
FIDUCIARIA FOR CITIBANK, N.A. Deceval
Citibank, N.A, New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment &31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26t96
Citibank, N.A./Cititrust Colombia
Agreement 12/2/91
Citibank, N.A. Subsidiary Amendment 10/19/95
CZECH REPUBLIC CITIBANK A.S. FOR CITIBANK N.A. SCP
Czech National
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81 Bank
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31190
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank N.A. / Citibank A.S. Agreement 6/24/96
DENMARK DEN DANSKE BANK VP
Den Danske Bank Agreement 1/ 1/89
Omnibus Amendment 12/1/93
ECUADOR CITIBANK, N.A., QUITO Decevale
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment W31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank, Quito Side Letter 7/3/95
EGYPT CITIBANK, N.A., CAIRO MCSD
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
FINLAND MERITA BANK FCSD
Union Bank of Finland Agreement 2/27/89
Omnibus Amendment 4/6/94
FRANCE CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ SICOVAM
Banque Indosuez Agreement 7/19/90 Banque de France
Omnibus Amendment 3/10/94
GERMANY DEUTSCHE BANK, GERMANY DBC
Deutsche Bank Agreement 8/21/96
3
<PAGE>
GHANA MERCHANT BANK (GHANA) LIMITED FOR None
STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
***Requires additional documentation
prior to investment
Standard Bank of South Africa Agreement 3/11/94
Subsidiary Amendment 9/29/97
GREECE CITIBANK, N.A., ATHENS Apothetirion
Titlon A.E.
Citibank, N.A-, New York Agt. 7/16/81 Bank of Greece
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
HONG KONG HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD., HKSCC
HONG KONG CMU
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14/96
HUNGARY CITIBANK BUDAPEST RT. FOR CITIBANK, N.A. KELER Ltd.
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank, N.A. Subsidiary Amendment 10/19/95
Citibank, N.A. / Citibank Budapest Agreement 6/23/92
Citibank, N.A. / Citibank Budapest Amendment 9129/92
INDIA CITIBANK, N.A., MUMBAI NSDL
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank, Mumbai Amendment 11/17/93
INDONESIA CITIBANK, N.A., JAKARTA None
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
IRELAND ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC CrestCo.
Gilt Settlement
Allied Irish Banks Agreement 1/10/89 Office
Omnibus Amendment 4/8/94
4
<PAGE>
ISRAEL BANK HAPOALIM B.M. TASE
Clearinghouse
Bank Hapoalint Agreement 8/27/92 Ltd.
ITALY BANCA COMMERCLALE ITALLANA Monte Titoli
Banca DItalia
Banca, Commerciale Italiana Agreement 5/8/89
Agreement Amendment 10/8/93
Omnibus Amendment 12/14/93
JAPAN BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI, LTD. JASDEC
Bank of Japan
Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Agreement 6/17196
JORDAN BRITISH BANK OF THE MIDDLE EAST, JORDAN None
FOR HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP.
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14196
BBME Supplement 5/14/96
Side letter Agreement dated 7/28/97
KENYA STANBIC BANK KENYA LIMITED FOR STANDARD None
BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
Standard Bank of South Africa Agreement 3/11/94
Subsidiary Amendment 9/29/97
KOREA CITIBANK, N.A., SEOUL KSD
Citibank, N.A, New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank, Seoul Agreement Supplement 10/28/94
LEBANON BRITISH BANK OF THE MIDDLE EAST, LEBANON Midclear
FOR HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP.
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14/96
BBME Supplement 5/14/96
Side letter Agreement dated 7/28/97
LUXEMBOURG KREDIETBANK LUXEMBOURG Cedel
Krediethank Luxembourg Agt. 4n/98
5
<PAGE>
MAURITIUS HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD., CDS
MAURITIUS
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14/96
MEXICO CITIBANK MEXICO, S.A. Indeval
Banco de Mexico
Citibank, N.A, New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank Mexico, S.A. Amendment 2/28/95
MOROCCO BANQUE MAROCAINE DU COMMERCE EXTERIEUR MAROCLEAR
BMCE Agreement 7/6/94
NETHERLANDS ABN-AMRO BANK NECIGEF
ABN-AMRO Agreement 12/19/88
NETHERLANDS MEESPIERSON NECIGEF
Master Subcustodian Agreement Pending
NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD., AUCKLAND NZCSD
National Australia Bank Agt. 5/l/85
Agreement Amendment 2/13/92
Omnibus Amendment 11/22/93
New Zealand Addendum 3/7/89
NORWAY CHRISTIANIA BANK VPS
Christiania Bank Agreement 3/2/89
OMAN BRITISH BANK OF THE MIDDLE EAST, OMAN Muscat Depository
FOR HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD. & Securities &
Registration Co.
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14/96
BBME Supplement 5/14/96
Side letter Agreement dated 7/28/97
6
<PAGE>
PAKISTAN STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, KARACHI CDC
Standard Chartered Bank Agreement 2/18/92
Omnibus Amendment 6/13/94
Appendix 4/8/96
PERU CITIBANK N.A., LIMA CAVALI
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
PHILIPPINES CITIBANK, N.A., MANILA PCD
ROSS
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31190
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
POLAND CITIBANK (POLAND), S.A. FOR CITIBANK, N.A. NDS
National Bank of
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81 Poland
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
Citibank Subsidiary Amendment 10/30/95
Citibank, N.A. / Citibank Poland S.A. Agt. 11/6/92
PORTUGAL BANCO COMERCIAL PORTUGUES CVM
Banco Comercial Portugues 5/18/98
ROMANIA ING BANK N.V., ROMANIA SNCDD
BSE
ING Bank N.V. Agreement 9/29/97 NBR
SINGAPORE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD., CDP
SINGAPORE
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14/96
SLOVAKIA ING BANK N.V., BRATISLAVA SCP
National Bank of
ING Bank N.V. Agreement 9/l/98 Slovakia
SOUTH AFRICA FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA CD
First National Bank of Southern Africa
Agt. 8/7/91
7
<PAGE>
SPAIN BANCOSANTANDER SCLV
Banco de Espana
Banco Santander Agreement 12114/88
SRI LANKA HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD., CDS
COLOMBO
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt.
4/19191
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93
Schedule 5/14/96
SWAZILAND STANBIC BANK SWAZILAND LIMITED FOR STANDARD None
BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
Standard Bank of South Africa Agreement
3/11/94
Subsidiary Amendment 9129/97
SWEDEN SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN VPC
Skandinaviska Enskilden Banken Agreement
2/20/89
Omnibus Amendment 12/3/93
SWITZERLAND UBS AG SEGA
Union Bank of Switzerland Agreement 12/20/88
Omnibus Amendment 11129/94
TAIWAN STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, TAIPEI TSCD
Standard Chartered Bank Agreement 2/18/92
Omnibus Amendment 6/13/94
Appendix 4/8/96
THAILAND HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD., TSDC
BANGKOK
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Agt. 4/19/91
Omnibus Supplement 12/29/93 Schedule 5/14196
TRANSNATIONAL BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. Cedel
Euroclear
8
<PAGE>
TURKEY CITIBANK, N.A., ISTANBUL Takasbank
Central Bank
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81 of Turkey
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
UNITED KINGDOM MIDLAND BANK PLC CGO
CM0
Midland Bank Agreement 8/8/90 CrestCo.
Onulibus Amendment 12/15/93
URUGUAY BANKBOSTON, N.A., MONTEVIDEO None
The First National Bank of Boston
Agreement 1/5/88
Omnibus Amendment 2/22/94
Amendment 7/29/96
VENEZUELA CITIBANK, N.A., CARACAS CVV
Citibank, N.A., New York Agt. 7/16/81
New York Agreement Amendment 8/31/90
New York Agreement Amendment 7/26/96
ZAMBIA STANBIC BANK ZAMBIA LTD. FOR STANDARD LuSE Central
BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA Shares
Depository Ltd.
Standard Bank of South Africa Agreement BoZ
3/11/94
Subsidiary Amendment 10/3/96
ZIMBABWE STANBIC BANK ZIMBABWE LTD. FOR STANDARD None
BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
Standard Bank of South Africa Agreement 3/11/94
Subsidiary Amendment 10/3/96
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT AT ITS MEETING ON JULY 13, 1999 THE BOARD
APPROVED THE COUNTRIES, SUBCUSTODIANS, AGREEMENTS AND CENTRAL
DEPOSITORIES LISTED ON THIS APPENDIX.
/s/ Domenick Pugliese
SIGNATURE
NAME: Domenick Pugliese
TITLE: Assistant Secretary
DATE: July 13, 1999
9
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
THE FOLLOWING AUTHORIZED SOURCES ARE TO BE USED FOR PRICING AND
FOREIGN EXCHANGE QUOTATIONS, CORPORATE ACTIONS, DIVIDENDS AND
RIGHTS OFFERINGS:
AUTHORIZED SOURCES
BLOOMBERG
EXTEL (LONDON)
FUND MANAGERS
INTERACTIVE DATA CORPORATION
REPUTABLE BROKERS
REUTERS
SUBCUSTODIAN BANKS
TELEKURS
VALORINFORM (GENEVA)
REPUTABLE FINANCIAL PUBLICATIONS
STOCK EXCHANGES
FINANCIAL INFORMATION INC. CARD
JJ KENNY
FRI CORPORATION
MERRILL LYNCH PRICING SERVICE
MULLER
APPROVED:________________________
DATE
10
00250248.AD0
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of July 13, 1999, between ALLIANCE
HEALTH CARE FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation and an open-end
investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "Investment Company Act"), having its principal place of
business at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105
(the "Fund"), and ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC., a Delaware
corporation registered with the SEC as a transfer agent under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, having its principal place of
business at 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094 ("Fund
Services"), provides as follows:
WHEREAS, Fund Services has agreed to act as transfer
agent to the Fund for the purpose of recording the transfer,
issuance and redemption of shares of each series of the shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund ("Shares" or "Shares of a
Series"), transferring the Shares, disbursing dividends and other
distributions to shareholders of the Fund, and performing such
other services as may be agreed to pursuant hereto;
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties do hereby
agree as follows:
SECTION 1. The Fund hereby appoints Fund Services as
its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder
<PAGE>
servicing agent for the Shares, and Fund Services agrees to act
in such capacities upon the terms set forth in this Agreement.
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise
defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in SECTION 30.
SECTION 2.
(a) The Fund shall provide Fund Services with copies
of the following documents:
(1) Specimens of all forms of certificates for Shares;
(2) Specimens of all account application forms and
other documents relating to Shareholders' accounts;
(3) Copies of each Prospectus;
(4) Specimens of all documents relating to withdrawal
plans instituted by the Fund, as described in SECTION 16; and
(5) Specimens of all amendments to any of the
foregoing documents.
(b) The Fund shall furnish to Fund Services a supply
of blank Share Certificates for the Shares and, from time to
time, will renew such supply upon Fund Services' request. Blank
Share Certificates shall be signed manually or by facsimile
signatures of officers of the Fund authorized to sign by law or
pursuant to the by-laws of the Fund and, if required by Fund
Services, shall bear the Fund's seal or a facsimile thereof.
SECTION 3. Fund Services shall make original issues of
Shares in accordance with SECTIONS 13 and 14 and the Prospectus
upon receipt of (i) Written Instructions requesting the issuance,
2
<PAGE>
(ii) a certified copy of a resolution of the Fund's Directors
authorizing the issuance, (iii) necessary funds for the payment
of any original issue tax applicable to such Shares, and (iv) an
opinion of the Fund's counsel as to the legality and validity of
the issuance, which opinion may provide that it is contingent
upon the filing by the Fund of an appropriate notice with the
SEC, as required by Rule 24f-2 of the Investment Company Act, as
amended from time to time.
SECTION 4. Transfers of Shares shall be registered and,
subject to the provisions of SECTION 10 in the case of Shares
evidenced by Share Certificates, new Share Certificates shall be
issued by Fund Services upon surrender of outstanding Share
Certificates in the form deemed by Fund Services to be properly
endorsed for transfer, which form shall include (i) all necessary
endorsers' signatures guaranteed by a member firm of a national
securities exchange or a domestic commercial bank or through
other procedures mutually agreed to between the Fund and Fund
Services, (ii) such assurances as Fund Services may deem
necessary to evidence the genuineness and effectiveness of each
endorsement and (iii) satisfactory evidence of compliance with
all applicable laws relating to the payment or collection of
taxes.
SECTION 5. Fund Services shall forward Share
Certificates in "non-negotiable" form by first-class or
registered mail, or by whatever means Fund Services deems equally
3
<PAGE>
reliable and expeditious. While in transit to the addressee, all
deliveries of Share Certificates shall be insured by Fund
Services as it deems appropriate. Fund Services shall not mail
Share Certificates in "negotiable" form, unless requested in
writing by the Fund and fully indemnified by the Fund to Fund
Services' satisfaction.
SECTION 6. In registering transfers of Shares, Fund
Services may rely upon the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect
from time to time in the State in which the Fund is incorporated
or organized or, if appropriate, in the State of New Jersey;
provided, that Fund Services may rely in addition or
alternatively on any other statutes in effect in the State of New
Jersey or in the state under the laws of which the Fund is
incorporated or organized that, in the opinion of Fund Services'
counsel, protect Fund Services and the Fund from liability
arising from (i) not requiring complete documentation in
connection with an issuance or transfer, (ii) registering a
transfer without an adverse claim inquiry, (iii) delaying
registration for purposes of an adverse claim inquiry or
(iv) refusing registration in connection with an adverse claim.
SECTION 7. Fund Services may issue new Share
Certificates in place of those lost, destroyed or stolen, upon
receiving indemnity satisfactory to Fund Services; and may issue
new Share Certificates in exchange for, and upon surrender of,
mutilated Share Certificates as Fund Services deems appropriate.
4
<PAGE>
SECTION 8. Unless otherwise directed by the Fund, Fund
Services may issue or register Share Certificates reflecting the
signature, or facsimile thereof, of an officer who has died,
resigned or been removed by the Fund. The Fund shall file
promptly with Fund Services' approval, adoption or ratification
of such action as may be required by law or by Fund Services.
SECTION 9. Fund Services shall maintain customary stock
registry records for Shares of each series noting the issuance,
transfer or redemption of Shares and the issuance and transfer of
Share Certificates. Fund Services may also maintain for Shares
of each Series an account entitled "Unissued Certificate
Account," in which Fund Services will record the Shares, and
fractions thereof, issued and outstanding from time to time for
which issuance of Share Certificates has not been requested.
Fund Services is authorized to keep records for Shares of each
Series containing the names and addresses of record of
Shareholders, and the number of Shares, and fractions thereof,
from time to time owned by them for which no Share Certificates
are outstanding. Each Shareholder will be assigned a single
account number for Shares of each Series, even though Shares for
which Certificates have been issued will be accounted for
separately.
SECTION 10. Fund Services shall issue Share
Certificates for Shares only upon receipt of a written request
from a Shareholder and as authorized by the Fund. If Shares are
5
<PAGE>
purchased or transferred without a request for the issuance of a
Share Certificate, Fund Services shall merely note on its stock
registry records the issuance or transfer of the Shares and
fractions thereof and credit or debit, as appropriate, the
Unissued Certificate Account and the respective Shareholders'
accounts with the Shares. Whenever Shares, and fractions
thereof, owned by Shareholders are surrendered for redemption,
Fund Services may process the transactions by making appropriate
entries in the stock transfer records, and debiting the Unissued
Certificate Account and the record of issued Shares outstanding;
it shall be unnecessary for Fund. Services to reissue Share
Certificates in the name of the Fund.
SECTION 11. Fund Services shall also perform the usual
duties and function required of a stock transfer agent for a
corporation, including but not limited to (i) issuing Share
Certificates as treasury Shares, as directed by Written
Instructions, and (ii) transferring Share Certificates from one
Shareholder to another in the usual manner. Fund Services may
rely conclusively and act without further investigation upon any
list, instruction, certification, authorization, Share
Certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably believed by
it in good faith to be genuine and unaltered, and to have been
signed, countersigned or executed or authorized by a duly-
authorized person or persons, or by the Fund, or upon the advice
of counsel for the Fund or for Fund Services. Fund Services may
6
<PAGE>
record any transfer of Share Certificates which it reasonably
believes in good faith to have been duly authorized, or may
refuse to record,any transfer of Share Certificates if, in good
faith, it reasonably deems such refusal necessary in order to
avoid any liability on the part of either the Fund or Fund
Services.
SECTION 12. Fund Services shall notify the Fund of any
request or demand for the inspection of the Fund's share records.
Fund Services shall abide by the Fund's instructions for granting
or denying the inspection; provided, however, Fund Services may
grant the inspection without such instructions if it is advised
by its counsel that failure to do so will result in liability to
Fund Services.
SECTION 13. Fund Services shall observe the following
procedures in handling funds received:
(a) Upon receipt at the office designated by the Fund
of any check or other order drawn or endorsed to the Fund or
otherwise identified as being for the account of the Fund, and,
in the case of a new account, accompanied by a new account
application or sufficient information to establish an account as
provided in the Prospectus, Fund Services shall stamp the
transmittal document accompanying such check or other order with
the name of the Fund and the time and date of receipt and shall
forthwith deposit the proceeds thereof in the custodial account
of the Fund.
7
<PAGE>
(b) In the event that any check or other order for
purchase of Shares is returned unpaid for any reason, Fund
Services shall, in the absence of other instructions from the
Fund, advise the Fund of the returned check and prepare such
documents and information as may be necessary to cancel promptly
any Shares purchased on the basis of such returned check and any
accumulated income dividends and capital gains distributions paid
on such Shares.
(c) As soon as possible after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time
or at such other times as the Fund may specify in Written or Oral
Instructions for any Series (the "Valuation Time") on each
Business Day Fund Services shall Obtain from the Fund's Adviser a
quotation (on which it may conclusively rely) of the net asset
value, determined as of the Valuation Time on that day. On each
Business Day Fund Services shall use the net asset value(s)
determined by the Fund's Adviser to compute the number of Shares
and fractional Shares to be purchased and the aggregate purchase
proceeds to be deposited with the Custodian. As necessary but no
more frequently than daily (unless a more frequent basis is
agreed to by Fund Services), Fund Services shall place a purchase
order with the Custodian for the proper number of Shares and
fractional Shares to be purchased and promptly thereafter shall
send written confirmation of such purchase to the Custodian and
the Fund.
8
<PAGE>
SECTION 14. Having made the calculations required by
SECTION 13, Fund Services shall thereupon pay the Custodian the
aggregate net asset value of the Shares purchased. The aggregate
number of Shares and fractional Shares purchased shall then be
issued daily and credited by Fund Services to the Unissued
Certificate Account. Fund Services shall also credit each
Shareholder's separate account with the number of Shares
purchased by such Shareholder. Fund Services shall mail written
confirmation of the purchase to each Shareholder or the
Shareholder's representative and to the Fund if requested. Each
confirmation shall indicate the prior Share balance, the new
Share balance, the Shares for which Stock Certificates are
outstanding (if any), the amount invested and the price paid for
the newly-purchased Shares.
SECTION 15. Prior to the Valuation Time on each
Business Day, as specified in accordance with SECTION 13, Fund
Services shall process all requests to redeem Shares and, with
respect to each Series, shall advise the Custodian of (i) the
total number of Shares available for redemption and (ii) the
number of shares and fractional Shares requested to be redeemed.
Upon confirmation of the net asset value by the Fund's Adviser,
Fund Services shall notify the Fund and the Custodian of the
redemption, apply the redemption proceeds in accordance with
SECTION 16 and the Prospectus, record the redemption in the stock
registry books, and debit the redeemed Shares from the Unissued
9
<PAGE>
Certificates Account and the individual account of the
Shareholder.
In lieu of carrying out the redemption procedures
described in the preceding paragraph, Fund Services may, at the
request of the Fund, sell Shares to the Fund as repurchases from
Shareholders, provided that the sale price is not less than the
applicable redemption price. The redemption procedures shall
then be appropriately modified.
SECTION 16. Fund Services will carry out the following
procedures with respect to Share redemptions:
(a) As to each request received by the Fund from or on
behalf of a Shareholder for the redemption of Shares, and unless
the right of redemption has been suspended as contemplated by the
Prospectus, Fund Services shall, within seven days after receipt
of such redemption request, either (i) mail a check in the amount
of the proceeds of such redemption to the person designated by
the Shareholder or other person to receive such proceeds or,
(ii) in the event redemption proceeds are to be wired through the
Federal Reserve Wire System or by bank wire pursuant to
procedures described in the Prospectus, cause such proceeds to be
wired in Federal funds to the bank or trust company account
designated by the Shareholder to receive such proceeds. Funds
Services shall also prepare and send a confirmation of such
redemption to the Shareholder. Redemptions in kind shall be made
only in accordance with such Written Instructions as Fund
10
<PAGE>
Services may receive from the Fund. The requirements as to
instruments of transfer and other documentation, the
determination of the appropriate redemption price and the time of
payment shall be as provided in the Prospectus, subject to such
additional requirements consistent therewith as may be
established by mutual agreement between the Fund and Fund
Services. In the case of a request for redemption that does not
comply in all respects with the requirements for redemption, Fund
Services shall promptly so notify the Shareholder and shall
effect such redemption at the price in effect at the time of
receipt of documents complying with such requirements. Fund
Services shall notify the Fund's Custodian and the Fund on each
Business Day of the amount of cash required to meet payments made
pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph and thereupon the
Fund shall instruct the Custodian to make available to Fund
Services in timely fashion sufficient funds therefor.
(b) Procedures and standards for effecting and
accepting redemption orders from Shareholders by telephone or by
such check writing service as the Fund may institute may be
established by mutual agreement between Fund Services and the
Fund consistent with the Prospectus.
(c) For purposes of redemption of Shares that have
been purchased by check within fifteen (15) days prior to receipt
of the redemption request, the Fund shall provide Fund Services
11
<PAGE>
with Written Instructions concerning the time within which such
requests may be honored.
(d) Fund Services shall process withdrawal orders duly
executed by Shareholders in accordance with the terms of any
withdrawal plan instituted by the Fund and described in the
Prospectus. Payments upon such withdrawal orders and redemptions
of Shares held in withdrawal plan accounts in connection with
such payments shall be made at such times as the Fund may
determine in accordance with the Prospectus.
(e) The authority of Fund Services to perform its
responsibilities under SECTIONS 15 and 16 with respect to the
Shares of any Series shall be suspended if Fund Services receives
notice of the suspension of the determination of the net asset
value of the Series.
SECTION 17. Upon the declaration of each dividend and
each capital gains distribution by the Fund's Directors, the Fund
shall notify Fund Services of the date of such declaration, the
amount payable per Share, the record date for determining the
Shareholders entitled to payment, the payment and the
reinvestment date price.
SECTION 18. Upon being advised by the Fund of the
declaration of any income dividend or capital gains distribution
on account of its Shares, Fund Services shall compute and prepare
for the Fund records crediting such distributions to
Shareholders. Fund Services shall, on or before the payment date
12
<PAGE>
of any dividend or distribution, notify the Fund and the
custodian of the estimated amount required to pay any portion of
a dividend or distribution which is payable in cash, and
thereupon the Fund shall, on or before the payment date of such
dividend or distribution, instruct the Custodian to make
available to Fund Services sufficient funds for the payment of
such cash amount. Fund Services will, on the designated payment
date, reinvest all dividends in additional shares and promptly
mail to each Shareholder at his address of record a statement
showing the number of full and fractional Shares (rounded to
three decimal places) then owned by the Shareholder and the net
asset value of such Shares; provided, however, that if a
Shareholder elects to receive dividends in cash, Fund Services
shall prepare a check in the appropriate amount and mail it to
the Shareholder at his address of record within five (5) business
days after the designated payment date, or transmit the
appropriate amount in Federal funds in accordance with the
Shareholder's agreement with the Fund.
SECTION 19. Fund Services shall prepare and maintain
for the Fund records showing for each Shareholder's account the
following:
A. The name, address and tax identification number of
the Shareholder;
B. The number of Shares of each Series held by the
Shareholder;
13
<PAGE>
C. Historical information including dividends paid
and date and price for all transactions;
D. Any stop or restraining order placed against such
account;
E. Information with respect to the withholding of any
portion of income dividends or capital gains distributions as are
required to be withheld under applicable law;
F. Any dividend or distribution reinvestment
election, withdrawal plan application, and correspondence
relating to the current maintenance of the account;
G. The certificate numbers and denominations of any
Share Certificates issued to the Shareholder; and
H. Any additional information required by Fund
Services to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement.
Fund Services agrees to make available upon request by the Fund
or the Fund's Adviser and to preserve for the periods prescribed
in Rule 31a-2 of the Investment Company Act any records related
to services provided under this Agreement and required to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 of that Act, including:
(i) Copies of the daily transaction register for each
Business Day of the Fund;
(ii) Copies of all dividend, distribution and
reinvestment blotters;
(iii) Schedules of the quantities of Shares of each
Series distributed in each state for purposes of any state's laws
14
<PAGE>
or regulations as specified in Oral or Written Instructions given
to Fund Services from time to time by the Fund or its agents; and
(iv) Such other information, including Shareholder
lists, and statistical information as may be agreed upon from
time to time by the Fund and Fund Services.
SECTION 20. Fund Services shall maintain those records
necessary to enable the Fund to file, in a timely manner, form
N-SAR (Semi-Annual Report) or any successor report required by
the Investment Company Act or rules and regulations thereunder.
SECTION 21. Fund Services shall cooperate with the
Fund's independent public accountants and shall take reasonable
action to make all necessary information available to such
accountants for the performance of their duties.
SECTION 22. In addition to the services described
above, Fund Services will perform other services for the Fund as
may be mutually agreed upon in writing from time to time, which
may include preparing and filing Federal tax forms with the
Internal Revenue Service, and, subject to supervisory oversight
by the Fund's Adviser, mailing Federal tax information to
Shareholders, mailing semi-annual Shareholder reports, preparing
the annual list of Shareholders, mailing notices of Shareholders'
meetings, proxies and proxy statements and tabulating proxies.
Fund Services shall answer the inquiries of certain Shareholders
related to their share accounts and other correspondence
requiring an answer from the Fund. Fund Services shall maintain
15
<PAGE>
dated copies of written communications from Shareholders, and
replies thereto.
SECTION 23. Nothing contained in this Agreement is
intended to or shall require Fund Services, in any capacity
hereunder, to perform any functions or duties on any day other
than a Business Day. Functions or duties normally scheduled to
be performed on any day which is not a Business Day shall be
performed on, and as of, the next Business Day, unless otherwise
required by law.
SECTION 24. For the services rendered by Fund Services
as described above, the Fund shall pay to Fund Services an
annualized fee at a rate to be mutually agreed upon from time to
time. Such fee shall be prorated for the months in which this
Agreement becomes effective or is terminated. In addition, the
Fund shall pay, or Fund Services shall be reimbursed for, all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of this
Agreement, including but not, limited to the cost of stationery,
forms, supplies, blank checks, stock certificates, proxies and
proxy solicitation and tabulation costs, all forms and statements
used by Fund Services in communicating with Shareholders of the
Fund or especially prepared for use in connection with its
services hereunder, specific software enhancements as requested
by the Fund, costs associated with maintaining withholding
accounts (including non-resident alien, Federal government and
state), postage, telephone, telegraph (or similar electronic
16
<PAGE>
media) used in communicating with Shareholders or their
representatives, outside mailing services, microfiche/micro film,
freight charges and off-site record storage. It is agreed in
this regard that Fund Services, prior to ordering any form in
such supply as it estimates will be adequate for more than two
years' use, shall obtain the written consent of the Fund. All
forms for which Fund Services has received reimbursement from the
Fund shall be the property of the Fund.
SECTION 25. Fund Services shall not be liable for any
taxes, assessments or governmental charges that may be levied or
assessed on any basis whatsoever in connection with the Fund or
any Shareholder, excluding taxes assessed against Fund Services
for compensation received by it hereunder.
SECTION 26.
(a) Fund Services shall at all times act in good faith
and with reasonable care in performing the services to be
provided by it under this Agreement, but shall not be liable for
any loss or damage unless such loss or damage is caused by the
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of Fund Services or
its employees or agents.
(b) The Fund shall indemnify and hold Fund Services
harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including
reasonable expenses for counsel, incurred by it resulting from
any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the
performance of its duties hereunder, or as a result of acting
17
<PAGE>
upon any instruction reasonably believed by it to have been
properly given by a duly authorized officer of the Fund, or upon
any information, data, records or documents provided to Fund
Services or its agents by computer tape, telex, CRT data entry or
other similar means authorized by the Fund; provided that this
indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of Fund
Services in cases of its own bad faith, willful misconduct or
negligence, and provided further that if in any case the Fund may
be asked to indemnify or hold Fund Services harmless pursuant to
this Section, the Fund shall have been fully and promptly advised
by Fund Services of all material facts concerning the situation
in question. The Fund shall have the option to defend Fund
Services against any claim which may be the subject of this
indemnification, and in the event that the Fund so elects it will
so notify Fund Services, and thereupon the Fund shall retain
competent counsel to undertake defense of the claim, and Fund
Services shall in such situations incur no further legal or other
expenses for which it may seek indemnification under this
paragraph. Fund Services shall in no case confess any claim or
make any compromise in any case in which the Fund may be asked to
indemnify Fund Services except with the Fund's prior written
consent.
18
<PAGE>
Without limiting the foregoing:
(i) Fund Services may rely upon the advice of the Fund
or counsel to the Fund or Fund Services, and upon statements of
accountants, brokers and other persons believed by Fund Services
in good faith to be expert in the matters upon which they are
consulted. Fund Services shall not be liable for any action
taken in good faith reliance upon such advice or statements;
(ii) Fund Services shall not be liable for any action
reasonably taken in good faith reliance upon any Written
Instructions or certified copy of any resolution of the Fund's
Directors, including a Written Instruction authorizing Fund
Services to make payment upon redemption of Shares without a
signature guarantee; provided, however, that upon receipt of a
Written Instruction countermanding a prior Instruction that has
not been fully executed by Fund Services, Fund Services shall
verify the content of the second Instruction and honor it, to the
extent possible. Fund Services may rely upon the genuineness of
any such document, or copy thereof, reasonably believed by Fund
Services in good faith to have been validly executed;
(iii) Fund Services may rely, and shall be protected by
the Fund in acting, upon any signature, instruction, request,
letter of transmittal, certificate, opinion of counsel,
statement, instrument, report, notice, consent, order, or other
paper or document reasonably believed by it in good faith to be
19
<PAGE>
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the purchaser,
the Fund or other proper party or parties; and
(d) Fund Services may, with the consent of the Fund,
subcontract the performance of any portion of any service to be
provided hereunder, including with respect to any Shareholder or
group of Shareholders, to any agent of Fund Services and may
reimburse the agent for the services it performs at such rates as
Fund Services may determine; provided that no such reimbursement
will increase the amount payable by the Fund pursuant to this
Agreement; and provided further, that Fund Services shall remain
ultimately responsible as transfer agent to the Fund.
SECTION 27. The Fund shall deliver or cause to be
delivered over to Fund Services (i) an accurate list of
Shareholders, showing each Shareholder's address of record,
number of Shares of each Series owned and whether such Shares are
represented by outstanding Share Certificates or by non-
certificated Share accounts and (ii) all Shareholder records,
files, and other materials necessary or appropriate for proper
performance of the functions assumed by the under this Agreement
(collectively referred to as the "Materials"). The Fund shall
indemnify Fund Service s and hold it harmless from any and all
expenses, damages, claims, suits, liabilities, actions, demands
and losses arising out of or in connection with any error,
omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency of such Materials, or
out of the failure of the Fund to provide any portion of the
20
<PAGE>
Materials or to provide any information in the Fund's possession
needed by Fund Services to knowledgeably perform its functions;
provided the Fund shall have no obligation to indemnify Fund
Services or hold it harmless with respect to any expenses,
damages, claims, suits, liabilities, actions, demands or losses
caused directly or indirectly by acts or omissions of Fund
Services or the Fund's Adviser.
SECTION 28. This Agreement may be amended from time to
time by a written supplemental agreement executed by the Fund and
Fund Services and without notice to or approval of the
Shareholders; provided this Agreement may not be amended in any
manner which would substantially increase the Fund's obligations
hereunder unless the amendment is first approved by the Fund's
Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not a
party to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party,
at a meeting called for such purpose, and thereafter is approved
by the Fund's Shareholders if such approval is required under the
Investment Company Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
The parties hereto may adopt procedures as may be appropriate or
practical under the circumstances, and Fund Services may
conclusively rely on the determination of the Fund that any
procedure that has been approved by the Fund does not conflict
with or violate any requirement of its Articles of Incorporation
or Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or Prospectus, or any rule,
regulation or requirement of any regulatory body.
21
<PAGE>
SECTION 29. The Fund shall file with Fund Services a
certified copy of each operative resolution of its Directors
authorizing the execution of Written Instructions or the
transmittal of Oral Instructions and setting forth authentic
signatures of all signatories authorized to sign on behalf of the
Fund and specifying the person or persons authorized to give Oral
Instructions on behalf of the Fund. Such resolution shall
constitute conclusive evidence of the authority of the person or
persons designated therein to act and shall be considered in full
force and effect, with Fund Services fully protected in acting in
reliance therein, until Fund Services receives a certified copy
of a replacement resolution adding or deleting a person or
persons authorized to give Written or Oral Instructions. If the
officer certifying the resolution is authorized to give Oral
Instructions, the certification shall also be signed by a second
officer of the Fund.
SECTION 30. The terms, as defined in this Section,
whenever used in this Agreement or in any amendment or supplement
hereto, shall have the meanings specified below, insofar as the
context will allow.
(a) Business Day: Any day on which the Fund is open
for business as described in the Prospectus.
(b) Custodian: The term Custodian shall mean the
Fund's current custodian or any successor custodian acting as
such for the Fund.
22
<PAGE>
(c) Fund's Adviser: The term Fund's Adviser shall
mean Alliance Capital Management L.P. or any successor thereto
who acts as the investment adviser or manager of the Fund.
(d) Oral Instructions: The term Oral Instructions
shall mean an authorization, instruction, approval, item or set
of data, or information of any kind transmitted to Fund Services
in person or by telephone, vocal telegram or other electronic
means, by a person or persons reasonably believed in good faith
by Fund Services to be a person or persons authorized by a
resolution of the Directors of the Fund to give Oral Instructions
on behalf of the Fund. Each Oral Instruction shall specify
whether it is applicable to the entire Fund or a specific Series
of the Fund.
(e) Prospectus: The term Prospectus shall mean a
prospectus and related statement of additional information
forming part of a currently effective registration statement
under the Investment Company Act and, as used with the respect to
Shares or Shares of a Series, shall mean the prospectuses and
related statements of additional information covering the Shares
or Shares of the Series.
(f) Securities: The term Securities shall mean bonds,
debentures, notes, stocks, shares, evidences of indebtedness, and
other securities and investments from time to time owned by the
Fund.
23
<PAGE>
(g) Series: The term Series shall mean any series of
Shares of the common stock of the Fund that the Fund may
establish from time to time.
(h) Share Certificates: The term Share Certificates
shall mean the stock certificates for the Shares.
(i) Shareholders: The term Shareholders shall mean
the registered owners from time to time of the Shares, as
reflected on the stock registry records of the Fund.
(j) Written Instructions: The term Written
Instructions shall mean an authorization, instruction, approval,
item or set of data, or information of any kind transmitted to
Fund Services in original writing containing original signatures,
or a copy of such document transmitted by telecopy, including
transmission of such signature, or other mechanical or
documentary means, at the request of a person or persons
reasonably believed in good faith by Fund Services to be a person
or persons authorized by a resolution of the Directors of the
Fund to give Written Instruction shall specify whether it is
applicable to the entire Fund or a specific Series of the Fund.
SECTION 31. Fund Services shall not be liable for the
loss of all or part of any record maintained or preserved by it
pursuant to this Agreement or for any delays or errors occurring
by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including but not
limited to acts of civil or military authorities, national
emergencies, fire, flood or catastrophe, acts of God,
24
<PAGE>
insurrection, war, riot, or failure of transportation,
communication or power supply, except to the extent that Fund
Services shall have failed to use its best efforts to minimize
the likelihood of occurrence of such circumstances or to mitigate
any loss or damage to the Fund caused by such circumstances.
SECTION 32. The Fund may give Fund Services sixty (60)
days' and Fund Services may give the Fund (90) days' written
notice of the termination of this Agreement, such termination to
take effect at the time specified in the notice. Upon notice of
termination, the Fund shall use its best efforts to obtain a
successor transfer agent. If a successor transfer agent is not
appointed within ninety (90) days after the date of the notice of
termination, the Directors of the Fund shall, by resolution,
designate the Fund as its own transfer agent. Upon receipt of
written notice from the Fund of the appointment of the successor
transfer agent and upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions
Fund Services shall, upon request of the Fund and the successor
transfer agent and upon payment of Fund Services reasonable
charges and disbursements, promptly transfer to the successor
transfer agent the original or copies of all books and records
maintained by Fund Services hereunder and cooperate with, and
provide reasonable assistance to, the successor transfer agent in
the establishment of the books and records necessary to carry out
its responsibilities hereunder.
25
<PAGE>
SECTION 33. Any notice or other communication required
by or permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement
shall be in writing, and shall be delivered in person or sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the respective parties.
Notice to the Fund shall be given as follows until
further notice:
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Attention: Secretary
Notice to Fund Services shall be given as follows until further
notice:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
500 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, New Jersey 07094
SECTION 34. The Fund represents and warrants to Fund
Services that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
undersigned officer of the Fund has been duly and validly
authorized by resolution of the Fund's Directors. Fund Services
represents and warrants to the Fund that the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the undersigned officer of Fund
Services has also been duly and validly authorized.
SECTION 35. This Agreement may be executed in more than
one counterpart, each of which shall be deemed to be an original,
and shall become effective on the last date of signature below
unless otherwise agreed by the parties. Unless sooner terminated
pursuant to SECTION 32, this Agreement will continue in effect so
long as its continuance is specifically approved at least
26
<PAGE>
annually by the Directors or by a vote of the stockholders of the
Fund and in either case by a majority of the Directors who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such
party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this
Agreement.
SECTION 36. This Agreement shall extend to and shall
bind the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be
assignable by the Fund without the written consent of Fund
Services or by Fund Services without the written consent of the
Fund, authorized or approved by a resolution of the Fund's
Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may
assign this Agreement without the consent of the other party so
long as the assignee is an affiliate, parent or subsidiary of the
assigning party and is qualified to act under the Investment
Company Act, as amended from time to time.
SECTION 37. This Agreement shall be governed by the
laws of the State of New Jersey.
27
<PAGE>
WITNESS the following signatures:
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE
FUND, INC.
By: /s/ John D. Carifa
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ George R. Hrabovsky
28
00250248.AC1
<PAGE>
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
July 13, 1999
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Dear Sirs:
Alliance Capital Management L.P. herewith confirms our
agreement with you as follows:
1. You are an open-end, diversified management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"). You propose to engage in the
business of investing and reinvesting your assets in accordance
with applicable limitations. Pursuant to an Advisory Agreement
dated as of July 13, 1999 (the "Advisory Agreement"), you have
employed us to manage the investment and reinvestment of such
assets.
2. We hereby agree that, notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary contained in the Advisory Agreement, we shall
limit as provided herein the aggregate expenses of every
<PAGE>
character incurred by you, including but not limited to the fees
("Advisory Fees") payable to us pursuant to the Advisory
Agreement (the "Limitation"). Under the Limitation, we agree
that, through August 31, 2000, such expenses shall not exceed a
percentage (the "Percentage Expense Limitation") of your average
daily net assets equal to, on an annualized basis, 2.50% in the
case of the Class A shares, 3.20% in the case of the Class B
shares and the Class C shares, and 2.20% in the case of the
Advisor Class shares. To determine our liability for expenses in
excess of the Percentage Expense Limitation, the amount of
allowable fiscal-year-to-date expenses shall be computed daily by
prorating the Percentage Expense Limitation based on the number
of days elapsed within the fiscal year, or limitation period, if
shorter (the "Prorated Limitation"). The Prorated Limitation
shall be compared to your expenses recorded through the current
day in order to produce the allowable expenses to be recorded for
the current day (the "Allowable Expenses"). If Advisory Fees and
your other expenses for the current day exceed the Allowable
Expenses, Advisory Fees for the current day shall be reduced by
such excess ("Unaccrued Fees"). In the event such excess exceeds
the amount due as Advisory Fees, we shall be responsible for the
additional excess ("Other Expenses Exceeding Limit"). If
cumulative Unaccrued Fees or cumulative Other Expenses Exceeding
Limit remain at August 31, 2000, these amounts shall be paid to
us in the future, provided that (1) no such payment shall be made
2
<PAGE>
to us after August 31, 2002, (2) such payment shall be made only
to the extent that it does not cause your aggregate expenses, on
an annualized basis, to exceed the Percentage Expense Limitation,
and (3) no such payment shall be made to us to the extent that
the aggregate of such payments would exceed the amount of
organizational and offering expenses (as defined by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board) recorded by you for financial
reporting purposes on or before August 31, 2000.
3. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as
preventing us from voluntarily limiting, waiving or reimbursing
your expenses outside the contours of this Agreement during any
time period before or after August 31, 2000; nor shall anything
herein be construed as requiring that we limit, waive or
reimburse any of your expenses incurred after August 31, 2000,
or, except as expressly set forth herein, prior to such date.
4. This Agreement shall become effective on the date
hereof and remain in effect until August 31, 2002. This
Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto upon not less
than 60 days' prior written notice to the other party. Upon the
termination or expiration hereof, we shall have no claim against
you for any amounts not reimbursed to us pursuant to the
provisions of paragraph 2.
3
<PAGE>
5. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, provided, however, that
nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the
Act.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your
understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and
returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.
Very truly yours,
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
By ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION, its general
partner
By /s/ John D. Carifa
Agreed to and accepted
as of the date first set forth above.
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
By /s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
4
00250248.AC8
<PAGE>
SEWARD & KISSEL LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10004
Telephone: (212) 574-1200
Facsimile: (212) 480-8421
www.sewkis.com
July 16, 1999
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), in connection with
the registration of an indefinite number of shares of its
Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Common
Stock"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The
Common Stock is divided into four classes.
As counsel for the Company, we have participated in the
preparation of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A relating to such shares (File
Nos. 333-77953 and 811-09329) (the "Registration Statement"). We
have examined the Charter and By-Laws of the Company and have
relied upon a certificate of an Assistant Secretary of the
Company certifying the resolutions of the Board of Directors of
the Company authorizing the issuance of shares of the classes of
Common Stock. We have also examined and relied upon such
corporate records of the Company and such other documents and
certificates as to factual matters as we have deemed to be
necessary to render the opinion expressed herein.
Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that
the shares of Common Stock of the Company to be offered for sale
pursuant to the Registration Statement are, to the extent of the
number of shares of each respective class authorized to be issued
by the Company in its Charter, duly authorized, and, when sold,
issued and paid for as contemplated by the Registration
Statement, will have been validly issued and will be fully paid
and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Company under the
laws of the State of Maryland.
<PAGE>
As to matters of Maryland law relevant to the foregoing
opinion, we have relied on the opinion of Venable, Baetjer and
Howard, LLP of Baltimore, Maryland, dated July 16, 1999, a copy
of which is included in the Registration Statement as Exhibit
(i)(2).
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the
caption "General Information--Counsel" in the Statement of
Additional Information included therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Seward & Kissel LLP
2
00250248.AE3
<PAGE>
July 16, 1999
Seward & Kissel LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10004
Re: Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Maryland counsel for Alliance
Health Care Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), in
connection with the organization of the Fund and the issuance of
shares of its Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C
Common Stock, and Advisor Class Common Stock, par value $.001 per
share (each a "Class" and, collectively the "Shares").
As special Maryland counsel for the Fund we are familiar
with its Charter and By-Laws. We have examined the prospectuses
included in its Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos.
333-77953; 811-09329 (the "Registration Statement"),
substantially in the form in which it is to become effective
(collectively, the "Prospectuses"). We have further examined and
relied upon a certificate of the Maryland State Department of
Assessments and Taxation to the effect that the Fund is duly
incorporated and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland
and is in good standing and duly authorized to transact business
in the State of Maryland.
We have also examined and relied upon such corporate
records of the Fund and other documents and certificates with
respect to factual matters as we have deemed necessary to render
the opinion expressed herein. We have assumed, without
independent verification, the genuineness of all signatures on
documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, and the conformity with originals
of all documents submitted to us as copies.
Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that:
<PAGE>
1. The Fund is duty organized and validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of
the State of Maryland.
2. The Shares of the Fund to be offered for sale
pursuant to the Prospectuses are, to the extent of
the respective number of Shares of each Class
authorized to be issued by the Fund in its Charter,
duly authorized and, when sold, issued and paid for
as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will
have been validly and legally issued and will be
fully paid and nonassessable under the laws of the
State of Maryland.
This letter expresses our opinion with respect to the
Maryland General Corporation Law. It does not extend to the
securities or "blue sky" laws of Maryland, to federal securities
laws or to other laws.
You may rely upon our foregoing opinion in rendering
your opinion to the Fund that is to be filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. We consent to the filing of this opinion
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference
to us in the Statement of Additional Information supplementing
the Prospectuses under the caption "Counsel". We do not thereby
admit that we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933 and the regulations thereunder. This opinion may not
be relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose
without our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP
00250248.AE4
Consent of Independent Accountants
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting part of this Pre-Effective Amendment No.
2 to the registration statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration
Statement") of our report dated July 15, 1999, relating to the
statements of Alliance Health Care Find, inc., which appears in
such Statement of Additional Information. We also consent to the
reference to us under the headings "Shareholder Services -
Statements and Reports" and "General Information - Independent
Accountants" in such Statement of Additional Information.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York
July 15, 1999
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
July 13, 1999
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Gentlemen:
In connection with our purchase from you and your
issuance to us of 10,000 shares of Advisor Class Common Stock,
ten shares of Class A Common Stock, ten shares of Class B Common
Stock and ten shares of Class C Common Stock for an aggregate
cash consideration of One Hundred Thousand Three Hundred Dollars
($100,300), this will confirm that we are buying such shares for
investment for our account only and not with a view to reselling
or otherwise distributing them.
Very truly yours,
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
By: Alliance Capital Management
Corporation,
its General Partner
By: /s/ Robert H.Joseph, Jr.
Name: Robert H. Joseph, Jr.
Title: Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer
00250248.AC0
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, INC.
Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3
under the Investment Company Act of 1940
This Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") of Alliance Health
Care Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") sets forth the general
characteristics of, and the general conditions under which the
Fund may offer, multiple classes of shares of its now existing
and hereafter created portfolios.1 This Plan may be revised or
amended from time to time as provided below.
Class Designations
The Fund2 may from time to time issue one or more of the
following classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares,
Class C shares and Advisor Class shares. Each of the four
classes of shares will represent interests in the same portfolio
of investments of the Fund and, except as described herein, shall
have the same rights and obligations as each other class. Each
class shall be subject to such investment minimums and other
conditions of eligibility as are set forth in one or more
prospectuses or statements of additional information through
which such shares are issued, as from time to time in effect
(collectively, the "Prospectus").
Class Characteristics
Class A shares are offered at a public offering price that is
equal to their net asset value ("NAV") plus an initial sales
charge, as set forth in the Prospectus. Class A shares may also
be subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee, which may include a service fee
and, under certain circumstances, a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), as described in the Prospectus.
____________________
1. This Plan is intended to allow the Fund to offer multiple
classes of shares to the full extent and in the manner
permitted by Rule 18f-3 under the Act (the "Rule"), subject
to the requirements and conditions imposed by the Rule.
2. For purposes of this Plan, if the Fund has existing more than
one portfolio pursuant to which multiple classes of shares
are issued, then references in this Plan to the "Fund" shall
be deemed to refer instead to each portfolio.
<PAGE>
Class B shares are offered at their NAV, without an initial
sales charge, and may be subject to a CDSC and a Rule 12b-1 fee,
which may include a service fee, as described in the Prospectus.
Class C shares are offered at their NAV, without an initial
sales charge, and may be subject to a CDSC and a Rule 12b-1 fee,
which may include a service fee, as described in the Prospectus.
Advisor Class shares are offered at their NAV, without any
initial sales charge, CDSC or Rule 12b-1 fee.
The initial sales charge on Class A shares and CDSC on
Class A, B and C shares are each subject to reduction or waiver
as permitted by the Act, and as described in the Prospectus.
Allocations to Each Class
Expense Allocations
The following expenses shall be allocated, to the extent
practicable, on a class-by-class basis: (i) Rule 12b-1 fees
payable by the Fund to the distributor or principal underwriter
of the Fund's shares (the "Distributor"), and (ii) transfer
agency costs attributable to each class. Subject to the approval
of the Fund's Board of Directors, including a majority of the
independent Directors, the following "Class Expenses" may be
allocated on a class-by-class basis: (a) printing and postage
expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as
shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy statements to current
shareholders of a specific class,3 (b) SEC registration fees
incurred with respect to a specific class, (c) blue sky and
foreign registration fees and expenses incurred with respect to a
specific class, (d) the expenses of administrative personnel and
services required to support shareholders of a specific class
(including, but not limited to, maintaining telephone lines and
personnel to answer shareholder inquiries about their accounts or
about the Fund), (e) litigation and other legal expenses relating
to a specific class of shares, (f) Directors' fees or expenses
incurred as a result of issues relating to a specific class of
shares, (g) accounting and consulting expenses relating to a
specific class of shares, (h) any fees imposed pursuant to a non-
Rule 12b-1 shareholder services plan that relate to a specific
class of shares, and (i) any additional expenses, not including
advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the
____________________
3. For Advisor Class shares, the expenses of preparation,
printing and distribution of prospectuses and shareholder
reports, as well as other distribution-related expenses, will
be borne by the investment adviser of the Fund (the
"Adviser") or the Distributor from their own resources.
2
<PAGE>
management of the Fund's assets, if these expenses are actually
incurred in a different amount with respect to a class, or if
services are provided with respect to a class that are of a
different kind or to a different degree than with respect to one
or more other classes.
All expenses not now or hereafter designated as Class
Expenses ("Fund Expenses") will be allocated to each class on the
basis of the net asset value of that class in relation to the net
asset value of the Fund.
Waivers and Reimbursements
The Adviser or Distributor may choose to waive or reimburse
Rule 12b-1 fees, transfer agency fees or any Class Expenses on a
voluntary, temporary basis. Such waiver or reimbursement may be
applicable to some or all of the classes and may be in different
amounts for one or more classes.
Income, Gains and Losses
Income, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses
shall be allocated to each class on the basis of the net asset
value of that class in relation to the net asset value of the
Fund.
Conversion and Exchange Features
Conversion Features
Class B shares of the Fund automatically convert to Class A
shares of the Fund after a certain number of months or years
after the end of the calendar month in which the shareholder's
purchase order was accepted as described in the Prospectus.
Class B shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and
distributions will be treated as Class B shares for all purposes
except that such Class B shares will be considered held in a
separate sub-account. Each time any Class B shares in the
shareholder's account convert to Class A shares, an equal pro-
rata portion of the Class B shares in the sub-account will also
convert to Class A shares.
Advisor Class shares of the Fund automatically convert to
Class A shares of the Fund during the calendar month following
the month in which the Fund is informed or otherwise learns that
the beneficial owner of the Advisor Class shares has ceased to
participate in a fee-based program or employee benefit plan that
satisfies the requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares as
described in the Prospectus or the shareholder is otherwise no
longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares as provided in
the Prospectus.
3
<PAGE>
The conversion of Class B and Advisor Class shares to Class A
shares may be suspended if the opinion of counsel obtained by the
Fund that the conversion does not constitute a taxable event
under current federal income tax law is no longer available.
Class B and Advisor Class shares will convert into Class A shares
on the basis of the relative net asset value of the two classes,
without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
In the event of any material increase in payments authorized
under the Rule 12b-1 Plan (or, if presented to shareholders, any
material increase in payments authorized by a non-Rule 12b-1
shareholder services plan) applicable to Class A shares, existing
Class B and Advisor Class shares will stop converting into
Class A shares unless the Class B and Advisor Class shareholders,
voting separately as a class, approve the increase in such
payments. Pending approval of such increase, or if such increase
is not approved, the Directors shall take such action as is
necessary to ensure that existing Class B and Advisor Class
shares are exchanged or converted into a new class of shares
("New Class A") identical in all material respects to Class A
shares as existed prior to the implementation of the increase in
payments, no later than such shares were previously scheduled to
convert to Class A shares. If deemed advisable by the Directors
to implement the foregoing, such action may include the exchange
of all existing Class B and Advisor Class shares for a new class
of shares ("New Class B"and "New Advisor Class") identical to
existing Class B shares, except that New Class B and New Advisor
Class shares shall convert to New Class A shares. Exchanges or
conversions described in this paragraph shall be effected in a
manner that the Directors reasonably believe will not be subject
to federal income taxation. Any additional cost associated with
the creation, exchange or conversion of New Class A, New Class B
and New Advisor Class shares shall be borne by the Adviser and
the Distributor. Class B and Advisor Class shares sold after the
implementation of the fee increase may convert into Class A
shares subject to the higher maximum payment, provided that the
material features of the Class A plan and the relationship of
such plan to the Class B and Advisor Class shares are disclosed
in an effective registration statement.
Exchange Features
Shares of each class generally will be permitted to be
exchanged only for shares of a class with similar characteristics
in another Alliance Mutual Fund and shares of certain Alliance
money market funds, except that certain holders of Class A shares
of the Fund eligible to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares of
the Fund may also exchange their Class A shares for Advisor Class
shares. If the aggregate net asset value of shares of all
Alliance Mutual Funds held by an investor in the Fund reaches the
minimum amount at which an investor may purchase Class A shares
4
<PAGE>
at net asset value without a front-end sales load on or before
December 15 in any year, then all Class B and Class C shares of
the Fund held by that investor may thereafter be exchanged, at
the investor's request, at net asset value and without any front-
end sales load or CDSC for Class A shares of the Fund. All
exchange features applicable to each class will be described in
the Prospectus.
Dividends
Dividends paid by the Fund with respect to its Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares, to the extent any
dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner, at the
same time and will be in the same amount, except that any Rule
12b-1 fee payments relating to a class of shares will be borne
exclusively by that class and any incremental transfer agency
costs or, if applicable, Class Expenses relating to a class shall
be borne exclusively by that class.
Voting Rights
Each share of a Fund entitles the shareholder of record to
one vote. Each class of shares of the Fund will vote separately
as a class with respect to the Rule 12b-1 plan applicable to that
class and on other matters for which class voting is required
under applicable law. Class A, Class B and Advisor Class
shareholders will each vote as a separate class (i.e., as three
separate classes) to approve any material increase in payments
authorized under the Rule 12b-1 plan applicable to Class A
shares.
Responsibilities of the Directors
On an ongoing basis, the Directors will monitor the Fund for
the existence of any material conflicts among the interests of
the classes of shares. The Directors shall further monitor on an
ongoing basis the use of waivers or reimbursement by the Adviser
and the Distributor of expenses to guard against cross-
subsidization between classes. The Directors, including a
majority of the independent Directors, shall take such action as
is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such conflict that may
develop. If a conflict arises, the Adviser and Distributor, at
their own cost, will remedy such conflict up to and including
establishing one or more new registered management investment
companies.
Reports to the Directors
The Adviser and Distributor will be responsible for reporting
any potential or existing conflicts among the classes of shares
to the Directors. In addition, the Directors will receive
5
<PAGE>
quarterly and annual statements concerning distributions and
shareholder servicing expenditures complying with paragraph
(b)(3)(ii) of Rule 12b-1. In the statements, only expenditures
properly attributable to the sale or servicing of a particular
class of shares shall be used to justify any distribution or
service fee charged to that class. The statements, including the
allocations upon which they are based, will be subject to the
review of the independent Directors in the exercise of their
fiduciary duties. At least annually, the Directors shall receive
a report from an expert, acceptable to the Directors, (the
"Expert"), with respect to the methodology and procedures for
calculating the net asset value, dividends and distributions for
the classes, and the proper allocation of income and expenses
among the classes. The report of the Expert shall also address
whether the Fund has adequate facilities in place to ensure the
implementation of the methodology and procedures for calculating
the net asset value, dividends and distributions for the classes,
and the proper allocation of income and expenses among the
classes. The Fund and the Adviser will take immediate corrective
measures in the event of any irregularities reported by the
Expert.
Amendments
The Plan may be amended from time to time in accordance with
the provisions and requirements of Rule 18f-3 under the Act.
Adopted by action of the Board of Directors the 13th day of July,
1999.
By: /s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Secretary
6
00250248.AB5
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and Emilie D. Wrapp and
each of them, to act severally as attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for
the undersigned in any and all capacities, solely for the
purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and any
amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Health Care
Fund, Inc., and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ John D. Carifa
___________________________
John D. Carifa
Dated: July 13, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., and filing the
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Ruth Block
___________________________
Ruth Block
Dated: July 13, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., and filing the
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ David H. Dievler
___________________________
David H. Dievler
Dated: July 13, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., and filing the
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ John H. Dobkin
___________________________
John H. Dobkin
Dated: July 13, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., and filing the
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ William H. Foulk, Jr.
___________________________
William H. Foulk, Jr.
Dated: July 13, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., and filing the
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Dr. James M. Hester
___________________________
Dr. James M. Hester
Dated: July 13, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., and filing the
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Clifford L. Michel
___________________________
Clifford L. Michel
Dated: July 13, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., and filing the
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Donald J. Robinson
___________________________
Donald J. Robinson
Dated: July 13, 1999
00250248.AE2
