<PAGE>
This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(c).
File Nos. 2-10768 and 811-05088
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The Alliance
Stock Funds
The Alliance Stock Funds provide a broad selection of investment alternatives to
investors seeking capital growth or high total return.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus and Application
February 1, 1999
Domestic Stock Funds
o Alliance Premier Growth Fund
o Alliance Growth Fund
o Alliance Technology Fund
o Alliance Quasar Fund
o The Alliance Fund
Total Return Funds
o Alliance Growth & Income Fund
o Alliance Balanced Shares
o Alliance Utility Income Fund
o Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
Global Stock Funds
o Alliance New Europe Fund
o Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund
o Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
o Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
o Alliance Global Environment Fund
o Alliance International Fund
o Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
o Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
o Alliance Global Environment Fund
Alliance Capital [LOGO(R)]
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2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY ....................................................... 3
Domestic Stock Funds ...................................................... 4
Total Return Funds ........................................................ 9
Global Stock Funds ........................................................ 13
Summary of Principal Risks ................................................ 21
Principal Risks by Fund .................................... ....... 22
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS ............................................ 23
GLOSSARY .................................................................. 26
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS .................................................. 27
Investment Objectives and Policies ........................................ 27
Description of Investment Practices ....................................... 39
Additional Risk Considerations ............................................ 46
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS ................................................... 50
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES ............................................... 53
How The Funds Value Their Shares .......................................... 53
How To Buy Shares ......................................................... 53
How to Exchange Shares .................................................... 53
How To Sell Shares ........................................................ 53
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ........................................ 54
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS ................................................. 55
GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................... 56
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ...................................................... 57
APPENDIX A--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN,
AND GREATER CHINA COUNTRIES ............................................... 67
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The Funds' investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global
investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and
individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual
funds.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain key information about the Alliance Stock
Funds. You will find additional information about each Fund, including a
detailed description of the risks of an investment in each Fund, after this
Summary.
The Risk/Return Summary describes the Funds' objectives, principal investment
strategies, principal risks and fees. Each Fund's Summary page includes a short
discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in that Fund. A further
discussion of these and other risks is on page 21.
More detailed descriptions of the Funds, including the risks associated with
investing in the Funds, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be
sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. Each of the Funds
may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options,
futures, forwards and swaps. The use of these techniques involves
special risks that are discussed in this Prospectus.
The Risk/Return Summary includes a table for each Fund showing its average
annual returns and a bar chart showing its annual returns. The table and bar
chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an investment in each Fund
by showing:
o how the Fund's average annual returns for one, five, and 10 years
(or over the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years
old) compare to those of a broad based securities market index; and
o changes in the Fund's performance from year to year over 10 years
(or over the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years
old).
A Fund's past performance, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will
perform in the future.
Other important things for you to note:
o You may lose money by investing in the Funds.
o An investment in the Funds 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
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DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range of
alternative approaches to investing primarily in U.S. equity markets.
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in equity securities of a limited number of large, carefully
selected, high-quality U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior
earnings growth.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies. Unlike most
equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of intensively
researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from a research
universe of more than 600 companies that have strong management, superior
industry positions, excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth
prospects.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 40-50 companies, with the 25 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the
Fund's net assets. During market declines, while adding to positions in favored
stocks, the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive, gradually reducing the
number of companies represented in its portfolio. Conversely, in rising
markets, while reducing or eliminating fully valued positions, the Fund becomes
somewhat more conservative, gradually increasing the number of companies
represented in its portfolio. Through this approach, Alliance seeks to gain
positive returns in good markets while providing some measure of protection in
poor markets. The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in
convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Because the
Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other equity funds,
your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a single security may
have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net
asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
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Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception*
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Class A 42.97% 26.65% 24.38%
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Class B 44.33% 26.95% 24.48%
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Class C 47.31% 26.97% 26.35%
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S&P 500 Index 28.60% 24.05% 21.60%**
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Since inception of Class C*** 22.41%
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 9/28/92 for Class A and Class B shares. 5/3/93 for Class
C shares.
** Index return from 9/30/92.
*** Index return from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
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n/a n/a n/a n/a 9.98 -5.80 46.87 24.14 32.67 49.31
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 31.05%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -12.10%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
4
<PAGE>
Alliance Growth Fund
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Current income
is incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable
earnings outlooks and whose long-term growth rates are expected to exceed that
of the U.S. economy over time. The Fund emphasizes investments in large- and
mid-cap companies. The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
lower-rated fixed-income securities and convertible bonds and generally up to
15% of its total assets in foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile then investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated fixed-income
securities and convertible bonds, your investment may have interest rate or
credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have foreign risk
and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
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10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
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Class A 22.71% 19.72% 23.34%*
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Class B 23.23% 19.93% 20.91%
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Class C 26.25% 19.92% 20.22%*
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S&P 500 Index 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%**
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Since inception of Class A*** 21.37%
Since inception of Class C*** 22.74%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 9/4/90 for Class A shares. 8/2/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class B shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
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27.94 -7.96 62.39 9.81 28.21 -1.84 28.65 22.32 26.22 27.23
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 29.47%, 1st quarter, 1991; and Worst Quarter was down
- -20.45%, 3rd quarter, 1990.
5
<PAGE>
Alliance Technology Fund
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is growth of capital. Current income is
incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in securities of companies that use technology
extensively in the development of new or improved products or processes. Within
this framework, the Fund may invest in any company and industry and in any type
of security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known,
established companies or in new or unseasoned companies. The Fund also may
invest in debt securities and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign
securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. In addition,
technology stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend
to be more volatile than the overall stock market. To the extent the Fund
invests in debt and foreign securities, your investment has credit risk,
currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
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10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 56.22% 29.58% 23.32%
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Class B 57.98% 29.81% 30.87%*
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Class C 60.94% 29.81% 30.87%*
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S&P 500 Index 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since inception of Classes B and C*** 22.41%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 5/3/93 for Class B shares and Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index return from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.00 -3.08 54.24 15.50 21.63 28.51 45.80 19.41 4.54 63.14
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 39.86%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -33.21%, 3rd quarter, 1990.
6
<PAGE>
Alliance Quasar Fund
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is growth of capital by pursuing aggressive
investment policies. Current income is incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund generally invests in a widely diversified portfolio of equity
securities spread among many industries that offer the possibility of
above-average earnings growth. The Fund currently emphasizes investment in
small-cap companies. The Fund invests in well-known and established companies
and in new and unseasoned companies. The Fund can invest in the equity
securities of any company and industry and in any type of security with
potential for capital appreciation. When selecting securities, Alliance
considers the economic and political outlook, the values of specific securities
relative to other investments, trends in the determinants of corporate profits,
and management capabilities and practices. The Fund also may invest in
non-convertible bonds, preferred stocks, and foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in smaller companies tend to be more volatile than investments in large-cap or
mid-cap companies. To the extent the Fund invests in non-convertible bonds,
preferred stocks, and foreign stocks, your investment has interest rate risk,
credit risk, currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
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10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -8.64% 14.23% 11.84%
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Class B -8.90% 14.35% 13.66%*
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Class C -6.19% 14.36% 15.96%*
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Russell 2000
Index -2.55% 11.87% 12.92%**
Since inception of Class B*** 17.50%
Since inception of Class C*** 12.88%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charge and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 9/17/90 for Class B shares. 5/3/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.20 -23.44 34.27 2.81 16.16 -7.27 47.64 32.62 17.24 -4.56
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 23.10%, 1st quarter, 1991; and Worst Quarter was down
- -28.46%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
7
<PAGE>
The Alliance Fund
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income
primarily through investments in common stocks.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in high-quality common
stocks that Alliance expects to increase in value. The Fund may invest in a
broad range of companies, from large to small, but tends to emphasize attractive
opportunities in mid-cap companies. While the Fund's diversified and
high-quality investments cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they tend
to limit investment risk and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective. The
Fund also may invest in convertible securities, U.S. Government securities, and
foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities and U.S.
Government securities, your investment may have interest rate or credit risk.
The Fund's investments in foreign securities have currency risk and foreign
risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -6.90% 14.39% 15.02%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -7.00% 14.43% 14.38%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -4.62% 14.35% 15.19%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P Midcap
400 Index 18.25% 18.67% 19.21%**
Since inception of Class B 18.24%
Since inception of Class C 18.26%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 3/4/91 for Class B shares. 5/3/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.42 -4.36 33.91 14.70 14.26 -2.51 34.84 17.54 36.01 -2.72
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 23.72%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -24.32%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
8
<PAGE>
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds offer investors seeking both growth of capital and
current income a range of investment alternatives.
Alliance Growth & Income Fund
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is appreciation through investments primarily in
dividend-paying common stocks of good quality, although the Fund also may invest
in fixed-income and convertible securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of large,
well-established "blue-chip" companies. The Fund also may invest in fixed-income
and convertible securities and in securities of foreign issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
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10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 16.14% 19.62% 16.03%
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Class B 16.24% 19.73% 15.76%*
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Class C 19.59% 19.79% 18.76%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%**
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Since inception of Class B*** 19.58%
Since inception of Class C*** 22.41%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 2/8/91 for Class B shares. 5/3/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.56 -1.69 27.08 4.52 9.96 -4.20 37.86 24.13 28.86 21.23
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 23.25%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -13.82%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
9
<PAGE>
Alliance Balanced Shares
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is high return through a combination of current
income and capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income
securities. The percentage of the Fund's assets invested in each type of
security will vary, but at least 25% of the Fund's total assets will be invested
in fixed-income senior securities. The Fund invests in common and preferred
stocks, U.S. Government and agency securities, bonds and senior debt securities.
The Fund's investments in each type of security depends on current economic
conditions and market outlooks. The Fund also may invest up to 15% of its total
assets in foreign equity and fixed-income securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk, allocation risk and credit risk. To the extent the Fund invests in
foreign securities, your investment has currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
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10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 10.84% 12.95% 11.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 10.78% 13.04% 11.87%*
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Class C 13.89% 13.08% 12.75%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since inception of Class B*** 19.58%
Since inception of Class C*** 22.41%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 2/4/91 for Class B shares. 5/3/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.12 -2.20 20.47 6.81 9.93 -5.79 26.64 9.36 27.13 15.75
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 13.45%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -8.21%, 3rd quarter, 1990.
10
<PAGE>
Alliance Utility Income Fund
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OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is current income and capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the
utilities industry.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in income-producing equity securities. The Fund
invests in securities of utility companies in the electric, telecommunications,
gas, and water utility industries. The Fund may invest in both U.S. and foreign
utility companies, although the Fund will limit its investments in issuers in
any one foreign country to no more than 15% of its total assets. The Fund may
invest up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated securities and up to 30% of
its net assets in convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of
its assets in companies in a specific industry, there is the risk that factors
affecting utility companies will have a significant effect of the value of the
Fund's investments. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated securities,
your investment is subject to more credit risk than a fund that invests in
higher-rated securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 19.09% 13.02% 13.44%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 19.46% 13.23% 13.56%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 22.42% 13.25% 13.65%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NYSE Utilities
Index 33.04% 14.17% 12.58%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 10/18/93 for Class A shares and Class B shares. 10/27/93
for Class C shares.
** Index return from 10/31/93.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -10.94 22.93 8.28 30.65 24.38
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 15.65%, 4th quarter, 1997; and Worst Quarter was down
- -7.50%, 1st quarter, 1994.
11
<PAGE>
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital
and income principally through investing in equity securities of companies that
are primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of real estate investment trusts
or "REITs" and other real estate industry companies. The Fund invests in real
estate companies that Alliance believes have strong property fundamentals and
management teams. The Fund seeks to invest in real estate companies whose
underlying portfolios are diversified geographically and by property type. The
Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities,
which are securities that directly or indirectly represent participations in, or
are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk, and credit risk.
Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in the real estate
market, it has many of the same risks as direct ownership of real estate
including the risk that the value of real estate could decline due to a variety
of factors affecting the real estate market. In addition, REITs are dependent on
the capability of their managers, may have limited diversification, and could be
significantly affected by changes in tax laws. The Fund's investments in
mortgage-backed securities have prepayment risk, which is the risk that mortgage
loans will be prepaid when interest rates decline and the Fund will have to
reinvest in securities with lower interest rates. This risk causes
mortgage-backed securities to have significantly greater price and yield
volatility than traditional fixed-income securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
5 Years Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -23.59% 5.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -23.85% 5.91%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -21.52% 6.77%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 31.43%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 10/1/96 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
** Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 22.98 -20.22
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 14.55%, 3rd quarter, 1997; and Worst Quarter was down
- -12.33%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
12
<PAGE>
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors seeking long-term capital appreciation a
range of alternative approaches to investing in foreign securities.
Alliance New Europe Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through
investments primarily in the equity securities of companies based in Europe.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of European companies. The Fund
diversifies its investments among a number of European countries and normally
invests in companies based in at least three of these countries, although it may
invest 25% or more of its assets in issuers in a single country. The Fund may
invest up to 35% of its total assets in high-quality U.S. Dollar or foreign
currency denominated fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by European
governmental entities, European or multinational companies, or supranational
organizations. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 26% of its
assets invested in securities of United Kingdom issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, the Fund's investments in U.S.
Dollar or foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have interest
rate and credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 19.67% 15.92% 11.28%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 20.12% 16.10% 13.28%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 23.10% 16.11% 17.74%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI Europe
Index 28.91% 19.53% 15.40%**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since inception of Class B*** 16.58%
Since inception of Class C*** 20.81%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 4/2/90 for Class A shares. 3/5/91 for Class B shares.
5/3/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 4/30/90.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a 3.30 -0.53 34.57 4.64 18.63 20.58 16.83 24.99
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 22.41%, 1st quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -19.73%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
13
<PAGE>
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies that are
undergoing, or have undergone, privatization. The Fund also invests in
securities of companies that will benefit from privatizations. The Fund takes
advantage of investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S.
individual investors, that result from the privatization of state enterprises in
both established and developing economies. Because privatizations are integral
to a country's economic restructuring, securities sold in initial public
offerings often are attractively priced to secure the issuer's transition to
private sector ownership. In addition, these enterprises often dominate their
local markets and have the potential for significant managerial and operational
efficiency gains.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in four, and usually considerably more, countries. The
Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in any one of France, Germany,
Great Britain, Italy, and Japan and may invest all of its assets in a single
world region. The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt
securities and convertible debt securities of privatized companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign risk
and currency risk. Investments in companies that are undergoing or, have
undergone, privatization could have more risk because they have no operating
history as a private company. In addition, the Fund's investments in U.S. Dollar
or foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have interest rate and
credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 4.25% 9.61%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 4.55% 9.88%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 7.22% 13.11%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI EAFE Index 20.33% 8.53%**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since inception of Class C*** 11.52%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 6/2/94 for Class A shares and Class B shares. 2/8/95 for
Class C shares.
** Index return from 6/30/94.
*** Index return from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4.91 23.14 13.18 8.92
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 16.49%, 1st quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -17.44%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
14
<PAGE>
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in equity securities of a limited number of carefully selected
non-U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior earnings growth.
Current income is incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of comparatively large,
high-quality, non-U.S. companies. The Fund invests in at least four, and usually
considerably more, countries. Normally, the Fund invests no more than 15% of its
total assets in issuers of any one foreign country, but may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in each of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The
Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Unlike more typical
international equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of
intensively researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from a
research universe of approximately 900 companies.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 60 companies, with the 30 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the Fund's
net assets. The Fund invests in companies with market values in the range of
the average weighted market capitalization of companies in the
EAFE index (currently approximately $35 billion). Alliance may take advantage
of market volatility to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent
consistent with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund strives to
capitalize on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or
increase positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. The
Fund invests primarily in equity securities and also may invest in convertible
securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, since the Fund invests in a smaller
number of securities than many other international equity funds, changes in the
value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative
or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
15
<PAGE>
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital through
investment in a global portfolio of equity securities of selected companies with
relatively small market capitalizations.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of global companies, both
domestic and foreign, with relatively small market capitalizations. The Fund's
investments emphasize companies that are in the smallest 20% of the U.S. stock
market (or less than approximately $1.5 billion). Although these companies are
small by U.S. standards, they may be among the largest companies in their own
countries. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of
companies whose market capitalizations exceed the Fund's size standard. The Fund
invests in at least three countries, including the U.S.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -0.85% 9.19% 7.59%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -0.86% 9.37% 8.99%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 1.86% 9.37% 10.97%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI World
Index 24.80% 16.19% 11.21%**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since inception of Class B*** 15.35%
Since inception of Class C*** 15.54%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charge and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 9/17/90 for Class B shares. 5/3/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.60 -24.89 25.29 -4.89 20.04 -4.55 27.18 19.37 8.08 3.56
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 18.10%, 1st quarter, 1991; and Worst Quarter was down
- -26.77%, 3rd quarter, 1990.
16
<PAGE>
Alliance International Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital
and income primarily through investment in a broad portfolio of marketable
securities of established non-U.S. companies, companies participating in
foreign economies with prospects for growth, including U.S. companies having
their principal activities and interests outside the U.S. and in foreign
government securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of established non-U.S.
companies, companies participating in foreign economies with prospects for
growth, including U.S. companies having their principal activities and interests
outside the U.S., and foreign government securities. The Fund diversifies its
investments broadly among countries and normally invests in companies in at
least three foreign countries, although it may invest a substantial portion of
its assets in companies in one or more foreign countries.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years
(or Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 5.00% 5.84% 5.81%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 4.90% 5.91% 5.47%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 7.81% 5.88% 6.76%*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI World
Index (minus
the U.S.) 19.11% 9.52% 5.93%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since inception of Class B*** 10.51%
Since inception of Class C*** 9.64%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 9/17/90 for Class B shares. 5/3/93 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 12/31/88.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.62 -20.95 7.72 -5.86 27.51 5.68 10.10 7.20 1.41 9.64
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 15.69%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -22.29%, 3rd quarter, 1990.
17
<PAGE>
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through
investment of at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of Greater
China companies.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in equity securities of Greater China companies, which are
companies in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Of these countries, the Fund expects
to invest a significant portion of its assets, which may be greater than 50%, in
Hong Kong companies and may invest all of its assets in Hong Kong companies or
companies of either of the other Greater China countries. The Fund also may
invest in convertible securities and equity-linked debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or Greater China Governments, their
agencies, or instrumentalities. As of December 31, 1998, the Fund had
approximately 75% of its assets invested in securities of Hong Kong companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in Greater China companies,
the Fund's returns will be significantly more volatile and differ substantially
from U.S. markets generally. Your investment also has the risk that market
changes or other events affecting the Greater China countries, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a more
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In addition, the Fund is
"non-diversified" meaning that it invests its assets in a smaller number of
companies than many other international funds. As a result, changes in the
value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative
or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. The Fund's investments in debt
securities have interest rate and credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Years Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -11.98% -29.28%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -12.36% -29.07%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -9.89% -27.52%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI China Free Index -43.83% -54.48%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCIHong Kong Index -2.92% -25.58%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCITaiwan Index -20.64% -30.14%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charge and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 9/3/97 for Class A, Class B, and Class C shares.
** Index returns from 9/30/97.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -8.02
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 27.48%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -26.95%, 2nd quarter, 1998.
18
<PAGE>
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund primarily invests in securities of various types of companies based in
Asia. The Fund invests in equity securities, preferred stocks, and equity-
linked debt securities issued by Asian companies and may invest more than 50%
of its total assets in equity securities of Japanese issuers. The Fund also may
invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued or guaranteed by
Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or instrumentalities,
and may invest up to 25% of its net assets in convertible securities. At
December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 60% of its total assets invested
in securities of Japanese companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in Asian and Pacific region
countries and emerging markets, the Fund's returns will be significantly more
volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market generally.
Your investment has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting
Asian and Pacific region countries and other emerging markets, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a more
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. To the extent that the Fund
invests a substantial amount of its assets in Japanese companies, your
investment has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, The Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate and
credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -16.07% -10.73%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -16.63% -10.41%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -13.74% -10.34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI All Country
Asia Pacific
Index 2.03% -8.48%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 11/28/94 for Class A, Class B, and Class C shares.
** Index return from 11/30/94.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 10.21 4.58 -35.10 -12.34
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 13.67%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -18.81%, 4th quarter, 1997.
19
<PAGE>
Alliance Global Environment Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through
investment of substantially all of its assets in equity securities of companies
that are expected to benefit from advances or improvements in products,
processes or services intended to foster the protection of the environment.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in environmental companies, which are companies whose
principal business involves the sale of environmental protection systems or
services. The Fund also invests in companies whose principal business lies
outside the environmental sector but who anticipate environmental regulations or
consumer preferences through the development of new products or services that
would contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. The Fund will invest
substantially all of its assets in these two types of companies. The Fund
invests in securities of companies in at least three, and normally considerably
more, countries. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 82% invested
in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in non-U.S. companies and in
specific types of companies that provide environmental services, the Fund's
returns will be more volatile and differ, sometimes substantially, from the
overall U.S. market generally. The Fund's investments also have the risk that
government regulations or other action could negatively affect the business of
environmental companies.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Years
(or Since Since
1 Year Inception) Inception)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -7.60% 11.03% 4.29%*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -6.16% -7.39%* n/a
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -4.72% -4.28%* n/a
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 24.05% 18.61%**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since inception of Class B*** 30.86%
Since inception of Class C*** 28.13%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges, and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 6/1/90 for Class A shares. 10/6/97 for Class B shares.
11/5/97 for Class C shares.
** Index return from 6/30/90.
*** Index returns from month-end of applicable class inception date.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart iun the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a 5.99 -15.18 -0.44 -2.12 19.30 29.95 20.28 -3.49
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 13.50%, 2nd quarter, 1996; and Worst Quarter was down
- -19.87%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
20
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
The value of your investment in a Fund will change with changes in the values of
that Fund's investments. Many factors can affect those values. In this Summary,
we describe the principal risks that may affect a Fund's portfolio as a whole.
These risks and the Funds particularly subject to these risks appear in a chart
at the end of the section. All Funds could be subject to additional principal
risks because the types of investments made by each Fund can change over time.
This Prospectus has additional descriptions of the types of investments that
appear in bold type in the discussions under "Description of Investment
Practices" or "Additional Risk Considerations." These sections also include more
information about the Funds, their investments, and related risks.
MARKET RISK
This is the risk that the value of a Fund's investments will fluctuate as the
stock or bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over short
or longer-term periods. All of the Alliance Stock Funds are subject to market
risk.
SECTOR RISK
This is the risk of investments in a particular industry sector. Market or
economic factors affecting that industry sector could have a major effect on the
value of a Fund's investments. Funds particularly subject to this risk are
Alliance Technology Fund, Alliance Utility Income Fund, Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund and Alliance Global
Environment Fund. This risk may be greater for Alliance Technology Fund because
technology stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to
be more volatile than the overall market.
CAPITALIZATION RISK
This is the risk of investments in small- to mid-capitalization companies.
Investments in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in
large-cap companies. Alliance Growth Fund and The Alliance Fund are particularly
subject to this risk. Investments in small-cap companies tend to be more
volatile than investments in large-cap or mid-cap companies. A Fund's
investments in smaller capitalization stocks may have additional risks because
these companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial
resources. Alliance Quasar Fund and Alliance Global Small Cap Fund are
particularly subject to this risk.
INTEREST RATE RISK
This is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of a
Fund's investments in income-producing, fixed-income (i.e., debt) securities.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of a Fund's investments to
decline and this decrease in value may not be offset by the higher interest rate
income. Interest rate risk is particularly applicable to Funds that invest in
fixed-income securities and is greater for those Alliance Stock Funds that
invest a substantial portion of their assets in fixed-income securities, such as
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Alliance Balanced Shares and Alliance Utility
Income Fund. Interest rate risk is greater for those Funds that invest in
lower-rated securities or comparable unrated securities ("junk bonds") such as
Alliance Utility Income Fund. Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund also has more
exposure to interest rate risk because it invests in real estate industry
companies and in mortgage-backed securities.
CREDIT RISK
This is the risk that the issuer of a security or the other party to an
over-the-counter transaction will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments
of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of
risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Credit
risk is applicable to Funds that invest in fixed-income securities and is
greater for those Alliance Stock Funds that invest a substantial portion of
their assets in lower-rated securities, such as Alliance Utility Income Fund.
FOREIGN RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in foreign countries. All
Alliance Stock Funds with foreign securities are subject to this risk,
including, in particular, Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund, Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund,
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund and Alliance Global Environment Fund. Fund's
investing in foreign securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in
value than Funds with investments solely 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 a Fund's investments in a foreign country. In the event
of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, a Fund could lose its
entire investment. To the extent a 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.
COUNTRY OR GEOGRAPHIC RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region. Market changes or other factors affecting that country or
region, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions,
may have a particularly significant effect on a Fund's net asset value. The
Funds particularly subject to this risk are Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater
China '97 Fund and Alliance All Asia Investment Fund.
21
<PAGE>
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 a Fund's investments.
Funds with foreign securities are subject to this risk, including, in
particular, Alliance New Europe
Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Alliance International Fund,
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund and Alliance
Global Environment Fund.
MANAGEMENT RISK
Each Alliance Stock Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively
managed investment portfolio. Alliance will apply its investment techniques and
risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Funds, but there is no
guarantee that its decisions will produce the intended result.
FOCUSED PORTFOLIO RISK
Funds, such as Alliance Premier Growth Fund and Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, that invest in a limited number of companies, may have more risk
because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant
effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. Similarly,
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund may have more risk because it is
"non-diversified," meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller
number of companies than many other international funds.
ALLOCATION RISK
Alliance Balanced Shares has the risk that the allocation of its investments
between equity and debt securities may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is performing more poorly
than the other.
PRINCIPAL RISKS BY FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart summarizes the principal risks of each Fund. Risks not
marked for a particular Fund may, however, still apply to some extent to that
Fund at various times.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital- Interest Country or Focused
Market Sector ization Rate Credit Foreign Geographic Currency Manage- Portfolio Allocation
Fund Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk ment Risk Risk Risk
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Premier Growth Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth Fund o o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Technology Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quasar Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Alliance Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Balanced Shares o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Utility Income Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance New Europe Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global Small Cap
Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Greater China '97
Fund o o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global Environment
Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Funds.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES (fees paid directly from your investment)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Class B Shares Class C Shares
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) 4.25% None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None 4.0% 1.0%
(as a percentage of original purchase price or during the 1st during the
redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) year, decreasing 1st year,
1.0% annually to 0% thereafter
0% after the
4th year*
Exchange Fee None None None
</TABLE>
* Class B Shares of every Fund automatically convert to Class A Shares after 8
years.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) and
EXAMPLES
The Examples are to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds with the
cost of investing in other funds. They assume that you invest $10,000 in each
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Premier
Growth Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 580 $ 631 $ 231 $ 331 $ 231
Rule 12b-1 fees .33% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 906 $ 912 $ 712 $ 712 $ 712
Other expenses .26% .28% .28% After 5 years $1,254 $1,220 $1,220 $1,220 $1,220
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,224 $2,442(b) $2,442(b) $2,615 $2,615
Total fund
operating expenses 1.59% 2.28% 2.28%
==== ==== ====
Alliance Growth Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .70% .70% .70% After 1 year $ 544 $ 597 $ 197 $ 296 $ 196
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 796 $ 804 $ 609 $ 606 $ 606
Other expenses .22% .24% .23% After 5 years $1,067 $1,047 $1,047 $1,042 $1,042
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $1,840 $2,078(b) $2,078(b) $2,254 $2,254
Total fund
operating expenses 1.22% 1.94% 1.93%
==== ==== ====
Alliance Technology Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.02% 1.02% 1.02% After 1 year $ 587 $ 642 $ 242 $ 343 $ 243
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 926 $ 945 $ 745 $ 748 $ 748
Other expenses .34% .37% .38% After 5 years $1,289 $1,275 $1,275 $1,280 $1,280
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,307 $2,545(b) $2,545(b) $2,736 $2,736
Total fund
operating expenses 1.66% 2.39% 2.40%
==== ==== ====
Alliance Quasar Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.04% 1.04% 1.04% After 1 year $ 582 $ 642 $ 242 $ 341 $ 241
Rule 12b-1 fees .26% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 911 $ 945 $ 745 $ 742 $ 742
Other expenses .31% .35% .34% After 5 years $1,264 $1,275 $1,275 $1,270 $1,270
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,255 $2,533(b) $2,5332(b) $2,716 $2,716
Total fund
operating expenses 1.61% 2.39% 2.38%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 25.
23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
The Alliance Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .67% .67% .67% After 1 year $ 526 $ 587 $ 187 $ 287 $ 187
Rule 12b-1 fees .20% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 739 $ 779 $ 579 $ 579 $ 579
Other expenses .16% .17% .17% After 5 years $ 969 $ 995 $ 995 $ 995 $ 995
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $1,631 $1,946(b) $1,946(b) $2,159 $2,159
Total fund
operating expenses 1.03% 1.84% 1.84%
===== ===== =====
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .48% .48% .48% After 1 year $ 516 $ 575 $ 175 $ 275 $ 175
Rule 12b-1 fees .23% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 709 $ 742 $ 542 $ 542 $ 542
Other expenses .22% .24% .24% After 5 years $ 918 $ 933 $ 933 $ 933 $ 933
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $1,519 $1,821(b) $1,821(b) $2,030 $2,030
Total fund
operating expenses .93% 1.72% 1.72%
===== ===== =====
Alliance Balanced Shares Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .63% .63% .63% After 1 year $ 553 $ 609 $ 209 $ 308 $ 208
Rule 12b-1 fees .24% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 820 $ 846 $ 646 $ 643 $ 643
Other expenses .43% .43% .42% After 5 years $1,108 $1,108 $1,108 $1,103 $1,103
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $1,926 $2,195(b) $2,195(b) $2,379 $2,379
Total fund
operating expenses 1.30% 2.06% 2.05%
===== ===== =====
Alliance Utility Income Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .75% .75% .75% After 1 year $ 571 $ 623 $ 223 $ 323 $ 223
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 879 $ 888 $ 688 $ 688 $ 688
Other expenses 1.43% 1.46% 1.47% After 5 years $1,209 $1,180 $1,180 $1,180 $1,180
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $2,139 $2,357(b) $2,357(b) $2,534 $2,534
Total fund
operating expenses 2.48% 3.21% 3.22%
===== ===== =====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.98)% (1.01)% (1.02)%
===== ===== =====
Net expenses 1.50% 2.20% 2.20%
===== ===== =====
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .90% .90% .90% After 1 year $ 576 $ 629 $ 229 $ 329 $ 229
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 894 $ 906 $ 706 $ 706 $ 706
Other expenses .35% .36% .36% After 5 years $1,234 $1,210 $1,210 $1,210 $1,210
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $2,192 $2,417(b) $2,417(b) $2,595 $2,595
Total fund
operating expenses 1.55% 2.26% 2.26%
===== ===== =====
Alliance New Europe Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.02% 1.02% 1.02% After 1 year $ 605 $ 659 $ 259 $ 359 $ 259
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 982 $ 996 $ 796 $ 796 $ 796
Other expenses .53% .53% .54% After 5 years $1,383 $1,360 $1,360 $1,360 $1,360
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $2,502 $2,722(b) $2,722(b) $2,895 $2,895
Total fund
operating expenses 1.85% 2.56% 2.56%
===== ===== =====
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 593 $ 648 $ 248 $ 347 $ 247
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 947 $ 964 $ 764 $ 761 $ 761
Other expenses .43% .45% .44% After 5 years $1,324 $1,306 $1,306 $1,301 $1,301
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $2,379 $2,609(b) $2,609(b) $2,776 $2,776
Total fund
operating expenses 1.73% 2.45% 2.44%
===== ===== =====
Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 667 $ 723 $ 323 $ 423 $ 323
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,170 $1,186 $ 986 $ 986 $ 986
Other expenses 3.89% 4.14% 4.00% After 5 years $1,699 $1,674 $1,674 $1,674 $1,674
----- ----- ----- After 10 years $3,140 $3,343(b) $3,343(b) $3,503 $3,503
Total fund
operating expenses 5.19% 6.14% 6.00%
===== ===== =====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (2.69)% (2.94)% (2.80)%
===== ===== =====
Net expenses 2.50% 3.20% 3.20%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 25.
24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 635 $ 691 $ 291 $ 391 $ 291
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,072 $1,092 $ 892 $ 892 $ 892
Other expenses .86% .88% .88% After 5 years $1,535 $1,518 $1,518 $1,518 $1,518
------ ------ ------ After 10 years $2,812 $3,034(b) $3,034(b) $3,204 $3,204
Total fund
operating expenses 2.16% 2.88% 2.88%
====== ====== ======
Alliance International Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
Fund ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 586 $ 652 $ 252 $ 351 $ 251
Rule 12b-1 fees .21% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 923 $ 976 $ 776 $ 773 $ 773
Other expenses .59% .64% .63% After 5 years $1,284 $1,326 $1,326 $1,321 $1,321
------ ------ ------ After 10 years $2,296 $2,619(b) $2,619(b) $2,816 $2,816
Total fund
operating expenses 1.80% 2.64% 2.63%
====== ====== ======
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.15)% (.15)% (.15)%
====== ====== ======
Net expenses 1.65% 2.49% 2.48%
====== ====== ======
Alliance Greater
China '97 Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 669 $ 725 $ 325 $ 425 $ 325
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,176 $1,192 $ 992 $ 992 $ 992
Other expenses 16.97% 17.18% 17.37% After 5 years $1,709 $1,683 $1,683 $1,683 $1,683
------ ------ ------ After 10 years $3,157 $3,362(b) $3,362(b) $3,522 $3,522
Total fund
operating expenses 18.27% 19.18% 19.37%
====== ====== ======
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (15.75)% (15.96)% (16.15)%
====== ====== ======
Net expenses 2.52% 3.22% 3.22%
====== ====== ======
Alliance All-Asia
Investment Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 715 $ 772 $ 372 $ 472 $ 372
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,313 $1,332 $1,132 $1,132 $1,332
Other expenses After 5 years $1,935 $1,911 $1,911 $1,911 $1,911
Administration fees .15% .15% .15% After 10 years $3,602 $3,797(b) $3,797(b) $3,950 $3,950
Other operating
expenses 3.18% 3.24% 3.27%
------ ------ ------
Total other expenses 3.33% 3.39% 3.42%
------ ------ ------
Total fund operating
expenses 4.63% 5.39% 5.42%
====== ====== ======
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (1.63)% (1.69)% (1.72)%
====== ====== ======
Net expenses 3.00% 3.70% 3.70%
====== ====== ======
Alliance Global
Environment Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees (c) 1.10% 1.10% 1.10% After 1 year $ 899 $ 974 $ 574 $ 661 $ 561
Rule 12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,848 $1,908 $1,708 $1,673 $1,673
Other expenses (c) 3.55% 3.66% 3.53% After 5 years $2,798 $2,826 $2,826 $2,771 $2,771
------ ------ ------ After 10 years $5,176 $5,402(b) $5,402(b) $5,456 $5,456
Total fund
operating expenses 4.95% 5.76% 5.63%
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Assumes redemption at end of period.
++ Assumes no redemption at end of period.
(a) Reflects Alliance's contractual waiver of a portion of its advisory fee
and/or reimbursement of a portion of the Fund's operating expenses.
(b) Assumes Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight years.
(c) Management fees and other expenses for Alliance Global Environment Fund
are based on estimated amounts for its current fiscal year.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Depositary receipts include American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other types of depositary receipts.
Equity securities include (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business
trust shares and other equity or 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.
Foreign government securities are securities issued or guaranteed, as to payment
of principal and interest, by governments, quasi-governmental entities,
governmental agencies or other governmental entities.
Qualifying bank deposits are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than
$1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Rule 144A securities are securities that may be resold under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act.
U.S. Government securities are securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
TYPES OF COMPANIES
Asian company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of an Asian
country and conducts business in an Asian country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in Asian countries, or (iii) issues equity or
debt securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in an Asian
country.
Asian countries are Australia, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
(Hong Kong), the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Japan, the Kingdom of Thailand,
Malaysia, Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), New Zealand, the People's Republic
of China, the People's Republic of Kampuchea (Cambodia), the Republic of China
(Taiwan), the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of
Korea (South Korea), the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore,
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Union of Myanmar.
Beneficiary Companies are Eligible Companies whose principal businesses lie
outside the environmental sector but nevertheless anticipate environmental
regulations or consumer preferences through the development of new products,
processes or services that are intended to contribute to a cleaner and healthier
environment, such as companies that anticipate the demand for plastic
substitutes, aerosol substitutes, alternative fuels and processes that generate
less hazardous waste.
Eligible Companies are companies expected to benefit from advances or
improvements in products, processes or services intended to foster the
protection of the environment.
Environmental companies are Eligible Companies that have a principal business
involving the sale of systems or services intended to foster environmental
protection, such as waste treatment and disposal, remediation, air pollution
control and recycling.
Greater China company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a
Greater China country and conducts business in a Greater China country, (ii)
derives 50% or more of its total revenues from businesses in Greater China
countries, or (iii) issues equity or debt securities that are traded principally
on a stock exchange in a Greater China country. A company of a particular
Greater China country is a company that meets any of these criteria with respect
to that country.
Greater China countries are the People's Republic of China ("China"), the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ("Hong
Kong") and the Republic of China ("Taiwan").
Non-U.S. Company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a foreign
country and conducts business in a foreign country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in foreign countries, or (iii) issues equity or
debt securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in a foreign
country.
RATING AGENCIES, RATED SECURITIES and INDEXES
Duff & Phelps is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
EAFE Index is Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far
East ("EAFE") Index.
Fitch is Fitch IBCA, Inc.
Investment grade securities are fixed-income securities rated Baa and above by
Moody's or B and above by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by Alliance
to be of equivalent quality.
Lower-rated securities are fixed-income securities rated Ba or below by Moody's
or BB or below by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by Alliance to be
of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred to as "junk bonds."
Moody's is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
26
<PAGE>
Prime commercial paper is commercial paper rated Prime 1 by Moody's or A-1 or
higher by S&P or, if not rated, issued by companies that have an outstanding
debt issue rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher by S&P.
S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
S&P 500 Index is S&P's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, a widely recognized
unmanaged index of market activity.
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 FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of each
Fund's investment objectives, principal strategies and risks. Of course, there
can be no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Please note that:
o Additional discussion of the Funds' investments, including the risks of
the investments, can be found in the discussion under Description of
Investment Practices following this section.
o The description of the principal risks for a Fund may include risks
described in the Summary of Principal Risks above. Additional information
about the risks of investing in a Fund can be found in the discussion
under Additional Risk Considerations.
o Additional descriptions of each Fund's strategies, investments and risks
can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI.
o Except as noted, (i) the Funds' investment objectives are "fundamental"
and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote, and (ii) the Funds'
investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a
shareholder vote.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range of
alternative approaches to investing in the U.S. equity markets.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund
Alliance Premier Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in the equity securities of a limited number of large, carefully
selected, high-quality U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior
earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund normally invests at
least 85% of its total assets in the equity securities of U.S. companies. A U.S.
company is a company that is organized under United States law, has its
principal office in the United States and issues equity securities that are
traded principally in the United States. Normally, about 40-50 companies will be
represented in the Fund's portfolio, with the 25 most highly regarded of these
companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the Fund's net assets. The
Fund is thus atypical from most equity mutual funds in its focus on a relatively
small number of intensively researched companies. The Fund is designed for those
seeking to accumulate capital over time with less volatility than that
associated with investment in smaller companies.
Alliance's investment strategy for the Fund emphasizes stock selection and
investment in the securities of a limited number of issuers. Alliance relies
heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of its large internal
research staff, which generally follows a primary research universe of more than
600 companies that have strong management, superior industry positions,
excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth prospects. An emphasis is
placed on identifying companies whose substantially above average prospective
earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
In managing the Fund, Alliance seeks to utilize market volatility judiciously
(assuming no change in company fundamentals), striving to capitalize on
apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or increase
positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. The Fund
normally remains nearly fully invested and does not take significant cash
positions for market timing purposes. During market declines, while adding to
positions in favored stocks, the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive,
gradually reducing the number of companies represented in its portfolio.
Conversely, in rising markets, while reducing or eliminating fully valued
positions, the Fund becomes somewhat more conservative, gradually increasing the
number of companies represented in its portfolio. Alliance thus seeks to gain
positive returns in good markets while providing some measure of protection in
poor markets.
Alliance expects the average market capitalization of companies represented in
the Fund's portfolio normally to be in the range, or in excess, of the average
market capitalization of companies included in the S&P 500 Index.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in convertible securities;
o invest up to 5% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest up to 15% of its total assets in foreign securities;
o purchase and sell exchange-traded index options and stock index futures
contracts; and
27
<PAGE>
o write covered exchange-traded call options on its securities of up to 15%
of its total assets, and purchase and sell exchange-traded call and put
options on common stocks written by others of up to, for all options, 10%
of its total assets.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a single
security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the
Fund's net asset value.
Alliance Growth Fund
Alliance Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. Current income is only
an incidental consideration. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable
earnings outlooks and long-term growth rates that are expected to exceed that of
the U.S. economy over time. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental.
The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in lower-rated
fixed-income securities and convertible bonds. The Fund generally will not
invest in securities rated at the time of purchase below Caa- by Moody's and
CCC- by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch or in securities judged by Alliance to be of
comparable investment quality. From time to time, however, the Fund may invest
in securities rated in the lowest grades (i.e., C by Moody's or D or equivalent
by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch) or securities of comparable investment quality
if there are prospects for an upgrade or a favorable conversion into equity
securities. If the credit rating of a security held by the Fund falls below its
rating at the time of purchase (or Alliance determines that the credit quality
of the security has deteriorated), the Fund may continue to hold the security if
such investment is considered appropriate under the circumstances.
The Fund also may:
o invest in zero-coupon and payment-in-kind bonds;
o invest in foreign securities although not generally in excess of 15% of
its total assets;
o buy or sell foreign currencies, options on foreign currencies, and foreign
currency futures contracts (and related options) and deal in forward
foreign currency exchange contracts;
o enter into forward commitments;
o buy and sell stock index futures contracts and options on futures
contracts and on stock indices;
o purchase and sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts and
U.S. Treasury securities;
o write covered call and put options;
o purchase and sell put and call options;
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 25% of its total assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to 25% of its total assets.
Alliance Technology Fund
Alliance Technology Fund emphasizes growth of capital and invests for capital
appreciation. Current income is only an incidental consideration. The Fund may
seek income by writing listed call options. The Fund invests primarily in
securities of companies expected to benefit from technological advances and
improvements (i.e., companies that use technology extensively in the development
of new or improved products or processes). The Fund will normally have at least
80% of its assets invested in the securities of these companies. The Fund
normally will have substantially all its assets invested in equity securities,
but it also invests in debt securities offering an opportunity for price
appreciation. The Fund will invest in listed and unlisted securities, in U.S.
securities and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities.
The Fund's policy is to invest in any company and industry and in any type of
security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and
established companies and in new and unseasoned companies.
The Fund also may:
o write covered call options on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets and purchase exchange-listed call and put options, including
exchange-traded index put options of up to, for all options, 10% of its
total assets;
o invest up to 10% of its total assets in warrants; and
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets.
Because the Fund invests primarily in technology companies, factors affecting
those types of companies could have a significant effect on the Fund's net asset
value. In addition, the Fund's investments in technology stocks, especially
those of smaller, less seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the
overall market. The Fund's investments in debt and foreign securities have
credit risk and foreign risk.
Alliance Quasar Fund
Alliance Quasar Fund seeks growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment
policies. The Fund invests for capital appreciation and only incidentally for
current income. The Fund's practice of selecting securities based on the
possibility of appreciation cannot,of course, ensure against a loss in value.
Moreover, because the Fund's investment policies are aggressive, an investment
in the Fund is risky and investors who want assured income or preservation of
capital should not invest in the Fund.
The Fund invests in any company and industry and in any type of security with
potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and established
companies and in new and unseasoned companies. When selecting securities for the
Fund, Alliance considers the economic and political outlook, the values of
specific securities relative to other investments, trends in the determinants of
corporate profits and management capability and practices.
The Fund invests principally in equity securities, but it also invests to a
limited degree in non-convertible bonds and
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preferred stocks. The Fund invests in listed and unlisted U.S. and foreign
securities. The Fund can periodically invest in the securities of companies that
are expected to appreciate due to a development particularly or uniquely
applicable to that company regardless of general business conditions or
movements of the market as a whole.
The Fund also may:
o make short sales of securities against the box but not more than 15% of
its net assets may be deposited on short sales; and
o write covered call options of up to 15% of its total assets and purchase
and sell put and call options written by others of up to, for all options,
10% of its total assets.
Investments in smaller companies may have more risk because they tend to be more
volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's investments in
non-convertible bonds, preferred stocks and foreign stocks may have credit risk
and foreign risk.
The Alliance Fund
The Alliance Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income primarily through
investment in common stocks. The Fund normally invests substantially all of its
assets in common stocks that Alliance believes will appreciate in value. The
Fund also may invest in other types of securities such as convertible
securities, investment grade instruments, U.S. Government securities and high
quality, short-term obligations such as repurchase agreements, bankers'
acceptances and domestic certificates of deposit. The Fund may invest without
limit in foreign securities. The Fund generally does not effect portfolio
transactions in order to realize short-term trading profits or exercise
control.
The Fund also may:
o write exchange-traded covered call options on up to 25% of its total
assets;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 25% of its total
assets;
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to seven days' duration with
commercial banks, but only if those agreements together with any
restricted securities and any securities which do not have readily
available market quotations do not exceed 10% of its net assets;
While the diversification and generally high quality of the Fund's investments
cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they tend to limit investment risk
and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective.
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds provide a range of investment alternatives to investors
seeking both growth of capital and current income.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund
Alliance Growth and Income Fund seeks appreciation through investments primarily
in dividend-paying common stocks of good quality. The Fund also may invest in
fixed-income securities and convertible securities.
The Fund also may try to realize income by writing covered call options listed
on domestic securities exchanges. The Fund also invests in foreign securities.
Since the purchase of foreign securities entails certain political and economic
risks, the Fund restricts its investments in these securities to issues of high
quality. The Fund also may purchase and sell financial forward and futures
contracts and options on these securities for hedging purposes.
Alliance Balanced Shares
Alliance Balanced Shares seeks a high return through a combination of current
income and capital appreciation. Although the Fund's investment objective is not
fundamental, the Fund is a "balanced" fund as a matter of fundamental policy.
The Fund invests in equity securities of high-quality, financially strong,
dividend-paying companies. Normally, the Fund's investments will consist of
about 60% in stocks, but stocks may make up to 75% of its investments. The Fund
will invest at least 25% of its total assets in investment grade debt
securities. These investments may include short- and long-term debt securities,
preferred stocks, convertible debt securities and convertible preferred stocks
to the extent that their values are attributable to their fixed-income
characteristics. Other than this restriction, the percentage of the Fund's
assets invested in each type of security will vary.
The Fund invests in U.S. Government securities, bonds, senior debt securities,
and preferred and common stocks in such proportions and of such type as Alliance
deems best adapted to the current economic and market outlooks. The Fund may
invest up to 15% of the value of its total assets in foreign equity and
fixed-income securities eligible for purchase by the Fund under its investment
policies described above.
The Fund also may:
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
foreign currencies;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies and enter
into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes; and
o subject to market conditions, write covered call options listed on a
domestic exchange to realize income.
As a balanced fund, the Fund has the risk that the allocation of its investments
between equity and debt securities may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is performing more poorly
than the other.
Alliance Utility Income Fund
Alliance Utility Income Fund seeks current income and capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the
utilities industry. As a fundamental policy, the Fund normally invests at least
65% of its total assets in securities of companies in the utilities industry.
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The Fund seeks to take advantage of the characteristics and historical
performance of securities of utility companies, many of which pay regular
dividends and increase their common stock dividends over time. The Fund
considers a company to be in the utilities industry if, during the most recent
twelve-month period, at least 50% of the company's gross revenues, on a
consolidated basis, were derived from its utilities activities.
The Fund may invest in securities of both U.S. and foreign issuers, although the
Fund will invest no more than 15% of its total assets in issuers in any one
foreign country. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
income-producing securities, but there is otherwise no limit on the allocation
of the Fund's investments between equity securities and fixed-income securities.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated securities. The
Fund will not retain a security that is downgraded below B or determined by
Alliance to have undergone similar credit quality deterioration following
purchase.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in equity and fixed-income
securities of domestic and foreign corporate and governmental issuers other than
utility companies. These securities include U.S. Government securities and
repurchase agreements for those securities, foreign government securities,
corporate fixed-income securities of domestic issuers, corporate fixed-income
securities of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies or in U.S.
dollars (in each case including fixed-income securities of an issuer in one
country denominated in the currency of another country), qualifying bank
deposits, and prime commercial paper.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 30% of its net assets in convertible securities;
o invest up to 5% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts, securities of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities denominated in
European Currency Units, and "semi-governmental securities";
o write covered call and put options, purchase call and put options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest that are
exchange-traded and over-the-counter, and write uncovered call options for
cross-hedging purposes;
o purchase and sell exchange-traded options on any securities index composed
of the types of securities in which it may invest;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including an index of U.S. Government securities,
foreign government securities, corporate fixed-income securities, or
common stock, and may purchase and write options on futures contracts;
o purchase and write call and put options on foreign currencies traded on
U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter for hedging purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into interest rate swaps and purchase or sell interest rate caps and
floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 20% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
The Fund's principal risks include those that arise from its investing primarily
in electric utility companies. Factors affecting that industry sector can have a
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. The U.S. utilities industry
has experienced significant changes in recent years. Electric utility companies
in general have been favorably affected by lower fuel costs, the full or near
completion of major construction programs and lower financing costs. In
addition, many utility companies have generated cash flows in excess of current
operating expenses and construction expenditures, permitting some degree of
diversification into unregulated businesses. Regulatory changes, however, could
increase costs or impair the ability of nuclear and conventionally fueled
generating facilities to operate their facilities and reduce their ability to
make dividend payments on their securities. Rates of return of utility companies
generally are subject to review and limitation by state public utilities
commissions and tend to fluctuate with marginal financing costs. Rate changes
ordinarily lag behind changes in financing costs and can favorably or
unfavorably affect the earnings or dividend pay-outs of utilities stocks
depending upon whether the rates and costs are declining or rising.
Utility companies historically have been subject to the risks of increases in
fuel and other operating costs, high interest costs, costs associated with
compliance with environmental and nuclear safety regulations, service
interruptions, economic slowdowns, surplus capacity, competition, and regulatory
changes. There also can be no assurance that regulatory policies or accounting
standards changes will not negatively affect utility companies' earnings or
dividends. Utility companies are subject to regulation by various authorities
and may be affected by the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax
laws. To the extent that rates are established or reviewed by governmental
authorities, utility companies are subject to the risk that such authorities
will not authorize increased rates. Because of the Fund's policy of
concentrating its investments in utility companies, the Fund is more susceptible
than most other mutual funds to economic, political or regulatory occurrences
affecting the utilities industry.
Foreign utility companies, like those in the U.S., are generally subject to
regulation, although the regulation may or may not be comparable to domestic
regulations. Foreign utility companies in certain countries may be more heavily
regulated by their
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respective governments than utility companies located in the U.S. As in the
U.S., utility companies generally are required to seek government approval for
rate increases. In addition, many foreign utility companies use fuels that cause
more pollution than those used in the U.S. and may yet be required to invest in
pollution control equipment. Foreign utility regulatory systems vary from
country to country and may evolve in ways different from regulation in the U.S.
The percentage of the Fund's assets invested in issuers of particular countries
will vary.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund's investments to
decline and the decrease in value may not be offset by higher interest rate
income. The Fund's investments in lower-rated securities may be subject to more
credit risk than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund seeks a total return from long-term growth
of capital and from income principally through investing in a portfolio of
equity securities of issuers that are primarily engaged in or related to the
real estate industry.
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities
of real estate investment trusts, or REITs, and other real estate industry
companies. A "real estate industry company" is a company that derives at least
50% of its gross revenues or net profits from the ownership, development,
construction, financing, management, or sale of commercial, industrial, or
residential real estate or interests in these properties. The Fund invests in
equity securities that include common stock, shares of beneficial interest of
REITs, and securities with common stock characteristics, such as preferred stock
or convertible securities ("Real Estate Equity Securities").
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (a) securities that
directly or indirectly represent participations in, or are collateralized by and
payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property ("Mortgage-Backed
Securities"), such as mortgage pass-through certificates, real estate mortgage
investment conduit certificates ("REMICs") and collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") and (b) short-term investments. These securities are
described below.
In selecting Real Estate Equity Securities, Alliance's analysis will focus on
determining the degree to which the company involved can achieve sustainable
growth in cash flow and dividend paying capability. Alliance believes that the
primary determinant of this capability is the economic viability of property
markets in which the company operates and that the secondary determinant of this
capability is the ability of management to add value through strategic focus and
operating expertise. The Fund will purchase Real Estate Equity Securities when,
in the judgment of Alliance, their market price does not adequately reflect this
potential. In making this determination, Alliance will take into account
fundamental trends in underlying property markets as determined by proprietary
models, site visits conducted by individuals knowledgeable in local real estate
markets, price-earnings ratios (as defined for real estate companies), cash flow
growth and stability, the relationship between asset value and market price of
the securities, dividend payment history, and such other factors that Alliance
may determine from time to time to be relevant. Alliance will attempt to
purchase for the Fund Real Estate Equity Securities of companies whose
underlying portfolios are diversified geographically and by property type.
The Fund may invest without limitation in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled
investment vehicles that invest primarily in income producing real estate or
real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as equity
REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity
REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive
income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize
capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage
REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive
income from the collection of interest payments. Similar to investment companies
such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders
provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. The Fund will
indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs in which
the Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by the Fund.
The Fund's investment strategy with respect to Real Estate Equity Securities is
based on the premise that property market fundamentals are the primary
determinant of growth underlying the performance of Real Estate Equity
Securities. Value and management further distinguishes the most attractive Real
Estate Equity Securities. The Fund's research and investment process is designed
to identify those companies with strong property fundamentals and strong
management teams. This process is comprised of real estate market research,
specific property inspection, and securities analysis. Alliance believes that
this process will result in a portfolio that will consist of Real Estate Equity
Securities of companies that own assets in the most desirable markets across the
country, diversified geographically and by property type.
To implement the Fund's research and investment process, Alliance has retained
the consulting services of CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"), a publicly held
company and the largest real estate services company in the United States.
CBRE's business includes real estate brokerage, property and facilities
management, and real estate finance and investment advisory activities. The
universe of property-owning real estate industry firms consists of approximately
142 companies of sufficient size and quality to merit consideration for
investment by the Fund. As consultant to Alliance, CBRE provides access to its
proprietary model, REIT-Score, which analyzes the approximately 18,000
properties owned by these 142 companies. Using proprietary databases and
algorithms, CBRE analyzes local market rent, expenses, occupancy trends, market
specific transaction pricing, demographic and economic trends, and leading
indicators of real estate supply such as building permits. Over 1,000 asset-type
specific geographic markets are analyzed and ranked on a relative scale by CBRE
in compiling its REIT-Score database. The relative attractiveness of these real
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estate industry companies is similarly ranked based on the composite rankings of
the properties they own.
Once the universe of real estate industry companies has been distilled through
the market research process, CBRE's local market presence provides the
capability to perform site specific inspections of key properties. This analysis
examines specific location, condition, and sub-market trends. CBRE's use of
locally based real estate professionals provides Alliance with a window on the
operations of the portfolio companies as information can immediately be put in
the context of local market events. Only those companies whose specific property
portfolios reflect the promise of their general markets will be considered for
investment by the Fund.
Alliance further screens the universe of real estate industry companies by using
rigorous financial models and by engaging in regular contact with management of
targeted companies. Each management's strategic plan and ability to execute the
plan are determined and analyzed. Alliance makes extensive use of CBRE's network
of industry analysts in order to assess trends in tenant industries. This
information is then used to further evaluate management's strategic plans.
Financial ratio analysis is used to isolate those companies with the ability to
make value-added acquisitions. This information is combined with property market
trends and used to project future earnings potential.
The Fund may invest in short-term investments including: corporate commercial
paper and other short-term commercial obligations, in each case rated or issued
by companies with similar securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; obligations (including
certificates of deposit, time deposits, demand deposits and bankers'
acceptances) of banks with securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; and obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities with
remaining maturities not exceeding 18 months.
The Fund may invest in debt securities rated BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or
higher by Moody's or, if not rated, of equivalent credit quality as determined
by Alliance. The Fund expects that it will not retain a debt security that is
downgraded below BBB or Baa or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to have
undergone similar credit quality deterioration, subsequent to purchase by the
Fund.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 15% of its net assets in convertible securities;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements; and
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position but only if at
all times when a short position is open not more than 25% of the Fund's
net assets is held as collateral for such sales.
o invest up to 10% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 25% of its total assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to seven days' duration.
Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in the real estate
market, it is subject to many of the same risks involved in direct ownership of
real estate. For example, the value of real estate could decline due to a
variety of factors affecting the real estate market generally, such as
overbuilding, increases in interest rates, or declines in rental rates. In
addition, REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have
limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax
laws.
The Fund's investments in mortgage-backed securities have prepayment risk, which
is the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates decline and
the Fund will have to reinvest in securities with lower interest rates. This
risk causes mortgage-backed securities to have significantly greater price and
yield volatility than traditional fixed-income securities. The Fund's
investments in REMICs, CMOs and other types of mortgage-backed securities may be
subject to special risks that are described under "Description of Investment
Practices."
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors the opportunity to participate in the
potential for long-term capital appreciation available from investment in
foreign securities.
Alliance New Europe Fund
Alliance New Europe Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment
primarily in the equity securities of companies based in Europe. The Fund
intends to invest substantially all of its assets in the equity securities of
European companies and has a fundamental policy of normally investing at least
65% of its total assets in these securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of
its total assets in high-quality U.S. Dollar or foreign currency denominated
fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by European governmental entities,
or by European or multinational companies or supranational organizations.
Alliance believes that the quickening pace of economic integration and political
change in Europe creates the potential for many European companies to experience
rapid growth. In addition, the emergence of new market economies in Europe and
the broadening and strengthening of other European economies may significantly
accelerate economic development. The Fund invests in companies that Alliance
believes possess rapid growth potential. The Fund emphasizes investments in
larger, established companies, but also invests in smaller, emerging companies.
In recent years, economic ties between the former "east bloc" countries of
Eastern Europe and certain other European countries have been strengthened.
Alliance believes that as this strengthening continues, some Western European
financial institutions and other companies will have special opportunities to
facilitate East-West transactions. The Fund will seek
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investment opportunities among these companies and, as opportunities
become available, within the former "east bloc."The Fund will not invest more
than 20% of its total assets in these companies, or more than 10% of its total
assets in issuers based in any one country.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of European countries and
normally invests in companies based in at least three of these countries. The
Fund, however, may invest without limit in a single European country. While the
Fund does not intend to concentrate its investments in a single country, at
times 25% or more of its assets may be invested in companies located in a
single country. During such times, the Fund would be subject to a
correspondingly greater risk of loss due to adverse political or
regulatory developments, or an economic downturn, within that country.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts or other securities convertible into
securities of companies based in European countries, debt securities of
supranational entities denominated in the Euro or the currency of any
European country, debt securities denominated in the Euro of an
issuer in a European country (including supranational issuers), and
"semi-governmental securities";
o purchase and sell forward contracts;
o write covered call or put options and sell and purchase exchange-traded
put and call options, including exchange-traded index options;
o enter into financial futures contracts, including contracts for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and futures
contracts based on stock indices, and purchase and write options on
futures contracts;
o purchase and write put options on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. countries and smaller countries may have more
risk because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. To the
extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in a particular
European country, your investment is subject to the risk that market changes or
other events affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value. The Fund's investments in U.S. Dollar- or foreign
currency-denominated fixed-income securities have interest rate and credit risk.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. As a
fundamental policy, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities issued by enterprises that are undergoing, or have undergone,
privatization (as described below), although normally significantly more of its
assets will be invested in such securities. The balance of its investments will
include securities of companies believed by Alliance to be beneficiaries of
privatizations. The Fund is designed for investors desiring to take advantage of
investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S. individual
investors, that are created by privatizations of state enterprises in both
established and developing economies. These companies include those in Western
Europe and Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia, Eastern and
Central Europe and, to a lesser degree, Canada and the United States.
The Fund's investments in enterprises undergoing privatization may comprise
three distinct situations. First, the Fund may invest in the initial offering
of publicly traded equity securities (an "initial equity offering") of a
government- or state-owned or controlled company or enterprise (a "state
enterprise"). Secondly, the Fund may purchase securities of a current or former
state enterprise following its initial equity offering. Finally, the Fund may
make privately negotiated purchases of stock or other equity interests in a
state enterprise that has not yet conducted an initial equity offering. Alliance
believes that substantial potential for capital appreciation exists as
privatizing enterprises rationalize their management structures, operations and
business strategies in order to compete efficiently in a market economy and the
Fund will thus emphasize investments in such enterprises.
Privatization is a process through which the ownership and control of companies
or assets changes in whole or in part from the public sector to the private
sector. Through privatization a government or state divests or transfers all or
a portion of its interest in a state enterprise to some form of private
ownership. Governments and states with established economies, including France,
Great Britain, Germany, and Italy, and those with developing economies,
including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and Hungary,
are engaged in privatizations. The Fund will invest in any country believed to
present attractive investment opportunities.
A major premise of the Fund's approach is that the equity securities of
privatized companies offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation.
In particular, because privatizations are integral to a country's economic
restructuring, securities sold in initial equity offerings often are priced
attractively to secure the issuer's successful transition to private sector
ownership. Additionally, these enterprises often dominate their local markets
and typically have the potential for significant managerial and operational
efficiency gains.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in at least four, and usually considerably more,
countries. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in issuers in any
one foreign
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country, except that the Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in
issuers in any one of France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Japan. The Fund
may invest all of its assets within a single region of the world.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities and
convertible debt securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in
lower-rated securities. The Fund will not retain a non-convertible security
that is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to have undergone similar
credit quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in rights or warrants;
o write covered call and put options, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for
cross-hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
foreign government securities, or common stock, and may purchase and write
options on future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
Investments in non-U.S. companies and smaller companies may have more risk
because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's
investments in debt securities and convertible securities have interest risk and
credit risk.
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund seeks long term capital appreciation
by investing predominately in the equity securities of a limited number of
carefully selected non-U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior
earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will invest under
normal circumstances at least 85% of its total assets in equity securities. The
Fund makes investments based upon their potential for capital appreciation.
Current income is incidental to that objective.
In the main, the Fund's investments will be in comparatively large, high-quality
companies. Normally, about 60 companies will be represented in the Fund's
portfolio, and the 30 most highly regarded of these companies usually will
constitute approximately 70% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund thus differs
from more typical international equity mutual funds by focusing on a relatively
small number of intensively researched companies. The Fund is designed for
investors seeking to accumulate capital over time. Because of market risks
inherent in any investment, the selection of securities on the basis of their
appreciation possibilities cannot ensure against possible loss in value. There
is, of course, no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be met.
Alliance expects the market capitalization of the companies represented in the
Fund's portfolio normally will be in the range of the average weighted market
capitalization of the companies comprising the EAFE Index. As of December 31,
1998, the average weighted market capitalization of companies in the EAFE Index
was approximately $35 billion.
Within the investment framework of the Fund, Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group,
headed by Alfred Harrison, Alliance's Vice Chairman, has responsibility for
managing the Fund's portfolio. As discussed below, in selecting the Fund's
portfolio investments Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group will follow a
structured, disciplined research and investment process that is essentially
similar to that which it employs in managing Premier Growth Fund.
In managing the Fund's assets, Alliance's investment strategy will emphasize
stock selection and investment in the securities of a limited number of issuers.
Alliance depends heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of its large
global equity research team situated in numerous locations around the world. Its
global equity analysts follow a research universe of approximately 900
companies. As one of the largest multinational investment management firms,
Alliance has access to considerable information concerning the companies in its
research universe, an in-depth understanding of the products, services, markets,
and competition of these companies, and a good knowledge of their management.
Research emphasis is placed on the identification of companies whose superior
prospective earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
Alliance constantly adds to and deletes from this universe as fundamentals and
valuations change. Alliance's global equity analysts rate companies in three
categories. The performance of each analyst's ratings is an important
determinant of his or her incentive compensation. The equity securities of
"one-rated" companies are expected to significantly outperform the local market
in local currency terms. All equity securities purchased for the Fund's
portfolio will be selected from the universe of approximately 100 "one-rated"
companies. As noted above, the Fund usually invests approximately 70% of its
net assets in the approximately 30 most highly regarded of these companies.
The Fund's portfolio emphasis upon particular industries or sectors will be a
by-product of the stock selection process rather than the result of assigned
targets or ranges.
The Fund's diversifies its investments among at least four, and usually
considerably more, countries. No more than 15% of the Fund's total assets will
be invested in issuers in any one foreign country, except that the Fund may
invest up to 25% of its total assets in issuers in each of Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
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Within these limits, geographic distribution of the Fund's investments among
countries or regions also will be a product of the stock selection process
rather than a predetermined allocation. To the extent that the Fund
concnetrates its assets within one region, the Fund may be subject to any
special risks that may be associated with that region. While the Fund may
engage in currency hedging programs in periods in which Alliance perceives
extreme exchange rate risk, the Fund normally will not make significant use of
currency hedging strategies.
In the management of the Fund's investment portfolio, Alliance will seek to
utilize market volatility judiciously (assuming no change in company
fundamentals) to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent consistent
with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund will strive to capitalize
on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or increase
positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund will remain substantially fully invested in equity
securities and will not take significant cash positions for market timing
purposes. Rather, through "buying into declines" and "selling into strength,"
Alliance seeks superior relative returns over time.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in convertible securities;
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in rights or warrants;
o write covered call and put options, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for cross
hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
foreign government securities, or common stock and may purchase and write
options on such future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain short positions of no more than
5% of its net assets as collateral for short sales; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment also has the risk that changes in the value of a
single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive,
on the Fund's net asset value.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund seeks long-term growth of capital through
investment in a global portfolio of the equity securities of selected companies
with relatively small market capitalization. The Fund's portfolio emphasizes
companies with market capitalizations that would have placed them (when
purchased) in about the smallest 20% by market capitalization of actively traded
U.S. companies, or market capitalizations of up to about $1.5 billion. Because
the Fund applies the U.S. size standard on a global basis, its foreign
investments might rank above the lowest 20%, and, in fact, might in some
countries rank among the largest, by market capitalization in local markets.
Normally, the Fund invests at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of
these smaller capitalization companies. These companies are located in at least
three countries, one of which may be the U.S. The Fund may invest up to 35% of
its total assets in securities of companies whose market capitalizations
exceed the Fund's size standard. The Fund's portfolio securities may be listed
on a U.S. or foreign exchange or traded over-the-counter.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in warrants to purchase equity
securities;
o invest in depositary receipts or other securities representing securities
of companies based in countries other than the U.S.;
o purchase or sell forward foreign currency contracts;
o write covered call options on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets, and purchase exchange-traded call and put options, including put
options on market indices of up to, for all options, 10% of its total
assets; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets.
One of the Fund's principal risks is its investments in smaller capitalization
companies. Alliance believes that smaller capitalization companies often have
sales and earnings growth rates exceeding those of larger companies and that
these growth rates tend to cause more rapid share price appreciation.
Investing in smaller capitalization stocks, however, involves greater risk than
is associated with larger, more established companies. For example, smaller
capitalization companies often have limited product lines, markets, or financial
resources. They may be dependent for management on one or a few key persons and
can be more susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Their securities may
be thinly traded (and therefore have to be sold at a discount from current
market prices or sold in small lots over an extended period of time), may be
followed by fewer investment research analysts, and may be subject to wider
price swings. For these reasons, the Fund's investments may have a greater
chance of loss than investments in securities of larger
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capitalization companies. In addition, transaction costs in small capitalization
stocks may be higher than in those of larger capitalization companies.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in smaller companies will be
more volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Fund seeks a total return on its assets from long-term
growth of capital and from income primarily through a broad portfolio of
marketable securities of established non-U.S. companies, companies participating
in foreign economies with prospects for growth, including U.S. companies having
their principal activities and interests outside the U.S. and foreign government
securities. Normally, the Fund will invest more than 80% of its assets in these
types of companies.
The Fund expects to invest primarily in common stocks of established non-U.S.
companies that Alliance believes have potential for capital appreciation or
income or both, but the Fund is not required to invest exclusively in common
stocks or other equity securities. The Fund may invest in any other type of
investment grade security, including convertible securities, as well as in
warrants, or obligations of the U.S. or foreign governments and their political
subdivisions.
The Fund intends to diversify its investments broadly among countries and
normally invests in at least three foreign countries, although it may invest a
substantial portion of its assets in one or more of these countries. The Fund
may invest in companies, wherever organized, that Alliance judges have their
principal activities and interests outside the U.S. These companies may be
located in developing countries, which involves exposure to economic structures
that are generally less diverse and mature, and to political systems that can
be expected to have less stability than those of developed countries. The Fund
currently does not intend to invest more than 10% of its total assets in
companies in, or governments of, developing countries.
The Fund also may:
o purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts;
o write covered call or put options, sell and purchase U.S. or foreign
exchange-listed put and call options, including exchange-traded index
options;
o enter into financial futures contracts, including contracts for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and stock index
futures, and purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts
traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter;
o purchase and write put options on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to seven days' duration for up to
10% of the Fund's total assets.
Investments in non-U.S. countries may have more risk because they tend to be
more volatile than the U.S. stock market. To the extent that the Fund invests a
substantial amount of its assets in a particular foreign country, an investment
in the Fund has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the
Fund's net asset value.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment of at least 80% of its
total assets in equity securities issued by Greater China companies. The Fund
expects to invest a significant portion, which may be greater than 50%, of its
assets in equity securities of Hong Kong companies and may invest, from time to
time, all of its assets in Hong Kong companies or companies of either of the
other Greater China countries.
In recent years, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have each experienced a high level
of real economic growth, although growth is expected to slow in 1999. This
growth has resulted from advantageous economic conditions, including favorable
demographics, competitive wage rates, and rising per capita income and consumer
demand. Significantly, the growth has also been fueled by an easing by both
China and Taiwan of government restrictions and an increased receptivity to
foreign investment. This expanded, if not yet complete, openness to foreign
investment extends as well to the securities markets of both countries. Hong
Kong's free-market economy has historically included securities markets
completely open to foreign investments. All three countries have regulated stock
exchanges upon which shares of an increasing number of Greater China companies
are traded.
With its population estimated at more than 1.2 billion as a driving force, and
notwithstanding its continuing political rigidity, China's economic growth has
been coupled with significantly reduced government economic intervention and
basic economic structural change. Recent years have seen large increases in
industrial production with a significant decline in the state sector share of
industrial output, and increased involvement of local governmental units and the
private sector in establishing new business enterprises.
With China's growth has come an increasing direct and indirect economic
involvement of all three Greater China countries. For some time, Hong Kong, a
world financial and trade center in its own right, with a large stock exchange
and offices of many of the world's multinational companies, has been the gateway
to trade with and foreign investment in China. With the transfer
on July 1, 1997 of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China,
not only the political but the economic ties between China and Hong Kong are
expected to continue to intensify, with the continuation of Hong Kong's
economic system as provided for in the law governing its sovereignty.
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Notwithstanding the, at times considerable, political tension between the two
countries, it is generally recognized that substantially increased trade and
investment with China has been generated from Taiwan, in many cases through Hong
Kong. Along with this increased interaction with China, Taiwan is becoming a
regional technological and telecommunication center, while continuing the
process of opening its economy up to foreign investment. Although geographically
limited, Taiwan boasts an economy among the world's 20 largest and its foreign
exchange reserves are third largest in the world measured in U.S. dollars. As
China's economy continues to expand, it is expected that Taiwan's economic
interaction with China will likewise increase.
Alliance believes that over the long-term conditions are favorable for
continuing and expanding economic growth in all three Greater China countries.
It is this potential which the Fund hopes to take advantage of by investing both
in established and new and emerging companies. Appendix A has additional
Information about the Greater China countries.
In addition to investing in equity securities of Greater China companies, the
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in (i) debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or by Greater China governments, their
agencies or instrumentalities and (ii) equity or debt securities issued by
issuers other than Greater China companies. The Fund will invest only in
investment grade securities. The Fund will normally sell a security that is
downgraded below investment grade or is determined by Alliance to have
undergone a similar credit quality deterioration.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in the convertible securities;
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in equity-linked debt securities with
the objective of realizing capital appreciation;
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in loans and other direct debt
securities;
o write covered call and put options, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
securities issued by foreign government entities, or common stock, and may
purchase and write options on future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into interest rate swaps and purchase or sell interest rate caps and
floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if against the box;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
All or some of the policies and practices listed above may not be available to
the Fund in the Greater China countries and the Fund will utilize these policies
only to the extent permissible.
The Fund's investments in Greater China companies will be significantly more
volatile and differ from the overall U.S. market. Your investment also has
the risk that market changes or other events affecting the Greater China
countries may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value.
In addition the Fund is "non-diversified" meaning that it invests its assets
in a smaller number of companies than many other international funds. As a
result, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant
effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund's investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities (for the purposes of this investment policy, rights, warrants, and
options to purchase common stocks are not deemed to be equity securities),
preferred stocks and equity-linked debt securities issued by Asian companies.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in
Asian companies and Asian debt securities but also may invest in securities
issued by non-Asian issuers. The Fund expects to invest, from time to time, a
significant portion, which may be in excess of 50%, of its assets in equity
securities of Japanese companies.
In the past decade, Asian countries generally have experienced a high level of
real economic growth due to political and economic changes, including foreign
investment and reduced government intervention in the economy. Alliance believes
that certain conditions exist in Asian countries that create the potential for
continued rapid economic growth. These conditions include favorable
demographics and competitive wage rates, increasing levels of foreign direct
investment, rising per capita incomes and consumer demand, a high savings rate,
and numerous privatization programs. Asian countries also are becoming more
industrialized and are increasing their intra-
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Asian exports while reducing their dependence on Western export demand.
Alliance believes that these conditions are important to the long-term economic
growth of Asian countries.
As the economies of many Asian countries move through the "emerging market"
stage, thus increasing the supply of goods, services and capital available to
less developed Asian markets and helping to spur economic growth in those
markets, the potential is created for many Asian companies to experience rapid
growth. In addition, many Asian companies that have securities listed
on exchanges in more developed Asian countries will be participants in the rapid
economic growth of the less-developed countries. These companies generally offer
the advantages of more experienced management and more developed market
regulation.
As their economies have grown, the securities markets in Asian countries have
also expanded. New exchanges have been created and the number of listed
companies, annual trading volume, and overall market capitalization have
increased significantly. Additionally, new markets continue to open to foreign
investments. The Fund also offers investors the opportunity to access relatively
restricted markets. Alliance believes that investment opportunities in Asian
countries will continue to expand.
The Fund will invest in companies believed to possess rapid growth potential.
Thus, the Fund will invest in smaller, emerging companies, but will also invest
in larger, more established companies in such growing economic sectors as
capital goods, telecommunications, and consumer services.
The Fund will invest primarily in investment grade debt securities but may
invest up to 5% of its net assets in lower-rated securities, lower-rated
loans, and other lower-rated direct debt instruments. The Fund will not retain
a security that is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to have
undergone similar credit quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in the convertible securities;
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in equity-linked debt securities with
the objective of realizing capital appreciation;
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in loans and other direct debt
instruments;
o write covered call and put options, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
securities issued by foreign government entities, or common stock and may
purchase and write options on future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into interest rate swaps and purchase or sell interest rate caps and
floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if against the box;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
The Fund's investments in Asian and Pacific region countries will be
significantly more volatile and may differ significantly from the overall U.S.
market. To the extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in
Japanese companies, your investment has the risk that market changes or other
events affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's
net assets value. The Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate
and credit risk.
Alliance Global Environment Fund
Alliance Global Environment Fund is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity securities of
Eligible Companies. For purposes of the Fund's investment objective and
investment policies, "equity securities" are common stocks (but not preferred
stocks), rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase common stocks, and
preferred stocks or debt securities that are convertible into common stocks
without the payment of any further consideration.
The Fund invests in two categories of Eligible Companies--Environmental
Companies and Beneficiary Companies. The Fund may invest in a company with a
broadly diversified business only a part of which provides such products,
processes, or services, when Alliance believes that these products, processes or
services will yield a competitive advantage that significantly enhances the
issuer's growth prospects. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will,
under normal circumstances, invest substantially all of its total assets in
equity securities of Eligible Companies.
A major premise of the Fund's investment approach is that environmental
concerns will be a significant source of future growth opportunities, and that
Environmental Companies will see an increased demand for their systems and
services. Environmental Companies operate in the areas of pollution control,
clean energy, solid waste management, hazardous
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waste treatment and disposal, pulp and paper recycling, waste-to-energy
alternatives, biodegradable cartons, packages, plastics and other products,
remedial projects and emergency cleanup efforts, manufacture of environmental
supplies and equipment, the achievement of purer air, groundwater, and foods,
and the detection, evaluation and treatment of both existing and potential
environmental problems including, among others, air pollution and acid rain.
The environmental services industry generally is positively affected by
increasing governmental action intended to foster environmental protection. As
environmental regulations are developed and enforced, Environmental Companies
providing the means of compliance with such regulations are afforded substantial
opportunities for growth. Beneficiary Companies may also derive an advantage to
the extent that they have anticipated environmental regulation and are therefore
at a competitive advantage.
In the view of Alliance, increasing public and political awareness of
environmental concerns and resultant environmental regulations are long-term
phenomena that are driven by an emerging global consensus that environmental
protection is a vital and increasingly immediate priority. Alliance believes
that Eligible Companies based in the United States and other economically
developed countries will have increasing opportunities for earnings growth
resulting not only from an increased demand for their existing products or
services but also from innovative responses to changing regulations and
priorities and enforcement policies. Such opportunities will arise, in the
opinion of Alliance, not only within developed countries but also within many
economically developing countries, such as those of Eastern Europe and the
Pacific Rim. These countries lag well behind developed countries in the
conservation and efficient use of natural resources and in their implementation
of policies that protect the environment.
Alliance believes that global investing offers opportunities for superior
investment returns. The Fund spreads investment risk among the capital markets
of a number of countries and invests in equity securities of companies based in
at least three, and normally considerably more, such countries. The percentage
of the Fund's assets invested in securities of companies in a particular country
or denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with Alliance's
assessment of the appreciation potential of such securities and the strength of
that currency.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in warrants to purchase equity
securities;
o invest in depositary receipts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o enter into forward foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes;
o invest in currency futures and options on such futures for hedging
purposes; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in specific types of companies
that provide environmental services will be more volatile and may differ
substantially from the overall U.S. market. The Fund's investments also have the
risk that government regulations or other action could negatively affect the
business of environmental companies.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the Funds' investment practices and associated risks.
Unless otherwise noted, a Fund's use of any of these practices was specified in
the previous section.
Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities (unrelated to first mortgage
loans) represent fractional interests in pools of leases, retail installment
loans, revolving credit receivables, and other payment obligations, both secured
and unsecured. These assets are generally held by a trust and payments of
principal and interest or interest only are passed through monthly or quarterly
to certificate holders and may be guaranteed up to certain amounts by letters of
credit issued by a financial institution affiliated or unaffiliated with the
trustee or originator of the trust.
Like mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities, underlying automobile
sales contracts or credit card receivables are subject to prepayment, which may
reduce the overall return to certificate holders. Certificate holders may also
experience delays in payment on the certificates if the full amounts due on
underlying sales contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust because
of unanticipated legal or administrative costs of enforcing the contracts or
because of depreciation or damage to the collateral (usually automobiles)
securing certain contracts, or other factors.
Convertible Securities. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the
same general characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which generally
provide a stable stream of income with yields that are generally higher than
those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a
convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of the
underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to make the
convertible security less volatile than the underlying equity security. As with
debt securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decrease as
interest rates rise and increase as interest rates decline. While convertible
securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they offer investors the
potential to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying
common stock. Convertible debt securities that are rated Baa or lower by
Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch and comparable unrated
securities as determined by Alliance may share some or all of the risks of
non-convertible debt securities with those ratings.
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Currency Swaps. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by a
Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A
currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a
substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other
designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is
subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its
contractual delivery obligations. A Fund will not enter into any currency swap
unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying
ability of the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least
one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the
transaction. If there is a default by the counterparty to the transaction, the
Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements.
Depositary Receipts and Securities of Supranational Entities. Depositary
receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers
of the stock of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose
material information in the United States and, therefore, there may not be a
correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary
receipts. ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by an U.S. bank or trust
company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
corporation. GDRs and other types of depositary receipts are typically issued by
foreign banks or trust companies and evidence ownership of underlying securities
issued by either a foreign or an U.S. company. Generally, depositary receipts in
registered form are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and
depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in foreign securities
markets. For purposes of determining the country of issuance, investments in
depositary receipts of either type are deemed to be investments in the
underlying securities, except with respect to Alliance Growth Fund, where
investments in ADRs are deemed to be investments in securities issued by U.S.
issuers and those in GDRs and other types of depositary receipts are deemed to
be investments in the underlying securities.
A supranational entity is an entity designated or supported by the national
government of one or more countries to promote economic reconstruction or
development. Examples of supranational entities include, among others, the World
Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the European
Investment Bank. A European Currency Unit is a basket of specified amounts of
the currencies of the member states of the European Economic Community.
"Semi-governmental securities" are securities issued by entities owned by either
a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of one of such
government jurisdictions that are not backed by its full faith and credit and
general taxing powers.
Equity-Linked Debt Securities. Equity-linked debt securities are securities on
which the issuer is obligated to pay interest and/or principal that is linked to
the to the performance of a specified index of equity securities. The interest
or principal payments may be significantly greater or less than payment
obligations for other types of debt securities. Adverse changes in equity
securities indices and other adverse changes in the securities markets may
reduce payments made under, and/or the principal of, equity-linked debt
securities held by a Fund. As with any debt securities, the values of
equity-linked debt securities will generally vary inversely with changes in
interest rates. A Fund's ability to dispose of equity-linked debt securities
will depend on the availability of liquid markets for such securities.
Investment in equity-linked debt securities may be considered to be speculative.
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 a Fund may negotiate settlements beyond two months.
Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to market
fluctuations and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the
settlement date.
The use of forward commitments enables a Fund to protect against anticipated
changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising
interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might sell securities in its
portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices.
In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund might sell a
security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar security on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of currently
higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast incorrectly the
direction of interest rate movements, a Fund might be required to complete such
when-issued or forward transactions at prices inferior to the then current
market values. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior
to the settlement date, but a 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 a Fund chooses 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 incur a gain or
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 made by Alliance Utility Income
Fund, Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier Growth Fund,
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund or Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund 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
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commitment transaction were to default, a Fund might lose the opportunity to
invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of securities at favorable prices.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. A 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.
A 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"). A Fund will 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 a Fund believes that a
foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it
may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of that foreign
currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities denominated in such foreign currency, or when the Fund believes that
the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it
may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that foreign currency for a
fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). A 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, a 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 had not entered into such 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 such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the
opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover,
it may not be possible for a 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 devaluation level it anticipates. Alliance New Europe Fund,
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund and Alliance International Fund will not enter
into a forward contract with a term of more than one year or if, as a result,
more than 50% of its total assets would be committed to such contracts. Alliance
New Europe Fund's, Alliance Global Small Cap Fund's and Alliance International
Fund's investments in forward contracts will be limited to hedging involving
either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Alliance Growth Fund also
may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot basis.
Illiquid Securities. The Funds will limit their investments in illiquid
securities to no more than 15% of their net assets, except that the limit is 10%
for Alliance Technology Fund, Alliance Quasar Fund, Alliance New Europe Fund,
and Alliance Global Small Cap Fund and 5% for The Alliance Fund and Alliance
Growth Fund. 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 and most privately negotiated investments in state enterprises that have
not yet conducted an initial equity offering, (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, a Fund may
not be able to realize their full value upon sale. Alliance will monitor the
liquidity of a Fund's investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities
will not be treated as "illiquid" for purposes of this limit on investments.
A Fund that invests in securities for which there is no ready market may not be
able to readily sell such securities. Such securities are unlike securities that
are traded in the open market and can be expected to be sold immediately if the
market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower or higher
than Alliance's most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally, less public
information is available about the issuers of such securities than about
companies whose securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that these
securities are foreign securities, there is no law in many of the countries in
which a 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. However, there may be contractual
restrictions on resales of non-publicly traded foreign securities.
Interest Rate Transactions (Swaps, Caps, and Floors). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate transactions expects to do so primarily to preserve a return
or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect
against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing
at a later date. The Funds do not intend to use these transactions in a
speculative manner.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating
rate payments for fixed rate payments). Interest rate swaps are entered on a net
basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving
or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). With
respect to Alliance Utility Income Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, the exchange commitments can involve payments
in the same currency or in different currencies. The purchase of an interest
rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a
predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a
contractually-based principal amount from the party selling such interest rate
cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the
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extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payments of interest on an agreed principal amount from the party
selling the interest rate floor.
A Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors on either an
asset-based or liability-based basis, depending upon whether it is hedging its
assets or liabilities. A Fund will not enter into an interest rate swap, cap, or
floor transaction unless the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability
of the other party is rated in the highest rating category of at least one
nationally recognized rating organization. Alliance will monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties on an ongoing basis. The swap market has
grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and investment
banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized
swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid.
Caps and floors are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation
has not yet been developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.
The use of interest rate transactions is a highly specialized activity that
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If Alliance were to incorrectly
forecast market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the
investment performance of a Fund would be adversely affected by the use of these
investment techniques. Moreover, even if Alliance is correct in its forecasts,
there is a risk that the transaction position may correlate imperfectly with the
price of the asset or liability being hedged. There is no limit on the amount of
interest rate transactions that may be entered into by a Fund that is permitted
to enter into such transactions. These transactions do not involve the delivery
of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of
loss with respect to interest rate transactions is limited to the net amount of
interest payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the
counterparty to an interest rate transaction defaults, a Fund's risk of loss
consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund contractually is
entitled to receive.
Loans and Other Direct Debt Instruments. Loans and other direct debt instruments
are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other borrower to
another party. They may represent amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates
(loans and loan participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims
or other receivables), or to other creditors. Direct debt instruments involve
the risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the borrower and may offer
less legal protection to a Fund in the event of fraud or misrepresentation than
debt securities. In addition, loan participations involve a risk of insolvency
of the lending bank or other financial intermediary. Direct debt instruments may
also include standby financing commitments that obligate a Fund to supply
additional cash to the borrower on demand. Loans and other direct debt
instruments are generally illiquid and may be transferred only through
individually negotiated private transactions.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon
the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest.
Direct debt instruments may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating
service. Failure to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on these
types of investments could adversely affect a Fund's net asset value and yield.
Loans that are fully secured offer a Fund more protection than unsecured loans
in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there
is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would
satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated.
Making loans to borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor may involve substantial
risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their
indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Direct
indebtedness of government issuers will also involve a risk that the
governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the debt may be unable,
or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial institution's
interests with respect to a loan may involve additional risks to a Fund. For
example, if a loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any
collateral and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and
disposing of the collateral. Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of
insolvency of the lending bank or other intermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that acts
as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as
specified on the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other
indebtedness, a Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, it may have to
rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If
assets held by the agent for the benefit of a Fund were determined to be subject
to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the Fund might incur certain
costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan or loan participation and
could suffer a loss of principal or interest.
Direct indebtedness purchased by a Fund may include letters of credit, revolving
credit facilities, or other standby financing commitments obligating a Fund to
pay additional cash on demand. These commitments may have the effect of
requiring a Fund to increase its investment in a borrower at a time when it
would not otherwise have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it
unlikely that the amount will ever be repaid.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with
other extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts
and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While
securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any
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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.
Each Fund will have the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities
or equivalent securities in order to exercise ownership rights such as voting
rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest, or
distributions. A Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative, and
custodial fees in connection with a loan.
Mortgage-Backed Securities and Associated Risks. Interest and principal payments
(including prepayments) on the mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities
are passed through to the holders of the securities. As a result of the
pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying securities,
mortgage-backed securities are often subject to more rapid prepayment of
principal than their stated maturity would indicate. Prepayments occur when the
mortgagor on a mortgage prepays the remaining principal before the mortgage's
scheduled maturity date. Because the prepayment characteristics of the
underlying mortgages vary, it is impossible to predict accurately the realized
yield or average life of a particular issue of pass-through certificates.
Prepayments are important because of their effect on the yield and price of the
mortgage-backed securities. During periods of declining interest rates,
prepayments can be expected to accelerate and a Fund that invests in these
securities would be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest
rates then available. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a
reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturity of the securities,
subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to
rising interest rates. In addition, prepayments of mortgages underlying
securities purchased at a premium could result in capital losses.
Mortgage-Backed Securities include mortgage pass-through certificates and
multiple-class pass-through securities, such as REMIC pass-through certificates,
CMOs and stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"), and other types of
Mortgage-Backed Securities that may be available in the future.
Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Alliance Real Estate Investment
Fund may invest in guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities which represent
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans and are issued by
U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Government or
one of its agencies or instrumentalities, including but not limited to the
Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), the Federal National
Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("Freddie Mac"). Ginnie Mae certificates are guaranteed by the full
faith and credit of the United States Government for timely payment of principal
and interest on the certificates. Fannie Mae certificates are guaranteed by
Fannie Mae, a federally chartered and privately-owned corporation, for full and
timely payment of principal and interest on the certificates. Freddie Mac
certificates are guaranteed by Freddie Mac, a corporate instrumentality of the
United States Government, for timely payment of interest and the ultimate
collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans.
Multiple-Class Pass-Through Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations.
Mortgage-Backed Securities also include CMOs and REMIC pass-through or
participation certificates that may be issued by, among others, U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities as well as private lenders. CMOs and REMIC
certificates are issued in multiple classes and the principal of and interest on
the mortgage assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC
certificates in various ways. Each class of CMOs or REMIC certificates, often
referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest
rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date.
Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC
certificates on a monthly basis. Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund will not
invest in the lowest tranche of CMOs and REMIC certificates.
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by Ginnie Mae or Freddie Mac certificates but
also may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or
private mortgage pass-through securities. Debt service on CMOs is provided from
payments of principal and interest on collateral of mortgaged assets and any
reinvestment income.
A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Code and
invests in certain mortgages primarily secured by interests in real property and
other permitted investments. Investors may purchase "regular" and "residual"
interest shares of beneficial interest in REMIC trusts, although Alliance Real
Estate Investment Fund does not intend to invest in residual interests.
Options on Securities. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment
of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive from (in
the case of a call) the writer a specified amount of a security on or before a
fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by a Fund is
"covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of another
security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security with an
exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has written. A
put option written by a Fund is covered if the Fund holds a put option on the
underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of
the put option it has written.
A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if a Fund does not own the
underlying security, and is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in
value in another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. A
Fund would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a
covered call option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge
transaction would exceed that which would be received from writing a covered
call option, while at the same time achieving the desired hedge.
In purchasing an option, a Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if,
during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in the
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case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess of
the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the
premium paid for the option.
If an option written by a Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to
purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying
security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that,
if the option were exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased or
sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing transaction
(i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could reduce these
risks. A Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or call option
whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of covered call options
could result in increases in a Fund's portfolio turnover rate, especially during
periods when market prices of the underlying securities appreciate.
Alliance Technology Fund and Alliance Global Small Cap Fund will not write a
call option if the premium to be received by the Fund would not produce an
annualized return of at least 15% of the then current market value of the
securities subject to the option (without giving effect to commissions, stock
transfer taxes and other expenses that are deducted from premium receipts.
Options purchased or written by a Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid
and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an
advantageous time.
Options on Securities Indices. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery
of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the
holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if
the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or
less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.
Options on Foreign Currencies. As in the case of other kinds of options, the
writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up
to the amount of the premium received, and a Fund could be required to purchase
or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates and incur losses.
The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an effective
hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate
movements adverse to a Fund's position, it may forfeit the entire amount of the
premium plus related transaction costs. For Fund's that may invest in options on
foreign currencies, see the Fund's SAI for further discussion of the use, risks,
and costs of options on foreign currencies.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A "sale" of a futures
contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the
securities or foreign currencies or other commodity called for by the contract
at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract
means the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities, foreign
currencies or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on
a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take
or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a
specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of
the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was
originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index
is made.
A Fund may purchase options on futures contracts written or purchased by a Fund
that are traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. These
investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future
changes in market conditions and interest or exchange rates which otherwise
might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or
adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at
a later date.
No Fund will enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if
immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding futures contracts of
the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options
written by the Fund would exceed 50% of its total assets, or in the case of
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund 100% of its total assets. Alliance
Premier Growth Fund and Alliance Growth and Income Fund may not purchase or sell
a stock index future if immediately thereafter more than 30% of its total assets
would be hedged by stock index futures. Alliance Premier Growth Fund and
Alliance Growth and Income Fund may not purchase or sell a stock index future
if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of margin deposits on the
Fund's existing futures positions would exceed 5% of the market value of the
Fund's total assets.
Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit a 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, a 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, a Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling
the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness of the
vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements.
Rights and Warrants. A Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if Alliance
deems the underlying equity securities themselves appropriate for inclusion in
the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity
securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights are
similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration.
Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types
of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any
rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant
does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security,
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although the value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in
the value of the underlying security, the passage of time or a change in
perception as to the potential of the underlying security, or any combination
of these factors. If the market price of the underlying security is below the
exercise price of the warrant on the expiration date, the warrant will expire
worthless. Moreover, a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not
exercised prior to the expiration date.
Short Sales. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does not
own, or, if the Fund does own such security, it is not to be delivered upon
consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent that a
Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical to
those sold short without payment. Alliance Utility Income Fund, Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund, each may make short sales of securities or maintain
short positions only for the purpose of deferring realization of gain or loss
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, provided that at all times when a short
position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of securities of the same issue
as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. In addition, each of
those Funds may not make a short sale if as a result more than 10% of the Fund's
net assets would be held as collateral for short sales, except that Alliance
Real Estate Investment Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund may not make a short sale if as a result more than 25%
of the Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales. If the
price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale
and the time a Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss;
conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain.
Standby Commitment Agreements. Standby commitment agreements commit a Fund, for
a stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of a security that may be
issued and sold to the Fund at the option of the issuer. The price and coupon of
the security are fixed at the time of the commitment. At the time of entering
into the agreement, the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of whether the
security ultimately is issued, typically equal to approximately 0.5% of the
aggregate purchase price of the security the Fund has committed to purchase. A
Fund will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of investing in the
security underlying the commitment at a yield and price considered advantageous
to the Fund and unavailable on a firm commitment basis. Investments in standby
commitments will be limited so that the aggregate purchase price of the
securities subject to the commitments will not exceed 25% with respect to
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund and Alliance New Europe Fund 50% with
respect to Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund and 20% with respect to Alliance Utility Income Fund, of the Fund's assets
at the time of making the commitment.
There is no guarantee that a security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued and the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date may be
more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, a Fund will bear the
risk of capital loss in the event the value of the security declines and may not
benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment
period if the issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to the Fund.
Zero-Coupon and Payment-in-Kind Bonds. Zero-coupon bonds are issued at a
significant discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest
periodically. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer to make current interest
payments on the bonds in additional bonds. Because zero-coupon bonds and
payment-in-kind bonds do not pay current interest in cash, their value is
generally subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market
interest rates than bonds that pay interest in cash currently. Both zero-coupon
and payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to generate cash to
meet current interest payments. These bonds may involve greater credit risks
than bonds paying interest currently. Although these bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, a Fund is nonetheless required to accrue interest income on
such investments and to distribute such amounts at least annually to
shareholders. Thus, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate other
investments in order to satisfy its dividend requirements.
Future Developments. A 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, interest rates, or currency exchange rate
movements correctly. Should interest rates, prices or exchange rates move
unexpectedly, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the
transactions or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such
strategies had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, there are no daily price fluctuation limits for
certain options and forward contracts, and adverse market movements could
therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition,
the correlation between movements in the prices of futures contracts, options
and forward contracts and movements in the prices of the securities
and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce
unanticipated losses.
A Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures contracts, options, and
forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such
instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types of
securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing, and there is
no public market for forward contracts. It is impossible to
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predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in various types of
futures contracts, options, and forward contracts. If a secondary market does
not exist for an option purchased or written by a Fund, it might not be
possible to effect a closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the
option), with the result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to
be exercised in order for the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may
not be able to sell currencies or portfolio securities covering an option
written by the Fund until the option expires or it delivers the underlying
security, futures contract or currency upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance
can be given that the Funds will be able to utilize these instruments
effectively. In addition, a Fund's ability to engage in options and futures
transactions may be limited by tax considerations and the use of certain
hedging techniques may adversely impact the characterization of income to a
Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for each Fund is included in the
Financial Highlights section. The Funds are actively managed and, in some cases
in response to market conditions, a 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, each Fund may
reduce its position in equity securities and invest in, without limit, certain
types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high quality (depending on the Fund)
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. For Funds
that may invest in foreign countries, such securities also may include
short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type mentioned above
issued by foreign governmental entities, companies, and supranational
organizations. While the Funds are investing for temporary defensive purposes,
they may not meet their investment objectives.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Investment in certain of the Funds involves the special risk considerations
described below. Certain of these risks may be heightened when investing in
emerging markets.
Currency Considerations. Substantially all of the assets of Alliance New Europe
Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, and a substantial portion of the assets of
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund and Alliance Global Environment Fund are invested
in securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Funds receive a
corresponding portion of their revenues in foreign currencies. Therefore, the
dollar equivalent of their net assets, distributions, and income will be
adversely affected by reductions in the value of certain foreign currencies
relative to the U.S. Dollar. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a
Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of
the income and the making of Fund distributions, the Fund may be required to
liquidate securities in order to make distributions if it has insufficient cash
in U.S. Dollars to meet distribution requirements that the Fund must satisfy to
qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time a Fund incurs expenses
in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the amount of the currency
required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to pay expenses in U.S.
Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such expenses in the
currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these risks, a Fund may
engage in currency hedging transactions, as described above, which involve
certain special risks.
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, a 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 settlements
may in some instances be subject to delays and related 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 that 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 a Fund. In addition, the
repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of
securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in
some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority. If
a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
A Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any
required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application
of other restrictions on
investment. Investing in local markets may require a Fund to adopt special
procedures that may involve additional costs to a Fund. These factors may affect
the liquidity of a Fund's investments in any country and Alliance will monitor
the effect of any such factor or factors on a 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.
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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, a 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.
Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund may invest substantial amounts of their assets in
United Kingdom issuers, Japanese issuers, and/or Greater China issuers.
Please refer to Appendix A for a discussion of risks associated
with investments in these countries.
Investment in Privatized Enterprises by Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund.
In certain jurisdictions, the ability of foreign entities, such as the Fund, to
participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the price or terms
on which the Fund may be able to participate may be less advantageous than for
local investors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that governments that have
embarked on privatization programs will continue to divest their ownership of
state enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful or that
governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been privatized.
Furthermore, in the case of certain of the enterprises in which the Fund may
invest, large blocks of the stock of those enterprises may be held by a small
group of stockholders, even after the initial equity offerings by those
enterprises. The sale of some portion or all of those blocks could have an
adverse effect on the price of the stock of any such enterprise.
Most state enterprises or former state enterprises go through an internal
reorganization of management prior to conducting an initial equity offering in
an attempt to better enable these enterprises to compete in the private sector.
However, certain reorganizations could result in a management team that does not
function as well as the enterprise's prior management and may have a negative
effect on such enterprise. After making an initial equity offering, enterprises
that may have enjoyed preferential treatment from the respective state or
government that owned or controlled them may no longer receive such preferential
treatment and may become subject to market competition from which they were
previously protected. Some of these enterprises may not be able to effectively
operate in a competitive market and may suffer losses or experience bankruptcy
due to such competition. In addition, the privatization of an enterprise by its
government may occur over a number of years, with the government continuing to
hold a controlling position in the enterprise even after the initial equity
offering for the enterprise.
Investment in Smaller, Emerging Companies. The Funds may invest in smaller,
emerging companies. Alliance New Europe Fund and Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
will emphasize investment in, and Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Alliance
Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance Global Environment Fund may emphasize
investment in, smaller, emerging companies. Investment in such companies
involves greater risks than is customarily associated with securities of more
established companies. Companies in the earlier stages of their development
often have products and management personnel which have not been thoroughly
tested by time or the marketplace; their financial resources may not be as
substantial as those of more established companies. The securities of smaller
companies may have relatively limited marketability and may be subject to more
abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger companies or broad
market indices. The revenue flow of such companies may be erratic and their
results of operations may fluctuate widely and may also contribute to stock
price volatility.
Extreme Governmental Action; Less Protective Laws. In contrast to investing in
the U.S., foreign investment may involve in certain situations greater risk of
nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or
other extreme governmental action which could adversely impact a Fund's
investments. In the event of certain such actions, a Fund could lose its entire
investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in various foreign
countries, including in certain respects each of the Greater China countries,
governing, among other subjects, business organization and practices, securities
and securities trading, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to
investors such as the Fund than provided under United States laws.
Investments in Environmental Companies by Alliance Global Environment Fund.
Governmental regulations or other action can inhibit an Environmental Company's
performance, and it
may take years to translate environmental legislation into sales and profits.
Environmental Companies generally face competition in fields often characterized
by relatively short product cycles and competitive pricing policies. Losses may
result from large product development or expansion costs, unprotected marketing
or distribution systems, erratic revenue flows and low profit margins.
Additional risks that Environmental Companies may face include difficulty in
financing the high cost of technological development, uncertainties due to
changing
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governmental regulation or rapid technological advances, potential
liabilities associated with hazardous components and operations, and difficulty
in finding experienced employees.
The Real Estate Industry. Although Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund does not
invest directly in real estate, it invests primarily in Real Estate Equity
Securities and has a policy of concentration of its investments in the real
estate industry. Therefore, an investment in the Fund is subject to certain
risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real
estate industry in general. These risks include, among others: possible declines
in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic
conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds; overbuilding;
extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition, property taxes and
operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; costs resulting from the clean-up
of, and liability to third parties for damages resulting from, environmental
problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured damages from floods,
earthquakes or other natural disasters; limitations on and variations in rents;
and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying the Fund's
investments are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain
other respects, the Fund may be subject to certain of the foregoing risks to a
greater extent.
In addition, if Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund receives rental income or
income from the disposition of real property acquired as a result of a default
on securities the Fund owns, the receipt of such income may adversely affect the
Fund's ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company.
Investments by the Fund in securities of companies providing mortgage servicing
will be subject to the risks associated with refinancings and their impact on
servicing rights.
REITs. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those
risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity
REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned
by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit
extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, are
subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and
self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to
qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to
maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks. When
interest rates decline, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to
decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are
reset periodically, yields on a REIT's investments in such loans will gradually
align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value
of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate
fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in
small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may
trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt
or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small
capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the
larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. Investing in Mortgage-Backed Securities involves
certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investment in
the real estate industry in general. These risks include the failure of a
counterparty to meet its commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the
effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. When interest rates decline, the
value of an investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise.
Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of an investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on
adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on investments in
such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest
rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in
response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate
obligations.
Further, the yield characteristics of Mortgage-Backed Securities, such as those
in which Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund may invest, differ from those of
traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences typically include
more frequent interest and principal payments (usually monthly), the
adjustability of interest rates, and the possibility that prepayments of
principal may be made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.
Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a
variety of economic, geographic, social, and other factors, and cannot be
predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage loans and fixed rate
mortgage loans may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a
declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal
prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. Early payment associated
with Mortgage-Backed Securities causes these securities to experience
significantly greater price and yield volatility than that experienced by
traditional fixed-income securities. Under certain interest rate and prepayment
rate scenarios, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in
Mortgage-Backed Securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect governmental
or agency guarantee. When the Fund reinvests amounts representing payments and
unscheduled prepayments of principal, it may receive a rate of interest that is
lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate mortgage pass-through
securities. Thus, Mortgage-Backed Securities, and adjustable rate mortgage
pass-through securities in particular, may be less effective than other types of
U.S. Government securities as a means of "locking in" interest rates.
U.S. and Foreign Taxes. A Fund's investment in foreign securities may be subject
to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments. Foreign taxes
paid by a Fund may
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<PAGE>
be creditable or deductible by U.S. shareholders for U.S. income tax purposes.
No assurance can be given that applicable tax laws and interpretations will not
change in the future. Moreover, non-U.S. investors may not be able to credit or
deduct such foreign taxes.
Fixed-Income Securities. The value of each Fund's shares will fluctuate with the
value of its investments. The value of each Fund's investments in fixed-income
securities will change as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During
periods of falling interest rates, the values of fixed-income securities
generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values
of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Under normal market conditions, the average dollar-weighted maturity of a Fund's
portfolio of debt or other fixed-income securities is expected to vary between
five and 30 years in the case of Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, between five
and 25 years in the case of Alliance Utility Income Fund, and between one year
or less and 30 years in the case of all other Funds that invest in such
securities. In periods of increasing interest rates, each of the Funds may, to
the extent it holds mortgage-backed securities, be subject to the risk that the
average dollar-weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of debt or other
fixed-income securities may be extended as a result of lower than anticipated
prepayment rates.
Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities. Lower-rated securities, i.e.,
those rated Ba and lower by Moody's or BB and lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or
Fitch, are subject to greater credit risk or loss of principal and interest than
higher-rated securities. They also are generally considered to be subject to
greater market risk than higher-rated securities. The capacity of issuers of
lower-rated securities to pay interest and repay principal is more likely to
weaken than is that of issuers of higher-rated securities in times of
deteriorating economic conditions or rising interest rates. In addition,
lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic conditions than investment grade securities.
The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and less active than that
for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which
these securities can be sold. To the extent that there is no established
secondary market for lower-rated securities, a Fund may experience difficulty in
valuing the securities for the purpose of computing a Fund's net asset value. In
addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions about lower-rated
securities, whether or not factual, may tend to impair their market value and
liquidity.
Alliance will try to reduce the risk inherent in investment in lower-rated
securities through credit analysis, diversification and attention to current
developments and trends in interest rates and economic and political conditions.
However, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur. Since the risk of
default is higher for lower-rated securities, Alliance's research and credit
analysis are a correspondingly more important aspect of its program for managing
a Fund's securities than would be the case if a Fund did not invest in
lower-rated securities.
In seeking to achieve a Fund's investment objective, there will be times, such
as during periods of rising interest rates, when depreciation and realization of
capital losses on securities in a Fund's portfolio will be unavoidable.
Moreover, medium- and lower-rated securities and non-rated securities of
comparable quality may be subject to wider fluctuations in yield and market
values than higher-rated securities under certain market conditions. Such
fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the cash income received
from that security but are reflected in the net asset value of a Fund.
Certain lower-rated securities may contain call or buy-back features that permit
the issuers thereof to call or repurchase such securities. Such securities may
present risks based on prepayment expectations. If an issuer exercises such a
provision, a Fund may have to replace the called security with a lower-yielding
security, resulting in a decreased rate of return to the Fund.
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. This is commonly
known as the Year 2000 problem. Should any of the computer systems employed by
the Funds' major service providers fail to process Year 2000 related information
properly, that could have a significant negative impact on the Funds' operations
and the services that are provided to the Funds' shareholders. In addition, to
the extent that the operations of issuers of securities held by the Funds are
impaired by the Year 2000 problem, or prices of securities held by the Funds
decline as a result of real or perceived problems relating to the Year 2000, the
value of the Funds' shares may be materially affected.
With respect to the Year 2000, the Funds have been advised that Alliance, each
Fund's investment adviser, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc, ("AFD"), each Fund's
principal underwriter, and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), each Fund's
registrar, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (collectively,
"Alliance") began to address the Year 2000 issue several years ago in connection
with the replacement or upgrading of certain computer systems and applications.
During 1997, Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative, which established a
structured and coordinated process to deal with the Year 2000 issue. Alliance
reports that it has completed its assessment of the Year 2000 issues on its
domestic and international computer systems and applications. Currently,
management of Alliance expects that the required modifications for the majority
of its significant systems and applications that will be in use on
January 1, 2000, will be completed and tested in early 1999. Full integration
testing of these systems and testing of interfaces with third-party suppliers
will continue through 1999. At this time, management of Alliance believes that
the costs associated with resolving this issue will not have a material adverse
effect on its operations or on its ability to provide the level of services it
currently provides to the Funds.
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The Funds and Alliance have been advised by the Funds' Custodians that they are
also in the process of reviewing their systems with the same goals. As of the
date of this prospectus, the Funds and Alliance have no reason to believe that
the Custodians will be unable to achieve these goals.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management, L.P., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, NY 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment
adviser supervising client accounts with assets as of December 31, 1998 totaling
more than $ 286 billion (of which approximately $118 billion represented assets
of investment companies). Alliance's clients are primarily major corporate
employee benefit plans, public employee retirement systems, investment
companies, foundations, and endowment funds. The 54 registered investment
companies, with more than 118 separate portfolios, managed by Alliance currently
have over 3.5 million shareholder accounts. As of December 31, 1998, Alliance
was retained as investment manager for over 35 of the FORTUNE 100 Companies.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Funds. For these advisory services, the Funds paid Alliance as a
percentage of average daily net assets:
Fee as a percentage of Fiscal
Fund average daily net assets* Year Ending
- ---- ------------------------- -----------
Alliance Premier Growth
Fund 1.00% 11/30/98
Alliance Growth Fund .70 10/31/98
Alliance Technology Fund 1.02 11/30/98
Alliance Quasar Fund 1.04 9/30/98
The Alliance Fund .67 11/30/98
Alliance Growth and Income
Fund .48 10/31/98
Alliance Balanced Shares
Fund .625 7/31/98
Alliance Utility Income
Fund -0- 11/30/98
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund .90 8/31/98
Alliance New Europe
Fund 1.02 7/31/98
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund 1.00% 6/30/98
Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund -0- 11/30/98
Alliance Global Small
Cap Fund 1.00 7/31/98
Alliance International
Fund .85 6/30/98
Alliance Greater China
'97 Fund -0- 7/31/98
Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund .24 10/31/98
Alliance Global Environment
Fund 1.10 10/31/98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Fees are stated net of any waivers and/or reimbursements. See the "Fee
Table" at the beginning of the Prospectus for more information about fee
waivers.
In connection with providing advisory services to Alliance Greater China '97
Fund, Alliance has, at its expense, retained as a consultant New Alliance, a
joint venture company headquartered in Hong Kong, which was formed in 1997 by
Alliance and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited. New Alliance provides Alliance
with ongoing, current, and comprehensive information and analysis of conditions
and developments in Greater China countries.
In connection with investments in real estate securities, Alliance has, at its
expense, retained as a consultant CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"). CBRE is a
publicly held company and the largest real estate services company in the United
States, comprised of real estate brokerage, property and facilities management,
real estate finance, and investment advisory services.
Portfolio Manager
The following table lists the person or persons who are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of each Fund's portfolio, the length of time that
each person has been primarily responsible for the Fund, and each person's
principal occupation during the past five years.
Principal Occupation
During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Premier Alfred Harrison; since Associated with
Growth Fund inception--Vice Chairman Alliance
of Alliance Capital
Management Corporation
(ACMC)**
Alliance Growth Tyler Smith; since inception Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Technology Peter Anastos; since 1992 Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Gerald T. Malone; since 1992 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
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During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quasar Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 Associated with
Fund --Executive Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Principal Occupation
The Alliance Fund Alden M. Stewart; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance Growth and Paul Rissman; since 1994 Associated with
Income Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Balanced Paul Rissman; since 1997 (see above)
Shares --(see above)
Alliance Utility Paul Rissman; since 1996 (see above)
Income Fund --(see above)
Alliance Real Estate Daniel G. Pine; since 1996 Associated with
Investment Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1996;
of ACMC prior thereto; Senior
Vice President of Desai
Capital Management
David Kruth; since 1997 Associated with
--Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto; Senior
Vice President of
Yarmouth Group
Alliance New Steven Beinhacker; since 1997 Associated with
Europe Fund --Vice President of ACMC Alliance
Alliance Worldwide Mark H. Breedon; since Associated with
Privatization Fund inception Senior Vice Alliance
President of ACMC and
Director and Vice President
of Alliance Capital Limited***
Alliance International Alfred Harrison; since 1998 (see above)
Premier Growth --(see above)
Fund
Thomas Kamp; since 1998 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Global Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 (see above)
Small Cap Fund --(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 (see above)
--(see above)
Mark H. Breedon; since 1998 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance Nicholas D.P. Carn; Associated with
International Fund since 1998 Alliance since 1995;
--Senior Vice President prior thereto; Chief
of ACMC. Investment Officer of
Dracott Partners, Inc.
Alliance Greater Matthew W.S. Lee; since 1997 Associated with
China '97 Fund --Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto;
associated with National
Mutual Funds Management
(Asia) and James Capel
and Co. since prior to
1994
Alliance All-Asia Hiroshi Motoki; since 1998 Associated with
Investment Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1994;
of ACMC and director of prior thereto;
Japanese/Asian Equity associated with
research Ford Motor Company
Alliance Global Linda Bolton Weiser; Associated with
Environment Fund since 1998--Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Unless indicated otherwise, persons associated with Alliance have been
employed in a portfolio management, research or investment capacity.
** The sole general partner of Alliance.
*** An indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance.
Performance of Similarly Managed Portfolios. In addition to managing the assets
of Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Mr. Harrison has ultimate responsibility for
the management of discretionary tax-exempt accounts of institutional clients
managed as described below without significant client-imposed restrictions
("Historical Portfolios"). These accounts have substantially the same investment
objectives and policies and are managed in accordance with essentially the same
investment strategies and techniques as those for Alliance Premier Growth Fund,
except for the ability of Alliance Premier Growth Fund to use futures and
options as hedging tools and to invest in warrants. The Historical Portfolios
also are not subject to certain limitations, diversification requirements and
other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act and the Code to which Alliance
Premier Growth Fund, as a registered investment company, is subject and which,
if applicable to the Historical Portfolios, may have adversely affected the
performance results of the Historical Portfolios. See "Investment Objectives
and Policies."
Set forth below is performance data provided by Alliance relating to the
Historical Portfolios for each of the nineteen full calendar years during which
Mr. Harrison has managed the Historical Portfolios as an employee of Alliance
and cumulatively through December 31, 1998. As of December 31, 1998, the assets
in the Historical Portfolios totaled approximately $15.9 billion and the average
size of an institutional account in the Historical Portfolio was $529 million.
Each Historical Portfolio has a nearly identical composition of investment
holdings and related percentage weightings.
The performance data is net of all fees (including brokerage commissions)
charged to those accounts. The performance data is computed in accordance with
standards formulated by the Association of Investment Management and Research
and has not been adjusted to reflect any fees that will be payable by Alliance
Premier Growth Fund, which are higher than the fees imposed on the Historical
Portfolio and will result in a higher expense ratio and lower returns for
Alliance Premier Growth Fund. Expenses associated with the distribution of Class
A, Class B, and Class C shares of Alliance Premier Growth Fund in accordance
with the plan adopted by Alliance Premier Growth Fund's Board of Directors
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("distribution fees") are also
excluded. The performance data has also not been adjusted for corporate or
individual taxes, if any, payable by the account owners.
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<PAGE>
Alliance has calculated the investment performance of the Historical Portfolios
on a trade-date basis. Dividends have been accrued at the end of the month and
cash flows weighted daily. Composite investment performance for all portfolios
has been determined on an asset weighted basis. New accounts are included in the
composite investment performance computations at the beginning of the quarter
following the initial contribution. The total returns set forth below are
calculated using a method that links the monthly return amounts for the
disclosed periods, resulting in a time-weighted rate of return.
As reflected below, the Historical Portfolios have over time performed favorably
when compared with the performance of recognized performance indices. The S&P
500 Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of market activity based upon
the aggregate performance of a selected portfolio of publicly traded common
stocks, including monthly adjustments to reflect the reinvestment of dividends
and other distributions. The S&P 500 Index reflects the total return of
securities comprising the Index, including changes in market prices as well as
accrued investment income, which is presumed to be reinvested. The Russell 1000
universe of securities is compiled by Frank Russell Company and is segmented
into two style indices, based on the capitalization-weighted median
book-to-price ratio of each of the securities. At each reconstitution, the
Russell 1000 constituents are ranked by their book-to-price ratio. Once so
ranked, the breakpoint for the two styles is determined by the median market
capitalization of the Russell 1000. Thus, those securities falling within the
top fifty percent of the cumulative market capitalization (as ranked by
descending book-to-price) become members of the Russell Price-Driven Indices.
The Russell 1000 Growth Index is, accordingly, designed to include those Russell
1000 securities with a greater-than-average growth orientation. In contrast with
the securities in the Russell Price-Driven Indices, companies in the Growth
Index tend to exhibit higher price-to-book and price-earnings ratios, lower
dividend yield and higher forecasted growth values.
To the extent Alliance Premier Growth Fund does not invest in U.S. common stocks
or utilizes investment techniques such as futures or options, the S&P 500 Index
and Russell 1000 Growth Index may not be substantially comparable to Alliance
Premier Growth Fund. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index are
included to illustrate material economic and market factors that existed during
the time period shown. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index do not
reflect the deduction of any fees. If Alliance Premier Growth Fund were to
purchase a portfolio of securities substantially identical to the securities
comprising the S&P 500 Index or the Russell 1000 Growth Index, Alliance Premier
Growth Fund's performance relative to the index would be reduced by Alliance
Premier Growth Fund's expenses, including brokerage commissions, advisory fees,
distribution fees, custodial fees, transfer agency costs and other
administrative expenses, as well as by the impact on Alliance Premier Growth
Fund's shareholders of sales charges and income taxes.
The Lipper Growth Fund Index is prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
represents a composite index of the investment performance for the 30 largest
growth mutual funds. The composite investment performance of the Lipper Growth
Fund Index reflects investment management and administrative fees and other
operating expenses paid by these mutual funds and reinvested income dividends
and capital gain distributions, but excludes the impact of any income taxes and
sales charges.
The following performance data is provided solely to illustrate Mr. Harrison's
performance in managing the Historical Portfolios and the Alliance Premier
Growth Fund as measured against certain broad based market indices and against
the composite performance of other open-end growth mutual funds. Investors
should not rely on the following performance data of the Historical Portfolios
as an indication of future performance of Alliance Premier Growth Fund. The
composite investment performance for the periods presented may not be indicative
of future rates of return. Other methods of computing investment performance may
produce different results, and the results for different periods may vary.
Schedule of Composite Investment Performance--Historical Portfolios*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Russell Lipper
Premier Historical S&P 500 1000 Growth
Growth Portfolios Index Growth Index Fund Index
Fund Total Return** Total Return Total Return Total Return
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December:
1998*** ......... 42.97% 52.16% 28.60% 38.71% 25.69%
1997*** ......... 27.05 34.64 33.36 30.49 25.30
1996*** ......... 18.84 22.06 22.96 23.12 17.48
1995*** ......... 40.66 39.83 37.58 37.19 32.65
1994 ............ (9.78) (4.82) (1.32) 2.66 (1.57)
1993 ............ 5.35 10.54 10.08 2.90 11.98
1992 ............ -- 12.18 7.62 5.00 7.63
1991 ............ -- 38.91 30.47 41.16 35.20
1990 ............ -- (1.57) (3.10) (0.26) (5.00)
1989 ............ -- 38.80 31.69 35.92 28.60
1988 ............ -- 10.88 16.61 11.27 15.80
1987 ............ -- 8.49 5.25 5.31 1.00
1986 ............ -- 27.40 18.67 15.36 15.90
1985 ............ -- 37.41 31.73 32.85 30.30
1984 ............ -- (3.31) 6.27 (.95) (2.80)
1983 ............ -- 20.80 22.56 15.98 22.30
1982 ............ -- 28.02 21.55 20.46 20.20
1981 ............ -- (1.09) (4.92) (11.31) (8.40)
1980 ............ -- 50.73 32.50 39.57 37.30
1979 ............ -- 30.76 18.61 23.91 27.40
Cumulative total
return for
the period
January 1, 1979 to
December 31, 1998 -- 4708% 2525% 2373% 2003%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Total return is a measure of investment performance that is based upon the
change in value of an investment from the beginning to the end of a
specified period and assumes reinvestment of all dividends and other
distributions. The basis of preparation of this data is described in the
preceding discussion. Total returns for Alliance Premier Growth Fund are
for Class A shares, with imposition of the maximum 4.25% sales charge.
** Assumes imposition of the maximum advisory fee charged by Alliance for any
Historical Portfolio for the period involved.
*** During this period, the Historical Portfolios differed from Alliance
Premier Growth Fund in that Alliance Premier Growth Fund invested a
portion of its net assets in warrants on equity securities in which the
Historical Portfolios were unable, by their investment restrictions, to
purchase. In lieu of warrants, the Historical Portfolios acquired the
common stock upon which the warrants were based.
52
<PAGE>
The average annual total returns presented below are based upon the cumulative
total return as of December 31, 1998 and, for more than one year, assume a
steady compounded rate of return and are not year-by-year results, which
fluctuated over the periods as shown.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Russell Lipper
Premier Historical S&P 500 1000 Growth
Growth Portfolios Index Growth Index Fund Index
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year ........ 42.97% 52.16% 28.60% 38.71% 25.69%
Three years ..... 33.03 35.74 28.23 30.62 23.67
Five years ...... 26.65 27.19 24.05 25.70 19.82
Ten years ....... 24.38+ 22.86 19.19 20.57 17.21
Since January 1,
1979 ............ -- 21.37 17.75 17.40 16.45
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Since inception on 9/28/92
The Funds' SAIs have more detailed information about Alliance and other Fund
service providers.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The Funds' net asset value or NAV is calculated at 4 p.m. Eastern time each day
the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, a 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 Funds' value their 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 Funds'
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 accepted 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 next section of
this Prospectus, Distribution Arrangements, for details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase a Funds' shares through broker-dealers, banks, or other
financial intermediaries. You also may purchase shares directly from the Funds'
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.
A 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.
A Fund may refuse any order to purchase shares. In particular, the Funds reserve
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.
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 Funds 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 a Fund) on any day the
Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. Your
sales price will be the next-determined NAV, less any applicable CDSC, after the
Fund receives your sales request in proper form. Normally, proceeds will be sent
to you within 7 days. If you recently purchased your shares by check or
electronic funds transfer, your redemption payment may be delayed until the Fund
is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer has been
collected (which may take up to 15 days).
o Selling Shares Through Your Broker
Your broker must receive your sales request by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, and
submit it to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's
NAV, less any applicable CDSC. Your broker is responsible for submitting all
necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this service.
o Selling Shares Directly to the Fund
By Mail:
-- Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with
certificates, to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, N.J. 07906-1520
800-221-5672
-- For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock
exchange, or other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee
signatures. Stock power forms are available from your financial
intermediary, AFS, and many commercial banks. Additional
documentation is required for the sale of shares by corporations,
intermediaries,
53
<PAGE>
fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you have any questions
about these procedures, contact AFS.
By Telephone:
-- You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been
issued by telephone request. Call AFS at 800-221-5672 with
instructions on how you wish to receive your sale proceeds.
-- A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time for you to receive that day's NAV, less any applicable CDSC.
-- If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder
Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your
bank. Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you.
-- Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed
$100,000 per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed
$50,000 per day.
-- Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or
"street name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by
a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within
the previous 30 calendar days.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each Fund's income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared
by a 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 that
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 dividends and 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 that 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
that Fund.
The Funds expect that their 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 long-term capital gains distributions may be taxable to
you as long-term capital gains. A Fund's distributions also may be subject to
certain state and local taxes.
While it is the intention of each 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 a Fund will
pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. Since REITs pay distributions
based on cash flow, without regard to depreciation and amortization, it is
likely that a portion of the distributions paid to Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund and subsequently distributed to shareholders may be a nontaxable
return of capital. The final determination of the amount of a Fund's return of
capital distributions for the period will be made after the end of each calendar
year.
Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that
any Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, each 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 any Fund will be able to do so. Furthermore, a
shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction for foreign
taxes paid by a 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 a 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 a 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 a 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.
54
<PAGE>
Each year shortly after December 31, the Funds 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 Funds offer 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
As % of As % of Commission
Net Amount Offering to Dealer/
Invested Price Agent as
% of
Offering
Amount Purchased 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 a 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 a 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. A Fund
will thus receive the full amount of your purchase. Your investment, however,
will be subject to a CDSC if you redeem shares within 4 years of purchase. The
CDSC varies depending of the number of years you hold the shares. The CDSC
amounts are:
Years Since Purchase CDSC
First 4.0%
Second 3.0%
Third 2.0%
Fourth 1.0%
Fifth None
If you exchange your shares for the Class B shares of another Alliance Mutual
Fund, the CDSC also will apply to those Class B shares. The CDSC period begins
with the date of your original purchase, not the date of exchange for the other
Class B shares.
The Fund's Class B shares purchased for cash automatically convert to Class A
shares eight years after the end of the month of your purchase. If you purchase
shares by exchange for the Class B shares of another Alliance Mutual Fund, the
conversion period runs from the date of your original purchase.
CLASS C SHARES--ASSET-BASED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase shares at NAV without an initial sales charge. A 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. Each 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%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fee under the Rule 12b-1 Plan for the Class A shares of Alliance
Growth Fund and Alliance Premier Growth Fund is .50% of the aggregate
average daily net assets. The Directors of Alliance Growth Fund
currently limit the payments to .30%. The Directors of Alliance Premier
Growth Fund limit payments for Class A shares purchased after November
1993 to .30% of aggregate average daily net assets.
Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an on-going basis, over
time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more
than paying other types of sales fees. Class B and Class C shares are subject to
higher distribution fees than Class A shares (Class B shares are subject to
these higher fees for a period of eight years, after which they convert to Class
A shares). The higher fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class B and Class C
shares pay correspondingly lower dividends and may have a lower net asset value
than Class A shares.
Choosing a Class of Shares. The decision as to which class of shares is more
beneficial to you depends on the amount and intended length of your investment.
If you are making a large investment, thus qualifying for a reduced sales
charge, you might consider purchasing Class A shares. If you are making a
smaller investment, you might consider purchasing Class B shares because 100% of
your purchase is invested immediately. If you are unsure of the length of your
investment, you might consider Class C shares because there is no initial sales
charge and no CDSC as long as the shares are held for one year or more. Dealers
and agents may receive differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B, or
Class C shares. There is no size limit on purchases of Class A shares. The
maximum purchase of Class B shares is $250,000. The maximum purchase of Class C
shares is $1,000,000.
55
<PAGE>
You should consult your financial agent to assist in choosing a class of Fund
shares.
Application of the CDSC. The CDSC is applied to the lesser of the original cost
of shares being redeemed or NAV at the time of redemption (or, as to Fund shares
acquired through an exchange, the cost of the Alliance Mutual Fund shares
originally purchased for cash). Shares obtained from dividend or distribution
reinvestment are not subject to the CDSC. The Fund may waive the CDSC on
redemptions of shares following the death or disability of a shareholder, to
meet the requirements of certain qualified retirement plans, or under a monthly,
bimonthly, or quarterly systematic withdrawal plan. See the Fund's SAI for
further information about CDSC waivers.
Other. A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be
charged by your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary, or other financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of Class A, Class
B, or Class C shares made through your financial representative. The financial
intermediaries also may impose requirements on the purchase, sale, or exchange
of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed by a Fund,
including requirements as to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts.
In addition to the discount or commission paid to dealers or agents, AFD from
time to time pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents for
the sale of shares of the Funds. These additional amounts may be utilized, in
whole or in part, in some cases together with other revenues of such dealers or
agents, to provide additional compensation to registered representatives who
sell shares of the Funds. On some occasions, the cash or other incentives will
be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum dollar amount of the shares
of a Fund and/or other Alliance Mutual Funds during a specific period of time.
The 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 by persons associated with a
dealer or agent to urban or resort locations within or outside the U.S. The
dealer or agent may elect to receive cash incentives of equivalent amount in
lieu of such payments.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment
for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The
Funds reserve 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 Funds. In order to enable participants investing through Employee Benefit
Plans to purchase shares of the Funds, 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.
56
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund's
financial performance for the past 5 years (or, if shorter, the period of the
Fund's operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single
share of each Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an
investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent accountants for The
Alliance Fund, Alliance Growth Fund, Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Balanced Shares, Alliance Utility
Income Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, and Alliance Growth and
Income Fund, and by Ernst & Young LLP, the independent accountants for Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund, Alliance Technology Fund, Alliance Quasar Fund,
Alliance International Fund, Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance Global Small Cap
Fund, Alliance Global Environment Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, whose reports along with each Fund's
financial statements, are included in the SAI, which is available upon request.
57
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income from Investment Operations Less Dividends and Distributions
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net Gains
Net Asset or Losses on Dividends Distributions
Value, Securities Total from from Net in Excess of Distributions
Beginning Net Investment (both realized Investment Investment Net Investment from
Fiscal Year or Period of Period Income (Loss) and unrealized) Operations Income Income Capital Gains
--------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Premier
Growth Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 22.00 $ (.15)(b) $ 7.11 $ 6.96 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 17.98 (.10)(b) 5.20 5.10 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 16.09 (.04)(b) 3.20 3.16 0.00 0.00 (1.27)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 11.41 (.03) 5.38 5.35 0.00 0.00 (.67)
Year ended 11/30/94 ..... 11.78 (.09) (.28) (.37) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 21.26 $ (.30)(b) $ 6.83 $ 6.53 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 17.52 (.23)(b) 5.05 4.82 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 15.81 (.14)(b) 3.12 2.98 0.00 0.00 (1.27)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 11.29 (.11) 5.30 5.19 0.00 0.00 (.67)
Year ended 11/30/94 ..... 11.72 (.15) (.28) (.43) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 21.29 $ (.31)(b) $ 6.84 $ 6.53 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 17.54 (.24)(b) 5.07 4.83 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 15.82 (.14)(b) 3.13 2.99 0.00 0.00 (1.27)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 11.30 (.08) 5.27 5.19 0.00 0.00 (.67)
Year ended 11/30/94 ..... 11.72 (.09) (.33) (.42) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Growth Fund
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ 43.95 $ (.05)(b) $ 6.18 $ 6.13 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... 34.91 (.10)(b) 10.17 10.07 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... 29.48 .05 6.20 6.25 (.19) 0.00 (.63)
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... 25.08 .12 4.80 4.92 (.11) 0.00 (.41)
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** .... 23.89 .09 1.10 1.19 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 4/30/94 ...... 22.67 (.01)(c) 3.55 3.54 0.00 0.00 (2.32)
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ 36.31 $ (.31)(b) $ 5.06 $ 4.75 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... 29.21 (.31)(b) 8.44 8.13 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... 24.78 (.12) 5.18 5.06 0.00 0.00 (.63)
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... 21.21 (.02) 4.01 3.99 (.01) 0.00 (.41)
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** .... 20.27 .01 .93 .94 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 4/30/94 ...... 19.68 (.07)(c) 2.98 2.91 0.00 0.00 (2.32)
Class C
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ 36.33 $ (.31)(b) $ 5.06 $ 4.75 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... 29.22 (.31)(b) 8.45 8.14 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... 24.79 (.12) 5.18 5.06 0.00 0.00 (.63)
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... 21.22 (.03) 4.02 3.99 (.01) 0.00 (.41)
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** .... 20.28 .01 .93 .94 0.00 0.00 0.00
8/2/93++ to 4/30/94 ..... 21.47 (.02)(c) 1.15 1.13 0.00 0.00 (2.32)
Alliance Technology Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 54.44 $ (.68)(b) $ 15.42 $ 14.74 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 51.15 (.51)(b) 4.22 3.71 0.00 0.00 (.42)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 46.64 (.39)(b) 7.28 6.89 0.00 0.00 (2.38)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 31.98 (.30)(b) 18.13 17.83 0.00 0.00 (3.17)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 26.12 (.32) 6.18 5.86 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 52.58 $ (1.08)(b) $ 14.83 $ 13.75 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 49.76 (.88)(b) 4.12 3.24 0.00 0.00 (.42)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 45.76 (.70)(b) 7.08 6.38 0.00 0.00 (2.38)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 31.61 (.60)(b) 17.92 17.32 0.00 0.00 (3.17)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 25.98 (.23) 5.86 5.63 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 52.57 $ (1.08)(b) $ 14.83 $ 13.75 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 49.76 (.88)(b) 4.11 3.23 0.00 0.00 (.42)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 45.77 (.70)(b) 7.07 6.37 0.00 0.00 (2.38)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 31.61 (.58)(b) 17.91 17.33 0.00 0.00 (3.17)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 25.98 (.24) 5.87 5.63 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Quasar Fund
Class A
Year ended 9/30/98 ...... $ 30.37 $ (.17)(b) $ (6.70) $ (6.87) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.23)
Year ended 9/30/97 ...... 27.92 (.24)(b) 6.80 6.56 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
Year ended 9/30/96 ...... 24.16 (.25) 8.82 8.57 0.00 0.00 (4.81)
Year ended 9/30/95 ...... 22.65 (.22)(b) 5.59 5.37 0.00 0.00 (3.86)
Year ended 9/30/94 ...... 24.43 (.60) (.36) (.96) 0.00 0.00 (.82)
Class B
Year ended 9/30/98 ...... $ 27.83 $ (.36)(b) $ (6.07) $ (6.43) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.23)
Year ended 9/30/97 ...... 26.13 (.42)(b) (6.23) 5.81 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
Year ended 9/30/96 ...... 23.03 (.20) 8.11 7.91 0.00 0.00 (4.81)
Year ended 9/30/95 ...... 21.92 (.37)(b) 5.34 4.97 0.00 0.00 (3.86)
Year ended 9/30/94 ...... 23.88 (.53) (.61) (1.14) 0.00 0.00 (.82)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 66.
<CAPTION>
Less Distributions Ratios/Supplemental Data
------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Asset Ratio of Ratio of Net
Dividends Value, Net Assets, Expenses Income/Loss
and End of Total End of Period to Average to Average Portfolio
Fiscal Year or Period Distributions Period Return (a) (000's omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Turnover Rate
--------------------- ------------- --------- ---------- --------------- ---------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Premier
Growth Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (1.46) $ 27.50 33.94% $1,418,262 1.59%(f) (.59)% 82%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (1.08) 22.00 30.46 373,099 1.57 (.52) 76
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (1.27) 17.98 21.52 172,870 1.65 (.27) 95
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (.67) 16.09 49.95 72,366 1.75 (.28) 114
Year ended 11/30/94 .... 0.00 11.41 (3.14) 35,146 1.96 (.67) 98
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (1.46) $ 26.33 33.04% $2,799,288 2.28%(f) (1.27)% 82%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (1.08) 21.26 29.62 858,449 2.25 (1.20) 76
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (1.27) 17.52 20.70 404,137 2.32 (.94) 95
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (.67) 15.81 49.01 238,088 2.43 (.95) 114
Year ended 11/30/94 .... 0.00 11.29 (3.67) 139,988 2.47 (1.19) 98
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (1.46) $ 26.36 32.99% $ 862,193 2.28%(f) (1.30)% 82%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (1.08) 21.29 29.64 177,923 2.24 (1.22) 76
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (1.27) 17.54 20.76 60,194 2.32 (.94) 95
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (.67) 15.82 48.96 20,679 2.42 (.97) 114
Year ended 11/30/94 .... 0.00 11.30 (3.58) 7,332 2.47 (1.16) 98
Alliance Growth Fund
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ (2.91) $ 47.17 14.56% $1,008,093 1.22%(f) (.11)% 61%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (1.03) 43.95 29.54 783,110 1.26(f) (.25) 48
Year ended 10/31/96 .... (.82) 34.91 21.65 499,459 1.30 .15 46
Year ended 10/31/95 .... (.52) 29.48 20.18 285,161 1.35 .56 61
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** ... 0.00 25.08 4.98 167,800 1.35* .86* 24
Year ended 4/30/94 ..... (2.32) 23.89 15.66 102,406 1.40(d) .32 87
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ (2.91) $ 38.15 13.78% $4,230,756 1.94%(f) (.83)% 61%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (1.03) 36.31 28.64 3,578,806 1.96(f) (.94) 48
Year ended 10/31/96 .... (.63) 29.21 20.82 2,498,097 1.99 (.54) 46
Year ended 10/31/95 .... (.42) 24.78 19.33 1,052,020 2.05 (.15) 61
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** ... 0.00 21.21 4.64 751,521 2.05* .16* 24
Year ended 4/30/94 ..... (2.32) 20.27 14.79 394,227 2.10(d) (.36) 87
Class C
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ (2.91) $ 38.17 13.76% $ 718,688 1.93%(f) (.83)% 61%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (1.03) 36.33 28.66 599,449 1.97(f) (.95) 48
Year ended 10/31/96 .... (.63) 29.22 20.81 403,478 2.00 (.55) 46
Year ended 10/31/95 .... (.42) 24.79 19.32 226,662 2.05 (.15) 61
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** ... 0.00 21.22 4.64 114,455 2.05* .16* 24
8/2/93++ to 4/30/94 .... (2.32) 20.28 5.27 64,030 2.10*(d) (.31)* 87
Alliance Technology Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (.58) $ 68.60 27.36% $ 824,636 1.66%(f) (1.13)% 67%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (.42) 54.44 7.32 624,716 1.67(f) (.97) 51
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (2.38) 51.15 16.05 594,861 1.74 (.87) 30
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (3.17) 46.64 61.93 398,262 1.75 (.77) 55
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** ... 0.00 31.98 22.43 202,929 1.66* (1.22)* 55
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (.58) $ 65.75 26.44% $1,490,578 2.39%(f) (1.86)% 67%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (.42) 52.58 6.57 1,053,436 2.38(f) (1.70) 51
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (2.38) 49.76 15.20 660,921 2.44 (1.61) 30
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (3.17) 45.76 60.95 277,111 2.48 (1.47) 55
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** ... 0.00 31.61 21.67 18,397 2.43* (1.95)* 55
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (.58) $ 65.74 26.44% $ 271,320 2.40%(f) (1.87)% 67%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (.42) 52.57 6.55 184,194 2.38(f) (1.70) 51
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (2.38) 49.76 15.17 108,488 2.44 (1.60) 30
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (3.17) 45.77 60.98 43,161 2.48 (1.47) 55
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** ... 0.00 31.61 21.67 7,470 2.41* (1.94)* 55
Alliance Quasar Fund
Class A
Year ended 9/30/98 ..... $ (1.23) $ 22.27 (23.45)% $ 495,070 1.61%(f) (.59)% 109%
Year ended 9/30/97 ..... (4.11) 30.37 27.81 402,081 1.67 (.91) 135
Year ended 9/30/96 ..... (4.81) 27.92 42.42 229,798 1.79 (1.11) 168
Year ended 9/30/95 ..... (3.86) 24.16 30.73 146,663 1.83 (1.06) 160
Year ended 9/30/94 ..... (.82) 22.65 (4.05) 155,470 1.67 (1.15) 110
Class B
Year ended 9/30/98 ..... $ (1.23) $ 20.17 (24.03)% $ 625,147 2.39%(f) (1.36)% 109%
Year ended 9/30/97 ..... (4.11) 27.83 26.70 503,037 2.51 (1.73) 135
Year ended 9/30/96 ..... (4.81) 26.13 41.48 112,490 2.62 (1.96) 168
Year ended 9/30/95 ..... (3.86) 23.03 29.78 16,604 2.65 (1.88) 160
Year ended 9/30/94 ..... (.82) 21.92 (4.92) 13,901 2.50 (1.98) 110
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
58 & 59
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income from Investment Operations Less Dividends and Distributions
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net Gains
Net Asset or Losses on Dividends Distributions
Value, Securities Total from from Net in Excess of Distributions
Beginning Net Investment (both realized Investment Investment Net Investment from
Fiscal Year or Period of Period Income (Loss) and unrealized) Operations Income Income Capital Gains
--------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Quasar
Fund (continued)
Class C
Year ended 9/30/98 ...... $ 27.85 $ (.35)(b) $ (6.09) $ (6.44) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.23)
Year ended 9/30/97 ...... 26.14 (.42)(b) 6.24 5.82 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
Year ended 9/30/96 ...... 23.05 (.20) 8.10 7.90 0.00 0.00 (4.81)
Year ended 9/30/95 ...... 21.92 (.37)(b) 5.36 4.99 0.00 0.00 (3.86)
Year ended 9/30/94 ...... 23.88 (.36) (.78) (1.14) 0.00 0.00 (.82)
The Alliance Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 8.70 $ (.02)(b) $ (.54) $ (.56) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 7.71 (.02)(b) 2.09 2.07 (.02) 0.00 (1.06)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 7.72 .02(b) 1.06 1.08 (.02) 0.00 (1.07)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 6.63 .02 2.08 2.10 (.01) 0.00 (1.00)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 6.85 .01 (.23) (.22) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 8.25 $ (.07)(b) $ (.50) $ (.57) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 7.40 (.08)(b) 1.99 1.91 0.00 0.00 (1.06)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 7.49 (.01) .99 .98 0.00 0.00 (1.07)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 6.50 (.03)(b) 2.02 1.99 0.00 0.00 (1.00)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 6.76 (.03) (.23) (.26) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 8.26 $ (.07)(b) $ (.52) $ (.59) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 7.41 (.08)(b) 1.99 1.91 0.00 0.00 (1.06)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 7.50 (.02) 1.00 .98 0.00 0.00 (1.07)
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 6.50 (.03)(b) 2.03 2.00 0.00 0.00 (1.00)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 6.77 (.03) (.24) (.27) 0.00 0.00 0.00
5/3/93++ to 12/31/93 .... 6.67 (.02) .88 .86 0.00 0.00 (.76)
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ 3.48 $ .03(b) $ .43 $ .46 $ (.04) $ 0.00 $ (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... 3.00 .04(b) .87 .91 (.05) 0.00 (.38)
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... 2.71 .05 .50 .55 (.05) 0.00 (.21)
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... 2.35 .02 .52 .54 (.06) 0.00 (.12)
Year ended 10/31/94 ..... 2.61 .06 (.08) (.02) (.06) 0.00 (.18)
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ 3.45 $ .01(b) $ .43 $ .44 $ (.02) $ 0.00 $ (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... 2.99 .02(b) .85 .87 (.03) 0.00 (.38)
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... 2.69 .03 .51 .54 (.03) 0.00 (.21)
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... 2.34 .01 .49 .50 (.03) 0.00 (.12)
Year ended 10/31/94 ..... 2.60 .04 (.08) (.04) (.04) 0.00 (.18)
Class C
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ 3.45 $ .01(b) $ .43 $ .44 $ (.02) $ 0.00 $ (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... 2.99 .02(b) .85 .87 (.03) 0.00 (.38)
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... 2.70 .03 .50 .53 (.03) 0.00 (.21)
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... 2.34 .01 .50 .51 (.03) 0.00 (.12)
Year ended 10/31/94 ..... 2.60 .04 (.08) (.04) (.04) 0.00 (.18)
Alliance Balanced Shares
Class A
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ 16.17 $ .33(b) $ 1.86 $ 2.19 $ (.32) $ 0.00 $ (2.07)
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... 14.01 .31(b) 3.97 4.28 (.32) 0.00 (1.80)
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... 15.08 .37 .45 .82 (.41) 0.00 (1.48)
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... 13.38 .46 1.62 2.08 (.36) 0.00 (.02)
Period ended 7/31/94** .. 14.40 .29 (.74) (.45) (.28) 0.00 (.29)
Class B
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ 15.83 $ .21(b) $ 1.81 $ 2.02 $ (.24) $ 0.00 $ (2.07)
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... 13.79 .19(b) 3.89 4.08 (.24) 0.00 (1.80)
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... 14.88 .28 .42 .70 (.31) 0.00 (1.48)
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... 13.23 .30 1.65 1.95 (.28) 0.00 (.02)
Period ended 7/31/94** .. 14.27 .22 (.75) (.53) (.22) 0.00 (.29)
Class C
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ 15.86 $ .21(b) $ 1.81 $ 2.02 $ (.24) $ 0.00 $ (2.07)
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... 13.81 .20(b) 3.89 4.09 (.24) 0.00 (1.80)
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... 14.89 .26 .45 .71 (.31) 0.00 (1.48)
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... 13.24 .30 1.65 1.95 (.28) 0.00 (.02)
Period ended 7/31/94** .. 14.28 .24 (.77) (.53) (.22) 0.00 (.29)
Alliance Utility Income Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 12.48 $ .30(b)(c) $ 2.69 $ 2.99 $ (.32) $ 0.00 $ (.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 10.59 .32(b)(c) 2.04 2.36 (.34) 0.00 (.13)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 10.22 .18(b)(c) .65 .83 (.46) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 8.97 .27(c) 1.43 1.70 (.45) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/94 ..... 9.92 .42(c) (.89) (.47) (.48) 0.00 0.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 66.
<CAPTION>
Less Distributions Ratios/Supplemental Data
------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Asset Ratio of Ratio of Net
Dividends Value, Net Assets, Expenses Income/Loss
and End of Total End of Period to Average to Average Portfolio
Fiscal Year or Period Distributions Period Return (a) (000's omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Turnover Rate
--------------------- ------------- --------- ---------- --------------- ---------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Quasar
Fund (continued)
Class C
Year ended 9/30/98 ...... $ (1.23) $ 20.18 (24.05)% $ 182,110 2.38%(f) (1.35)% 109%
Year ended 9/30/97 ...... (4.11) 27.85 26.74 145,494 2.50 (1.72) 135
Year ended 9/30/96 ...... (4.81) 26.14 41.46 28,541 2.61 (1.94) 168
Year ended 9/30/95 ...... (3.86) 23.05 29.87 1,611 2.64* (1.76)* 160
Year ended 9/30/94 ...... (.82) 21.92 (4.92) 1,220 2.48 (1.96) 110
The Alliance Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ (2.17) $ 5.97 (8.48)% $ 953,181 1.03% (.36)% 106%
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... (1.08) 8.70 31.82 1,201,435 1.03 (.29) 158
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... (1.09) 7.71 16.49 999,067 1.04 .30 80
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... (1.01) 7.72 37.87 945,309 1.08 .31 81
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 0.00 6.63 (3.21) 760,679 1.05* .21* 63
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ (2.17) $ 5.51 (9.27)% $ 85,456 1.84% (1.17)% 106%
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... (1.06) 8.25 30.74 70,461 1.85 (1.12) 158
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... (1.07) 7.40 15.47 44,450 1.87 (.53) 80
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... (1.00) 7.49 36.61 31,738 1.90 (.53) 81
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 0.00 6.50 (3.85) 18,138 1.89* (.60)* 63
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ (2.17) $ 5.50 (9.58)% $ 21,231 1.84% (1.18)% 106%
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... (1.06) 8.26 30.72 18,871 1.83 (1.10) 158
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... (1.07) 7.41 15.48 13,899 1.86 (.51) 80
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... (1.00) 7.50 36.79 10,078 1.89 (.51) 81
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** .... 0.00 6.50 (3.99) 6,230 1.87* (.59)* 63
5/3/93++ to 12/31/93 .... (.76) 6.77 13.95 4,006 1.94* (.74)* 66
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ (.50) $ 3.44 14.70% $ 988,965 .93%(f) .96% 89%
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... (.43) 3.48 33.28 787,566 .92(f) 1.39 88
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... (.26) 3.00 21.51 553,151 .97 1.73 88
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... (.18) 2.71 24.21 458,158 1.05 1.88 142
Year ended 10/31/94 ..... (.24) 2.35 (.67) 414,386 1.03 2.36 68
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ (.48) $ 3.41 14.07% $ 787,730 1.72%(f) .17% 89%
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... (.41) 3.45 31.83 456,399 1.72(f) .56 88
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... (.24) 2.99 21.20 235,263 1.78 .91 88
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... (.15) 2.69 22.84 136,758 1.86 1.05 142
Year ended 10/31/94 ..... (.22) 2.34 (1.50) 102,546 1.85 1.56 68
Class C
Year ended 10/31/98 ..... $ (.48) $ 3.41 14.07% $ 179,487 1.72%(f) .18% 89%
Year ended 10/31/97 ..... (.41) 3.45 31.83 106,526 1.71(f) .58 88
Year ended 10/31/96 ..... (.24) 2.99 20.72 61,356 1.76 .93 88
Year ended 10/31/95 ..... (.15) 2.70 23.30 35,835 1.84 1.04 142
Year ended 10/31/94 ..... (.22) 2.34 (1.50) 19,395 1.84 1.61 68
Alliance Balanced Shares
Class A
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ (2.39) $ 15.97 14.99% $ 123,623 1.30%(f) 2.07% 145%
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... (2.12) 16.17 33.46 115,500 1.47(f) 2.11 207
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... (1.89) 14.01 5.23 102,567 1.38 2.41 227
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... (.38) 15.08 15.99 122,033 1.32 3.12 179
Period ended 7/31/94** .. (.57) 13.38 (3.21) 157,637 1.27* 2.50* 116
Class B
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ (2.31) $ 15.54 14.13% $ 47,782 2.06%(f) 1.34% 145%
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... (2.04) 15.83 32.34 24,192 2.25(f) 1.32 207
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... (1.79) 13.79 4.45 18,393 2.16 1.61 227
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... (.30) 14.88 15.07 15,080 2.11 2.30 179
Period ended 7/31/94** .. (.51) 13.23 (3.80) 14,347 2.05* 1.73* 116
Class C
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ (2.31) $ 15.57 14.09% $ 10,855 2.05%(f) 1.36% 145%
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... (2.04) 15.86 32.37 5,510 2.23(f) 1.37 207
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... (1.79) 13.81 4.52 6,096 2.15 1.63 227
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... (.30) 14.89 15.06 5,108 2.09 2.32 179
Period ended 7/31/94** .. (.51) 13.24 (3.80) 6,254 2.03* 1.81* 116
Alliance Utility Income Fund
Class A
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ (.79) $ 14.68 24.99% $ 9,793 1.50%(d) 2.23% 16%
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... (.47) 12.48 23.10 4,117 1.50(d) 2.89 37
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... (.46) 10.59 8.47 3,294 1.50(d) 1.67 98
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... (.45) 10.22 19.58 2,748 1.50(d) 2.48 162
Year ended 11/30/94 ..... (.48) 8.97 (4.86) 1,068 1.50(d) 4.13 30
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
60 & 61
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income from Investment Operations Less Dividends and Distributions
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net Gains
Net Asset or Losses on Dividends Distributions
Value, Securities Total from from Net in Excess of Distributions
Beginning Net Investment (both realized Investment Investment Net Investment from
Fiscal Year or Period of Period Income (Loss) and unrealized) Operations Income Income Capital Gains
--------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Utility Income Fund
(continued)
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 12.46 $ .21(b)(c) $ 2.67 $ 2.88 $ (.25) $ 0.00 $ (.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 10.57 .25(b)(c) 2.04 2.29 (.27) 0.00 (.13)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 10.20 .10(b)(c) .67 .77 (.40) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 8.96 .18(c) 1.45 1.63 (.39) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/94 ..... 9.91 .37(c) (.91) (.54) (.41) 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 ..... $ 12.47 $ .21(b)(c) $ 2.69 $ 2.90 $ (.25) $ 0.00 $ (.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 ..... 10.59 .25(b)(c) 2.03 2.28 (.27) 0.00 (.13)
Year ended 11/30/96 ..... 10.22 .11(b)(c) .66 .77 (.40) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/95 ..... 8.97 .18(c) 1.46 1.64 (.39) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/94 ..... 9.92 .39(c) (.93) (.54) (.41) 0.00 0.00
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund
Class A
Year ended 8/31/98 ...... $ 12.80 $ .52(b) $ (2.33) $ (1.81) $ (.51) $ 0.00 $ (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 ..... 10.00 .30(b) 2.88 3.18 (.38)(g) 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 8/31/98 ...... $ 12.79 $ .42(b) $ (2.33) $ (1.91) $ (.43) $ 0.00 $ (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 ..... 10.00 .23(b) 2.89 3.12 (.33)(g) 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 8/31/98 ...... $ 12.79 $ .42(b) $ (2.33) $ (1.91) $ (.43) $ 0.00 $ (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 ..... 10.00 .23(b) 2.89 3.12 (.33)(g) 0.00 0.00
Alliance New Europe Fund
Class A
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ 18.61 $ .05(b) $ 5.28 $ 5.33 $ 0.00 $ (.04) $ (2.05)
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... 15.84 .07(b) 4.20 4.27 (.15) (.03) (1.32)
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... 15.11 .18 1.02 1.20 0.00 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... 12.66 .04 2.50 2.54 (.09) 0.00 0.00
Period ended 7/31/94** .. 12.53 .09 .04 .13 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ 17.87 $ (.08)(b) $ 5.02 $ 4.94 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.05)
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... 15.31 (.04)(b) 4.02 3.98 0.00 (.10) (1.32)
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... 14.71 .08 .99 1.07 0.00 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... 12.41 (.05) 2.44 2.39 (.09) 0.00 0.00
Period ended 7/31/94** .. 12.32 .07 .02 .09 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 7/31/98 ...... $ 17.89 $ (.08)(b) $ 5.01 $ 4.93 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.05)
Year ended 7/31/97 ...... 15.33 (.04)(b) 4.02 3.98 0.00 (.10) (1.32)
Year ended 7/31/96 ...... 14.72 .08 1.00 1.08 0.00 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 7/31/95 ...... 12.42 (.07) 2.46 2.39 (.09) 0.00 0.00
Period ended 7/31/94** .. 12.33 .06 .03 .09 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund
Class A
Year ended 6/30/98 ...... $ 13.26 $ .10(b) $ .85 $ .95 $ (.18) $ 0.00 $ (1.36)
Year ended 6/30/97 ...... 12.13 .15(b) 2.55 2.70 (.15) 0.00 (1.42)
Year ended 6/30/96 ...... 10.18 .10(b) 1.85 1.95 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 6/30/95 ...... 9.75 .06 .37 .43 0.00 0.00 0.00
6/2/94+ to 6/30/94 ...... 10.00 .01 (.26) (.25) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 6/30/98 ...... $ 13.04 $ .02(b) $ .82 $ .84 $ (.15) $ 0.00 $ (1.36)
Year ended 6/30/97 ...... 11.96 .08(b) 2.50 2.58 (.08) 0.00 (1.42)
Year ended 6/30/96 ...... 10.10 (.02) 1.88 1.86 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 6/30/95 ...... 9.74 .02 .34 .36 0.00 0.00 0.00
6/2/94+ to 6/30/94 ...... 10.00 .00 (.26) (.26) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 6/30/98 ...... $ 13.04 $ .05(b) $ .79 $ .84 $ (.15) $ 0.00 $ (1.36)
Year ended 6/30/97 ...... 11.96 .12(b) 2.46 2.58 (.08) 0.00 (1.42
Year ended 6/30/96 ...... 10.10 .03 1.83 1.86 0.00 0.00 0.00
2/8/95++ to 6/30/95 ..... 9.53 .05 .52 .57 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance International
Premier Growth
Class A
3/2/98+ to 11/30/98 ..... $ 10.00 $ (.08)(b)(c) $ (.29) $ (.37) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Class B
3/2/98+ to 11/30/98 ..... $ 10.00 $ (.13)(b)(c) $ (.29) $ (.42) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Class C
3/2/98+ to 11/30/98 ..... $ 10.00 $ (.15)(b)(c) $ (.28) $ (.43) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 66.
<CAPTION>
Less Distributions Ratios/Supplemental Data
------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Asset Ratio of Ratio of Net
Dividends Value, Net Assets, Expenses Income/Loss
and End of Total End of Period to Average to Average Portfolio
Fiscal Year or Period Distributions Period Return (a) (000's omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Turnover Rate
--------------------- ------------- --------- ---------- --------------- ---------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Utility Income
Fund (continued)
Class B
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (.72) $ 14.62 24.02% $ 35,550 2.20%(d) 1.56% 16%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (.40) 12.46 22.35 14,782 2.20(d) 2.27 37
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (.40) 10.57 7.82 13,561 2.20(d) .95 98
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (.39) 10.20 18.66 10,988 2.20(d) 1.60 162
Year ended 11/30/94 .... (.41) 8.96 (5.59) 2,353 2.20(d) 3.53 30
Class C
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (.72) $ 14.65 24.16% $ 7,298 2.20%(d) 1.54% 16%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (.40) 12.47 22.21 3,413 2.20(d) 2.27 37
Year ended 11/30/96 .... (.40) 10.59 7.81 3,376 2.20(d) .94 98
Year ended 11/30/95 .... (.39) 10.22 18.76 3,500 2.20(d) 1.88 162
Year ended 11/30/94 .... (.41) 8.97 (5.58) 2,651 2.20(d) 3.60 30
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund
Class A
Year ended 8/31/98 ..... $ (.52) $ 10.47 (14.90)% $ 51,214 1.55% 3.87% 23%
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 .... (.38) 12.80 32.24 37,638 1.77*(f) 2.73* 20
Class B
Year ended 8/31/98 ..... $ (.44) $ 10.44 (15.56)% $268,856 2.26% 3.16% 23%
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 .... (.33) 12.79 31.49 186,802 2.44*(f) 2.08* 20
Class C
Year ended 8/31/98 ..... $ (.44) $ 10.44 (15.56)% $ 69,575 2.26% 3.15% 23%
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 .... (.33) 12.79 31.49 42,719 2.43*(f) 2.06* 20
Alliance New Europe Fund
Class A
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ (2.09) $ 21.85 32.21% $130,777 1.85%(f) .25% 99%
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... (1.50) 18.61 28.78 78,578 2.05(f) .40 89
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... (.47) 15.84 8.20 74,026 2.14 1.10 69
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... (.09) 15.11 20.22 86,112 2.09 .37 74
Period ended 7/31/94** . 0.00 12.66 1.04 86,739 2.06* 1.85* 35
Class B
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ (2.05) $ 20.76 31.22% $137,425 2.56%(f) (.40)% 99%
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... (1.42) 17.87 27.76 66,032 2.75(f) (.23) 89
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... (.47) 15.31 7.53 42,662 2.86 .59 69
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... (.09) 14.71 19.42 34,527 2.79 (.33) 74
Period ended 7/31/94** . 0.00 12.41 .73 31,404 2.76* 1.15* 35
Class C
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ (2.05) $ 20.77 31.19% $ 39,618 2.56%(f) (.41)% 99%
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... (1.42) 17.89 27.73 16,907 2.74(f) (.23) 89
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... (.47) 15.33 7.59 10,141 2.87 .58 69
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... (.09) 14.72 19.40 7,802 2.78 (.33) 74
Period ended 7/31/94** . 0.00 12.42 .73 11,875 2.76* 1.15* 35
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund
Class A
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ (1.54) $ 12.67 9.11% $467,960 1.73% .80% 53%
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... (1.57) 13.26 25.16 561,793 1.72 1.27 48
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... 0.00 12.13 19.16 672,732 1.87 .95 28
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... 0.00 10.18 4.41 13,535 2.56 .66 36
6/2/94+ to 6/30/94 ..... 0.00 9.75 (2.50) 4,990 2.75* 1.03* 0
Class B
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ (1.51) $ 12.37 8.34% $156,348 2.45% .20% 53%
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... (1.50) 13.04 24.34 121,173 2.43 .66 48
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... 0.00 11.96 18.42 83,050 2.83 (.20) 28
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... 0.00 10.10 3.70 79,359 3.27 .01 36
6/2/94+ to 6/30/94 ..... 0.00 9.74 (2.60) 22,859 3.45* .33* 0
Class C
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ (1.51) $ 12.37 8.34% $ 26,635 2.44% .38% 53%
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... (1.50) 13.04 24.33 12,929 2.42 1.06 48
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... 0.00 11.96 18.42 2,383 2.57 .63 28
2/8/95++ to 6/30/95 .... 0.00 10.10 5.98 338 3.27* 1.04* 36
Alliance International
Premier Growth
Class A
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 .... $ 0.00 $9.63 (3.70)% $ 7,255 2.50%*(d) (.90)%* 151%
Class B
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 .... $ 0.00 $9.58 (4.20)% $ 11,710 3.20%*(d) (1.41)%* 151%
Class C
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 .... $ 0.00 $9.57 (4.30)% $ 3,120 3.20%*(d) (1.69)%* 151%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
62 & 63
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income from Investment Operations Less Dividends and Distributions
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Net Gains
Net Asset or Losses on Dividends Distributions
Value, Securities Total from from Net in Excess of Distributions
Beginning Net Investment (both realized Investment Investment Net Investment from
Fiscal Year or Period of Period Income (Loss) and unrealized) Operations Income Income Capital Gains
--------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund
Class A
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ 12.87 $ (.11)(b) $ .37 $ .26 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.99)
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... 11.61 (.15)(b) 2.97 2.82 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... 10.38 (.14)(b) 1.90 1.76 0.00 0.00 (.53)
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... 11.08 (.09) 1.50 1.41 0.00 0.00 (2.11)(e)
Period ended 7/31/94** . 11.24 (.15)(b) (.01) (.16) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ 12.03 $ (.18)(b) $ .34 $ .16 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.99)
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... 11.03 (.21)(b) 2.77 2.56 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... 9.95 (.20)(b) 1.81 1.61 0.00 0.00 (.53)
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... 10.78 (.12) 1.40 1.28 0.00 0.00 (2.11)(e)
Period ended 7/31/94** . 11.00 (.17)(b) (.05) (.22) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ 12.05 $ (.19)(b) $ .35 $ .16 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.99)
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... 11.05 (.22)(b) 2.78 2.56 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... 9.96 (.20)(b) 1.82 1.62 0.00 0.00 (.53)
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... 10.79 (.17) 1.45 1.28 0.00 0.00 (2.11)(e)
Period ended 7/31/94** . 11.00 (.17)(b) (.04) (.21) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance International Fund
Class A
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ 18.69 $ (.01)(b) $ 1.13 $ 1.12 $ (.05) $ 0.00 $ (1.21)
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... 18.32 .06(b) 1.51 1.57 (.12) 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... 16.81 .05(b) 2.51 2.56 0.00 0.00 (1.05)
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... 18.38 .04 .01 .05 0.00 0.00 (1.62)
Year ended 6/30/94 ..... 16.01 (.09) 3.02 2.93 0.00 0.00 (.56)
Class B
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ 17.71 $ (.16)(b) $ 1.07 $ .91 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.21)
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... 17.45 (.09)(b) 1.43 1.34 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... 16.19 (.07)(b) 2.38 2.31 0.00 0.00 (1.05)
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... 17.90 (.01) (.08) (.09) 0.00 0.00 (1.62)
Year ended 6/30/94 ..... 15.74 (.19)(b) 2.91 2.72 0.00 0.00 (.56)
Class C
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ 17.73 $ (.15)(b) $ 1.05 $ .90 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.21)
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... 17.46 (.09)(b) 1.44 1.35 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... 16.20 (.07)(b) 2.38 2.31 0.00 0.00 (1.05)
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... 17.91 (.14) .05 (.09) 0.00 0.00 (1.62)
Year ended 6/30/94 ..... 15.74 (.11) 2.84 2.73 0.00 0.00 (.56)
Alliance Greater
China '97 Fund
Class A
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ 10.00 $ .08(b)(c) $ (5.18) $ (5.10) $ (.06) $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Class B
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ 10.00 $ .03(b)(c) $ (5.17) $ (5.14) $ (.03) $ (.01) $ 0.00
Class C
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ 10.00 $ .03(b)(c) $ (5.17) $ (5.14) $ (.03) $ (.01) $ 0.00
Alliance All-Asia
Investment Fund
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 7.54 $ (.10)(b)(c) $ (1.58) $ (1.68) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 .... 11.04 (.21)(b)(c) (2.95) (3.16) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
Year ended 10/31/96 .... 10.45 (.21)(b)(c) .88 .67 0.00 0.00 (.08)
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 .. 10.00 (.19)(c) .64 .45 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 7.39 $ (.14)(b)(c) $ (1.54) $ (1.68) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 .... 10.90 (.28)(b)(c) (2.89) (3.17) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
Year ended 10/31/96 .... 10.41 (.28)(b)(c) .85 .57 0.00 0.00 (.08)
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 .. 10.00 (.25)(c) .66 .41 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 7.40 $ (.14)(b)(c) $ (1.54) $ (1.68) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 .... 10.91 (.27)(b)(c) (2.90) (3.17) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
Year ended 10/31/96 .... 10.41 (.28)(b)(c) .86 .58 0.00 0.00 (.08)
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 .. 10.00 (.35)(c) .76 .41 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Global
Environment Fund (h)
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 18.77 $ (.24)(b) $ (1.12) $ (1.36) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (9.07)
Year ended 10/31/97 .... 16.48 (.23)(b) 3.65 3.42 0.00 0.00 (1.13)
Year ended 10/31/96 .... 12.37 (.13) 4.26 4.13 (.02) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/95 .... 11.74 .03 .60 .63 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/94 .... 10.97 0.00 .77 .77 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 18.76 $ (.27)(b) $ (1.12) $ (1.39) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (9.07)
10/3/97++ to 10/31/97 .. 19.92 (.20)(b) (.96) (1.16) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Class C
11/5/97++ to 10/31/98 .. $ 19.15 $ (.27)(b) $ (1.54) $ (1.81) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (9.07)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 66.
<CAPTION>
Less Distributions Ratios/Supplemental Data
------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Asset Ratio of Ratio of Net
Dividends Value, Net Assets, Expenses Income/Loss
and End of Total End of Period to Average to Average Portfolio
Fiscal Year or Period Distributions Period Return (a) (000's omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Turnover Rate
--------------------- ------------- --------- ---------- --------------- ---------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund
Class A
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ (.99) $ 12.14 2.49% $ 82,843 2.16%(f) (.88)% 113%
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... (1.56) 12.87 26.47 85,217 2.41(f) (1.25) 129
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... (.53) 11.61 17.46 68,623 2.51 (1.22) 139
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... (2.11) 10.38 16.62 60,057 2.54(d) (1.17) 128
Period ended 7/31/94** . 0.00 11.08 (1.42) 61,372 2.42* (1.26)* 78
Class B
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ (.99) $ 11.20 1.80% $ 38,827 2.88%(f) (1.58)% 113%
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... (1.56) 12.03 25.42 31,946 3.11(f) (1.92) 129
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... (.53) 11.03 16.69 14,247 3.21 (1.88) 139
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... (2.11) 9.95 15.77 5,164 3.20(d) (1.92) 128
Period ended 7/31/94** . 0.00 10.78 (2.00) 3,889 3.15* (1.93)* 78
Class C
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ (.99) $ 11.22 1.79% $ 9,471 2.88%(f) (1.59)% 113%
Year ended 7/31/97 ..... (1.56) 12.05 25.37 8,718 3.10(f) (1.93) 129
Year ended 7/31/96 ..... (.53) 11.05 16.77 4,119 3.19 (1.85) 139
Year ended 7/31/95 ..... (2.11) 9.96 15.75 1,407 3.25(d) (2.10) 128
Period ended 7/31/94** . 0.00 10.79 (1.91) 1,330 3.13* (1.92)* 78
Alliance International Fund
Class A
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ (1.26) $ 18.55 6.79% $131,565 1.65%(d) (.05)% 121%
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... (1.20) 18.69 9.30 190,173 1.74(f) .31 94
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... (1.05) 18.32 15.83 196,261 1.72 .31 78
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... (1.62) 16.81 .59 165,584 1.73 .26 119
Year ended 6/30/94 ..... (.56) 18.38 18.68 201,916 1.90 (.50) 97
Class B
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ (1.21) $ 17.41 5.92% $ 71,370 2.49%(d) (.90)% 121%
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... (1.08) 17.71 8.37 77,725 2.59(f) (.51) 94
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... (1.05) 17.45 14.87 72,470 2.55 (.46) 78
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... (1.62) 16.19 (.22) 48,998 2.57 (.62) 119
Year ended 6/30/94 ..... (.56) 17.90 17.65 29,943 2.78 (1.15) 97
Class C
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ (1.21) $ 17.42 5.85% $ 20,428 2.48%(d) (.90)% 121%
Year ended 6/30/97 ..... (1.08) 17.73 8.42 23,268 2.58(f) (.51) 94
Year ended 6/30/96 ..... (1.05) 17.46 14.85 26,965 2.53 (.47) 78
Year ended 6/30/95 ..... (1.62) 16.20 (.22) 19,395 2.54 (.88) 119
Year ended 6/30/94 ..... (.56) 17.91 17.72 13,503 2.78 (1.12) 97
Alliance Greater
China '97 Fund
Class A
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ (.06) $ 4.84 (51.20)% $ 445 2.52%(d)(f)* 1.20%* 58%
Class B
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ (.04) $ 4.82 (51.53)% $ 1,551 3.22%(d)(f)* .53%* 58%
Class C
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ (.04) $ 4.82 (51.53)% $ 102 3.22%(d)(f)* .50%* 58%
Alliance All-Asia
Investment Fund
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 0.00 $ 5.86 (22.28)% $ 3,778 3.74%(d) (1.50)% 93%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (.34) 7.54 (29.61) 5,916 3.45(d) (1.97) 70
Year ended 10/31/96 .... (.08) 11.04 6.43 12,284 3.37*(d) (1.75) 66
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 .. 0.00 10.45 4.50 2,870 4.42*(d) (1.87)* 90
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 0.00 $ 5.71 (22.73)% $ 8,844 4.49%(d) (2.22)% 93%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (.34) 7.39 (30.09) 11,439 4.15(d) (2.67) 70
Year ended 10/31/96 .... (.08) 10.90 5.49 23,784 4.07(d) (2.44) 66
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 .. 0.00 10.41 4.10 5,170 5.20*(d) (2.64)* 90
Class C
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 0.00 $ 5.72 (22.70)% $ 1,717 4.48%(d) 2.20% 93%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (.34) 7.40 (30.06) 1,859 4.15(d) (2.66) 70
Year ended 10/31/96 .... (.08) 10.91 5.59 4,228 4.07(d) (2.42) 66
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 .. 0.00 10.41 4.10 597 5.84*(d) (3.41) 90
Alliance Global
Environment Fund (h)
Class A
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ (9.07) $ 8.34 (10.51)% $ 13,295 2.80%(f) (2.27)% 205%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (1.13) 18.77 23.51 52,378 2.39 (1.35) 145
Year ended 10/31/96 .... (.02) 16.48 33.48 100,271 1.60 (.85) 268
Year ended 10/31/95 .... 0.00 12.37 5.37 85,416 1.57 .21 109
Year ended 10/31/94 .... 0.00 11.74 7.02 81,102 1.67 (.04) 42
Class B
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ (9.07) $ 8.30 (10.79)% $ 152 3.52%(f) (2.93)% 205%
10/3/97++ to 10/31/97 .. 0.00 18.76 (5.82) 235 20.84 (1.03) 145
Class C
11/5/97++ to 10/31/98 .. $ (9.07) $ 8.27 (12.88)% $ 31 3.39%(f) (2.75)% 205%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
64 & 65
<PAGE>
+ Commencement of operations.
++ Commencement of distribution.
* Annualized.
** Reflects a change in fiscal year end.
(a) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at the net asset value during the period, and
a redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or
contingent deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of
total investment return. Total investment returns calculated for periods
of less than one year are not annualized.
(b) Based on average shares outstanding.
(c) Net of fee waiver and expense reimbursement.
(d) Net of expenses assumed and/or waived/reimbursed. If the following Funds
had borne all expenses in their most recent five fiscal years, their
expense ratios, without giving effect to the expense offset arrangement
described in (i) below, would have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
Class A -- 10.57%* 3.61% 3.57% 4.63%
Class B -- 11.32%* 4.33% 4.27% 5.39%
Class C -- 11.38%* 4.30% 4.27% 5.42%
Alliance Growth Fund
Class A 1.46% -- -- -- --
Class B 2.13% -- -- -- --
Class C 2.13%* -- -- -- --
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
Class A -- 2.61% -- -- --
Class B -- 3.27% -- -- --
Class C -- 3.31% -- -- --
Alliance Utility Income Fund
Class A 13.72% 4.86%* 3.38% 3.55% 2.48%
Class B 14.42% 5.34%* 4.08% 4.28% 3.21%
Class C 14.42% 5.99%* 4.07% 4.28% 3.22%
Alliance International Fund
Class A -- -- -- -- 1.80%
Class B -- -- -- -- 2.64%
Class C -- -- -- -- 2.63%
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
Class A -- -- -- -- 18.27%*
Class B -- -- -- -- 19.18%*
Class C -- -- -- -- 19.37%*
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
Class A -- -- -- -- 5.19%
Class B -- -- -- -- 6.14%
Class C -- -- -- -- 6.00%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the expense ratios of the Funds in years prior to fiscal year 1993, assuming
the Funds had borne all expenses, please see the Financial Statements in each
Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
(e) "Distributions from Net Realized Gains" includes a return of capital of
$(.12).
(f) Amounts do not reflect the impact of expense offset arrangements with the
transfer agent. Taking into account such expense offset arrangements, the
ratio of expenses to average net assets, assuming the assumption and/or
waiver/reimbursement of expenses described in (f) above, would have been
as follows:
Alliance Balanced Shares 1997 1998
Class A 1.46% 1.29%
Class B 2.24% 2.05%
Class C 2.22% 2.04%
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund 1997 1998
Class A 1.77% --
Class B 2.43% --
Class C 2.42% --
Alliance Growth Fund 1997 1998
Class A 1.25% 1.21%
Class B 1.95% 1.93%
Class C 1.95% 1.92%
Alliance International Fund 1997 1998
Class A 1.73% --
Class B 2.58% --
Class C 2.56% --
Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund 1997 1998
Class A 2.38% 2.14%
Class B 3.08% 2.86%
Class C 3.08% 2.85%
Alliance Technology Fund 1997 1998
Class A 1.66% 1.65%
Class B 2.36% 2.38%
Class C 2.37% 2.38%
Alliance Greater
China '97 Fund 1997 1998
Class A -- 2.50%
Class B -- 3.20%
Class C -- 3.20%
Alliance New Europe Fund 1997 1998
Class A 2.04% 1.84%
Class B 2.74% 2.54%
Class C 2.73% 2.54%
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund 1997 1998
Class A .91% .92%
Class B 1.71% 1.71%
Class C 1.70% 1.71%
Alliance Quasar Fund 1997 1998
Class A -- 1.60
Class B -- 2.38
Class C -- 2.37
Alliance Premier Growth Fund 1997 1998
Class A -- 1.58%
Class B -- 2.27%
Class C -- 2.27%
Alliance Global Environment 1997 1998
Class A -- 2.79%
Class B -- 3.51%
Class C -- 3.38%
(g) Distributions from net investment income include a tax return of capital
of $.08, $.09 and $.08 for Class A, B and C shares, respectively.
(h) Alliance Global Environment Fund operated as a closed-end investment
company through October 3, 1997, when it converted to an open-end
investment company and all shares of its common stock then outstanding
were reclassified as Class A shares.
66
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is additional information about the United Kingdom, Japan and
Greater China countries.
Investment in United Kingdom Issuers. Investment in securities of United Kingdom
issuers involves certain considerations not present with investment in
securities of U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S.
Dollar, the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's investment denominated in the
British pound sterling will fluctuate with pound sterling-dollar exchange rate
movements. Between 1972, when the pound sterling was allowed to float against
other currencies, and the end of 1992, the pound sterling generally depreciated
against most major currencies, including the U.S. Dollar. Between September and
December 1992, after the United Kingdom's exit from the Exchange Rate Mechanism
of the European Monetary System, the value of the pound sterling fell by almost
20% against the U.S. Dollar. The pound sterling has since recovered due to
interest rate cuts throughout Europe and an upturn in the economy of the United
Kingdom. The average exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar to the pound sterling was
1.50 in 1993 and 1.66 in 1998. On January 22, 1999 the U.S. Dollar-pound
sterling exchange rate was 1.66.
The United Kingdom's largest stock exchange is the London Stock Exchange, which
is the third largest exchange in the world. As measured by the FT-SE 100 index,
the performance of the 100 largest companies in the United Kingdom reached
5,882.6 at the end of 1998, up approximately 15% from the end of 1997. On
October 5, 1998 the FT-SE 100 index closed at 4648.7, the lowest close in the
12-month period prior to that date, after reaching a high of 6179.0 on July 20,
1998. The FT-SE 100 index closed at 5861.2 on January 22, 1999.
The Economic and Monetary Union ("EMU") became effective on January 1, 1999.
When fully implemented in 2002, the EMU will establish a common currency for
European countries that meet the eligibility criteria and choose to
participate. Although the United Kingdom meets the eligibility criteria, the
government has not taken any action to join the EMU.
From 1979 until 1997 the Conservative Party controlled Parliament. In the May 1,
1997 general elections, however, the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, won a
majority in Parliament, holding 418 of 658 seats in the House of Commons. Mr.
Blair, who was appointed Prime Minister, has launched a number of reform
initiatives, including an overhaul of the monetary policy framework intended to
protect monetary policy from political forces by vesting responsibility for
setting interest rates in a new Monetary Policy Committee headed by the Governor
of the Bank of England, as opposed to the Treasury. Prime Minister Blair has
also undertaken a comprehensive restructuring of the regulation of the financial
services industry. For further information regarding the United Kingdom, see the
Statement of Additional Information of New Europe Fund.
Investment in Japanese Issuers. Investment in securities of Japanese issuers
involves certain considerations not present with investment in securities of
U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the
U.S. dollar value of each Fund's investments denominated in the Japanese yen
will fluctuate with yen-dollar exchange rate movements. Between 1985 and 1995,
the Japanese yen generally appreciated against the U.S. dollar, but has since
fallen from its post-World War II high (in 1995) against the U.S. Dollar.
Japan's largest stock exchange is the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the First Section of
which is reserved for larger, established companies. As measured by the TOPIX, a
capitalization-weighted composite index of all common stocks listed in the First
Section, the performance of the First Section reached a peak in 1989.
Thereafter, the TOPIX declined approximately 50% through the end of 1997. On
December 31, 1998 the TOPIX closed at 1086.99, down approximately 7% from the
end of 1997. Certain valuation measures, such as price-to-book value and
price-to-cash flow ratios, indicate that the Japanese stock market is near its
lowest level in the last twenty years relative to other world markets.
In recent years, Japan has consistently recorded large current account trade
surpluses with the U.S. that have caused difficulties in the relations between
the two countries. On October 1, 1994, the U.S. and Japan reached an agreement
that may lead to more open Japanese markets with respect to trade in certain
goods and services. In June 1995, the two countries agreed in principle to
increase Japanese imports of American automobiles and automotive parts.
Nevertheless it is expected that the continuing friction between the U.S. and
Japan with respect to trade issues will continue for the foreseeable future.
Each Fund's investments in Japanese issuers will be subject to uncertainty
resulting from the instability of recent Japanese ruling coalitions. From 1955
to 1993, Japan's government was controlled by a single political party. Between
August 1993 and October 1996 Japan was ruled by a series of four coalition
governments. As the result of a general election on October 20, 1996, however,
Japan returned to a single-party government led by Ryutaro Hashimoto, a member
of the Liberal Democratic Party ("LDP"). While the LDP does not control a
majority of the seats in the parliament, subsequent to the 1996 elections it
established a majority in the House of Representatives as individual members
joined the ruling party. The popularity of the LDP declined, however, due to
the dissatisfaction with Mr. Hashimoto's leadership. In the July 1998 House of
Councillors election, the LDP's representation fell to 103 seats from 120
seats. As a result of the LDP's defeat, Mr. Hashimoto resigned as prime
minister and leader of the LDP. Mr. Hashimoto was replaced by Keizo Obuchi.
On January 14, 1999, the LDP formed a coalition government with a major
opposition party. As a result, Mr. Obuchi's administrtion strnghtened its
position in the parliament, where it increased its majority in the House of
Representatives and reduced its shortfall in the House of Councillors. For the
past several years, Japan's banking industry has been weakened by a significant
amount of problem loans.
67
<PAGE>
Japan's banks also have significant exposure to the current financial turmoil
in other Asian markets. Following the insolvency of one of Japan's largest
banks in November 1997, the government proposed several plans designed to
strengthen the weakened banking sector. In October 1998, the Japanese
parliament approved several new laws that will make $508 billion in public
funds available to increase the capital of Japanese banks, to guarantee
depositors' accounts and to nationalize the weakest banks. It is unclear
whether these new laws will achieve their intended effect. For further
information regarding Japan, see the Statements of Additional Information of
Alliance International Fund and Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund.
Investment in Greater China Issuers. China, in particular, but Hong Kong and
Taiwan, as well, in significant measure because of their existing and increasing
economic, and now in the case of Hong Kong, direct political ties with China,
may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability
than is the case in the United States.
China's economy is very much in transition. While the government still controls
production and pricing in major economic sectors, significant steps have been
taken toward capitalism and China's economy has become increasingly market
oriented. China's strong economic growth and ability to attract significant
foreign investment in recent years stem from the economic liberalization
initiated by Deng Xiaoping who assumed power in the late 1970s. The economic
growth, however, has not been smooth and has been marked by extremes in many
respects of inordinate growth, which has not been tightly controlled, followed
by rigid measures of austerity.
The rapidity and erratic nature of the growth have resulted in inefficiencies
and dislocations, including at times high rates of inflation.
China's economic development has occurred notwithstanding the continuation of
the power of China's Communist Party and China's authoritarian government
control, not only of centrally planned economic decisions, but of many aspects
of the social structure. While a significant portion of China's population has
benefited from China's economic growth, the conditions of many leave much room
for improvement. Notwithstanding restrictions on freedom of expression and the
absence of a free press, and notwithstanding the extreme manner in which past
unrest has been dealt with, the 1989 Tianamen Square uprising being a recent
reminder, the potential for renewed popular unrest associated with demands for
improved social, political and economic conditions cannot be dismissed.
Following the death of Deng Xiaoping in February 1997, Jian Zemin became the
leader of China's Communist Party. The transfer of political power has
progressed smoothly and Jiang's popularity and credibility have gradually
increased. Jiang continues to consolidate his power, but as of yet does not
appear to have the same degree of control as did Deng Xiaoping. Jiang has
continued the market-oriented policies of Deng. Currently, China's major
economic challenge centers on reforming or eliminating inefficient state-owned
enterprises without creating an unacceptable level of unemployment. Recent
capitalistic policies have in many respects effectively outdated the Communist
Party and the governmental structure, but both remain entrenched. The Communist
Party still controls access to governmental positions and closely monitors
governmental action. Essentially there exists an inefficient set of parallel
bureaucracies and attendant opportunities for corruption.
In addition to the economic impact of China's internal political uncertainties,
the potential effect of China's actions, not only on China Itself, but on Hong
Kong and Taiwan as well, could also be significant.
China is heavily dependent on foreign trade, particularly with Hong Kong,
Japan, the U.S., South Korea and Taiwan. Political developments adverse to its
trading partners, as well as political and social repression, could cause the
U.S. and others to alter their trading policy towards China. For example, in
the the U.S., the continued extension of most favored nation trading status to
China which is reviewed regularly and was reviewed in 1998 is an issue of
significant controversy. Loss of that status would clearly hurt China's economy
by reducing its exports. With much of China's trading activity being funneled
through Hong Kong and with trade through Taiwan becoming increasingly
significant, any sizable reduction in demand for goods from China would have
negative implications for both countries. China is believed to be the largest
investor in Hong Kong and its markets and an economic downturn in China would
be expected to reverberate through Hong Kong's markets as well.
China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy and its
economic, political and social freedoms for fifty years from the July 1, 1997
transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to China. Hong Kong is headed by a
chief executive, appointed by the central government of China, whose power is
checked by both the government of China and a Legislative Council. Although Hong
Kong voters voted overwhelmingly for pro-democracy candidates in the recent
election, it remains possible that China could exert its authority so as to
alter the economic structure, political structure or existing social policy of
Hong Kong. Investor and business confidence in Hong Kong can be significantly
affected by such developments, which in turn can affect markets and business
performance. In this connection, it is noted that a substantial portion of the
companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are involved in real
estate-related activities.
The securities markets of China and to a lesser extent Taiwan, 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, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund 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 U.S.
securities settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and related
administrative uncertainties.
Foreign investment in the securities markets of China and Taiwan is restricted
or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls, which apply to
the Alliance Greater China '97 Fund may at times limit or preclude investment in
68
<PAGE>
certain securities and may increase the cost and expenses of the Fund. China and
Taiwan 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. In addition, the repatriation of investment
income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities from China and Taiwan is
controlled under regulations, including in some cases the need for certain
advance government notification or authority, and if a deterioration occurs in a
country's balance of payments, the country could impose restrictions on foreign
capital remittances.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a
refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well
as by the application to it of other restrictions on investment. The liquidity
of the Fund's investments in any country in which any of these factors exists
could be affected by any such factor or factors on the Fund's investments. The
limited liquidity in certain Greater China markets is a factor to be taken into
account in the Fund's valuation of portfolio securities in this category and may
affect the Fund's ability to dispose of securities in order to meet redemption
requests at the price and time it wishes to do so. It is also anticipated that
transaction costs, including brokerage commissions for transactions both on and
off the securities exchanges in Greater China countries, will be higher than in
the U.S.
Issuers of securities in Greater China countries are generally not subject to
the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters
as timely disclosure of information, insider trading rules, restrictions on
market manipulation and shareholder proxy requirements. Reporting, accounting
and auditing standards of Greater China countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects, and less information
may be available to investors in securities of Greater China country issuers
than to investors in securities of U.S. issuers.
Investment in Greater China companies which are in the initial stages of their
development involves greater risk than is customarily associated with securities
of more established companies. The securities of such companies may have
relatively limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic
market movements than securities of established companies or broad market
indices.
69
<PAGE>
For more information about the Funds, the following documents are available upon
request:
o Annual/Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders
The Funds' annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional
information on the Funds' investments. In the annual report, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly
affected a Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
o Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Each Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund,
including its operations and investment policies. The Funds' SAIs are
incorporated by reference into (and is legally part of) this prospectus.
You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the SAI,
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
Your also may find more information about Alliance and the Funds on the Internet
at: www.Alliancecapital.com
70
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------
Alliance Stock Funds
Subscription Application
- ----------------------------
The Alliance Fund
Growth Fund
Premier Growth Fund
Technology Fund
Quasar Fund
International Fund
International Premier Growth Fund
Worldwide Privatization Fund
New Europe Fund
All-Asia Investment Fund
Alliance Greater China `97 Fund
Global Small Cap Fund
Global Environment Fund
Balanced Shares
Utility Income Fund
Growth & Income Fund
Real Estate Investment Fund
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:
o Individuals, Joint Tenants, Transfer on Death and Gift/Transfer to a
Minor:
o Indicate your name(s) exactly as it appears on your social
security card.
o Transfer on Death:
o Ensure that your state participates
o Trust/Other:
o 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.
o Non-Resident Alien:
o 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.
---------------------------------------
For Literature Call: (800) 227-4618
---------------------------------------
<PAGE>
The Alliance Stock Funds 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 (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
90062GEN-TASFApp-P1 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
1
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Your Initial Investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hereby subscribe for shares of the following Alliance Stock Fund(s) 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 Distribution 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|
|_| |_| |_| $ |__________________| |R| |C| |D| |R| |C| |D|
- ----------------------
Total Investment $ |__________________|
- ----------------------
* Cash and money orders are not accepted
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Stock Fund Names and Numbers
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------- -------------- ------------
Contingent
Initial Sales Deferred Sales Asset-Based
Charge Charge Sales Charge
A B C
------------- -------------- ------------
The Alliance Fund 044 043 344
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Fund 031 001 331
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Premier Growth Fund 078 079 378
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund 082 282 382
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Quasar Fund 026 029 326
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fund 040 041 340
----------------------------------------------------------------------
International Premier Growth 179 279 379
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Privatization Fund 112 212 312
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Global New Europe Fund 062 058 362
----------------------------------------------------------------------
All-Asia Investment Fund 118 218 318
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Greater China '97
Fund 160 260 360
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Small Cap Fund 045 048 345
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Environment Fund 181 281 381
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Shares 096 075 396
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Utility Income Fund 009 209 309
Total ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Return Growth & Income Fund 094 074 394
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Investment Fund 110 210 310
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90062GEN-TASFApp-P2
2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90062GEN-TASFApp-P3
3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
90062GEN-TASFApp-P4
4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 to 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
90062GEN-TASFApp-P5
5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
90062GEN-TASFApp-P6 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
6
<PAGE>
This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(c).
File Nos. 2-10768 and 811-05088
<PAGE>
The Alliance
Stock Funds
The Alliance Stock Funds provide a broad selection of investment alternatives to
investors seeking capital growth or high total return.
Advisor Class Prospectus and Application
February 1, 1999
Domestic Stock Funds
o Alliance Premier Growth Fund
o Alliance Growth Fund
o Alliance Technology Fund
o Alliance Quasar Fund
o The Alliance Fund
Total Return Funds
o Alliance Growth & Income Fund
o Alliance Balanced Shares
o Alliance Utility Income Fund
o Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund
Global Stock Funds
o Alliance New Europe Fund
o Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund
o Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund
o Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
o Alliance International Fund
o Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
o Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
o Alliance Global Environment Fund
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
<PAGE>
2
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY......................................................... 3
Domestic Stock Funds........................................................ 4
Total Return Funds.......................................................... 9
Global Stock Funds.......................................................... 13
Summary of Principal Risks.................................................. 21
Principal Risks by Fund..................................................... 22
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS.............................................. 23
GLOSSARY.................................................................... 26
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS.................................................... 27
Investment Objectives and Policies.......................................... 27
Description of Investment Practices......................................... 39
Additional Risk Considerations.............................................. 46
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS..................................................... 50
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES................................................. 53
How The Funds Value Their Shares............................................ 53
How To Buy Shares........................................................... 53
How to Exchange Shares...................................................... 53
How To Sell Shares.......................................................... 53
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES.......................................... 54
CONVERSION FEATURE.......................................................... 55
GENERAL INFORMATION......................................................... 56
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS........................................................ 57
APPENDIX A--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, AND
GREATER CHINA COUNTRIES..................................................... 61
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Funds' investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global
investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and
individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual
funds.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain key information about the Alliance Stock
Funds. You will find additional information about each Fund, including a
detailed description of the risks of an investment in each Fund, after this
Summary.
The Risk/Return Summary describes the Funds' objectives, principal investment
strategies, principal risks and fees. Each Fund's Summary page includes a
short discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in that Fund. A
further discussion of these and other risks is on page 21.
More detailed descriptions of the Funds, including the risks associated with
investing in the Funds, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be
sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. Each of the Funds
also may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options,
futures, forwards, and swaps. The use of these techniques involves special risks
that are discussed in this Prospectus.
The Summary includes a table for each Fund showing its average annual returns
and a bar chart showing its annual returns. The table and bar chart provide an
indication of the historical risk of an investment in each Fund by showing:
o how the Fund's average annual returns for one, five, and 10 years
(or over the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years
old) compare to those of a broad based securities market index; and
o changes in the Fund's performance from year to year over 10 years
(or over the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years
old).
A Fund's past performance, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will
perform in the future.
Other important things for you to note:
o You may lose money by investing in the Funds.
o An investment in the Funds 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
<PAGE>
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range of
alternative approaches to investing primarily in U.S. equity markets.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in equity securities of a limited number of large, carefully
selected, high-quality U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior
earnings growth.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies. Unlike most
equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of intensively
researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from a research
universe of more than 600 companies that have strong management, superior
industry positions, excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth
prospects.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 40-50 companies, with the 25 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the Fund's
net assets. During market declines, while adding to positions in favored stocks,
the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive, gradually reducing the number of
companies represented in its portfolio. Conversely, in rising markets, while
reducing or eliminating fully-valued positions, the Fund becomes somewhat more
conservative, gradually increasing the number of companies represented in its
portfolio. Through this approach, Alliance seeks to gain positive returns in
good markets while providing some measure of protection in poor markets. The
Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Because the
Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other equity funds,
your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a single security
may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's
net asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 49.85% 42.97%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 31.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 33.11 49.85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 31.15%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -12.02%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
4
<PAGE>
Alliance Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Current income
is incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable
earnings outlooks and whose long-term growth rates are expected to exceed that
of the U.S. economy over time. The Fund emphasizes investments in large- and
mid-cap companies. The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
lower-rated fixed-income securities and convertible bonds and generally up to
15% of its total assets in foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile then investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated fixed-income
securities and convertible bonds, your investment may have interest rate or
credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have foreign risk
and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 28.55% 29.34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 31.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 27.46 28.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 28.97%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -16.20%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
5
<PAGE>
Alliance Technology Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is growth of capital. Current income is
incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in securities of companies that use technology
extensively in the development of new or improved products or processes. Within
this framework, the Fund may invest in any company and industry and in any type
of security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known,
established companies or in new or unseasoned companies. The Fund also may
invest in debt securities and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign
securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. In addition,
technology stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend
to be more volatile than the overall stock market. To the extent the Fund
invests in debt and foreign securities, your investment has credit risk,
currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 63.68% 30.01%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 31.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4.84 63.68
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 39.98%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -16.43%, 4th quarter, 1997.
6
<PAGE>
Alliance Quasar Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is growth of capital by pursuing aggressive
investment policies. Current income is incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund generally invests in a widely-diversified portfolio of equity
securities spread among many industries that offer the possibility of
above-average earnings growth. The Fund currently emphasizes investment in small
cap companies. The Fund invests in well-known and established companies and in
new and unseasoned companies. The Fund can invest in the equity securities of
any company and industry and in any type of security with potential for capital
appreciation. When selecting securities, Alliance considers the economic and
political outlook, the values of specific securities relative to other
investments, trends in the determinants of corporate profits, and management
capabilities and practices. The Fund also may invest in non-convertible bonds,
preferred stocks, and foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in smaller companies tend to be more volatile than investments in large-cap or
mid-cap companies. To the extent the Fund invests in non-convertible bonds,
preferred stocks, and foreign stocks, your investment has interest rate risk,
credit risk, currency risk and foreign risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class -4.30% 6.74%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell 2000 Index -2.55% 11.83%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17.48 -4.30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 17.44%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -28.39%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
7
<PAGE>
The Alliance Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income
primarily through investments in common stocks.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in high-quality common
stocks that Alliance expects to increase in value. The Fund may invest in a
broad range of companies, from large to small, but tends to emphasize attractive
opportunities in mid-cap companies. While the Fund's diversified and
high-quality investments cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they tend
to limit investment risk and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective. The
Fund also may invest in convertible securities, U.S. Government securities, and
foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities and U.S.
Government securities, your investment may have interest rate or credit risk.
The Fund's investments in foreign securities have currency risk and foreign
risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class -2.41% 18.30%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index 18.25% 26.14%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 36.27 -2.41
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 23.88%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -24.17%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
8
<PAGE>
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds offer investors seeking both growth of capital and
current income a range of investment alternatives.
Alliance Growth & Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is appreciation through investments primarily in
dividend-paying common stocks of good quality, although the Fund also may invest
in fixed-income and convertible securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of large,
well-established "blue-chip" companies. The Fund also may invest in fixed-income
and convertible securities and in securities of foreign issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 21.48% 27.57%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 31.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 29.57 21.48
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 23.28%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -13.76%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
9
<PAGE>
Alliance Balanced Shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is high return through a combination of current
income and capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income
securities. The percentage of the Fund's assets invested in each type of
security will vary, but at least 25% of the Fund's total assets will be invested
in fixed-income senior securities. The Fund invests in common and preferred
stocks, U.S. Government and agency securities, bonds and senior debt
securities. The Fund's investments in each type of security depends on current
economic conditions and market outlooks. The Fund also may invest up to 15% of
its total assets in foreign equity and fixed-income securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk, allocation risk and credit risk. To the extent the Fund invests in
foreign securities, your investment has currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 16.03% 21.61%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 31.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 27.43 16.03
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 13.52%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -6.36%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
10
<PAGE>
Alliance Utility Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is current income and capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the
utilities industry.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in income-producing equity securities. The Fund
invests in securities of utility companies in the electric, telecommunications,
gas, and water utility industries. The Fund may invest in both U.S. and foreign
utility companies, although the Fund will limit its investments in issuers in
any one foreign country to no more than 15% of its total assets. The Fund may
invest up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated securities and up to 30% of
its net assets in convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of
its assets in companies in a specific industry, there is the risk that factors
affecting utility companies will have a significant effect of the value of the
Fund's investments. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated securities,
your investment is subject to more credit risk than a fund that invests in
higher-rated securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 24.83% 28.57%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NYSE Utility 33.04% 30.13%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 31.16 24.83
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 15.63%, 4th quarter, 1997; and Worst Quarter was down
- -3.01%, 1st quarter, 1997.
11
<PAGE>
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital
and income principally through investing in equity securities of companies that
are primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of real estate investment trusts
or "REITs" and other real estate industry companies. The Fund invests in real
estate companies that Alliance believes have strong property fundamentals and
management teams. The Fund seeks to invest in real estate companies whose
underlying portfolios are diversified geographically and by property type. The
Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities,
which are securities that directly or indirectly represent participations in, or
are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of
its assets in the real estate market, it has many of the same risks as direct
ownership of real estate including the risk that the value of real estate could
decline due to a variety of factors affecting the real estate market. In
addition, REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have
limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax
laws. The Fund's investments in mortgage-backed securities have prepayment risk,
which is the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates
decline and the Fund will have to reinvest in securities with lower interest
rates. This risk causes mortgage-backed securities to have significantly greater
price and yield volatility than traditional fixed-income securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class -20.05% 7.79%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 31.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 23.27 -20.05
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 14.51%, 3rd quarter, 1997; and Worst Quarter was down
- -12.33%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
12
<PAGE>
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors seeking long-term capital appreciation a
range of alternative approaches to investing in foreign securities.
Alliance New Europe Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through
investments primarily in the equity securities of companies based in Europe.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of European companies. The Fund
diversifies its investments among a number of European countries and normally
invests in companies based in at least three of these countries, although it may
invest 25% or more of its assets in issuers in a single country. The Fund may
invest up to 35% of its total assets in high-quality U.S. Dollar or foreign
currency denominated fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by European
governmental entities, European or multinational companies, or supranational
organizations. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 26% of its
assets invested in securities of United Kingdom issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, the Fund's investments in U.S.
Dollar or foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have interest
rate and credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 25.39% 23.61%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI Europe Index 28.91% 28.30%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17.08 25.39
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 22.56%, 1st quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -19.61%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
13
<PAGE>
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies that are
undergoing, or have undergone, privatization. The Fund also invests in
securities of companies that will benefit from privatizations. The Fund takes
advantage of investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S.
individual investors, that result from the privatization of state enterprises in
both established and developing economies. Because privatizations are integral
to a country's economic restructuring, securities sold in initial public
offerings often are attractively priced to secure the issuer's transition to
private sector ownership. In addition, these enterprises often dominate their
local markets and have the potential for significant managerial and operational
efficiency gains.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in four, and usually considerably more, countries. The
Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in any one of France, Germany,
Great Britain, Italy, and Japan and may invest all of its assets in a single
world region. The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt
securities and convertible debt securities of privatized companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Investments in companies that are undergoing or,
have undergone, privatization could have more risk because they have no
operating history as a private company. In addition, the Fund's investments in
U.S. Dollar or foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have
interest rate and credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 9.33% 13.04%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI EAFE Index 20.33% 11.30%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 13.45 9.33
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 16.58%, 1st quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -17.42%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
14
<PAGE>
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in equity securities of a limited number of carefully selected
non-U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior earnings growth.
Current income is incidental to the Fund's objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of comparatively large,
high-quality, non-U.S. companies. The Fund invests in at least four, and usually
considerably more, countries. Normally, the Fund invests no more than 15% of its
total assets in issuers of any one foreign country, but may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in each of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The
Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Unlike more typical
international equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of
intensively researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from a
research universe of approximately 900 companies.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 60 companies, with the 30 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the Fund's
net assets. The Fund invests in companies with market values in the range
of the average weighted market capitalizations of companies in the EAFE
index (currently approximately $35 billion). Alliance may take advantage of
market volatility to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent
consistent with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund strives
to capitalize on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to
purchase or increase positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced
holdings. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities and also may invest
in convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, since the Fund invests in a smaller
number of securities than many other international equity funds, changes in
the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either
negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
15
<PAGE>
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital through
investment in a global portfolio of equity securities of selected companies with
relatively small market capitalizations.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of global companies, both
domestic and foreign, with relatively small market capitalizations. The Fund's
investments emphasize companies that are in the smallest 20% of the U.S. stock
market (or less than approximately $1.5 billion). Although these companies are
small by U.S. standards, they may be among the largest companies in their own
countries. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of
companies whose market capitalizations exceed the Fund's size standard. The Fund
invests in at least three countries including the U.S.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 3.81% 6.59%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI World Index 24.80% 20.87%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 8.44 3.81
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 17.82%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -22.96%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
16
<PAGE>
Alliance International Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is total return from long-term growth of capital
and income primarily through investment in a broad portfolio of marketable
securities of established non-U.S. companies, companies participating in
foreign economies with prospects for growth, including U.S. companies having
their principal activities and interests outside the U.S. and in foreign
government securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of established non-U.S.
companies, companies participating in foreign economies with prospects for
growth, including U.S. companies having their principal activities and interests
outside the U.S., and foreign government securities. The Fund diversifies its
investments broadly among countries and normally invests in companies in at
least three foreign countries, although it may invest a substantial portion of
its assets in companies in one or more foreign countries.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class 9.96% 5.85%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI World Index
(minus the U.S.) 19.11% 11.05%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1.59 9.96
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 15.81%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -17.80%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
17
<PAGE>
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through
investment of at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of Greater
China companies.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in equity securities of Greater China companies, which are
companies in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Of these countries, the Fund expects
to invest a significant portion of its assets, which may be greater than 50%, in
Hong Kong companies and may invest all of its assets in Hong Kong companies or
companies of either of the other Greater China countries. The Fund also may
invest in convertible securities and equity-linked debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or Greater China Governments, their
agencies, or instrumentalities. As of December 31, 1998 the Fund had
approximately 75% of its assets invested in securities of Hong Kong companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in Greater China companies,
the Fund's returns will be significantly more volatile and differ
substantially from U.S. markets generally. Your investment also has the
risk that market changes or other events affecting the Greater China
countries, including political instability and unpredictable economic
conditions, may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value.
In addition, the Fund is "non-diversified" meaning that it invests its assets
in a smaller number of companies than many other international funds. As a
result, changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant
effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. The Fund's
investments in debt securities have interest rate and credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class -7.87% -26.74%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI China Free Index -43.83% -54.48%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI Hong Kong Index -2.92% -25.58%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI Taiwan Index -20.64% -30.14%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 9/3/97. Index returns from 9/30/97.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -7.87
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 27.38%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -26.92%, 2nd quarter, 1998.
18
<PAGE>
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund primarily invests in securities of various types of companies based
in Asia. The Fund invests in equity securities, preferred stocks, and
equity-linked debt securities issued by Asian companies and may invest more
than 50% of its total assets in equity securities of Japanese issuers. The
Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued
or guaranteed by Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities, and may invest up to 25% of its net assets in convertible
securities. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 60% of its total
assets invested in securities of Japanese companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in Asian and Pacific region
countries and emerging markets, the Fund's returns will be significantly more
volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market generally.
Your investment has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting
Asian and Pacific region countries and other emerging markets, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a more
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. To the extent that the
Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in Japanese companies, your
investment has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, the Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate and
credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class -12.15% -22.56%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI All Country Asia
Pacific Index 2.03% -13.49%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 10/1/96. Index return from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -34.83 -12.15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 13.57%, 4th quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -18.65%, 4th quarter, 1997.
19
<PAGE>
Alliance Global Environment Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through
investment of substantially all of its assets in equity securities of companies
that are expected to benefit from advances or improvements in products,
processes or services intended to foster the protection of the environment.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in environmental companies, which are companies whose
principal business involves the sale of environmental protection systems or
services. The Fund also invests in companies whose principal business lies
outside the environmental sector but who anticipate environmental regulations or
consumer preferences through the development of new products or services that
would contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. The Fund will invest
substantially all of its assets in these two types of companies. The Fund
invests in securities of companies in at least three, and normally
considerably more, countries. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately
82% invested in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in non-U.S. companies and in
specific types of companies that provide environmental services, the Fund's
returns will be more volatile and differ, sometimes substantially, from the
overall U.S. market generally. The Fund's investments also have the risk that
government regulations or other action could negatively affect the business of
environmental companies.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class -2.99% 0.09%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.60% 28.60%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998.
*Advisor Class shares inception date: 12/29/97. Index return from 12/31/97.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart shows the annual return for the Advisor Class shares since
inception.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -2.99
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best Quarter was up 15.74%, 1st quarter, 1998; and Worst Quarter was down
- -19.83%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
20
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
The value of your investment in a Fund will change with changes in the values of
that Fund's investments. Many factors can affect those values. In this Summary,
we describe the principal risks that may affect a Fund's portfolio as a whole.
These risks and the Funds particularly subject to these risks appear in a chart
at the end of the section. All Funds could be subject to additional principal
risks because the types of investments made by each Fund can change over time.
This Prospectus has additional descriptions of the types of investments that
appear in bold type in the discussions under "Description of Investment
Practices" or "Additional Risk Considerations." These sections also include more
information about the Funds, their investments, and related risks.
MARKET RISK
This is the risk that the value of a Fund's investments will fluctuate as the
stock or bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over short
or longer-term periods. All of the Alliance Stock Funds are subject to market
risk.
SECTOR RISK
This is the risk of investments in a particular industry sector. Market or
economic factors affecting that industry sector could have a major effect on the
value of a Fund's investments. Funds particularly subject to this risk are
Alliance Technology Fund, Alliance Utility Income Fund, Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund and Alliance Global
Environment Fund. This risk may be greater for Alliance Technology Fund because
technology stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to
be more volatile than the overall market.
CAPITALIZATION RISK
This is the risk of investments in small- to mid-capitalization companies.
Investments in mid-cap companies may be volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. Alliance Growth Fund and The Alliance Fund are particularly subject
to this risk. Investments in small-cap companies tend to be more volatile than
investments in large-cap or mid-cap companies. A Fund's investments in smaller
capitalization stocks may have additional risks because these companies often
have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. Alliance Quasar
Fund and Alliance Global Small Cap Fund are particularly subject to this risk.
INTEREST RATE RISK
This is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of a
Fund's investments in income-producing, fixed-income (i.e., debt) securities.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of a Fund's investments to
decline and this decrease in value may not be offset by the higher interest rate
income. Interest rate risk is particularly applicable to Funds that invest in
fixed-income securities and is greater for those Alliance Stock Funds that
invest a substantial portion of their assets in fixed-income securities, such as
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Alliance Balanced Shares and Alliance Utility
Income Fund. Interest rate risk is greater for those Funds that invest in
lower-rated securities or comparable unrated securities ("junk bonds") such as
Alliance Utility Income Fund. Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund also has more
exposure to interest rate risk because it invests in real estate industry
companies and in mortgage-backed securities.
CREDIT RISK
This is the risk that the issuer of a security or the other party to an
over-the-counter transaction, will be unable or unwilling to make timely
payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The
degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating.
Credit risk is applicable to Funds that invest in fixed-income securities and is
greater for those Alliance Stock Funds that invest a substantial portion of
their assets in lower-rated securities, such as Alliance Utility Income Fund.
FOREIGN RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in foreign countries. All
Alliance Stock Funds with foreign securities are subject to this risk,
including, in particular, Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund, Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund,
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund and Alliance Global Environment Fund. Fund's
investing in foreign securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in
value than Funds with investments solely 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 a Fund's investments in a foreign country. In the event
of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, a Fund could lose its
entire investment.
COUNTRY OR GEOGRAPHIC RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region. Market changes or other factors affecting that country or
region, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions,
may have a particularly significant effect on a Fund's net asset value. The
Funds particularly subject to this risk are Alliance New Europe Fund,
21
<PAGE>
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Fund,
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund.
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 a Fund's
investments. Funds with foreign securities are subject to this risk,
including, in particular, Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund, Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund,
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund and Alliance Global Environment Fund.
MANAGEMENT RISK
Each Alliance Stock Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively
managed investment portfolio. Alliance will apply its investment techniques and
risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Funds, but there is no
guarantee that its decisions will produce the intended result.
FOCUSED PORTFOLIO RISK
Funds, such as Alliance Premier Growth Fund and Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, that invest in a limited number of companies, may have more risk
because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant
effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. Similarly,
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund may have more risk because it is
"non-diversified," meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller
number of companies than many other international funds.
ALLOCATION RISK
Alliance Balanced Shares has the risk that the allocation of its investments
between equity and debt securities may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is performing more poorly
than the other.
PRINCIPAL RISKS BY FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart summarizes the principal risks of each Fund. Risks not
marked for a particular Fund may, however, still apply to some extent to that
Fund at various times.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital- Interest Country or Focused
Market Sector ization Rate Credit Foreign Geographic Currency Manage- Portfolio Allocation
Fund Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk ment Risk Risk Risk
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Premier
Growth Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth Fund o o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Technology Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quasar Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Alliance Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Balanced Shares o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Utility
Income Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance New Europe Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International
Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Greater China
'97 Fund o o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance All-Asia
Investment Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Environment Fund o o o o o
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Funds.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES (fees paid directly from your investment)
Advisor Class Share
-------------------
Maximum Front-end or Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None
(as a percentage of original purchase
price or redemption proceeds,
whichever is lower)
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) and
EXAMPLES
The Examples are to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds with the
cost of investing in other funds. They assume that you invest $10,000 in each
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.
Operating Expenses Examples
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Alliance Premier Growth Fund
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 128
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 400
Other expenses .26% After 5 years $ 692
----- After 10 years $ 1,523
Total fund operating expenses 1.26%
=====
Alliance Growth Fund
Management fees .70% After 1 year $ 95
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 296
Other expenses .23% After 5 years $ 515
----- After 10 years $ 1,143
Total fund operating expenses 0.93%
=====
Alliance Technology Fund
Management fees 1.02% After 1 year $ 139
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 434
Other expenses .35% After 5 years $ 750
----- After 10 years $ 1,646
Total fund operating expenses 1.37%
=====
Alliance Quasar Fund
Management fees 1.04% After 1 year $ 140
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 437
Other expenses .34% After 5 years $ 755
----- After 10 years $ 1,657
Total fund operating expenses 1.38%
=====
The Alliance Fund
Management fees .67% After 1 year $ 85
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 265
Other expenses .16% After 5 years $ 460
----- After 10 years $ 1,025
Total fund operating expenses 0.83%
=====
Alliance Growth and Income Fund
Management fees .48% After 1 year $ 78
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 243
Other expenses .28% After 5 years $ 422
----- After 10 years $ 942
Total fund operating expenses 0.76%
=====
Alliance Balanced Shares Fund
Management fees .63% After 1 year $ 108
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 337
Other expenses .43% After 5 years $ 585
----- After 10 years $ 1,294
Total fund operating expenses 1.06%
=====
23
<PAGE>
Operating Expenses Examples
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Alliance Utility Income Fund
Management fees .75% After 1 year $ 122
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 381
Other expenses 1.46% After 5 years $ 660
----- After 10 years $ 1,455
Total fund operating expenses 2.21%
=====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (1.01)%
=====
Net expenses 1.20%
=====
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
Management fees .90% After 1 year $ 127
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 397
Other expenses .35% After 5 years $ 686
----- After 10 years $ 1,511
Total fund operating expenses 1.25%
=====
Alliance New Europe Fund
Management fees 1.02% After 1 year $ 159
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 493
Other expenses .54% After 5 years $ 850
----- After 10 years $ 1,856
Total fund operating expenses 1.56%
=====
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 148
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 459
Other expenses .45% After 5 years $ 792
----- After 10 years $ 1,735
Total fund operating expenses 1.45%
=====
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 223
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 688
Other expenses 5.28% After 5 years $ 1,180
----- After 10 years $ 2,534
Total fund operating expenses 6.28%
=====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (4.08)%
Net expenses 2.20%
=====
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
Management Fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 190
12b-1 Fees None After 3 years $ 588
Other Expenses .87% After 5 years $ 1,011
----- After 10 years $ 2,190
Total fund operating expenses 1.87%
=====
Alliance International Fund
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 150
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 465
Other expenses .62% After 5 years $ 803
----- After 10 years $ 1,757
Total fund operating expenses 1.62%
=====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.15)%
Net expenses 1.47%
=====
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 225
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 694
Other expenses 17.13% After 5 years $ 1,190
----- After 10 years $ 2,554
Total fund operating expenses 18.13%
=====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (15.91)%
=====
Net expenses 2.22%
=====
24
<PAGE>
Operating Expenses Examples
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 273
12b-1 fees None After 3 years $ 838
Administration fees .15% After 5 years $ 1,430
Other operating expenses 3.24% After 10 years $ 3,032
-----
Total fund operating expenses 4.39%
=====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (1.69)%
=====
Net Expenses 2.70%
=====
Alliance Global Environment Fund
Management Fees(b) 1.10% After 1 year $ 472
12b-1 Fees None After 3 years $ 1,419
Other Expenses(b) 3.61% After 5 years $ 2,372
----- After 10 years $ 4,779
Total fund operating expenses 4.71%
=====
(a) Reflects Alliance's contractual waiver of a portion of its advisory fee
and/or reimbursement of a portion of the Fund's operating expenses.
(b) Management fees and other expenses for Alliance Global Environment Fund
are based on estimated amounts for its current fiscal year.
25
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Depositary receipts include American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other types of depositary receipts.
Equity securities include (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business
trust shares and other equity or 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.
Foreign government securities are securities issued or guaranteed, as to payment
of principal and interest, by governments, quasi-governmental entities,
governmental agencies or other governmental entities.
Qualifying bank deposits are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than
$1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Rule 144A securities are securities that may be resold under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act.
U.S. Government securities are securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
TYPES OF COMPANIES
Asian company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of an Asian
country and conducts business in an Asian country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in Asian countries, or (iii) issues equity or
debt securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in an Asian
country.
Asian countries are Australia, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
(Hong Kong), the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Japan, the Kingdom of Thailand,
Malaysia, Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), New Zealand, the People's Republic
of China, the People's Republic of Kampuchea (Cambodia), the Republic of China
(Taiwan), the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of
Korea (South Korea), the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore,
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Union of Myanmar.
Beneficiary Companies are Eligible Companies whose principal businesses lie
outside the environmental sector but nevertheless anticipate environmental
regulations or consumer preferences through the development of new products,
processes or services that are intended to contribute to a cleaner and healthier
environment, such as companies that anticipate the demand for plastic
substitutes, aerosol substitutes, alternative fuels and processes that generate
less hazardous waste.
Eligible Companies are companies expected to benefit from advances or
improvements in products, processes or services intended to foster the
protection of the environment.
Environmental companies are Eligible Companies that have a principal business
involving the sale of systems or services intended to foster environmental
protection, such as waste treatment and disposal, remediation, air pollution
control and recycling.
Greater China company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a
Greater China country and conducts business in a Greater China country, (ii)
derives 50% or more of its total revenues from businesses in Greater China
countries, or (iii) issues equity or debt securities that are traded principally
on a stock exchange in a Greater China country. A company of a particular
Greater China country is a company that meets any of these criteria with respect
to that country.
Greater China countries are the People's Republic of China ("China"), the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ("Hong
Kong") and the Republic of China ("Taiwan").
Non-U.S. Company is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a foreign
country and conducts business in a foreign country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in foreign countries, or (iii) issues equity or
debt securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in a foreign
country.
RATING AGENCIES, RATED SECURITIES and INDEXES
Duff & Phelps is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
EAFE Index is Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far
East ("EAFE") Index.
Fitch is Fitch IBCA, Inc.
Investment grade securities are fixed-income securities rated Baa and above by
Moody's or B and above by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by Alliance
to be of equivalent quality.
Lower-rated securities are fixed-income securities rated Ba or below by Moody's
or BB or below by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by Alliance to be
of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred to as "junk bonds."
Moody's is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
26
<PAGE>
Prime commercial paper is commercial paper rated Prime 1 by Moody's or A-1 or
higher by S&P or, if not rated, issued by companies that have an outstanding
debt issue rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher by S&P.
S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
S&P 500 Index is S&P's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, a widely recognized
unmanaged index of market activity.
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 FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of the
Funds' investment objectives, principal strategies and risks. Of course, there
can be no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Please note that:
o Additional discussion of the Funds' investments, including the risks of
the investments, can be found in the discussion under Description of
Investment Practices following this section.
o The description of the principal risks for a Fund may include risks
described in the Summary of Principal Risks above. Additional information
about the risks of investing in a Fund can be found in the discussion
under Additional Risk Considerations.
o Additional descriptions of each Fund's strategies, investments and risks
can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI.
o Except as noted, (i) the Funds' investment objectives are "fundamental"
and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote, and (ii) the Funds'
investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a
shareholder vote.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range of
alternative approaches to investing in the U.S. equity markets.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund
Alliance Premier Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in the equity securities of a limited number of large, carefully
selected, high-quality U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior
earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund normally invests at
least 85% of its total assets in the equity securities of U.S. companies. A U.S.
company is a company that is organized under United States law, has its
principal office in the United States and issues equity securities that are
traded principally in the United States. Normally, about 40-50 companies will be
represented in the Fund's portfolio, with the 25 most highly regarded of these
companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the Fund's net assets. The
Fund is thus atypical from most equity mutual funds in its focus on a relatively
small number of intensively researched companies. The Fund is designed for those
seeking to accumulate capital over time with less volatility than that
associated with investment in smaller companies.
Alliance's investment strategy for the Fund emphasizes stock selection and
investment in the securities of a limited number of issuers. Alliance relies
heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of its large internal
research staff, which generally follows a primary research universe of more than
600 companies that have strong management, superior industry positions,
excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth prospects. An emphasis is
placed on identifying companies whose substantially above average prospective
earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
In managing the Fund, Alliance seeks to utilize market volatility judiciously
(assuming no change in company fundamentals), striving to capitalize on
apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or increase
positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. The Fund
normally remains nearly fully invested and does not take significant cash
positions for market timing purposes. During market declines, while adding to
positions in favored stocks, the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive,
gradually reducing the number of companies represented in its portfolio.
Conversely, in rising markets, while reducing or eliminating fully valued
positions, the Fund becomes somewhat more conservative, gradually increasing the
number of companies represented in its portfolio. Alliance thus seeks to gain
positive returns in good markets while providing some measure of protection in
poor markets.
Alliance expects the average market capitalization of companies represented in
the Fund's portfolio normally to be in the range, or in excess, of the average
market capitalization of companies included in the S&P 500 Index.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in convertible securities;
o invest up to 5% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest up to 15% of its total assets in foreign securities;
o purchase and sell exchange-traded index options and stock index futures
contracts; and
27
<PAGE>
o write covered exchange-traded call options on its securities of up to 15%
of its total assets, and purchase and sell exchange-traded call and put
options on common stocks written by others of up to, for all options, 10%
of its total assets.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a single
security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the
Fund's net asset value.
Alliance Growth Fund
Alliance Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. Current income is only
an incidental consideration. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable
earnings outlooks and long-term growth rates that are expected to exceed that of
the U.S. economy over time. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental.
The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in lower-rated
fixed-income securities and convertible bonds. The Fund generally will not
invest in securities rated at the time of purchase below Caa- by Moody's and
CCC- by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch or in securities judged by Alliance to be of
comparable investment quality. From time to time, however, the Fund may invest
in securities rated in the lowest grades (i.e., C by Moody's or D or equivalent
by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch) or securities of comparable investment quality
if there are prospects for an upgrade or a favorable conversion into equity
securities. If the credit rating of a security held by the Fund falls below its
rating at the time of purchase (or Alliance determines that the credit quality
of the security has deteriorated), the Fund may continue to hold the security if
such investment is considered appropriate under the circumstances.
The Fund also may:
o invest in zero-coupon and payment-in-kind bonds;
o invest in foreign securities although not generally in excess of 15% of
its total assets;
o buy or sell foreign currencies, options on foreign currencies, and foreign
currency futures contracts (and related options) and deal in forward
foreign currency exchange contracts;
o enter into forward commitments;
o buy and sell stock index futures contracts and options on future contracts
and on stock indices;
o purchase and sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts and
U.S. Treasury securities;
o write covered call and put options;
o purchase and sell put and call options;
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 25% of its total assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to 25% of its total assets;
Alliance Technology Fund
Alliance Technology Fund emphasizes growth of capital and invests for capital
appreciation. Current income is only an incidental consideration. The Fund may
seek income by writing listed call options. The Fund invests primarily in
securities of companies expected to benefit from technological advances and
improvements (i.e., companies that use technology extensively in the development
of new or improved products or processes). The Fund will normally have at least
80% of its assets invested in the securities of these companies. The Fund
normally will have substantially all its assets invested in equity securities,
but it also invests in debt securities offering an opportunity for price
appreciation. The Fund will invest in listed and unlisted securities, in U.S.
securities, and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities.
The Fund's policy is to invest in any company and industry and in any type of
security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and
established companies and in new and unseasoned companies.
The Fund also may:
o write covered call options on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets and purchase exchange-listed call and put options, including
exchange-traded index put options of up to, for all options, 10% of its
total assets;
o invest up to 10% of its total assets in warrants; and
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets.
Because the Fund invests primarily in technology companies, factors affecting
those types of companies could have a significant effect on the Fund's net asset
value. In addition, the Fund's investments in technology stocks, especially
those of smaller, less seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the
overall market. The Fund's investments in debt and foreign securities have
credit risk and foreign risk.
Alliance Quasar Fund
Alliance Quasar Fund seeks growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment
policies. The Fund invests for capital appreciation and only incidentally for
current income. The Fund's practice of selecting securities based on the
possibility of appreciation cannot, of course, ensure against a loss in value.
Moreover, because the Fund's investment policies are aggressive, an investment
in the Fund is risky and investors who want assured income or preservation of
capital should not invest in the Fund.
The Fund invests in any company and industry and in any type of security with
potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and established
companies and in new and unseasoned companies. When selecting securities for the
Fund, Alliance considers the economic and political outlook, the values of
specific securities relative to other investments, trends in the determinants of
corporate profits, and management capability and practices.
28
<PAGE>
The Fund invests principally in equity securities, but it also invests to a
limited degree in non-convertible bonds and preferred stocks. The Fund invests
in listed and unlisted U.S. and foreign securities. The Fund can periodically
invest in the securities of companies that are expected to appreciate due to a
development particularly or uniquely applicable to a company regardless of
general business conditions or movements of the market as a whole.
The Fund also may:
o make short sales of securities against the box but not more than 15% of
its net assets may be deposited on short sales; and
o write covered call options of up to 15% of its total assets and purchase
and sell put and call options written by others of up to, for all options,
10% of its total assets.
Investments in smaller companies may have more risk because they tend to be more
volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's investments in
non-convertible bonds, preferred stocks and foreign stocks may have credit risk
and foreign risk.
The Alliance Fund
The Alliance Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income primarily through
investment in common stocks. The Fund normally invests substantially all of its
assets in common stocks that Alliance believes will appreciate in value. The
Fund also may invest in other types of securities such as convertible
securities, investment grade instruments, U.S. Government securities and high
quality, short-term obligations such as repurchase agreements, bankers'
acceptances and domestic certificates of deposit. The Fund may invest without
limit in foreign securities. The Fund generally does not effect portfolio
transactions in order to realize short-term trading profits or exercise control.
The Fund also may:
o write exchange-traded covered call options on up to 25% of its total
assets;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 25% of its total
assets;
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to seven days' duration with
commercial banks, but only if those agreements together with any
restricted securities and any securities which do not have readily
available market quotations do not exceed 10% of its net assets;
While the diversification and generally high quality of the Fund's investments
cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they tend to limit investment risk
and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective.
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds provide a range of investment alternatives to investors
seeking both growth of capital and current income.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund
Alliance Growth and Income Fund seeks appreciation through investments primarily
in dividend-paying common stocks of good quality. The Fund also may invest in
fixed-income securities and convertible securities.
The Fund also may try to realize income by writing covered call options listed
on domestic securities exchanges. The Fund also invests in foreign securities.
Since the purchase of foreign securities entails certain political and economic
risks, the Fund restricts its investments in these securities to issues of high
quality. The Fund also may purchase and sell financial forward and futures
contracts and options on these securities for hedging purposes.
Alliance Balanced Shares
Alliance Balanced Shares seeks a high return through a combination of current
income and capital appreciation. Although the Fund's investment objective is not
fundamental, the Fund is a "balanced" fund as a matter of fundamental policy.
The Fund invests in equity securities of high-quality, financially strong,
dividend-paying companies. Normally, the Fund's investments will consist of
about 60% in stocks, but stocks may make up to 75% of its investments. The Fund
will invest at least 25% of its total assets in investment grade debt
securities. These investments may include short- and long-term debt securities,
preferred stocks, convertible debt securities and convertible preferred stocks
to the extent that their values are attributable to their fixed-income
characteristics. Other than this restriction, the percentage of the Fund's
assets invested in each type of security will vary.
The Fund invests in U.S. Government securities, bonds, senior debt securities,
and preferred and common stocks in such proportions and of such type as Alliance
deems best adapted to the current economic and market outlooks. The Fund may
invest up to 15% of the value of its total assets in foreign equity and
fixed-income securities eligible for purchase by the Fund under its investment
policies described above.
The Fund also may:
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
foreign currencies;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies and enter
into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes; and
o subject to market conditions, write covered call options listed on a
domestic exchange to realize income.
As a balanced fund, the Fund has the risk that the allocation of its investments
between equity and debt securities may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is performing more poorly
than the other.
Alliance Utility Income Fund
Alliance Utility Income Fund seeks current income and capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the
utilities industry. As a
29
<PAGE>
fundamental policy, the Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets
in securities of companies in the utilities industry.
The Fund seeks to take advantage of the characteristics and historical
performance of securities of utility companies, many of which pay regular
dividends and increase their common stock dividends over time. The Fund
considers a company to be in the utilities industry if, during the most recent
twelve-month period, at least 50% of the company's gross revenues, on a
consolidated basis, were derived from its utilities activities.
The Fund may invest in securities of both U.S. and foreign issuers, although the
Fund will invest no more than 15% of its total assets in issuers in any one
foreign country. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
income-producing securities, but there is otherwise no limit on the allocation
of the Fund's investments between equity securities and fixed-income securities.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated securities. The
Fund will not retain a security that is downgraded below B or determined by
Alliance to have undergone similar credit quality deterioration following
purchase.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in equity and fixed-income
securities of domestic and foreign corporate and governmental issuers other than
utility companies. These securities include U.S. Government securities and
repurchase agreements for those securities, foreign government securities,
corporate fixed-income securities of domestic issuers, corporate fixed-income
securities of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies or in U.S.
dollars (in each case including fixed-income securities of an issuer in one
country denominated in the currency of another country), qualifying bank
deposits, and prime commercial paper.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 30% of its net assets in convertible securities;
o invest up to 5% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts, securities of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities denominated in
European Currency Units, and "semi-governmental securities";
o write covered call and put options, purchase call and put options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest that are
exchange-traded and over-the-counter, and write uncovered call options for
cross-hedging purposes;
o purchase and sell exchange-traded options on any securities index composed
of the types of securities in which it may invest;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including an index of U.S. Government securities,
foreign government securities, corporate fixed-income securities, or
common stock, and may purchase and write options on futures contracts;
o purchase and write call and put options on foreign currencies traded on
U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter for hedging purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into interest rate swaps and purchase or sell interest rate caps and
floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 20% of its total
assets.
The Fund's principal risks include those that arise from its investing primarily
in electric utility companies. Factors affecting that industry sector can have a
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. The U.S. utilities industry
has experienced significant changes in recent years. Electric utility companies
in general have been favorably affected by lower fuel costs, the full or near
completion of major construction programs and lower financing costs. In
addition, many utility companies have generated cash flows in excess of current
operating expenses and construction expenditures, permitting some degree of
diversification into unregulated businesses. Regulatory changes, however, could
increase costs or impair the ability of nuclear and conventionally fueled
generating facilities to operate their facilities and reduce their ability to
make dividend payments on their securities. Rates of return of utility companies
generally are subject to review and limitation by state public utilities
commissions and tend to fluctuate with marginal financing costs. Rate changes
ordinarily lag behind changes in financing costs and can favorably or
unfavorably affect the earnings or dividend pay-outs of utilities stocks
depending upon whether the rates and costs are declining or rising.
Utility companies historically have been subject to the risks of increases in
fuel and other operating costs, high interest costs, costs associated with
compliance with environmental and nuclear safety regulations, service
interruptions, economic slowdowns, surplus capacity, competition, and regulatory
changes. There also can be no assurance that regulatory policies or accounting
standards changes will not negatively affect utility companies' earnings or
dividends. Utility companies are subject to regulation by various authorities
and may be affected by the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax
laws. To the extent that rates are established or reviewed by governmental
authorities, utility companies are subject to the risk that such authorities
will not authorize increased rates. Because of the Fund's policy of
concentrating its investments in utility companies, the Fund is more susceptible
than most other mutual funds to economic, political or regulatory occurrences
affecting the utilities industry.
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Foreign utility companies, like those in the U.S., are generally subject to
regulation, although the regulation may or may not be comparable to domestic
regulations. Foreign utility companies in certain countries may be more heavily
regulated by their respective governments than utility companies located in the
U.S. As in the U.S., utility companies generally are required to seek government
approval for rate increases. In addition, many foreign utility companies use
fuels that cause more pollution than those used in the U.S. and may yet be
required to invest in pollution control equipment. Foreign utility regulatory
systems vary from country to country and may evolve in ways different from
regulation in the U.S. The percentage of the Fund's assets invested in issuers
of particular countries will vary.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund's investments to
decline and the decrease in value may not be offset by higher interest rate
income. The Fund's investments in lower-rated securities may be subject to more
credit risk than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund seeks a total return from long-term growth
of capital and from income principally through investing in a portfolio of
equity securities of issuers that are primarily engaged in or related to the
real estate industry.
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities
of real estate investment trusts, or REITs, and other real estate industry
companies. A "real estate industry company" is a company that derives at least
50% of its gross revenues or net profits from the ownership, development,
construction, financing, management, or sale of commercial, industrial, or
residential real estate or interests in these properties. The Fund invests in
equity securities that include common stock, shares of beneficial interest of
REITs, and securities with common stock characteristics, such as preferred stock
or convertible securities ("Real Estate Equity Securities").
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (a) securities that
directly or indirectly represent participations in, or are collateralized by and
payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property ("Mortgage-Backed
Securities"), such as mortgage pass-through certificates, real estate mortgage
investment conduit certificates ("REMICs") and collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") and (b) short-term investments. These securities are
described below.
In selecting Real Estate Equity Securities, Alliance's analysis will focus on
determining the degree to which the company involved can achieve sustainable
growth in cash flow and dividend paying capability. Alliance believes that the
primary determinant of this capability is the economic viability of property
markets in which the company operates and that the secondary determinant of this
capability is the ability of management to add value through strategic focus and
operating expertise. The Fund will purchase Real Estate Equity Securities when,
in the judgment of Alliance, their market price does not adequately reflect this
potential. In making this determination, Alliance will take into account
fundamental trends in underlying property markets as determined by proprietary
models, site visits conducted by individuals knowledgeable in local real estate
markets, price-earnings ratios (as defined for real estate companies), cash flow
growth and stability, the relationship between asset value and market price of
the securities, dividend payment history, and such other factors that Alliance
may determine from time to time to be relevant. Alliance will attempt to
purchase for the Fund Real Estate Equity Securities of companies whose
underlying portfolios are diversified geographically and by property type.
The Fund may invest without limitation in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled
investment vehicles that invest primarily in income producing real estate or
real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as equity
REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity
REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive
income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize
capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage
REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive
income from the collection of interest payments. Similar to investment companies
such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders
provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. The Fund will
indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs in which
the Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by the Fund.
The Fund's investment strategy with respect to Real Estate Equity Securities is
based on the premise that property market fundamentals are the primary
determinant of growth underlying the performance of Real Estate Equity
Securities. Value and management further distinguishes the most attractive Real
Estate Equity Securities. The Fund's research and investment process is designed
to identify those companies with strong property fundamentals and strong
management teams. This process is comprised of real estate market research,
specific property inspection, and securities analysis. Alliance believes that
this process will result in a portfolio that will consist of Real Estate Equity
Securities of companies that own assets in the most desirable markets across the
country, diversified geographically and by property type.
To implement the Fund's research and investment process, Alliance has retained
the consulting services of CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"), a publicly held
company and the largest real estate services company in the United States.
CBRE's business includes real estate brokerage, property and facilities
management, and real estate finance and investment advisory activities. The
universe of property-owning real estate industry firms consists of approximately
142 companies of sufficient size and quality to merit consideration for
investment by the Fund. As consultant to Alliance, CBRE provides access to its
proprietary model, REIT-Score, which analyzes the approximately 18,000
properties owned by these 142 companies. Using proprietary databases and
algorithms, CBRE analyzes local market rent, expenses, occupancy trends, market
specific transaction pricing, demographic and economic trends, and leading
indicators of real estate supply such as building
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permits. Over 1,000 asset-type specific geographic markets are analyzed and
ranked on a relative scale by CBRE in compiling its REIT-Score database. The
relative attractiveness of these real estate industry companies is similarly
ranked based on the composite rankings of the properties they own.
Once the universe of real estate industry companies has been distilled through
the market research process, CBRE's local market presence provides the
capability to perform site specific inspections of key properties. This analysis
examines specific location, condition, and sub-market trends. CBRE's use of
locally based real estate professionals provides Alliance with a window on the
operations of the portfolio companies as information can immediately be put in
the context of local market events. Only those companies whose specific property
portfolios reflect the promise of their general markets will be considered for
investment by the Fund.
Alliance further screens the universe of real estate industry companies by using
rigorous financial models and by engaging in regular contact with management of
targeted companies. Each management's strategic plan and ability to execute the
plan are determined and analyzed. Alliance makes extensive use of CBRE's network
of industry analysts in order to assess trends in tenant industries. This
information is then used to further evaluate management's strategic plans.
Financial ratio analysis is used to isolate those companies with the ability to
make value-added acquisitions. This information is combined with property market
trends and used to project future earnings potential.
The Fund may invest in short-term investments including: corporate commercial
paper and other short-term commercial obligations, in each case rated or issued
by companies with similar securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; obligations (including
certificates of deposit, time deposits, demand deposits and bankers'
acceptances) of banks with securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; and obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities with
remaining maturities not exceeding 18 months.
The Fund may invest in debt securities rated BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or
higher by Moody's or, if not rated, of equivalent credit quality as determined
by Alliance. The Fund expects that it will not retain a debt security that is
downgraded below BBB or Baa or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to have
undergone similar credit quality deterioration, subsequent to purchase by the
Fund.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 15% of its net assets in convertible securities;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements; and
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position but only if at
all times when a short position is open not more than 25% of the Fund's
net assets is held as collateral for such sales.
o invest up to 10% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 25% of its total assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to seven days' duration.
Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in the real estate
market, it is subject to many of the same risks involved in direct ownership of
real estate. For example, the value of real estate could decline due to a
variety of factors affecting the real estate market generally, such as
overbuilding, increases in interest rates, or declines in rental rates. In
addition, REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have
limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax
laws.
The Fund's investments in mortgage-backed securities have prepayment risk, which
is the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates decline and
the Fund will have to reinvest in securities with lower interest rates. This
risk causes mortgage-backed securities to have significantly greater price and
yield volatility than traditional fixed-income securities. The Fund's
investments in REMICs, CMOs and other types of mortgage-backed securities may be
subject to special risks that are described under "Description of Investment
Practices."
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors the opportunity to participate in the
potential for long-term capital appreciation available from investment in
foreign securities.
Alliance New Europe Fund
Alliance New Europe Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment
primarily in the equity securities of companies based in Europe. The Fund
intends to invest substantially all of its assets in the equity securities of
European companies and has a fundamental policy of normally investing at least
65% of its total assets in these securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of
its total assets in high-quality U.S. Dollar or foreign currency denominated
fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by European governmental entities,
or by European or multinational companies or supranational organizations.
Alliance believes that the quickening pace of economic integration and political
change in Europe creates the potential for many European companies to experience
rapid growth. In addition, the emergence of new market economies in Europe and
the broadening and strengthening of other European economies may significantly
accelerate economic development. The Fund invests in companies that Alliance
believes possess rapid growth potential. The Fund emphasizes investments in
larger, established companies, but also invests in smaller, emerging companies.
In recent years, economic ties between the former "east bloc" countries of
Eastern Europe and certain other European
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countries have been strengthened. Alliance believes that as this strengthening
continues, some Western European financial institutions and other companies
will have special opportunities to facilitate East-West transactions. The
Fund will seek investment opportunities among these companies and, as
opportunities become available, within the former "east bloc." The Fund will
not invest more than 20% of its total assets in these companies or more than
10% of its total assets in issuers based in any one country.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of European countries
and normally invests in companies based in at least three of these countries.
The Fund, however, may invest without limit in a single European country.
While the Fund does not intend to concentrate its investments in a single
country, at times 25% or more of its assets may be invested in companies
located in a single country. During such times, the Fund would be subject to a
correspondingly greater risk of loss due to adverse political or regulatory
developments, or an economic downturn, within that country.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts or other securities convertible into
securities of companies based in European countries, debt securities of
supranational entities denominated in the Euro or the currency of any
European country, debt securities denominated in the Euro of an
issuer in a European country (including supranational issuers), and
"semi-governmental securities";
o purchase and sell forward contracts;
o write covered call or put options and sell and purchase exchange-traded
put and call options, including exchange-traded index options;
o enter into financial futures contracts, including contracts for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and futures
contracts based on stock indices, and purchase and write options on
futures contracts;
o purchase and write put options on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into forward commitments.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. countries and smaller countries may have more
risk because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. To the
extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in a particular
European country, your investment is subject to the risk that market changes or
other events affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value. The Fund's investments in U.S. Dollar- or foreign
currency-denominated fixed-income securities have interest rate and credit risk.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. As a
fundamental policy, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities issued by enterprises that are undergoing, or have undergone,
privatization (as described below), although normally significantly more of its
assets will be invested in such securities. The balance of its investments will
include securities of companies believed by Alliance to be beneficiaries of
privatizations. The Fund is designed for investors desiring to take advantage of
investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S. individual
investors, that are created by privatizations of state enterprises in both
established and developing economies. These companies include those in Western
Europe and Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia, Eastern and
Central Europe and, to a lesser degree, Canada and the United States.
The Fund's investments in enterprises undergoing privatization may comprise
three distinct situations. First, the Fund may invest in the initial offering of
publicly traded equity securities (an "initial equity offering") of a
government- or state-owned or controlled company or enterprise (a "state
enterprise"). Secondly, the Fund may purchase securities of a current or former
state enterprise following its initial equity offering. Finally, the Fund may
make privately negotiated purchases of stock or other equity interests in a
state enterprise that has not yet conducted an initial equity offering. Alliance
believes that substantial potential for capital appreciation exists as
privatizing enterprises rationalize their management structures, operations and
business strategies in order to compete efficiently in a market economy and the
Fund will thus emphasize investments in such enterprises.
Privatization is a process through which the ownership and control of companies
or assets changes in whole or in part from the public sector to the private
sector. Through privatization a government or state divests or transfers all or
a portion of its interest in a state enterprise to some form of private
ownership. Governments and states with established economies, including France,
Great Britain, Germany, and Italy, and those with developing economies,
including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and Hungary,
are engaged in privatizations. The Fund will invest in any country believed to
present attractive investment opportunities.
A major premise of the Fund's approach is that the equity securities of
privatized companies offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation.
In particular, because privatizations are integral to a country's economic
restructuring, securities sold in initial equity offerings often are priced
attractively to secure the issuer's successful transition to private sector
ownership. Additionally, these enterprises often dominate their local markets
and typically have the potential for significant managerial and operational
efficiency gains.
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The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in at least four, and usually considerably more,
countries. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in issuers in any
one foreign country, except that the Fund may invest up to 30% of its total
assets in issuers in any one of France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Japan.
The Fund may invest all of its assets within a single region of the world.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities and
convertible debt securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in
lower-rated securities. The Fund will not retain a non-convertible security that
is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to have undergone similar credit
quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in rights or warrants;
o write covered call and put options, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for
cross-hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
foreign government securities, or common stock, and may purchase and write
options on future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
Investments in non-U.S. companies and smaller companies may have more risk
because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's
investments in debt securities and convertible securities have interest risk and
credit risk.
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund seeks long term capital appreciation
by investing predominately in the equity securities of a limited number of
carefully selected non-U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve superior
earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will invest under
normal circumstances at least 85% of its total assets in equity securities. The
Fund makes investments based upon their potential for capital appreciation.
Current income is incidental to that objective.
In the main, the Fund's investments will be in comparatively large, high-quality
companies. Normally, about 60 companies will be represented in the Fund's
portfolio, and the 30 most highly regarded of these companies usually will
constitute approximately 70% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund thus differs
from more typical international equity mutual funds by focusing on a relatively
small number of intensively researched companies. The Fund is designed for
investors seeking to accumulate capital over time. Because of market risks
inherent in any investment, the selection of securities on the basis of their
appreciation possibilities cannot ensure against possible loss in value. There
is, of course, no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be met.
Alliance expects the market capitalization of the companies represented in the
Fund's portfolio normally will be in the range of the average weighted market
capitalization of the companies comprising the EAFE Index. As of December 31,
1998, the average weighted market capitalization of companies in the EAFE
index was approximately $35 billion.
Within the investment framework of the Fund, Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group,
headed by Alfred Harrison, Alliance's Vice Chairman, has responsibility for
managing the Fund's portfolio. As discussed below, in selecting the Fund's
portfolio investments Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group will follow a
structured, disciplined research and investment process that is essentially
similar to that which it employs in managing Premier Growth Fund.
In managing the Fund's assets, Alliance's investment strategy will emphasize
stock selection and investment in the securities of a limited number of issuers.
Alliance depends heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of its large
global equity research team situated in numerous locations around the world. Its
global equity analysts follow a research universe of approximately 900
companies. As one of the largest multinational investment management firms,
Alliance has access to considerable information concerning the companies in its
research universe, an in-depth understanding of the products, services, markets,
and competition of these companies, and a good knowledge of their management.
Research emphasis is placed on the identification of companies whose superior
prospective earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
Alliance constantly adds to and deletes from this universe as fundamentals and
valuations change. Alliance's global equity analysts rate companies in three
categories. The performance of each analyst's ratings is an important
determinant of his or her incentive compensation. The equity securities of
"one-rated" companies are expected to significantly outperform the local market
in local currency terms. All equity securities purchased for the Fund's
portfolio will be selected from the universe of approximately 100 "one-rated"
companies. As noted above, the Fund usually invests approximately 70% of its
net assets in approximately 30 most highly regarded of these companies.
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The Fund's portfolio emphasis upon particular industries or sectors
will be a by-product of the stock selection process rather than the result of
assigned targets or ranges.
The Fund diversifies its investments among at least four, and usually
considerably more, countries. No more than 15% of the Fund's total assets will
be invested in issuers in any one foreign country, except that the Fund may
invest up to 25% of its total assets in issuers in each of Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Within these limits, geographic distribution of the Fund's investments among
countries or regions also will be a product of the stock selection process
rather than a predetermined allocation. To the extent that the Fund
concentrates its assets within one region, the Fund may be subject to any
special risks associated with that region. While the Fund may engage in
currency hedging programs in periods in which Alliance perceives extreme
exchange rate risk, the Fund normally will not make significant use of
currency hedging strategies.
In the management of the Fund's investment portfolio, Alliance will seek to
utilize market volatility judiciously (assuming no change in company
fundamentals) to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent consistent
with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund will strive to capitalize
on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or increase
positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund will remain substantially fully invested in equity
securities and will not take significant cash positions for market timing
purposes. Rather, through "buying into declines" and "selling into strength,"
Alliance seeks superior relative returns over time.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in convertible securities;
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in rights or warrants;
o write covered call and put options, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for cross
hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
foreign government securities, or common stock and may purchase and write
options on such future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain short positions of no more than
5% of its net assets as collateral for short sales; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment also has the risk that changes in the value of a
single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive,
on the Fund's net asset value.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund seeks long-term growth of capital through
investment in a global portfolio of the equity securities of selected companies
with relatively small market capitalization. The Fund's portfolio emphasizes
companies with market capitalizations that would have placed them (when
purchased) in about the smallest 20% by market capitalization of actively traded
U.S. companies, or market capitalizations of up to about $1.5 billion. Because
the Fund applies the U.S. size standard on a global basis, its foreign
investments might rank above the lowest 20%, and, in fact, might in some
countries rank among the largest, by market capitalization in local markets.
Normally, the Fund invests at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of
these smaller capitalization companies. These companies are located in at least
three countries, one of which may be the U.S. The Fund may invest up to 35% of
its total assets in securities of companies whose market capitalizations
exceed the Fund's size standard. The Fund's portfolio securities may be listed
on a U.S. or foreign exchange or traded over-the-counter.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in warrants to purchase equity
securities;
o invest in depositary receipts or other securities representing securities
of companies based in countries other than the U.S.;
o purchase or sell forward foreign currency contracts;
o write covered call options on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets, and purchase exchange-traded call and put options, including put
options on market indices of up to, for all options, 10% of its total
assets; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets.
One of the Fund's principal risks is its investments in smaller capitalization
companies. Alliance believes that smaller capitalization companies often have
sales and earnings growth rates exceeding those of larger companies and that
these growth rates tend to cause more rapid share price appreciation. Investing
in smaller capitalization stocks, however, involves greater risk than is
associated with larger, more established
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companies. For example, smaller capitalization companies often have limited
product lines, markets, or financial resources. They may be dependent for
management on one or a few key persons and can be more susceptible to losses and
risks of bankruptcy. Their securities may be thinly traded (and therefore have
to be sold at a discount from current market prices or sold in small lots over
an extended period of time), may be followed by fewer investment research
analysts, and may be subject to wider price swings. For these reasons, the
Fund's investments may have a greater chance of loss than investments in
securities of larger capitalization companies. In addition, transaction costs in
small capitalization stocks may be higher than in those of larger capitalization
companies.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in smaller companies will be
more volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Fund seeks a total return on its assets from long-term
growth of capital and from income primarily through a broad portfolio of
marketable securities of established non-U.S. companies, companies participating
in foreign economies with prospects for growth, including U.S. companies having
their principal activities and interests outside the U.S. and foreign government
securities. Normally, the Fund will invest more than 80% of its assets in these
types of companies.
The Fund expects to invest primarily in common stocks of established non-U.S.
companies that Alliance believes have potential for capital appreciation or
income or both, but the Fund is not required to invest exclusively in common
stocks or other equity securities. The Fund may invest in any other type of
investment grade security, including convertible securities, as well as in
warrants, or obligations of the U.S. or foreign governments and their political
subdivisions.
The Fund intends to diversify its investments broadly among countries and
normally invests in at least three foreign countries, although it may invest a
substantial portion of its assets in one or more of these countries. The Fund
may invest in companies, wherever organized, that Alliance judges have their
principal activities and interests outside the U.S. These companies may be
located in developing countries, which involves exposure to economic structures
that are generally less diverse and mature and to political systems that can
be expected to have less stability than those of developed countries. The Fund
currently does not intend to invest more than 10% of its total assets in
companies in, or governments of, developing countries.
The Fund also may:
o purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts;
o write covered call or put options, sell and purchase U.S. or foreign
exchange-listed put and call options, including exchange-traded index
options;
o enter into financial futures contracts, including contracts for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and stock index
futures, and purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts
traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter;
o purchase and write put options on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
o make loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements of up to seven days' duration for up to
10% of the Fund's total assets.
Investments in non-U.S. countries may have more risk because they tend to be
more volatile than the U.S. stock market. To the extent that the Fund invests a
substantial amount of its assets in a particular foreign country, an investment
in the Fund has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the
Fund's net asset value.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment of at least 80% of its
total assets in equity securities issued by Greater China companies. The Fund
expects to invest a significant portion, which may be greater than 50%, of its
assets in equity securities of Hong Kong companies and may invest, from time to
time, all of its assets in Hong Kong companies or companies of either of the
other Greater China countries.
In recent years, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have each experienced a high level
of real economic growth, although growth is expected to slow in 1999. This
growth has resulted from advantageous economic conditions, including favorable
demographics, competitive wage rates, and rising per capita income and consumer
demand. Significantly, the growth has also been fueled by an easing by both
China and Taiwan of government restrictions and an increased receptivity to
foreign investment. This expanded, if not yet complete, openness to foreign
investment extends as well to the securities markets of both countries. Hong
Kong's free-market economy has historically included securities markets
completely open to foreign investments. All three countries have regulated stock
exchanges upon which shares of an increasing number of Greater China companies
are traded.
With its population estimated at more than 1.2 billion as a driving force, and
notwithstanding its continuing political rigidity, China's economic growth has
been coupled with significantly reduced government economic intervention and
basic economic structural change. Recent years have seen large increases in
industrial production with a significant decline in the state sector share of
industrial output, and increased involvement of local governmental units and the
private sector in establishing new business enterprises.
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With China's growth has come an increasing direct and indirect economic
involvement of all three Greater China countries. For some time, Hong Kong, a
world financial and trade center in its own right, with a large stock exchange
and offices of many of the world's multinational companies, has been the gateway
to trade with and foreign investment in China. With the transfer on
July 1, 1997 of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China, not
only the political but the economic ties between China and Hong Kong are
expected to continue to intensify, with the continuation of Hong Kong's economic
system as provided for in the law governing its sovereignty.
Notwithstanding the, at times considerable, political tension between the two
countries, it is generally recognized that substantially increased trade and
investment with China has been generated from Taiwan, in many cases through Hong
Kong. Along with this increased interaction with China, Taiwan is becoming a
regional technological and telecommunication center, while continuing the
process of opening its economy up to foreign investment. Although geographically
limited, Taiwan boasts an economy among the world's 20 largest and its foreign
exchange reserves are third largest in the world measured in U.S. dollars. As
China's economy continues to expand, it is expected that Taiwan's economic
interaction with China will likewise increase.
Alliance believes that over the long-term conditions are favorable for
continuing and expanding economic growth in all three Greater China countries.
It is this potential which the Fund hopes to take advantage of by investing both
in established and new and emerging companies. Appendix A has additional
Information about the Greater China countries.
In addition to investing in equity securities of Greater China companies, the
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in (i) debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or by Greater China governments, their
agencies or instrumentalities, and (ii) equity or debt securities issued by
issuers other than Greater China companies. The Fund will invest only in
investment grade securities. The Fund will sell a security that is downgraded
below investment grade or is determined by Alliance to have undergone a
similar credit quality deterioration, the Fund will sell of that security.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in the convertible securities;
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in equity-linked debt securities with
the objective of realizing capital appreciation;
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in loans and other direct debt
securities;
o write covered call and put options, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
securities issued by foreign government entities, or common stock, and may
purchase and write options on future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into interest rate swaps and purchase or sell interest rate caps and
floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if against the box;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
All or some of the policies and practices listed above may not be available to
the Fund in the Greater China countries and the Fund will utilize these policies
only to the extent permissible.
The Fund's investments in Greater China companies will be significantly more
volatile and differ from the overall U.S. market. Your investment also has the
risk that market changes or other events affecting the Greater China countries
may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In addition
the Fund is "non-diversified" meaning that it invests its assets in a smaller
number of companies than many other international funds. As a result, changes
in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either
negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund's investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities (for the purposes of this investment policy, rights, warrants, and
options to purchase common stocks are not deemed to be equity securities),
preferred stocks and equity-linked debt securities issued by Asian companies.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in
Asian companies and Asian debt securities, but also may invest in securities
issued by non-Asian issuers. The Fund expects to invest, from time to time, a
significant portion, which
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may be in excess of 50%, of its assets in equity securities of
Japanese companies.
In the past decade, Asian countries generally have experienced a high level of
real economic growth due to political and economic changes, including foreign
investment and reduced government intervention in the economy. Alliance believes
that certain conditions exist in Asian countries that create the potential for
continued rapid economic growth. These conditions include favorable demographics
and competitive wage rates, increasing levels of foreign direct investment,
rising per capita incomes and consumer demand, a high savings rate, and numerous
privatization programs. Asian countries also are becoming more industrialized
and are increasing their intra-Asian exports while reducing their dependence on
Western export demand. Alliance believes that these conditions are important to
the long-term economic growth of Asian countries.
As the economies of many Asian countries move through the "emerging market"
stage, thus increasing the supply of goods, services and capital available to
less developed Asian markets and helping to spur economic growth in those
markets, the potential is created for many Asian companies to experience rapid
growth. In addition, many Asian companies that have securities listed on
exchanges in more developed Asian countries will be participants in the rapid
economic growth of the lesser-developed countries. These companies generally
offer the advantages of more experienced management and more developed
market regulation.
As their economies have grown, the securities markets in Asian countries have
also expanded. New exchanges have been created and the number of listed
companies, annual trading volume, and overall market capitalization have
increased significantly. Additionally, new markets continue to open to foreign
investments. The Fund also offers investors the opportunity to access relatively
restricted markets. Alliance believes that investment opportunities in Asian
countries will continue to expand.
The Fund will invest in companies believed to possess rapid growth potential.
Thus, the Fund will invest in smaller, emerging companies, but will also invest
in larger, more established companies in such growing economic sectors as
capital goods, telecommunications, and consumer services.
The Fund will primarily invest in investment grade debt securities, but may
invest up to 5% of its net assets in lower-rated securities, lower-rated
loans, and other lower-rated direct debt instruments. The Fund will not retain
a security that is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to have
undergone similar credit quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in the convertible securities;
o invest up to 20% of its net assets in rights or warrants;
o invest in depositary receipts, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in equity-linked debt securities with
the objective of realizing capital appreciation;
o invest up to 25% of its net assets in loans and other direct debt
instruments;
o write covered call and put options, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
securities issued by foreign government entities, or common stock and may
purchase and write options on future contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o purchase or sell forward contracts;
o enter into interest rate swaps and purchase or sell interest rate caps and
floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o enter into currency swaps for hedging purposes;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if against the box;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
o enter into repurchase agreements for U.S. Government securities.
The Fund's investments in Asian and Pacific region countries will be
significantly more volatile and may differ significantly from the overall U.S.
market. To the extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in
Japanese companies, your investment has the risk that market changes or other
events affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's
net assets value. The Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate
and credit risk.
Alliance Global Environment Fund
Alliance Global Environment Fund is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity securities of
Eligible Companies. For purposes of the Fund's investment objective and
investment policies, "equity securities" are common stocks (but not preferred
stocks), rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase common stocks, and
preferred stocks or debt securities that are convertible into common stocks
without the payment of any further consideration. The Fund invests in two
categories of Eligible Companies--Environmental Companies and Beneficiary
Companies. The Fund
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may invest in a company with a broadly diversified business only a part of
which provides such products, processes, or services, when Alliance believes
that these products, processes or services will yield a competitive
advantage that significantly enhances the issuer's growth prospects. As a
matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest
substantially all of its total assets in equity securities of Eligible
Companies.
A major premise of the Fund's investment approach is that environmental concerns
will be a significant source of future growth opportunities, and that
Environmental Companies will see an increased demand for their systems and
services. Environmental Companies operate in the areas of pollution control,
clean energy, solid waste management, hazardous waste treatment and disposal,
pulp and paper recycling, waste-to-energy alternatives, biodegradable cartons,
packages, plastics and other products, remedial projects and emergency cleanup
efforts, manufacture of environmental supplies and equipment, the achievement of
purer air, groundwater, and foods, and the detection, evaluation and treatment
of both existing and potential environmental problems including, among others,
air pollution and acid rain.
The environmental services industry generally is positively affected by
increasing governmental action intended to foster environmental protection. As
environmental regulations are developed and enforced, Environmental Companies
providing the means of compliance with such regulations are afforded substantial
opportunities for growth. Beneficiary Companies may also derive an advantage to
the extent that they have anticipated environmental regulation and are therefore
at a competitive advantage.
In the view of Alliance, increasing public and political awareness of
environmental concerns and resultant environmental regulations are long-term
phenomena that are driven by an emerging global consensus that environmental
protection is a vital and increasingly immediate priority. Alliance believes
that Eligible Companies based in the United States and other economically
developed countries will have increasing opportunities for earnings growth
resulting not only from an increased demand for their existing products or
services but also from innovative responses to changing regulations and
priorities and enforcement policies. Such opportunities will arise, in the
opinion of Alliance, not only within developed countries but also within many
economically developing countries, such as those of Eastern Europe and the
Pacific Rim. These countries lag well behind developed countries in the
conservation and efficient use of natural resources and in their implementation
of policies that protect the environment.
Alliance believes that global investing offers opportunities for superior
investment returns. The Fund spreads investment risk among the capital markets
of a number of countries and invests in equity securities of companies based in
at least three, and normally considerably more, such countries. The percentage
of the Fund's assets invested in securities of companies in a particular country
or denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with Alliance's
assessment of the appreciation potential of such securities and the strength of
that currency.
The Fund also may:
o invest up to 20% of its total assets in warrants to purchase equity
securities;
o invest in depositary receipts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
o enter into forward foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes;
o invest in currency futures and options on such futures for hedging
purposes; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in specific types of companies
that provide environmental services will be more volatile and may differ
substantially from the overall market. The Fund's investments also have the risk
that government regulations or other action could negatively affect the business
of environmental companies.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the Funds' investment practices and associated risks.
Unless otherwise noted, a Fund's use of any of these practices was specified in
the previous section.
Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities (unrelated to first mortgage
loans) represent fractional interests in pools of leases, retail installment
loans, revolving credit receivables, and other payment obligations, both secured
and unsecured. These assets are generally held by a trust and payments of
principal and interest or interest only are passed through monthly or quarterly
to certificate holders and may be guaranteed up to certain amounts by letters of
credit issued by a financial institution affiliated or unaffiliated with the
trustee or originator of the trust.
Like mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities, underlying automobile
sales contracts or credit card receivables are subject to prepayment, which may
reduce the overall return to certificate holders. Certificate holders may also
experience delays in payment on the certificates if the full amounts due on
underlying sales contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust because
of unanticipated legal or administrative costs of enforcing the contracts or
because of depreciation or damage to the collateral (usually automobiles)
securing certain contracts, or other factors.
Convertible Securities. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the
same general characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which generally
provide a stable stream of income with yields that are generally higher than
those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a
convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of the
underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to
make the convertible security less volatile than
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the underlying equity security. As with debt securities, the market value
of convertible securities tends to decrease as interest rates rise and increase
as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower
interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar
quality, they offer investors the potential to benefit from increases in the
market price of the underlying common stock. Convertible debt securities that
are rated Baa or lower by Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or
Fitch and comparable unrated securities as determined by Alliance may share
some or all of the risks of non-convertible debt securities with those ratings.
Currency Swaps. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by a
Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A
currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a
substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other
designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is
subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its
contractual delivery obligations. A Fund will not enter into any currency swap
unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying
ability of the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least
one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the
transaction. If there is a default by the counterparty to the transaction, the
Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements.
Depositary Receipts and Securities of Supranational Entities. Depositary
receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers
of the stock of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose
material information in the United States and, therefore, there may not be a
correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary
receipts. ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by an U.S. bank or trust
company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
corporation. GDRs and other types of depositary receipts are typically issued by
foreign banks or trust companies and evidence ownership of underlying securities
issued by either a foreign or an U.S. company. Generally, depositary receipts in
registered form are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and
depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in foreign securities
markets. For purposes of determining the country of issuance, investments in
depositary receipts of either type are deemed to be investments in the
underlying securities, except with respect to Alliance Growth Fund, where
investments in ADRs are deemed to be investments in securities issued by U.S.
issuers and those in GDRs and other types of depositary receipts are deemed to
be investments in the underlying securities.
A supranational entity is an entity designated or supported by the national
government of one or more countries to promote economic reconstruction or
development. Examples of supranational entities include, among others, the World
Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the European
Investment Bank. A European Currency Unit is a basket of specified amounts of
the currencies of the member states of the European Economic Community.
"Semi-governmental securities" are securities issued by entities owned by either
a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of one of such
government jurisdictions that are not backed by its full faith and credit and
general taxing powers.
Equity-Linked Debt Securities. Equity-linked debt securities are securities on
which the issuer is obligated to pay interest and/or principal that is linked to
the to the performance of a specified index of equity securities. The interest
or principal payments may be significantly greater or less than payment
obligations for other types of debt securities. Adverse changes in equity
securities indices and other adverse changes in the securities markets may
reduce payments made under, and/or the principal of, equity-linked debt
securities held by a Fund. As with any debt securities, the values of
equity-linked debt securities will generally vary inversely with changes in
interest rates. A Fund's ability to dispose of equity-linked debt securities
will depend on the availability of liquid markets for such securities.
Investment in equity-linked debt securities may be considered to be speculative.
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 a Fund may negotiate settlements beyond two months.
Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to market
fluctuations and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the
settlement date.
The use of forward commitments enables a Fund to protect against anticipated
changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising
interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might sell securities in its
portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices.
In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund might sell a
security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar security on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of currently
higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast incorrectly the
direction of interest rate movements, a Fund might be required to complete such
when-issued or forward transactions at prices inferior to the then current
market values. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior
to the settlement date, but a 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 a Fund chooses 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
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commitment, it may incur a gain or 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 made by Alliance Utility Income Fund, Alliance Real Estate Investment
Fund, Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund or Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund 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, a Fund might
lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of
securities at favorable prices.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. A 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.
A 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"). A Fund will 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 a Fund believes that a
foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it
may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of that foreign
currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities denominated in such foreign currency, or when the Fund believes that
the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it
may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that foreign currency for a
fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). A 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, a 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 had not entered into such 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 such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the
opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover,
it may not be possible for a 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 devaluation level it anticipates. Alliance New Europe Fund,
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund and Alliance International Fund will not enter
into a forward contract with a term of more than one year or if, as a result,
more than 50% of its total assets would be committed to such contracts. Alliance
New Europe Fund's, Alliance Global Small Cap Fund's and Alliance International
Fund's investments in forward contracts will be limited to hedging involving
either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Alliance Growth Fund also
may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot basis.
Illiquid Securities. The Funds will limit their investments in illiquid
securities to no more than 15% of their net assets, except the limit is 10% for
Alliance Technology Fund, Alliance Quasar Fund, Alliance New Europe Fund, and
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund and 5% for The Alliance Fund and Alliance
Growth Fund. Illiquunlisted 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 and most privately negotiated
investments in state enterprises that have not yet conducted an initial equity
offering, (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, a Fund may
not be able to realize their full value upon sale. Alliance will monitor the
liquidity of a Fund's investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities
will not be treated as "illiquid" for purposes of this limit on investments.
A Fund that invests in securities for which there is no ready market may not be
able to readily sell such securities. Such securities are unlike securities that
are traded in the open market and can be expected to be sold immediately if the
market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower or higher
than Alliance's most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally, less public
information is available about the issuers of such securities than about
companies whose securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that these
securities are foreign securities, there is no law in many of the countries in
which a 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. However, there may be contractual
restrictions on resales of non-publicly traded foreign securities.
Interest Rate Transactions (Swaps, Caps, and Floors). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate transactions expects to do so primarily to preserve a return
or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect
against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates
purchasing at a later date. The Funds do not intend to use these transactions in
a speculative manner.
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Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating
rate payments for fixed rate payments). Interest rate swaps are entered on a net
basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or
paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). With
respect to Alliance Utility Income Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, the exchange commitments can involve payments
in the same currency or in different currencies. The purchase of an interest
rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a
predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a
contractually-based principal amount from the party selling such interest rate
cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the
extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payments of interest on an agreed principal amount from the party
selling the interest rate floor.
A Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors on either an
asset-based or liability-based basis, depending upon whether it is hedging its
assets or liabilities. A Fund will not enter into an interest rate swap, cap, or
floor transaction unless the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability
of the other party is rated in the highest rating category of at least one
nationally recognized rating organization. Alliance will monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties on an ongoing basis. The swap market has
grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and investment
banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized
swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid.
Caps and floors are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation
has not yet been developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.
The use of interest rate transactions is a highly specialized activity that
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If Alliance were to incorrectly
forecast market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the
investment performance of a Fund would be adversely affected by the use of these
investment techniques. Moreover, even if Alliance is correct in its forecasts,
there is a risk that the transaction position may correlate imperfectly with the
price of the asset or liability being hedged. There is no limit on the amount of
interest rate transactions that may be entered into by a Fund that is permitted
to enter into such transactions. These transactions do not involve the delivery
of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of
loss with respect to interest rate transactions is limited to the net amount of
interest payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the
counterparty to an interest rate transaction defaults, a Fund's risk of loss
consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund contractually is
entitled to receive.
Loans and Other Direct Debt Instruments. Loans and other direct debt instruments
are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other borrower to
another party. They may represent amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates
(loans and loan participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims
or other receivables), or to other creditors. Direct debt instruments involve
the risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the borrower and may offer
less legal protection to a Fund in the event of fraud or misrepresentation than
debt securities. In addition, loan participations involve a risk of insolvency
of the lending bank or other financial intermediary. Direct debt instruments may
also include standby financing commitments that obligate a Fund to supply
additional cash to the borrower on demand. Loans and other direct debt
instruments are generally illiquid and may be transferred only through
individually negotiated private transactions.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon
the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest.
Direct debt instruments may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating
service. Failure to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on these
types of investments could adversely affect a Fund's net asset value and yield.
Loans that are fully secured offer a Fund more protection than unsecured loans
in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there
is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would
satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated.
Making loans to borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor may involve substantial
risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their
indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Direct
indebtedness of government issuers will also involve a risk that the
governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the debt may be unable,
or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial institution's
interests with respect to a loan may involve additional risks to a Fund. For
example, if a loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any
collateral and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and
disposing of the collateral. Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of
insolvency of the lending bank or other intermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that acts
as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as
specified on the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other
indebtedness, a Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, it may have to
rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If
assets held by the agent for the benefit of a Fund were determined to be subject
to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the Fund might incur certain
costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan or loan participation and
could suffer a loss of principal or interest.
Direct indebtedness purchased by a Fund may include letters of credit, revolving
credit facilities, or other standby financing commitments obligating a Fund to
pay additional cash on
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demand. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a Fund to increase
its investment in a borrower at a time when it would not otherwise have done
so, even if the borrower's condition makes it unlikely that the amount will
ever be repaid.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with
other extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts
and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While
securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income from the
securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and
earn additional income or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a
borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Each Fund will have the right
to regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent securities in
order to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights, subscription rights
and rights to dividends, interest, or distributions. A Fund may pay reasonable
finders', administrative, and custodial fees in connection with a loan.
Mortgage-Backed Securities and Associated Risks. Interest and principal payments
(including prepayments) on the mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities
are passed through to the holders of the securities. As a result of the
pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying securities,
mortgage-backed securities are often subject to more rapid prepayment of
principal than their stated maturity would indicate. Prepayments occur when the
mortgagor on a mortgage prepays the remaining principal before the mortgage's
scheduled maturity date. Because the prepayment characteristics of the
underlying mortgages vary, it is impossible to predict accurately the realized
yield or average life of a particular issue of pass-through certificates.
Prepayments are important because of their effect on the yield and price of the
mortgage-backed securities. During periods of declining interest rates,
prepayments can be expected to accelerate and a Fund that invests in these
securities would be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest
rates then available. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a
reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturity of the securities,
subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to
rising interest rates. In addition, prepayments of mortgages underlying
securities purchased at a premium could result in capital losses.
Mortgage-Backed Securities include mortgage pass-through certificates and
multiple-class pass-through securities, such as REMIC pass-through certificates,
CMOs and stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"), and other types of
Mortgage-Backed Securities that may be available in the future.
Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Alliance Real Estate Investment
Fund may invest in guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities which represent
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans and are issued by
U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Government or
one of its agencies or instrumentalities, including but not limited to the
Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), the Federal National
Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("Freddie Mac"). Ginnie Mae certificates are guaranteed by the full
faith and credit of the United States Government for timely payment of principal
and interest on the certificates. Fannie Mae certificates are guaranteed by
Fannie Mae, a federally chartered and privately-owned corporation, for full and
timely payment of principal and interest on the certificates. Freddie Mac
certificates are guaranteed by Freddie Mac, a corporate instrumentality of the
United States Government, for timely payment of interest and the ultimate
collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans.
Multiple-Class Pass-Through Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations.
Mortgage-Backed Securities also include CMOs and REMIC pass-through or
participation certificates that may be issued by, among others, U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities as well as private lenders. CMOs and REMIC
certificates are issued in multiple classes and the principal of and interest on
the mortgage assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC
certificates in various ways. Each class of CMOs or REMIC certificates, often
referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest
rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date.
Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC
certificates on a monthly basis. Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund will not
invest in the lowest tranche of CMOs and REMIC certificates.
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by Ginnie Mae or Freddie Mac certificates but
also may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or
private mortgage pass-through securities. Debt service on CMOs is provided from
payments of principal and interest on collateral of mortgaged assets and any
reinvestment income.
A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Code and
invests in certain mortgages primarily secured by interests in real property and
other permitted investments. Investors may purchase "regular" and "residual"
interest shares of beneficial interest in REMIC trusts, although Alliance Real
Estate Investment Fund does not intend to invest in residual interests.
Options on Securities. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment
of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive from (in
the case of a call) the writer a specified amount of a security on or before a
fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by a Fund is
"covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of another
security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security with an
exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has written. A
put option written by a Fund is covered if the Fund holds a put option on the
underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of
the put option it has written.
A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if a Fund does not own the
underlying security, and is designed to provide a hedge
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against a decline in value in another security which the Fund owns or has
the right to acquire. A Fund would write a call option for cross-hedging
purposes, instead of writing a covered call option, when the premium to be
received from the cross-hedge transaction would exceed that which would be
received from writing a covered call option, while at the same time
achieving the desired hedge.
In purchasing an option, a Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if,
during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in the
case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess of
the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the
premium paid for the option.
If an option written by a Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to
purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying
security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that,
if the option were exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased or
sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing transaction
(i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could reduce these
risks. A Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or call option
whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of covered call options
could result in increases in a Fund's portfolio turnover rate, especially during
periods when market prices of the underlying securities appreciate.
Alliance Technology Fund and Alliance Global Small Cap Fund will not write a
call option if the premium to be received by the Fund would not produce an
annualized return of at least 15% of the then current market value of the
securities subject to the option (without giving effect to commissions, stock
transfer taxes and other expenses that are deducted from premium receipts.
Options purchased or written by a Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid
and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an
advantageous time.
Options on Securities Indices. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery
of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the
holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if
the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or
less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.
Options on Foreign Currencies. As in the case of other kinds of options, the
writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up
to the amount of the premium received, and a Fund could be required to purchase
or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates and incur losses.
The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an effective
hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate
movements adverse to a Fund's position, it may forfeit the entire amount of the
premium plus related transaction costs. For Fund's that may invest in options on
foreign currencies, see the Fund's SAI for further discussion of the use, risks,
and costs of options on foreign currencies.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A "sale" of a futures
contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the
securities or foreign currencies or other commodity called for by the contract
at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract
means the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities, foreign
currencies or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price on
a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take
or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a
specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of
the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was
originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index
is made.
A Fund will purchase options on futures contracts written or purchased by a Fund
that are traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. These
investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future
changes in market conditions and interest or exchange rates which otherwise
might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or
adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at
a later date.
No Fund will enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if
immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding futures contracts of
the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options
written by the Fund would exceed 50% of its total assets, or in the case of
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund 100% of its total assets. Alliance
Premier Growth Fund and Alliance Growth and Income Fund may not purchase or sell
a stock index future if immediately thereafter more than 30% of its total assets
would be hedged by stock index futures. Alliance Premier Growth Fund and
Alliance Growth and Income Fund may not purchase or sell a stock index future
if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of margin deposits on the
Fund's existing futures positions would exceed 5% of the market value of the
Fund's total assets.
Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit a 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, a 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, a Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling
the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness of the
vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements.
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Rights and Warrants. A Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if Alliance
deems the underlying equity securities themselves appropriate for inclusion in
the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity
securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights are similar
to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and
warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights
with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant does not
necessarily change with the value of the underlying security, although the value
of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in the value of the
underlying security, the passage of time or a change in perception as to the
potential of the underlying security, or any combination of these factors. If
the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the
warrant on the expiration date, the warrant will expire worthless. Moreover, a
right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the
expiration date.
Short Sales. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does not
own, or, if the Fund does own such security, it is not to be delivered upon
consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent that a
Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical to
those sold short without payment. Alliance Utility Income Fund, Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund, each may make short sales of securities or maintain
short positions only for the purpose of deferring realization of gain or loss
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, provided that at all times when a short
position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of securities of the same issue
as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. In addition, each of
those Funds may not make a short sale if as a result more than 10% of the Fund's
net assets would be held as collateral for short sales, except that Alliance
Real Estate Investment Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund may not make a short sale if as a result more than 25%
of the Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales. If the
price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale
and the time a Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss;
conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain.
Standby Commitment Agreements. Standby commitment agreements commit a Fund, for
a stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of a security that may be
issued and sold to the Fund at the option of the issuer. The price and coupon of
the security are fixed at the time of the commitment. At the time of entering
into the agreement, the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of whether the
security ultimately is issued, typically equal to approximately 0.5% of the
aggregate purchase price of the security the Fund has committed to purchase. A
Fund will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of investing in the
security underlying the commitment at a yield and price considered advantageous
to the Fund and unavailable on a firm commitment basis. Investments in standby
commitments will be limited so that the aggregate purchase price of the
securities subject to the commitments will not exceed 25% with respect to
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund and Alliance New Europe Fund 50% with
respect to Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund and 20% with respect to Alliance Utility Income Fund, of the Fund's assets
at the time of making the commitment.
There is no guarantee that a security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued and the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date may be
more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, a Fund will bear the
risk of capital loss in the event the value of the security declines and may not
benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment
period if the issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to the Fund.
Zero-Coupon and Payment-in-Kind Bonds. Zero-coupon bonds are issued at a
significant discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest
periodically. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer to make current interest
payments on the bonds in additional bonds. Because zero-coupon bonds and
payment-in-kind bonds do not pay current interest in cash, their value is
generally subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market
interest rates than bonds that pay interest in cash currently. Both zero-coupon
and payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to generate cash to
meet current interest payments. These bonds may involve greater credit risks
than bonds paying interest currently. Although these bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, a Fund is nonetheless required to accrue interest income on
such investments and to distribute such amounts at least annually to
shareholders. Thus, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate other
investments in order to satisfy its dividend requirements.
Future Developments. A 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, interest rates, or currency exchange rate
movements correctly. Should interest rates, prices or exchange rates move
unexpectedly, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the
transactions or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such
strategies had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, there are no daily price fluctuation limits for
certain options and forward contracts, and adverse market movements could
therefore continue to an unlimited
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extent over a period of time. In addition, the correlation between movements in
the prices of futures contracts, options and forward contracts and movements in
the prices of the securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be
perfect and could produce unanticipated losses.
A Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures contracts, options, and
forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such
instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types of
securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing, and there is
no public market for forward contracts. It is impossible to predict the amount
of trading interest that may exist in various types of futures contracts,
options, and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not exist for an
option purchased or written by a Fund, it might not be possible to effect a
closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option), with the result
that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be exercised in order for
the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may not be able to sell
currencies or portfolio securities covering an option written by the Fund until
the option expires or it delivers the underlying security, futures contract or
currency upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Funds will
be able to utilize these instruments effectively. In addition, a Fund's ability
to engage in options and futures transactions may be limited by tax
considerations and the use of certain hedging techniques may adversely impact
the characterization of income to a Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for each Fund is included in the
Financial Highlights section. The Funds are actively managed and, in some cases
in response to market conditions, a 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, each Fund may
reduce its position in equity securities and invest in, without limit, certain
types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high quality (depending on the Fund)
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. For Funds
that may invest in foreign countries, such securities also may include
short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type mentioned above
issued by foreign governmental entities, companies, and supranational
organizations. While the Funds are investing for temporary defensive purposes,
they may not achieve their investment objectives.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Investment in certain of the Funds involves the special risk considerations
described below. These risks may be heightened when investing in emerging
markets.
Currency Considerations. Substantially all of the assets of Alliance New Europe
Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Alliance International Premier
Growth Fund, Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, and a substantial portion of the assets of
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund and Alliance Global Environment Fund are invested
in securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Funds receive a
corresponding portion of their revenues in foreign currencies. Therefore, the
dollar equivalent of their net assets, distributions, and income will be
adversely affected by reductions in the value of certain foreign currencies
relative to the U.S. Dollar. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a
Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of
the income and the making of Fund distributions, the Fund may be required to
liquidate securities in order to make distributions if it has insufficient cash
in U.S. Dollars to meet distribution requirements that the Fund must satisfy to
qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time a Fund incurs expenses
in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the amount of the currency
required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to pay expenses in U.S.
Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such expenses in the
currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these risks, a Fund may
engage in currency hedging transactions, as described above, which involve
certain special risks.
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, a 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 settlements
may in some instances be subject to delays and related 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 that 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 a Fund. In addition, the
repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of
securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in
some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority. If
a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
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A Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any
required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application
of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may require a
Fund to adopt special procedures that may involve additional costs to a Fund.
These factors may affect the liquidity of a Fund's investments in any country
and Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on a 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, a 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.
Alliance International Fund, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund may invest substantial amounts of their assets in
United Kingdom issuers, Japanese issuers, and/or Greater China issuers. Please
refer to Appendix A for a discussion of risks associated with investments in
these countries.
Investment in Privatized Enterprises by Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund.
In certain jurisdictions, the ability of foreign entities, such as the Fund, to
participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the price or terms
on which the Fund may be able to participate may be less advantageous than for
local investors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that governments that have
embarked on privatization programs will continue to divest their ownership of
state enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful or that
governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been privatized.
Furthermore, in the case of certain of the enterprises in which the Fund may
invest, large blocks of the stock of those enterprises may be held by a small
group of stockholders, even after the initial equity offerings by those
enterprises. The sale of some portion or all of those blocks could have an
adverse effect on the price of the stock of any such enterprise.
Most state enterprises or former state enterprises go through an internal
reorganization of management prior to conducting an initial equity offering in
an attempt to better enable these enterprises to compete in the private sector.
However, certain reorganizations could result in a management team that does not
function as well as the enterprise's prior management and may have a negative
effect on such enterprise. After making an initial equity offering, enterprises
that may have enjoyed preferential treatment from the respective state or
government that owned or controlled them may no longer receive such preferential
treatment and may become subject to market competition from which they were
previously protected. Some of these enterprises may not be able to effectively
operate in a competitive market and may suffer losses or experience bankruptcy
due to such competition. In addition, the privatization of an enterprise by its
government may occur over a number of years, with the government continuing to
hold a controlling position in the enterprise even after the initial equity
offering for the enterprise.
Investment in Smaller, Emerging Companies. The Funds may invest in smaller,
emerging companies. Alliance New Europe Fund and Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
will emphasize investment in, and Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Alliance
Greater China '97 Fund and Alliance Global Environment Fund may emphasize
investment in, smaller, emerging companies. Investment in such companies
involves greater risks than is customarily associated with securities of more
established companies. Companies in the earlier stages of their development
often have products and management personnel which have not been thoroughly
tested by time or the marketplace; their financial resources may not be as
substantial as those of more established companies. The securities of smaller
companies may have relatively limited marketability and may be subject to more
abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger companies or broad
market indices. The revenue flow of such companies may be erratic and their
results of operations may fluctuate widely and may also contribute to stock
price volatility.
Extreme Governmental Action; Less Protective Laws. In contrast to investing in
the U.S., foreign investment may involve in certain situations greater risk of
nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or
other extreme governmental action which could adversely impact a Fund's
investments. In the event of certain such actions, a Fund could lose its entire
investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in various foreign
countries, including in certain respects each of the Greater China countries,
governing, among other subjects, business organization and practices, securities
and securities trading, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to
investors such as the Fund than provided under United States laws.
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Investments in Environmental Companies by Alliance Global Environment Fund.
Governmental regulations or other action can inhibit an Environmental Company's
performance, and it may take years to translate environmental legislation into
sales and profits. Environmental Companies generally face competition in fields
often characterized by relatively short product cycles and competitive pricing
policies. Losses may result from large product development or expansion costs,
unprotected marketing or distribution systems, erratic revenue flows and low
profit margins. Additional risks that Environmental Companies may face include
difficulty in financing the high cost of technological development,
uncertainties due to changing governmental regulation or rapid technological
advances, potential liabilities associated with hazardous components and
operations, and difficulty in finding experienced employees.
The Real Estate Industry. Although Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund does not
invest directly in real estate, it invests primarily in Real Estate Equity
Securities and has a policy of concentration of its investments in the real
estate industry. Therefore, an investment in the Fund is subject to certain
risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real
estate industry in general. These risks include, among others: possible declines
in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic
conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds; overbuilding;
extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition, property taxes and
operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; costs resulting from the clean-up
of, and liability to third parties for damages resulting from, environmental
problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured damages from floods,
earthquakes or other natural disasters; limitations on and variations in rents;
and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying the Fund's
investments are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain
other respects, the Fund may be subject to certain of the foregoing risks to a
greater extent.
In addition, if Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund receives rental income or
income from the disposition of real property acquired as a result of a default
on securities the Fund owns, the receipt of such income may adversely affect the
Fund's ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company.
Investments by the Fund in securities of companies providing mortgage servicing
will be subject to the risks associated with refinancings and their impact on
servicing rights.
REITs. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those
risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity
REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned
by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit
extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, are
subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and
self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to
qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to
maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks. When
interest rates decline, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to
decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are
reset periodically, yields on a REIT's investments in such loans will gradually
align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value
of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate
fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in
small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may
trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt
or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small
capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the
larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. Investing in Mortgage-Backed Securities involves
certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investment in
the real estate industry in general. These risks include the failure of a
counterparty to meet its commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the
effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. When interest rates decline, the
value of an investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise.
Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of an investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on
adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on investments in
such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest
rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in
response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate
obligations.
Further, the yield characteristics of Mortgage-Backed Securities, such as those
in which Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund may invest, differ from those of
traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences typically include
more frequent interest and principal payments (usually monthly), the
adjustability of interest rates, and the possibility that prepayments of
principal may be made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.
Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a
variety of economic, geographic, social, and other factors, and cannot be
predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage loans and fixed rate
mortgage loans may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a
declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal
prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. Early payment associated
with Mortgage-Backed Securities causes these securities to experience
significantly greater price and yield volatility than that experienced by
traditional fixed-income securities. Under certain interest rate and prepayment
rate scenarios, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in
Mortgage-Backed Securities notwithstanding any direct or
48
<PAGE>
indirect governmental or agency guarantee. When the Fund reinvests amounts
representing payments and unscheduled prepayments of principal, it may receive a
rate of interest that is lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate
mortgage pass-through securities. Thus, Mortgage-Backed Securities, and
adjustable rate mortgage pass-through securities in particular, may be less
effective than other types of U.S. Government securities as a means of "locking
in" interest rates.
U.S. and Foreign Taxes. A Fund's investment in foreign securities may be subject
to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments. Foreign taxes
paid by a Fund may be creditable or deductible by U.S. shareholders for U.S.
income tax purposes. No assurance can be given that applicable tax laws and
interpretations will not change in the future. Moreover, non-U.S. investors may
not be able to credit or deduct such foreign taxes.
Fixed-Income Securities. The value of each Fund's shares will fluctuate with the
value of its investments. The value of each Fund's investments in fixed-income
securities will change as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During
periods of falling interest rates, the values of fixed-income securities
generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values
of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Under normal market conditions, the average dollar-weighted maturity of a Fund's
portfolio of debt or other fixed-income securities is expected to vary between
five and 30 years in the case of Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, between five
and 25 years in the case of Alliance Utility Income Fund, and between one year
or less and 30 years in the case of all other Funds that invest in such
securities. In periods of increasing interest rates, each of the Funds may, to
the extent it holds mortgage-backed securities, be subject to the risk that the
average dollar-weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of debt or other
fixed-income securities may be extended as a result of lower than anticipated
prepayment rates.
Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities. Lower-rated securities, i.e.,
those rated Ba and lower by Moody's or BB and lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or
Fitch, are subject to greater credit risk or loss of principal and interest than
higher-rated securities. They also are generally considered to be subject to
greater market risk than higher-rated securities. The capacity of issuers of
lower-rated securities to pay interest and repay principal is more likely to
weaken than is that of issuers of higher-rated securities in times of
deteriorating economic conditions or rising interest rates. In addition,
lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic conditions than investment grade securities.
The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and less active than that
for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which
these securities can be sold. To the extent that there is no established
secondary market for lower-rated securities, a Fund may experience difficulty in
valuing the securities for the purpose of computing a Fund's net asset value. In
addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions about lower-rated
securities, whether or not factual, may tend to impair their market value and
liquidity.
Alliance will try to reduce the risk inherent in investment in lower-rated
securities through credit analysis, diversification and attention to current
developments and trends in interest rates and economic and political conditions.
However, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur. Since the risk of
default is higher for lower-rated securities, Alliance's research and credit
analysis are a correspondingly more important aspect of its program for managing
a Fund's securities than would be the case if a Fund did not invest in
lower-rated securities.
In seeking to achieve a Fund's investment objective, there will be times, such
as during periods of rising interest rates, when depreciation and realization of
capital losses on securities in a Fund's portfolio will be unavoidable.
Moreover, medium- and lower-rated securities and non-rated securities of
comparable quality may be subject to wider fluctuations in yield and market
values than higher-rated securities under certain market conditions. Such
fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the cash income received
from that security but are reflected in the net asset value of a Fund.
Certain lower-rated securities may contain call or buy-back features that permit
the issuers thereof to call or repurchase such securities. Such securities may
present risks based on prepayment expectations. If an issuer exercises such a
provision, a Fund may have to replace the called security with a lower-yielding
security, resulting in a decreased rate of return to the Fund.
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. This is commonly
known as the Year 2000 problem. Should any of the computer systems employed by
the Funds' major service providers fail to process Year 2000 related information
properly, that could have a significant negative impact on the Funds' operations
and the services that are provided to the Funds' shareholders. In addition, to
the extent that the operations of issuers of securities held by the Funds are
impaired by the Year 2000 problem, or prices of securities held by the Funds
decline as a result of real or perceived problems relating to the Year 2000, the
value of the Funds' shares may be materially affected.
With respect to the Year 2000, the Funds have been advised that Alliance, each
Fund's investment adviser, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc, ("AFD"), each Fund's
principal underwriter, and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), each Fund's
registrar, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (collectively,
"Alliance") began to address the Year 2000 issue several years ago in connection
with the replacement or upgrading of certain computer systems and applications.
During 1997, Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative, which established a
structured and coordinated process to deal with the Year 2000
49
<PAGE>
issue. Alliance reports that it has completed its assessment of the Year 2000
issues on its domestic and international computer systems and applications.
Currently, management of Alliance expects that the required modifications for
the majority of its significant systems and applications that will be in use on
January 1, 2000, will be completed and tested in early 1999. Full integration
testing of these systems and testing of interfaces with third-party suppliers
will continue through 1999. At this time, management of Alliance believes that
the costs associated with resolving this issue will not have a material adverse
effect on its operations or on its ability to provide the level of services it
currently provides to the Funds.
The Funds and Alliance have been advised by the Funds' Custodians that they are
also in the process of reviewing their systems with the same goals. As of the
date of this prospectus, the Funds and Alliance have no reason to believe that
the Custodians will be unable to achieve these goals.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management, L.P., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, NY 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment
adviser supervising client accounts with assets as of December 31, 1998 totaling
more than $286 billion (of which approximately $115 billion represented assets
of investment companies). Alliance's clients are primarily major corporate
employee benefit plans, public employee retirement systems, investment
companies, foundations, and endowment funds. The 54 registered investment
companies, with more than 118 separate portfolios, managed by Alliance
currently have over 3.5 million shareholder accounts. As of December 31, 1998,
Alliance was retained as investment manager for over 35 of the FORTUNE 100
Companies.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Funds. For these advisory services, the Funds paid Alliance as a
percentage of average daily net assets:
Fee as a percentage of Fiscal
Fund average daily net assets* Year Ending
- ---- ------------------------- -----------
Alliance Premier Growth Fund 1.00% 11/30/98
Alliance Growth Fund .70 10/31/98
Alliance Technology Fund 1.02 11/30/98
Alliance Quasar Fund 1.04 9/30/98
The Alliance Fund .67 11/30/98
Alliance Growth and Income Fund .48 10/31/98
Alliance Balanced Shares Fund .625 7/31/98
Alliance Utility Income Fund -0-% 11/30/98
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund .90 8/31/98
Alliance New Europe Fund 1.02 7/31/98
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund 1.00 6/30/98
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund -0- 11/30/98
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund 1.00 7/31/98
Alliance International Fund .85 6/30/98
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund -0- 7/31/98
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund .24 10/31/98
Alliance Global Environment Fund 1.10 10/31/98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Fees are stated net of any waivers and/or reimbursements. See the "Fee
Table" at the beginning of the Prospectus for more information about fee
waivers.
In connection with providing advisory services to Alliance Greater China '97
Fund, Alliance has, at its expense, retained as a consultant New Alliance, a
joint venture company headquartered in Hong Kong, which was formed in 1997 by
Alliance and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited. New Alliance provides Alliance
with ongoing, current, and comprehensive information and analysis of conditions
and developments in Greater China countries.
In connection with investments in real estate securities, Alliance has, at its
expense, retained as a consultant CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"). CBRE is a
publicly held company and the largest real estate services company in the United
States, comprised of real estate brokerage, property, and facilities management,
and real estate finance, and investment advisory services.
Portfolio Manager
The following table lists the person or persons who are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of each Fund's portfolio, the length of time that
each person has been primarily responsible for the Fund, and each person's
principal occupation during the past five years.
Principal Occupation
During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Premier Alfred Harrison; since Associated with
Growth Fund inception--Vice Chairman Alliance
of Alliance Capital
Management Corporation
(ACMC)**
Alliance Growth Tyler Smith; since inception Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
50
<PAGE>
Principal Occupation
During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Technology Peter Anastos; since 1992 Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Gerald T. Malone; since 1992 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Quasar Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 Associated with
Fund --Executive Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
The Alliance Fund Alden M. Stewart; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance Growth and Paul Rissman; since 1994 Associated with
Income Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Balanced Paul Rissman; since 1997 (see above)
Shares Fund --(see above)
Alliance Utility Paul Rissman; since 1996 (see above)
Income Fund --(see above)
Alliance Real Daniel G. Pine; since 1996 Associated with
Estate Investment --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1996;
Fund of ACMC prior thereto;
Senior Vice
President of
Desai Capital
Management
David Kruth; since 1997 Associated with
--Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto; Senior
Vice President of
Yarmouth Group
Alliance New Europe Steven Beinhacker; since 1997 Associated with
Fund --Vice President of ACMC Alliance
Alliance Worldwide Mark H. Breedon; since Associated with
Privatization Fund inception Senior Vice Alliance
President of ACMC and
Director and Vice President
of Alliance Capital Limited***
Alliance Alfred Harrison; since 1998 (see above)
International --(see above)
Premier Growth Fund
Thomas Kamp; since 1998 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Global Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 (see above)
Small Cap Fund --(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 (see above)
--(see above)
Mark D. Breedon; since 1998 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance
International Fund Nicholas D.P.Carn; since 1998 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance since 1995;
of ACMC prior thereto; Chief
Investment Officer of
Draycott Partners,
Inc.
Alliance Greater Matthew W.S. Lee; since 1997 Associated with
China '97 Fund --Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto;
associated with
National Mutual Funds
Management (Asia) and
James Capel and Co.
since prior to 1994
Alliance All-Asia Hiroshi Motoki; since 1998 Associated with
Investment Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1994;
of ACMC and director of prior thereto;
Japanese/Asian Equity associated with
research Ford Motor Company
Alliance Global Linda Bolton Weiser; Associated with
Environment Fund since 1998--Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
* Unless indicated otherwise, persons associated with Alliance have been
employed in a portfolio management, research or investment capacity.
** The sole general partner of Alliance.
*** An indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance.
Performance of Similarly Managed Portfolios. In addition to managing the assets
of Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Mr. Harrison has ultimate responsibility for
the management of discretionary tax-exempt accounts of institutional clients
managed as described below without significant client-imposed restrictions
("Historical Portfolios"). These accounts have substantially the same investment
objectives and policies and are managed in accordance with essentially the same
investment strategies and techniques as those for Alliance Premier Growth Fund,
except for the ability of Alliance Premier Growth Fund to use futures and
options as hedging tools and to invest in warrants. The Historical Portfolios
also are not subject to certain limitations, diversification requirements and
other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act and the Code to which Alliance
Premier Growth Fund, as a registered investment company, is subject and which,
if applicable to the Historical Portfolios, may have adversely affected the
performance results of the Historical Portfolios. See "Investment Objectives
and Policies."
Set forth below is performance data provided by Alliance relating to the
Historical Portfolios for each of the nineteen full calendar years during which
Mr. Harrison has managed the Historical Portfolios as an employee of Alliance
and cumulatively through December 31, 1998. As of December 31, 1998, the assets
in the Historical Portfolios totaled approximately $15.9 billion and the average
size of an institutional account in the Historical Portfolio was $529 million.
Each Historical Portfolio has a nearly identical composition of investment
holdings and related percentage weightings.
The performance data is net of all fees (including brokerage commissions)
charged to those accounts. The performance data is computed in accordance with
standards formulated by the Association of Investment Management and Research
and has not been adjusted to reflect any fees that will be payable by Alliance
Premier Growth Fund, which are higherthan the fees imposed on the Historical
Portfolio and will result in a higher
51
<PAGE>
expense ratio and lower returns for Alliance Premier Growth Fund. Expenses
associated with the distribution of Class A, Class B, and Class C shares of
Alliance Premier Growth Fund in accordance with the plan adopted by Alliance
Premier Growth Fund's Board of Directors pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act ("distribution fees") are also excluded. The performance data has also not
been adjusted for corporate or individual taxes, if any, payable by the account
owners.
Alliance has calculated the investment performance of the Historical Portfolios
on a trade-date basis. Dividends have been accrued at the end of the month and
cash flows weighted daily. Composite investment performance for all portfolios
has been determined on an asset weighted basis. New accounts are included in the
composite investment performance computations at the beginning of the quarter
following the initial contribution. The total returns set forth below are
calculated using a method that links the monthly return amounts for the
disclosed periods, resulting in a time-weighted rate of return.
As reflected below, the Historical Portfolios have over time performed favorably
when compared with the performance of recognized performance indices. The S&P
500 Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of market activity based upon
the aggregate performance of a selected portfolio of publicly traded common
stocks, including monthly adjustments to reflect the reinvestment of dividends
and other distributions. The S&P 500 Index reflects the total return of
securities comprising the Index, including changes in market prices as well as
accrued investment income, which is presumed to be reinvested. The Russell 1000
universe of securities is compiled by Frank Russell Company and is segmented
into two style indices, based on the capitalization-weighted median
book-to-price ratio of each of the securities. At each reconstitution, the
Russell 1000 constituents are ranked by their book-to-price ratio. Once so
ranked, the breakpoint for the two styles is determined by the median market
capitalization of the Russell 1000. Thus, those securities falling within the
top fifty percent of the cumulative market capitalization (as ranked by
descending book-to-price) become members of the Russell Price-Driven Indices.
The Russell 1000 Growth Index is, accordingly, designed to include those Russell
1000 securities with a greater-than-average growth orientation. In contrast with
the securities in the Russell Price-Driven Indices, companies in the Growth
Index tend to exhibit higher price-to-book and price-earnings ratios, lower
dividend yield and higher forecasted growth values.
To the extent Alliance Premier Growth Fund does not invest in U.S. common stocks
or utilizes investment techniques such as futures or options, the S&P 500 Index
and Russell 1000 Growth Index may not be substantially comparable to Alliance
Premier Growth Fund. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index are
included to illustrate material economic and market factors that existed during
the time period shown. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index do not
reflect the deduction of any fees. If Alliance Premier Growth Fund were to
purchase a portfolio of securities substantially identical to the securities
comprising the S&P 500 Index or the Russell 1000 Growth Index, Alliance Premier
Growth Fund's performance relative to the index would be reduced by Alliance
Premier Growth Fund's expenses, including brokerage commissions, advisory fees,
distribution fees, custodial fees, transfer agency costs and other
administrative expenses, as well as by the impact on Alliance Premier Growth
Fund's shareholders of sales charges and income taxes.
The Lipper Growth Fund Index is prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
represents a composite index of the investment performance for the 30 largest
growth mutual funds. The composite investment performance of the Lipper Growth
Fund Index reflects investment management and administrative fees and other
operating expenses paid by these mutual funds and reinvested income dividends
and capital gain distributions, but excludes the impact of any income taxes and
sales charges.
The following performance data is provided solely to illustrate Mr. Harrison's
performance in managing the Historical Portfolios and the Alliance Premier
Growth Fund as measured against certain broad based market indices and against
the composite performance of other open-end growth mutual funds. Investors
should not rely on the following performance data of the Historical Portfolios
as an indication of future performance of Alliance Premier Growth Fund. The
composite investment performance for the periods presented may not be indicative
of future rates of return. Other methods of computing investment performance may
produce different results, and the results for different periods may vary.
Schedule of Composite Investment Performance--Historical Portfolios*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Russell Lipper
Premier Historical S&P 500 1000 Growth
Growth Portfolios Index Growth Index Fund Index
Fund Total Return** Total Return Total Return Total Return
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December:
1998*** ........... 42.97% 52.16% 28.60% 38.71% 25.69%
1997*** ........... 27.05 34.64 33.36 30.49 25.30
1996*** ........... 18.84 22.06 22.96 23.12 17.48
1995*** ........... 40.66 39.83 37.58 37.19 32.65
1994 .............. (9.78) (4.82) (1.32) 2.66 (1.57)
1993 .............. 5.35 10.54 10.08 2.90 11.98
1992 .............. -- 12.18 7.62 5.00 7.63
1991 .............. -- 38.91 30.47 41.16 35.20
1990 .............. -- (1.57) (3.10) (0.26) (5.00)
1989 .............. -- 38.80 31.69 35.92 28.60
1988 .............. -- 10.88 16.61 11.27 15.80
1987 .............. -- 8.49 5.25 5.31 1.00
1986 .............. -- 27.40 18.67 15.36 15.90
1985 .............. -- 37.41 31.73 32.85 30.30
1984 .............. -- (3.31) 6.27 (.95) (2.80)
1983 .............. -- 20.80 22.56 15.98 22.30
1982 .............. -- 28.02 21.55 20.46 20.20
1981 .............. -- (1.09) (4.92) (11.31) (8.40)
1980 .............. -- 50.73 32.50 39.57 37.30
1979 .............. -- 30.76 18.61 23.91 27.40
Cumulative total
return for
the period
January 1, 1979 to
December 31, 1998 -- 4708% 2525% 2373% 2003%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Total return is a measure of investment performance that is based upon the
change in value of an investment from the beginning to the end of a
specified period and assumes reinvestment of all dividends and other
52
<PAGE>
distributions.
The basis of preparation of this data is described in the preceding
discussion. Total returns for Alliance Premier Growth Fund are for Class A
shares, with imposition of the maximum 4.25% sales charge.
** Assumes imposition of the maximum advisory fee charged by Alliance for any
Historical Portfolio for the period involved.
*** During this period, the Historical Portfolios differed from Alliance
Premier Growth Fund in that Alliance Premier Growth Fund invested a
portion of its net assets in warrants on equity securities in which the
Historical Portfolios were unable, by their investment restrictions, to
purchase. In lieu of warrants, the Historical Portfolios acquired the
common stock upon which the warrants were based.
The average annual total returns presented below are based upon the cumulative
total return as of December 31, 1998 and, for more than one year, assume a
steady compounded rate of return and are not year-by-year results, which
fluctuated over the periods as shown.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Russell Lipper
Premier Historical S&P 500 1000 Growth
Growth Portfolios Index Growth Index Fund Index
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year ......... 42.97% 52.16% 28.60% 38.71% 25.69%
Three years ...... 33.03 35.74 28.23 30.62 23.67
Five years ....... 26.65 27.19 24.05 25.70 19.82
Ten years ........ 24.38+ 22.86 19.19 20.57 17.21
Since January 1,
1979 ............. -- 21.37 17.75 17.40 16.45
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Since inception on 9/28/92
The Funds' SAIs have more detailed information about Alliance and other Fund
service providers.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The Funds' net asset value or NAV is calculated at 4 p.m. Eastern time each day
the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, a 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 Funds' value their 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 Funds'
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 accepted 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 shares solely:
o 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, Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. or AFD;
o 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;
o by investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated
with, Alliance and its affiliates or the Funds; and
o 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.
A Fund may refuse any order to purchase Advisor Class shares. In particular, the
Funds' reserve 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.
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 Funds 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 a 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, your
redemption payment may be delayed until the Fund is reasonably satisfied that
the check or electronic funds transfer has been collected (which may take up to
15 days). 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.
o 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
53
<PAGE>
necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this service.
o Selling Shares Directly to the Fund
By Mail:
-- Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with
certificates, to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, N.J. 07906-1520
800-221-5672
-- For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock
exchange, or other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee
signatures. Stock power forms are available from your financial
intermediary, AFS, and many commercial banks. Additional
documentation is required for the sale of shares by corporations,
intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you have
any questions about these procedures, contact AFS.
By Telephone:
-- You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been
issued by telephone request. Call AFS at 800-221-5672 with
instructions on how you wish to receive your sale proceeds.
-- A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time for you to receive that day's NAV.
-- If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder
Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your
bank. Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you.
-- Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed
$100,000 per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed
$50,000 per day.
-- Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or
"street name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by
a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within
the previous 30 calendar days.
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 a 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 a Fund, including requirements as to the
minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each Fund's income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared
by a 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 that
Fund. If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate NAV as of
the close of business on the day following the declaration date of the dividend
or distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or distribution. You
may make an election to receive dividends and distributions in cash or in shares
at the time you purchase shares. Your election can be changed at any time prior
to a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or other charge 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 dividends
and 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 that 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
that Fund.
The Funds expect that their 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 long-term capital gains distributions may be taxable to
you as long-term capital gains. A Fund's distributions also may be subject to
certain state and local taxes.
While it is the intention of each 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 a Fund will
pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. Since REITs pay distributions
based on cash flow, without regard to depreciation and amortization, it is
likely that a portion of the distributions paid to Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund and subsequently distributed to shareholders may be a nontaxable
return of capital. The final determination of the amount of a Fund's return of
capital distributions for the period will be made after the end of each calendar
year.
Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that
any Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, each Fund
intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the
54
<PAGE>
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 any Fund will be able to do so.
Furthermore, a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction
for foreign taxes paid by a 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 a 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 a 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 a Fund deducts a distribution from its NAV, you
will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price
back as a taxable distribution.
The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for Federal income
tax purposes.
Each year shortly after December 31, the Funds 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 Funds. 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
and without notice, to Class A shares of the same 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 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 each 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.
55
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment
for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The
Funds reserve 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.
56
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund's
financial performance for the past 5 years (or, if shorter, the period of the
Fund's operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single
share of each Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an
investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent accountants for The
Alliance Fund, Alliance Growth Fund, Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Alliance Balanced Shares, Alliance Utility
Income Fund, Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, and Alliance Growth and
Income Fund, and by Ernst & Young LLP, the independent accountants for
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Alliance Technology Fund, Alliance Quasar
Fund, Alliance International Fund, Alliance New Europe Fund, Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund, Alliance Global Environment Fund, Alliance Greater China '97
Fund and Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, whose reports, along with
each Fund's financial statements, are included in the SAI, which is available
upon request.
57
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income from Investment Operations Less Dividends and Distributions
--------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
Net Gains
Net Asset or Losses on Dividends Distributions
Value, Securities Total from from Net in Excess of Distributions
Beginning Net Investment (both realized Investment Investment Net Investment from
Fiscal Year or Period of Period Income (Loss) and unrealized) Operations Income Income Capital Gains
- --------------------- ------------ -------------- -------------- ------------- ----------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Premier
Growth Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ 22.10 $(.07)(b) $ 7.14 $ 7.07 $0.00 $0.00 $(1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 .... 17.99 (.06)(b) 5.25 5.19 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 15.94 (.01)(b) 2.06 2.05 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Growth Fund
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 44.08 $ .08(b) $ 6.22 $ 6.30 $0.00 $0.00 $(2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 .... 34.91 (.05)(b) 10.25 10.20 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 ... 34.14 0.00(b) .77 .77 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Technology Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ 54.63 $(.50)(b) $15.49 $14.99 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 .... 51.17 (.45)(b) 4.33 3.88 0.00 0.00 (.42)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 47.32 (.05)(b) 3.90 3.85 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Quasar Fund
Year ended 9/30/98 ..... $ 30.42 $(.09)(b) $(6.73) $(6.82) $0.00 $0.00 $(1.23)
10/2/96+ TO 9/30/97 .... 27.82 (.17)(b) 6.88 6.71 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
The Alliance Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ 8.69 $(.01)(b) $ (.53) $ (.54) $0.00 $0.00 $(2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 .... 7.71 (.02)(b) 2.10 2.08 (.04) 0.00 (1.06)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 6.99 0.00 .72 .72 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 3.48 $ .04(b) $ .43 $ .47 $(.05) $0.00 $ (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 .... 3.00 .05(b) .87 .92 (0.06) 0.00 (.38)
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 ... 2.97 0.00 .03 .03 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Balanced Shares
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ 16.17 $ .37(b) $ 1.87 $ 2.24 $(.36) $0.00 $(2.07)
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 .... 14.79 .23(b) 3.22 3.45 (.27) 0.00 (1.80)
Alliance Utility
Income Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ 12.49 $ .37(b)(c) $ 2.66 $ 3.03 $(.35) $0.00 $(.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 .... 10.59 .36(b)(c) 2.04 2.40 (.37) 0.00 (.13)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 9.95 .03(b)(c) .61 .64 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund
Year ended 8/31/98 ..... $ 12.82 $ .55(b) $(2.34) $(1.79) $(.54) $0.00 $ (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 .... 10.00 .35(b) 2.88 3.23 (.41)(f) 0.00 0.00
Alliance New Europe Fund
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ 18.57 $ .08(b) $ 5.28 $ 5.36 $0.00 $(.09) $(2.05)
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 .... 16.25 .11(b) 3.76 3.87 (.09) (.14) (1.32)
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ 13.23 $ .19(b) $ .80 $ .99 $(.23) $0.00 $(1.36)
10/2/96+ to 6/30/97 .... 12.14 .18(b) 2.52 2.70 (.19) 0.00 (1.42)
Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 .... $ 10.00 $ .01(b)(c) $ (.37) $ (.36) $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ 12.89 $ .07(b) $ .37 $ .30 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.99)
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 .... 12.56 (.08)(b) 1.97 1.89 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
Alliance International
Fund
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $ 18.67 $ .02(b)(c) $ 1.13 $ 1.15 $(.07) $0.00 $(1.21)
10/2/96+ to 6/30/97 .... 17.96 .16(b) 1.78 1.94 (.15) 0.00 (1.08)
Alliance Greater
China '97 Fund
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ 10.00 $ .10(b)(c) $(5.18) $(5.08) $(.07) $0.00 $ 0.00
Alliance All-Asia
Investment Fund
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 7.56 $(.08)(b)(c) $(1.58) $(1.66) $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 .... 11.04 (.15)(b)(c) (2.99) (3.14) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 ... 11.65 0.00(c) (.61) (.61) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Alliance Global
Environment Fund
12/29/97+ to 10/31/98 .. $ 9.15 $(.20) $ (.58) $ (.78) $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
</TABLE>
58
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Less
Distributions Ratios/Supplemental Data
------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Asset Ratio of Ratio of Net
Dividends Value, Net Assets, Expenses Income (Loss)
and End of Total End of Period to Average to Average Portfolio
Fiscal Year or Period Distributions Period Return (a) (000's omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Turnover Rate
- --------------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Premier
Growth Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $(1.46) $27.71 34.31% $271,661 1.26%(e) (.28)% 82%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (1.08) 22.10 30.98 53,459 1.25 (.28) 76
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 0.00 17.99 12.86 1,922 1.50 (.48) 95
Alliance Growth Fund
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $(2.91) $47.47 14.92% $174,745 .93%(e) .17% 61%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (1.03) 44.08 29.92 101,205 .98(e) (.12) 48
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 ... 0.00 34.91 2.26 946 1.26* 0.50 46
Alliance Technology Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $ (.58) $69.04 27.73% $230,295 1.37%(e) (.84)% 67%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (.42) 54.63 7.65 167,120 1.39(e) (.81) 51
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 0.00 51.17 8.14 566 1.75* (1.21)* 30
Alliance Quasar Fund
Year ended 9/30/98 ..... $(1.23) $22.37 (23.24)% $175,037 1.38% (.32)% 109%
10/2/96+ TO 9/30/97 .... (4.11) 30.42 28.47 62,455 1.58 (.74) 135
The Alliance Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $(2.17) $ 5.98 (8.19)% $ 11,305 .83% (.16)% 106%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (1.10) 8.69 32.00 10,275 .83 (.21) 158
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 0.00 7.71 10.30 1,083 .89* 0.38* 80
Alliance Growth and
Income Fund
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ (.51) $ 3.44 14.96% $ 22,786 .76%(e) 1.14% 89%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (.44) 3.48 33.61 3,207 .71(e) 1.42 88
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 ... 0.00 3.00 1.01 87 0.37* 3.40* 88
Alliance Balanced Shares
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $(2.43) $15.98 15.32% $ 2,079 1.06%(e) 2.33% 145%
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 .... (2.07) 16.17 25.96 1,565 1.30*(e) 2.15* 207
Alliance Utility
Income Fund
Year ended 11/30/98 .... $(.82) $14.70 25.34% $ 523 1.20%(d) 2.83% 16%
Year ended 11/30/97 .... (.50) 12.49 23.57 42 1.20(d) 3.29 37
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 ... 0.00 10.59 6.33 33 1.20(d) 4.02 98
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund
Year ended 8/31/98 ..... $ (.55) $10.48 (14.74)% $ 2,899 1.25% 4.08% 23%
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 .... (.41) 12.82 32.72 2,313 1.45*(d)(e) 3.07* 20
Alliance New Europe Fund
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $(2.14) $21.79 32.55% $ 3,143 1.56%(e) .39% 99%
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 .... (1.55) 18.57 25.76 4,130 1.71* .77* 89
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $(1.59) $12.63 9.48% $ 1,716 1.45% 1.48% 53%
10/2/96+ to 6/30/97 .... (1.61) 13.23 25.24 374 1.96* 2.97* 48
Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund
3/2/98+ to 11/30/98 .... $ 0.00 $ 9.64 (3.60)% $ 1,386 2.20%(d)* .13%* 151%
Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund
Year ended 7/31/98 ..... $ (.99) $12.20 2.82% $ 392 1.87%(e) (.57)% 113%
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 .... (1.56) 12.89 17.08 333 2.05*(e) (.84)* 129
Alliance International
Fund
Year ended 6/30/98 ..... $(1.28) $18.54 6.98% $47,154 1.47% .13% 121%
10/2/96+ to 6/30/97 .... (1.23) 18.67 11.57 8,697 1.69(d) 1.47* 94
Alliance Greater
China '97 Fund
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 ..... $ (.07) $ 4.85 (51.06)% $ 60 2.22(d)(e) 1.51% 58%
Alliance All-Asia
Investment Fund
Year ended 10/31/98 .... $ 0.00 $ 5.90 (21.96)% $ 2,012 3.46(d)(e) 1.22% 93%
Year ended 10/31/97 .... (.34) 7.56 (29.42) 1,338 3.21(d) (1.51) 70
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 ... 0.00 11.04 (5.24) 27 4.97*(d) 1.63 66
Alliance Global
Environment Fund
12/29/97+ to 10/31/98 .. $ 0.00 $ 8.37 (8.52)% $ 5 3.04%*(e) (2.39)%* 205%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to footnotes on page 60.
59
<PAGE>
+ Commencement of distribution.
* Annualized.
(a) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at the net asset value during the period, and
a redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or
contingent deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of
total investment return. Total investment returns calculated for periods
of less than one year are not annualized.
(b) Based on average shares outstanding.
(c) Net of fee waiver and expense reimbursement.
(d) Net of expenses assumed and/or waived/reimbursed. If the following Funds
had borne all expenses in their most recent five fiscal years, their
expense ratios, without giving effect to the expense offset arrangement
described in (e) below, would have been as follows:
1996 1997 1998
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
Advisor Class 5.54%* 3.43% 4.39%
Alliance Utility Income Fund
Advisor Class 3.48%* 3.29% 2.21%
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
Advisor Class -- 1.47%* --
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
Advisor Class -- -- 6.28%
Alliance International Fund
Advisor Class -- 1.62%
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
Advisor Class -- 18.13%*
(e) Amounts do not reflect the impact of expense offset arrangements with the
transfer agent. Taking into account such expense offset arrangements, the
rate of expenses to average net assets assuming the assumption and/or
waived reimbursement of expenses described in note (d) above would have
been as follows:
1997 1998
Alliance International Fund
Advisor Class 1.69%* --
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
Advisor Class 2.04%* 1.84%
Alliance New Europe Fund
Advisor Class 1.71%* 1.54%
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
Advisor Class -- 3.41%
Alliance Balanced Shares
Advisor Class 1.29%* 1.05%
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
Advisor Class 1.44%* --
Alliance Growth and Income Fund
Advisor Class .70% .75%
Alliance Growth Fund
Advisor Class .96% 92%
Alliance Technology Fund Fund
Advisor Class 1.38% 1.36%
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
Advisor Class -- 2.20%*
Alliance Premier Growth Fund
Advisor Class -- 1/25%
Alliance Global Environment Fund
Advisor Class -- 3.03%
(f) Distributions from net investment income include a tax return of capital
of $.03.
60
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is additional information about the United Kingdom, Japan and
Greater China countries.
Investment in United Kingdom Issuers. Investment in securities of United Kingdom
issuers involves certain considerations not present with investment in
securities of U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S.
Dollar, the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's investment denominated in the
British pound sterling will fluctuate with pound sterling-dollar exchange rate
movements. Between 1972, when the pound sterling was allowed to float against
other currencies, and the end of 1992, the pound sterling generally depreciated
against most major currencies, including the U.S. Dollar. Between September and
December 1992, after the United Kingdom's exit from the Exchange Rate Mechanism
of the European Monetary System, the value of the pound sterling fell by almost
20% against the U.S. Dollar. The pound sterling has since recovered due to
interest rate cuts throughout Europe and an upturn in the economy of the United
Kingdom. The average exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar to the pound sterling was
1.50 in 1993 and 1.66 in 1998. On January 22, 1999 the U.S. Dollar-pound
sterling exchange rate was 1.66.
The United Kingdom's largest stock exchange is the London Stock Exchange, which
is the third largest exchange in the world. As measured by the FT-SE 100 index,
the performance of the 100 largest companies in the United Kingdom reached
5,882.6 at the end of 1998, up approximately 15% from the end of 1997. On
October 5, 1998 the FT-SE 100 index closed at 4648.7, the lowest close in the
12-month period prior to that date, after reaching a high of 6179.0 on July 20,
1998. The FT-SE 100 index closed at 4990.1 on January 22, 1999.
The Economic and Monetary Union ("EMU") became effective on January 1, 1999.
When fully implemented in 2002, the EMU will establish a common currency for
European countries that meet the eligibility criteria and choose to participate.
Although the United Kingdom meets the eligibility criteria, the government has
not taken any action to join the EMU.
From 1979 until 1997 the Conservative Party controlled Parliament. In the May 1,
1997 general elections, however, the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, won a
majority in Parliament, holding 418 of 658 seats in the House of Commons. Mr.
Blair, who was appointed Prime Minister, has launched a number of reform
initiatives, including an overhaul of the monetary policy framework intended to
protect monetary policy from political forces by vesting responsibility for
setting interest rates in a new Monetary Policy Committee headed by the Governor
of the Bank of England, as opposed to the Treasury. Prime Minister Blair has
also undertaken a comprehensive restructuring of the regulation of the financial
services industry. For further information regarding the United Kingdom, see the
Statement of Additional Information of New Europe Fund.
Investment in Japanese Issuers. Investment in securities of Japanese issuers
involves certain considerations not present with investment in securities of
U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the
U.S. Dollar value of each Fund's investments denominated in the Japanese yen
will fluctuate with yen-dollar exchange rate movements. Between 1985 and 1995,
the Japanese yen generally appreciated against the U.S. dollar, but has since
fallen from its post-World War II high (in 1995) against the U.S. Dollar.
Japan's largest stock exchange is the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the First Section of
which is reserved for larger, established companies. As measured by the TOPIX, a
capitalization-weighted composite index of all common stocks listed in the First
Section, the performance of the First Section reached a peak in 1989.
Thereafter, the TOPIX declined approximately 50% through the end of 1997. On
December 31, 1998 the TOPIX closed at 1086.99, down approximately 7% from the
end of 1997. Certain valuation measures, such as price-to-book value and
price-to-cash flow ratios, indicate that the Japanese stock market is near its
lowest level in the last twenty years relative to other world markets.
In recent years, Japan has consistently recorded large current account trade
surpluses with the U.S. that have caused difficulties in the relations between
the two countries. On October 1, 1994, the U.S. and Japan reached an agreement
that may lead to more open Japanese markets with respect to trade in certain
goods and services. In June 1995, the two countries agreed in principle to
increase Japanese imports of American automobiles and automotive parts.
Nevertheless it is expected that the continuing friction between the U.S. and
Japan with respect to trade issues will continue for the foreseeable future.
Each Fund's investments in Japanese issuers will be subject to uncertainty
resulting from the instability of recent Japanese ruling coalitions. From 1955
to 1993, Japan's government was controlled by a single political party. Between
August 1993 and October 1996 Japan was ruled by a series of four coalition
governments. As the result of a general election on October 20, 1996, however,
Japan returned to a single-party government led by Ryutaro Hashimoto, a member
of the Liberal Democratic Party ("LDP"). While the LDP does not control a
majority of the seats in the parliament, subsequent to the 1996 elections
it established a majority in the House of Representatives as individual
members joined the ruling party. The popularity of the LDP declined, however,
due to the dissatisfaction with Mr. Hashimoto's leadership. In the July 1998
House of Councillors election, the LDP's representation fell to 103 seats from
120 seats. As a result of the LDP's defeat, Mr. Hashimoto resigned as prime
minister and leader of the LDP. Mr. Hashimoto was replaced by Keizo Obuchi.
On January 14, 1999, the LDP formed a coalition government with a major
opposition party. As a result, Mr. Obuchi's administration strengthened
its position in the parliament, where it increased its majority in the
House of Representatives and reduced its shortfall in the House of
Councillors. For the past several years, Japan's banking industry has been
weakened by a significant
61
<PAGE>
amount of problem loans. Japan's banks also have significant exposure to the
current financial turmoil in other Asian markets. Following the insolvency of
one of Japan's largest banks in November 1997, the government proposed several
plans designed to strengthen the weakened banking sector. In October 1998, the
Japanese parliament approved several new laws that will make $508 billion in
public funds available to increase the capital of Japanese banks, to guarantee
depositors' accounts and to nationalize the weakest banks. It is unclear whether
these new laws will achieve their intended effect. For further information
regarding Japan, see the Statements of Additional Information of Alliance
International Fund and Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund.
Investment in Greater China Issuers. China, in particular, but Hong Kong and
Taiwan, as well, in significant measure because of their existing and increasing
economic, and now in the case of Hong Kong, direct political ties with China,
may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability
than is the case in the United States.
China's economy is very much in transition. While the government still controls
production and pricing in major economic sectors, significant steps have been
taken toward capitalism and China's economy has become increasingly market
oriented. China's strong economic growth and ability to attract significant
foreign investment in recent years stem from the economic liberalization
initiated by Deng Xiaoping who assumed power in the late 1970s. The economic
growth, however, has not been smooth and has been marked by extremes in many
respects of inordinate growth, which has not been tightly controlled, followed
by rigid measures of austerity.
The rapidity and erratic nature of the growth have resulted in inefficiencies
and dislocations, including at times high rates of inflation.
China's economic development has occurred notwithstanding the continuation of
the power of China's Communist Party and China's authoritarian government
control, not only of centrally planned economic decisions, but of many aspects
of the social structure. While a significant portion of China's population has
benefited from China's economic growth, the conditions of many leave much room
for improvement. Notwithstanding restrictions on freedom of expression and the
absence of a free press, and notwithstanding the extreme manner in which past
unrest has been dealt with, the 1989 Tianamen Square uprising being a recent
reminder, the potential for renewed popular unrest associated with demands for
improved social, political and economic conditions cannot be dismissed.
Following the death of Deng Xiaoping in February 1997, Jian Zemin became the
leader of China's Communist Party. The transfer of political power has
progressed smoothly and Jiang's popularity and credibility have gradually
increased. Jiang continues to consolidate his power, but as of yet does not
appear to have the same degree of control as did Deng Xiaoping. Jiang has
continued the market-oriented policies of Deng. Currently, China's major
economic challenge centers on reforming or eliminating inefficient state-owned
enterprises without creating an unacceptable level of unemployment. Recent
capitalistic policies have in many respects effectively outdated the Communist
Party and the governmental structure, but both remain entrenched. The Communist
Party still controls access to governmental positions and closely monitors
governmental action. Essentially there exists an inefficient set of parallel
bureaucracies and attendant opportunities for corruption.
In addition to the economic impact of China's internal political uncertainties,
the potential effect of China's actions, not only on China Itself, but on Hong
Kong and Taiwan as well, could also be significant.
China is heavily dependent on foreign trade, particularly with Japan, the U.S.,
South Korea and Germany. Political developments adverse to its trading partners,
as well as political and social repression, could cause the U.S. and others to
alter their trading policy towards China. For example, in the U.S., the
continued extension of most favored nation trading status to China which is
reviewed regularly and was reviewed in 1998 is an issue of significant
controversy. Loss of that status would clearly hurt China's economy by reducing
its exports. With much of China's trading activity being funneled through Hong
Kong and with trade through Taiwan becoming increasingly significant, any
sizable reduction in demand for goods from China would have negative
implications for both countries. China is believed to be the largest investor in
Hong Kong and its markets and an economic downturn in China would be expected to
reverberate through Hong Kong's markets as well.
Although China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy and its
economic, political and social freedoms for fifty years from the July 1, 1997
transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to China. Hong Kong is headed by a
chief executive, appointed by the central government of China, whose power is
checked by both the government of China and a Legislative Council. Although Hong
Kong voters voted overwhelmingly for pro-democracy candidates in the recent
election, it remains possible that China could exert its authority so as to
alter the economic structure, political structure or existing social policy of
Hong Kong. Investor and business confidence in Hong Kong can be significantly
affected by such developments, which in turn can affect markets and business
performance. In this connection, it is noted that a substantial portion of the
companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are involved in real
estate-related activities. The securities markets of China and to a lesser
extent Taiwan, 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, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund 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 U.S. securities settlements may in some instances be subject to
delays and related administrative uncertainties.
62
<PAGE>
Foreign investment in the securities markets of China and Taiwan is restricted
or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls, which apply to
the Alliance Greater China '97 Fund may at times limit or preclude investment in
certain securities and may increase the cost and expenses of the Fund. China and
Taiwan 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. In addition, the repatriation of investment
income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities from China and Taiwan is
controlled under regulations, including in some cases the need for certain
advance government notification or authority, and if a deterioration occurs in a
country's balance of payments, the country could impose restrictions on foreign
capital remittances.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a
refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well
as by the application to it of other restrictions on investment. The liquidity
of the Fund's investments in any country in which any of these factors exists
could be affected by any such factor or factors on the Fund's investments. The
limited liquidity in certain Greater China markets is a factor to be taken into
account in the Fund's valuation of portfolio securities in this category and may
affect the Fund's ability to dispose of securities in order to meet redemption
requests at the price and time it wishes to do so. It is also anticipated that
transaction costs, including brokerage commissions for transactions both on and
off the securities exchanges in Greater China countries, will be higher than in
the U.S.
Issuers of securities in Greater China countries are generally not subject to
the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters
as timely disclosure of information, insider trading rules, restrictions on
market manipulation and shareholder proxy requirements. Reporting, accounting
and auditing standards of Greater China countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects, and less information
may be available to investors in securities of Greater China country issuers
than to investors in securities of U.S. issuers.
Investment in Greater China companies which are in the initial stages of their
development involves greater risk than is customarily associated with securities
of more established companies. The securities of such companies may have
relatively limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic
market movements than securities of established companies or broad market
indices.
63
<PAGE>
For more information about the Funds, the following documents are available upon
request:
o Annual/Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders
The Funds' annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional
information on the Funds' investments. In the annual report, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly
affected a Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
o Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Each Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund,
including its operations and investment policies. The Funds' SAIs are
incorporated by reference into (and is legally part of) this prospectus.
You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the SAI,
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, N.J. 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 Funds on the internet
at www.Alliancecapital.com
64
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------
Alliance Stock Funds
Subscription Application
- Advisor Class
- ---------------------------
The Alliance Fund
Growth Fund
Premier Growth Fund
Technology Fund
Quasar Fund
International Fund
International Premier Growth Fund
Worldwide Privatization Fund
New Europe Fund
All-Asia Investment Fund
Greater China '97 Fund
Global Small Cap Fund
Global Environment Fund
Balanced Shares
Utility Income Fund
Growth & Income Fund
Real Estate Investment Fund
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:
o Individuals, Joint Tenants, Transfer on Death and Gift/Transfer to a
Minor:
o Indicate your name(s) exactly as it appears on your social
security card.
o Transfer on Death:
o Ensure that your state participates
o Trust/Other:
o 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.
o Non-Resident Alien:
o 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.
-----------------------------------
For Literature Call: (800) 227-4618
-----------------------------------
<PAGE>
The Alliance Stock Funds 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
90063GEN-TASFApp-Advisor-P1 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
1
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Your Initial Investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hereby subscribe for shares of the following Alliance Stock Fund(s) 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 Distribution 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|
|_| |_| |_| $ |__________________| |R| |C| |D| |R| |C| |D|
- ----------------------
Total Investment $ |__________________|
- ----------------------
* Cash and money orders are not accepted
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Stock Fund Names and Numbers
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
Advisor
Class
-------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Alliance Fund 444
------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Fund 431
------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Premier Growth Fund 478
------------------------------------------------------------
Technology Fund 482
------------------------------------------------------------
Quasar Fund 426
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fund 440
------------------------------------------------------------
International Premier Growth 479
------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Privatization Fund 412
------------------------------------------------------------
Global New Europe Fund 462
------------------------------------------------------------
All-Asia Investment Fund 418
------------------------------------------------------------
Greater China '97 Fund 460
------------------------------------------------------------
Global Small Cap Fund 445
------------------------------------------------------------
Global Environment Fund 481
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Shares 496
------------------------------------------------------------
Utility Income Fund 409
Total ------------------------------------------------------------
Return Growth & Income Fund 494
------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Investment Fund 410
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90063GEN-TASFApp-Advisor-P2
2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90063GEN-TASFApp-Advisor-P3
3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
90063GEN-TASFApp-Advisor-P4
4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
90063GEN-TASFApp-Advisor-P5
5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
90063GEN-TASFApp-Advisor-P6 Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
6
<PAGE>
This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(c).
File Nos. 2-10768 and 811-05088
<PAGE>
THE ALLIANCE 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
February 1, 1999
____________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a
prospectus but supplements and should be read in conjunction with
the current Prospectus for The Alliance Fund, Inc. (the "Fund")
that offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund and
the current Prospectus for the Fund 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 Prospectuses 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...................................
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS..........................................
APPENDIX A: CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS........... A-1
________________________
(R) This registered service mark used under license from the
owner, Alliance Capital Management L.P.
<PAGE>
_______________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
_______________________________________________________________
The Alliance Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a diversified,
open-end investment company. Except as otherwise indicated,
investment policies of the Fund are not "fundamental policies"
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"), and may, therefore, be changed by the
Fund's Board of Directors without a shareholder vote. However,
the Fund will not change its investment policies without
contemporaneous written notice to shareholders. The Fund's
investment objective may not be changed without shareholder
approval. There can be, of course, no assurance that the Fund
will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of
capital and income primarily through investment in common stocks.
Investments will be made based on their potential for
appreciation.
How The Fund Pursues its Objective
The Fund will normally invest substantially all of its
assets in common stocks which it believes will appreciate in
value. However, when appropriate in the opinion of Alliance
Capital Management L.P., the Fund's investment manager (the
"Manager"), it may also invest in other types of securities such
as convertible preferred stocks and debentures, high grade bonds,
debentures and preferred stocks, securities issued, created or
fully guaranteed by the United States Government and other high-
quality short-term securities such as repurchase agreements,
bankers' acceptances, domestic certificates of deposit and other
evidences of indebtedness maturing in less than one year. For
temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest a substantial
portion of its assets in such U.S. Government and other short-
term securities. The Fund may also invest in foreign securities
and the Fund has not adopted any limitation on the percentage of
net assets that may be invested in such securities.
Although the diversification and generally high quality
of the Fund's investments cannot prevent fluctuations in the
market value of the Fund's assets, they do tend to limit
investment risk and should contribute to achieving the Fund's
objective.
It is not the Fund's policy to effect portfolio
transactions for the purpose of realizing short-term trading
2
<PAGE>
profits or for the purpose of exercising control. The Fund does
not invest in puts, calls (except as discussed below), straddles,
spreads, or any combination thereof, nor in oil, gas or other
mineral exploration or development programs. Furthermore, it
will not invest more than 5% of its gross assets, taken at
market, in securities the disposition of which would be subject
to restrictions under the federal securities laws, except Rule
144A securities.
The above investment policies can be changed by the
Board of Directors if in its judgment the change is in the
interest of the Fund.
Additional Investment Policies and Practices
Options. The Fund may write covered call options which
are traded on national securities exchanges with respect to
common stocks in its portfolio (the Fund must at all times have
in its portfolio the securities which it may be obligated to
deliver if the option is exercised). The Fund may write covered
call options on these common stocks in an attempt to realize a
greater current return than would be realized on the securities
alone or to provide greater flexibility in disposing of such
securities. A "call option" gives the holder the right to
purchase the underlying securities from the Fund at a specified
price (the "exercise price") for a stated period of time. Prior
to the expiration of the option, the seller (the "writer") of the
option has an obligation to sell the underlying security to the
holder of the option at the exercise price regardless of the
market price of the security at the time the option is exercised.
The premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and
is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the
option written. Premiums received from writing options which
expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date
as realized capital gains. The difference between the premium
and the amount paid upon executing a closing purchase
transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as
a gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the
closing purchase transaction, as a loss. If a call option is
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale in
determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. All
options written will be "covered", which means that the Fund will
own the securities underlying the option or securities
convertible into or carrying rights to acquire such securities,
which securities will be segregated and held under an escrow
arrangement with or through the custodian for the Fund's
securities. Management will be instructed initially to cease
writing options if, and so long as, 25% of total assets are
subject to outstanding option contracts or if required under
applicable regulations of state securities administrators. In
the event the option is exercised, the writer may either deliver
3
<PAGE>
the underlying securities at the exercise price or if it does not
wish to deliver its own securities, purchase new securities at a
cost to the writer, which may be more than the exercise price
plus premium received and deliver the new securities for the
exercised option.
The Fund may purchase or write options on securities of
the types in which it is permitted to invest in privately
negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter) transactions. The Fund will
effect such transactions only with investment dealers and other
financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and
loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by the Adviser, and the
Adviser has adopted procedures for monitoring the
creditworthiness of such entities.
In view of its investment objective, the Fund generally
would write covered call options only in circumstances where the
Manager does not anticipate significant appreciation of the
underlying securities in the near future or has otherwise
determined to dispose of the securities. In the event an option
is exercised, the Fund's potential for gain is limited to the
difference between the exercise price plus the premium less the
cost of the security. Alternatively, the option's position could
be closed out by purchasing a like option. Although the writing
of covered call options only on national securities exchanges
increases the likelihood of the Fund being able to make closing
purchase transactions, there is no assurance that the Fund will
be able to effect closing purchase transactions at any particular
time or at an acceptable price. If the price of a security
declines below the amount to be received from the exercise price
less the amount of the call premium received and if the option
could not be closed, the Fund would hold a security which might
otherwise have been sold to protect against depreciation. The
writing of covered call options could result in increases in the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate, especially during periods when
market prices of the underlying securities appreciate.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may make
secured loans of its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and
financial institutions provided that liquid assets or bank
letters of credit equal to at least 100% of the market value of
the securities loaned is deposited and maintained by the borrower
with the Fund and is adjusted (marking-to-market) with the
borrower each day the securities are on loan to provide for price
fluctuations. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with
other extensions of credit, consist of possible loss of rights in
the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In
determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower,
the Manager (subject to review by the Directors) will consider
all relevant facts and circumstances, including the
creditworthiness of the borrower. While securities are on loan,
4
<PAGE>
the borrower will pay the Fund any income earned thereon and the
Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities,
thereby earning additional income, or receive an agreed upon
amount of income from a borrower who has delivered equivalent
collateral. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if
such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any
state within which its shares are qualified for sale. Loans will
be subject to termination by the Fund in the normal settlement
time, currently five business days after notice, or by the
borrower on one day's notice. Although voting rights may pass
with the loaned securities, if a material event affecting the
investment is to be voted on, the loan must be terminated and the
securities voted by the Fund. Borrowed or equivalent securities
must be returned when the loan is terminated. Any gain or loss
in the market price of the borrowed securities that occurs during
the term of the loan inures to the Fund and its shareholders.
The Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan. The Fund will not lend
portfolio securities in excess of 25% of the value of its total
assets nor will the Fund lend its portfolio securities to any
officer, director, employee or affiliate of either the Fund or
the Manager.
Repurchase Agreements. A "repurchase agreement" is an
instrument whereby the Fund acquires an underlying money market
instrument subject to resale at a fixed price. These
transactions will be entered into only with commercial banks.
The Fund advances cash to the banks which the banks collateralize
with securities, owned by the banks, issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Repurchase
agreements usually are for short periods. The Fund will not
enter into repurchase agreements of more than one week in
duration. Repurchase agreements together with the purchase of
restricted securities and any securities which do not have
readily available market quotations cannot amount to more than
10% of the Fund's net assets. Repurchase agreements could
involve certain risks in the event of bankruptcy or other
defaults by the seller, including possible delays and expenses in
liquidating the collateral, decline in collateral value and loss
of interest.
Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in securities
of foreign issuers. Foreign securities investments may be
affected by changes in currency rates or exchange control
regulations, application of foreign tax laws, changes in
governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in
the United States and abroad) or changed circumstances in
dealings between nations. Costs may be incurred in connection
with conversions between various currencies held by the Fund. In
addition, there may be less publicly available information about
foreign issuers than about domestic issuers, and foreign issuers
5
<PAGE>
may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards and requirements comparable to those of
domestic issuers. Securities of some foreign issuers are less
liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic
issuers, and foreign brokerage commissions are generally higher
than in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also
be less liquid, more volatile, and less subject to governmental
supervision than in the United States. Investments in foreign
countries could be affected by other factors not present in the
United States, including expropriation, confiscatory taxation and
potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.
Securities of Other Investment Companies. The Fund will
not invest in securities of other investment companies except by
purchase in the open market where no commission or profit to a
sponsor or dealer results from such purchase other than the
customary broker's commission (the Fund has no current intention
to invest in securities of other investment companies), or except
when such purchase, though not made in the open market, is part
of a plan of merger or consolidation.
Portfolio Turnover. There can be no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its investment objectives since market risks
are inherent in all securities to varying degrees, although the
Manager will try to limit these risks. Ordinarily, the annual
portfolio turnover rate will not exceed 100%. A portfolio
turnover rate of approximately 100% involves correspondingly
greater brokerage commission expenses than would a lower rate,
which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders.
Certain Fundamental Investment Policies
The following restrictions may not be changed without
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities, which means (1) 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 (2) more
than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less. The Fund
may not:
1. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S.
Government);
2. Acquire more than 10% of the voting or other
securities of any one issuer;
3. Buy securities of any company that (including its
predecessors) has not been in business at least
three continuous years;
6
<PAGE>
4. Borrow money;
5. Mortgage or pledge any of its assets except in
connection with the writing of covered call
options (see below);
6. Purchase securities on margin or sell short;
7. Lend any of its assets other than (i) through the
purchase of notes, bonds, certificates of
deposit, or evidences of indebtedness of a type
commonly distributed publicly or privately to
financial institutions (except that it will not
purchase any such privately offered securities
under circumstances in which it will become an
"underwriter" as defined in the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")),
(ii) through fully collateralized loans of
portfolio securities, or (iii) through loans to
banks against such obligations as repurchase
agreements (see below);
8. Underwrite or participate in any underwriting of
securities (the Fund might be deemed to be an
underwriter if it sells restricted securities);
9. Invest more than 25% of the value of its assets
in securities of issuers in any one industry;
10. Buy or sell any securities from, to or through
its officers or directors or other "interested
persons" except for purchases or sales of Fund
shares, or in transactions on a securities
exchange including only regular exchange
commissions and charges;
11. Buy or hold securities of any issuer if any
officer or director of the Fund, the Manager or
any officer, director or 10% shareholder of the
Manager owns individually 1/2 of 1% of a class of
securities of such issuer, and such persons
together own beneficially more than 5% of such
securities; or
12. Buy or sell any real estate, commodities or
commodity contracts including commodity futures
contracts.
In connection with the qualification or registration of
the Fund's shares for sale under the securities laws of certain
states the Fund has agreed, in addition to the foregoing
7
<PAGE>
investment restrictions, that it (i) will not invest more than 5%
of its net assets in warrants nor more than 2% of its net assets
in unlisted warrants; (ii) will not invest in real estate or
interests therein, excluding readily marketable securities of
companies which invest in real estate; (iii) will not invest in
oil, gas or other mineral leases.
Whenever any investment policy or restriction states a
minimum or maximum percentage of the Fund's assets which may be
invested in any security or other asset, it is intended that such
minimum or maximum percentage limitation be determined
immediately after and as a result of the Fund's acquisition of
such security or other asset. Accordingly, any later increase or
decrease in percentage beyond the specified limitations resulting
from a change in values or net assets will not be considered a
violation of any such maximum.
_______________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
_______________________________________________________________
Manager
Alliance Capital Management L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership with principal offices at 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been retained under an
investment management agreement (the "Management Agreement") to
provide investment advice and, in general, to conduct the
management and investment program of the Fund under the
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors (see "Management of
the Fund" in the Prospectus).
The Manager is a leading international investment
manager supervising client accounts with assets as of
December 31, 1998, totaling more than $286 billion (of which more
than $118 billion represented the assets of investment
companies). The Manager's clients are primarily major corporate
employee benefit funds, public employee retirement systems,
investment companies, foundations and endowment funds. The 54
registered investment companies managed by the Manager,
comprising 118 separate investment portfolios, currently have
more than 3.5 million shareholder accounts. As of December 31,
1998, the Manager and its subsidiaries employed approximately
2,000 employees who operate out of domestic offices and the
offices of subsidiaries in Bahrain, Bangalore, Cairo, Chennai,
Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid,
Moscow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Paris, Pune, Sao Paolo, Seoul,
Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna and Warsaw. As of
December 31, 1998, the Manager was retained as an investment
8
<PAGE>
manager for employee benefit plan assets of 35 of the FORTUNE 100
companies.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), the
sole general partner of, and the owner of a 1% general
partnership interest in the Manager, is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United
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
which at March 1, 1998, beneficially owned approximately 59% of
the outstanding voting shares of ECI. As of June 30, 1998, ACMC,
Inc. and Equitable Capital Management Corporation, each a wholly-
owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Equitable, together with
Equitable, owned in the aggregate approximately 57% of the issued
and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial
ownership of limited partnership interests in the Adviser.
AXA is a 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 and the Asia/Pacific
area. 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.
Based on information provided by AXA, as of March 31,
1998, more than 30% of the voting power of AXA was controlled
directly and indirectly by FINAXA, a French holding company. As
of March 31, 1998 approximately 74% of the voting power of FINAXA
was controlled directly and indirectly by four French mutual
insurance companies (the "Mutuelles AXA"), one of which, AXA
Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, itself controlled directly and
indirectly more than 42% of the voting power of FINAXA. Acting
as a group, the Mutuelles AXA control AXA and FINAXA.
The Management Agreement provides that the Manager shall
manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund
and administer its business and affairs, subject to the overall
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors. In addition the
Manager furnishes the Fund with office space and clerical and
bookkeeping services and payroll compensation of the Fund's
officers and those directors who are affiliated persons of the
Manager.
The Fund has, under the Management Agreement, assumed
the obligation for payment of all of its other expenses. As to
9
<PAGE>
the obtaining of services other than those specifically provided
to the Fund by the Manager, 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
and, in such event, the services will be provided to the Fund at
cost and the payments therefore must be specifically approved by
the Fund's Directors. The Fund paid to the Manager a total of
$124,000 in respect of such services during the fiscal year of
the Fund ended in 1998.
The Management Agreement became effective on April 20,
1993. For its services under the Management Agreement, the
Manager receives a monthly fee at an annualized rate of .75% of
the first $500 million of the Fund's average daily net assets,
.65% of the excess over $500 million of such net assets up to
$1 billion and .55% of the excess over $1 billion of such net
assets. During the fiscal years of the Fund ended in 1996, 1997
and 1998, the Fund paid the Manager total management fees of
$6,794,888, $7,855,807 and $8,274,404, respectively.
In order to provide the Manager with access to
supplemental research and security and economic analyses provided
by brokers and of use to the Fund, and to maintain good business
relationships with brokers who are important block traders or who
have special knowledge of potential buyers and sellers in
securities the Fund may wish to buy or sell, the Management
Agreement authorizes the Manager to allocate brokerage business
to such brokers even though they execute transactions at higher
rates to the Fund than may be available from other brokers who
are providing only execution service.
The Management Agreement also permits the Board of
Directors to authorize the payment by the Fund of additional
compensation to others for consulting services, supplemental
research, and security and economic analyses. Such outside
research would supplement the research of the Manager and make it
possible to obtain the benefit of information or expert opinion
not otherwise available to the Fund or the Manager. The payment
for such outside research in cash might be in lieu of brokerage
commissions, which are now charged to principal and would be in
addition to the management fee. The Board may determine that such
payment be charged to the extent permitted by generally accepted
accounting principles to principal or income of the Fund as it
deems appropriate.
The Management Agreement continues in force for
successive twelve-month periods (computed from each August 1),
provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Fund's Directors or by a majority vote of the
holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and, in
either case, by a majority of the Directors who are not parties
10
<PAGE>
to the Management Agreement or interested persons as defined in
the 1940 Act of any such party. Most recently, the continuance
of the Management Agreement until July 31, 1999 was approved by a
vote, cast in person, of the Directors, including a majority of
the Directors who are not parties to the Management Agreement or
interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for
that purpose and held on July 16, 1998.
The Management Agreement is terminable without penalty
on 60 days' written notice by a vote of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities or by a vote of a majority of the
Fund's Directors, or by the Manager on any January 1 on not less
than 60 days' written notice to the Fund, and will automatically
terminate in the event of its assignment. The Management
Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Manager, or of
reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Manager
shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in
accordance with its duties thereunder.
Certain other clients of the Manager may have investment
objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund. The Manager
may, from time to time, make recommendations which result in the
purchase or sale of a particular security by its other clients
simultaneously with the Fund. If transactions on behalf of more
than one client during the same period increase the demand for
securities being purchased or the supply of securities being
sold, there may be an adverse effect on price or quantity. It is
the policy of the Manager to allocate management recommendations
and the placing of orders in a manner which is deemed equitable
by the Manager to the accounts involved, including the Fund.
When two or more of the clients of the Manager (including the
Fund) are purchasing or selling the same security on a given day
from the same broker-dealer, such transactions may be averaged as
to price.
The Manager may act as an investment adviser to other
persons, firms or corporations, including investment companies,
and is investment adviser to Alliance Institutional Reserves,
Inc., 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 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.,
11
<PAGE>
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/Regent
Sector Opportunity 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
Portfolios and The Hudson River Trust, all registered open-end
investment companies; and to ACM Government Income Fund, Inc.,
ACM Government Securities Fund, Inc., ACM Government Spectrum
Fund, Inc., ACM Government Opportunity Fund, Inc., ACM Managed
Income Fund, Inc., ACM Managed Dollar 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.
Directors and Officers
The Directors and principal 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
director, trustee or officer of other registered investment
companies sponsored by the Manager. Unless otherwise specified,
the address of each of the following persons is 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Directors
JOHN D. CARIFA,* 53, 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, 67, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of Equitable. She is a Director
of Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals) and BP Amoco
Corporation (oil and gas). Her address is P.O. Box 4623,
Stamford, Connecticut 06903.
DAVID H. DIEVLER, 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.
____________________
* An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
Act.
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<PAGE>
JOHN H. DOBKIN, 56, 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 prior to 1993. His address is
Room 100, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
DR. JAMES M. HESTER, 74, 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
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.
ALDEN M. STEWART, Executive Vice President, 52, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which she has been
associated since prior to 1994.
KATHLEEN A. CORBET, Senior Vice President, 38, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which she has been
associated since prior to 1994.
THOMAS J. BARDONG, Vice President, 53, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior
to 1994.
RANDALL E. HAASE, Vice President, 33, has been a Vice
President of ACMC since prior to 1994.
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EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., Secretary, 48, is Senior Vice
President and General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
("AFD") and Alliance Fund Services ("AFS"), with which he has
been associated since prior to 1994.
ANDREW L. GANGOLF, Assistant Secretary, 44, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since December 1994. Prior thereto, he was a
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Delaware Management
Co., Inc. since prior to 1994.
DOMENICK PUGLIESE, Assistant Secretary, 37, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since May 1995. Prior thereto, he was a Vice
President and Counsel of Concord Holding Corporation since 1994
and Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Prudential
Securities since prior to 1994.
EMILIE D. WRAPP, Assistant Secretary, 42, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which she
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.
VINCENT S. NOTO, Controller, 34, is a Vice President of
AFS, with which he has been associated since prior to 1994.
The aggregate compensation paid by the Fund to each of
the Directors during its fiscal year ended November 30, 1998, the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Directors during
calendar year 1998 by all of the registered investment companies
to which the Manager 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 company in the Alliance Fund Complex
provides compensation in the form of pension or retirement
benefits to any of its directors or trustees. Each of the
Directors is a director or trustee of one or more other
registered investment companies in the Alliance Fund Complex.
14
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Total Number Total Number
of Investment of Investment
Companies in Portfolios
the Alliance Within the
Total Fund Complex, Alliance Fund
Compensation Including the Complex Including
From the Fund, as to the Fund, as
Alliance Fund which the to which the
Aggregate Complex, Director is a Director is
Compensation Including the Director or a Director or
Name of Director From the Fund Fund Trustee Trustee
John D. Carifa $-0- $ -0- 50 114
Ruth Block $3,923 $180,763 37 77
David H. Dievler $3,923 $216,288 43 80
John H. Dobkin $3,926 $185,363 41 91
William H. Foulk, Jr. $3,920 $241,003 45 109
Dr. James M. Hester $3,926 $172,913 37 74
Clifford L. Michel $3,926 $187,763 38 90
Donald J. Robinson $3,851 $193,709 41 103
As of January 8, 1999, the Directors and officers of the
Fund as a group owned 2.49% of the Advisor Class shares of the
Fund and less than 1% of the shares of any other class of shares
of the Fund.
_______________________________________________________________
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 Funds shares and to permit the Fund to pay distribution
services fees to defray expenses associated with distribution of
its Class A, Class B and Class C shares in accordance with a plan
of distribution which is included in the Agreement and has been
duly adopted and approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act (the "Rule 12b-1 Plan").
In approving the Agreement, the Directors of the Fund
determined that there was a reasonable likelihood that the
Agreement would benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The
distribution services fee of a particular class will not be used
to subsidize the provision of distribution services with respect
to any other class.
15
<PAGE>
During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 1998,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class A shares, in amounts
aggregating $2,217,958 which constituted approximately .20% of
the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares
during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own
resources as described above aggregating $648,918. Of the
$2,866,876 paid by the Fund and the Adviser with respect to the
Class A shares under the Agreement, $120,435 was spent on
advertising, $25,012 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses
for persons other than current shareholders, $2,160,881 for
compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
(including, $262,621 to the Fund's Principal Underwriters),
$102,407 for compensation to sales personnel, $458,141 was spent
on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
diligence and other promotional expenses.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 1998,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class B shares, in amounts
aggregating $879,957, which constituted approximately 1.00% of
the average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares
during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own
resources as described above aggregating $1,748,400. Of the
$2,628,357 paid by the Fund and the Adviser with respect to the
Class B shares under the Agreement, $104,637 was spent on
advertising, $22,421 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses
for persons other than current shareholders, $2,031,420 for
compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
including, $233,880 to the Fund's Principal Underwriters, $37,363
for compensation to sales personnel, $330,074 was spent on
printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
diligence and other promotional expenses, and $102,442 was spent
on interest on Class B shares financing.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 1998,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class C shares, in amounts
aggregating $248,458, which constituted approximately 1.00% of
the average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares
during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its own
resources as described above aggregating $180,433. Of the
$428,891 paid by the Fund and the Adviser with respect to the
Class C shares under the Agreement, $24,774 was spent on
advertising, $5,632 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses
for persons other than current shareholders, $280,341 for
compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
including, $56,019 to the Fund's Principal Underwriters, $9,084
for compensation to sales personnel, $79,341 was spent on
printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
16
<PAGE>
diligence and other promotional expenses, and $29,719 was spent
on interest on Class C shares financing.
Distribution services fees are accrued daily and paid
monthly and are charged as expenses of the Fund as accrued. The
distribution services fees attributable to the Class B shares and
Class C shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase
such shares through broker-dealers without the assessment of an
initial sales charge, and at the same time to permit the
Principal Underwriter to compensate broker-dealers in connection
with the sale of such shares. In this regard the purpose and
function of the combined contingent deferred sales charge and
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
provide for the financing of the distribution of the relevant
class of the Fund's shares.
In the event that the Agreement is terminated or not
continued with respect to the Class A shares, Class B shares or
Class C shares, (i) no distribution services fees (other than
current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the
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 Agreement will continue in effect for successive
twelve-month periods (computed from each August 1), provided,
however, that such 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. Most recently
the continuance of the Agreement until July 31, 1999 was approved
by a vote, cast in person, of the Directors, including a majority
of the Directors who are not "interested persons", as defined in
the 1940 Act, at their meeting held on July 16, 1998.
The Manager may from time to time and from its own funds
or such other resources as may be permitted by rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") make
payments for distribution services to the Principal Underwriter;
17
<PAGE>
the latter may in turn pay part or all of such compensation to
brokers or other persons for their distribution assistance.
Unreimbursed distribution expenses incurred as of the
end of the Fund's most recently completed fiscal year, and
carried over for reimbursement in future years in respect of the
Class B and Class C shares for the Fund were, $5,530,463 (6.47%
of the net assets of Class B) and $1,205,589 (5.68% of the net
assets of Class C).
The 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.
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 Fund's 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
Agreements. In the event that a change in these laws prevented a
bank from providing such services, it is expected that other
services arrangements would be made and that shareholders would
not be adversely affected.
Transfer Agency Agreement
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager located at 500 Plaza
Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, receives a transfer agency fee
per account holder of each of the Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class shares of the Fund, plus reimbursement for out-of-
pocket expenses. The transfer agency fee with respect to the
Class B and Class C shares is higher than the transfer agency
costs with respect to the Class A and Advisor Class shares,
reflecting the additional costs associated with the Class B and
Class C contingent deferred sales charges. For the fiscal year
ended November 30, 1998, the Fund paid AFS $1,130,195 pursuant to
the Transfer Agency Agreement.
18
<PAGE>
_______________________________________________________________
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"), 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"), or, to investors eligible to purchase Advisor
Class shares, without any initial, contingent deferred or asset-
based sales charge, in each case as described below. 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)
below 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.
19
<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 four 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.
20
<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 its close of business that same
day (normally 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. Eastern time (certain
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives may enter
into operating agreements permitting them to transmit purchase
information to the Principal Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time and receive that day's net asset value). If the 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.
21
<PAGE>
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, share certificates representing shares of
the Fund are not issued except upon written request to the Fund
by the shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or
agent. This facilitates later redemption and relieves the
shareholder of the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost
or stolen certificates. No certificates are issued for
fractional shares, 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 shares
and Advisor Class shares, (iv) each of Class A, Class B and
Class C has exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of
the Rule 12b-1 Plan pursuant to which its distribution services
fee is paid and other matters for which separate class voting is
appropriate under applicable law, provided that, if the Fund
submits to a vote of the Class A shareholders, an amendment to
the Rule 12b-1 Plan that would materially increase the amount to
be paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares, then such
amendment will also be submitted to the Class B shareholders and
22
<PAGE>
the Advisor Class shareholders and the Class A, Class B and
Advisor Class shareholders will vote separately by class and
(v) Class B shares and Advisor Class shares are subject to a
conversion feature. Each class has different exchange privileges
and certain different shareholder service options available.
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 Retail Purchase Arrangements -- Class A, Class B and
Class C Shares**
The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A, Class B 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 purchases 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
____________________
** Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section under "--General.
23
<PAGE>
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have
all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.
Other investors might determine, however, that it would
be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares
in order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
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.
During the Fund's fiscal years ended in 1998, 1997 and
1996, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission payable
with respect to shares of the Fund were $1,198,508,, $180,526 and
$362,677, respectively. Of that amount, the Principal
Underwriter received the amounts of $95,833, $9,940 and $48,517,
respectively, representing that portion of the sales charges paid
on shares of the Fund sold during the year which was not
reallowed to selected dealers (and was, accordingly, retained by
the Principal Underwriter). During the Fund's fiscal years ended
in 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Principal Underwriter received
contingent deferred sales charges of $6,028, $3 and $0,
respectively, on Class A shares, $128,714, $154,336 and $60,344,
24
<PAGE>
respectively, on Class B shares, and $9,182, $0 and $360,
respectively on Class C shares.
Class A Shares
The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
Sales Charge
Discount or
Commission
As % of to Dealers
As % of the Public or Agents
Amount of Net Amount Offering as % of
Purchase Invested Price Offering 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
25
<PAGE>
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment
of compensation to selected dealers and agents for selling
Class A shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more
made through selected dealers and agents, the Manager 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 or Advisor Class shares as described below under "Class B
Shares-Conversion Feature" and "--Conversion of Advisor Class
Shares to Class A Shares." 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.
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
26
<PAGE>
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.
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
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-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 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 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 initial sales charge for the $100,000
purchase would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single
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$300,000 purchase of shares of the Fund, rather than the 3.25%
rate.
To qualify for the Combined Purchase Privilege or to
obtain the Cumulative Quantity Discount on a purchase through a
selected dealer or agent, the investor or selected dealer or
agent must provide the Principal Underwriter with sufficient
information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
Statement of Intention. Class A investors may also
obtain the reduced sales charges shown in the table above by
means of a written Statement of Intention, which expresses the
investor's intention to invest not less than $100,000 within a
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B,
Class C and/or Advisor Class shares) of the Fund or any other
Alliance Mutual 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
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
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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 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.
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
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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 contingent deferred sales charge to certain
categories of investors including: (i) investment management
clients of the Manager 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 Manager; present or retired full-time employees of the
Manager, 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); (iii) the Manager, the Principal
Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates;
and certain employee benefit plans for employees of the Manager,
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 affiliates or agents, for services in the nature of
investment management 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")
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contributions are made), if such plans or accounts are
established or administered under programs sponsored by
administrators or other persons that have been approved by the
Principal Underwriter.
Class B Shares
Investors may purchase Class B shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class B shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Class B shares are
sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will
receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge on
the Class B shares are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are
used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the
Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B
shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers
and agents for selling Class B shares. The combination of the
contingent deferred sales charge and the distribution services
fee enables the Fund to sell the Class B shares without a sales
charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The higher
distribution services fee incurred by Class B shares will cause
such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower
dividends than those related to Class A shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class B shares that
are redeemed within four years of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set forth below
charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares
derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
To illustrate, assume that on or after November 19, 1993
an investor purchased 100 Class B shares at $10 per share (at a
cost of $1,000) and in the second year after purchase, the net
asset value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor
has acquired 10 additional Class B shares upon dividend
reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes his or her first
redemption of 50 Class B shares (proceeds of $600), 10 Class B
shares will not be subject to the charge because of dividend
reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 40 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.
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Therefore, $400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged
at a rate of 3.0% (the applicable rate in the second year after
purchase as set forth below).
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of
payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of
redemption of such shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge as a %
of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge
Shares Purchased Shares Purchased
Years before on or after
Since Purchase November 19, 1993 November 19, 1993
First 5.5% 4.0%
Second 4.5% 3.0%
Third 3.5% 2.0%
Fourth 2.5% 1.0%
Fifth 1.5% None
Sixth 0.5% None
Seventh and thereafter None 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
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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 occurs 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
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
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shares and Advisor Class shares, and will thus have a higher
expense ratio and pay correspondingly lower dividends than
Class A shares and Advisor Class shares.
Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of
purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
1%, charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge on Class C
shares will be waived on certain redemptions, as described above
under "--Class B Shares." In determining the contingent deferred
sales charge applicable to a redemption of Class C shares, it
will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that
are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (for
example, because the shares have been held beyond the period
during which the charge applies or were acquired upon the
reinvestment of dividends or distributions) and, second, of
shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales
charge.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge are
paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Class C shares, such as the
payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for
selling Class C shares. The combination of the contingent
deferred sales charge and the distribution services fee enables
the Fund to sell the Class C shares without a sales charge being
deducted at the time of purchase. The higher distribution
services fee incurred by Class C shares will cause such shares to
have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those
related to Class A shares and Advisor Class shares.
Conversion of Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares
Advisor Class shares may be held solely through the fee-
based program accounts and 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 Manager 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
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"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
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 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 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.
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Redemption
Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Fund's Articles of Incorporation require that the Fund redeems
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 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.
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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,
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 AFS 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
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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 Manager, the
Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund Services, Inc. will be
responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests for
redemptions that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. The
Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to verify that
telephone requests for redemptions are genuine, including, among
others, recording such telephone instructions and causing written
confirmations of the resulting transactions to be sent to
shareholders. If the Fund did not employ such procedures, it
could be liable for losses arising from unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected dealers or agents
may charge a commission for handling telephone requests for
redemptions.
Repurchase
The Fund may repurchase shares through the Principal
Underwriter, selected financial intermediaries or selected
dealers or agents. The repurchase price will be the net asset
value next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the request (less the contingent deferred sales charge, if any,
with respect to the Class A Class B and Class C shares), except
that requests placed through selected dealers or agents before
the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be
executed at the net asset value determined as of such close of
regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives may enter
into operating agreements permitting them to transmit purchase
information to the Principal Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time and receive that day's net asset value). If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A
shareholder may offer shares of the Fund to the Principal
Underwriter either directly or through a selected dealer or
agent. Neither the Fund nor the Principal Underwriter charges a
fee or commission in connection with the repurchase of shares
(except for the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, with
respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares). Normally, if
shares of the Fund are offered through a financial intermediary
selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is settled by the
shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or through the
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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
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 $25)
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
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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 Manager).
In addition, (i) present officers and full-time employees of the
Manager, (ii) present Directors or Trustees of any Alliance
Mutual Fund and (iii) certain employee benefit plans for
employees of the Manager, the Principal Underwriter, Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates may, on a tax-free
basis, 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. Except with respect to exchanges of
Class A shares of the Fund for Advisor Class shares of the Fund,
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
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(ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the following paragraph. Exchanges
involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check
will be permitted only after the Alliance Mutual Fund whose
shares have been tendered for exchange is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date. Exchanges of shares of Alliance Mutual Funds
will generally result in the realization of a capital gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes.
Each Fund shareholder and the shareholder's selected
dealer, agent or financial representative, as applicable, are
authorized to make telephone requests for exchanges unless
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., receives written instruction to the
contrary from the shareholder, or the shareholder declines the
privilege by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus. Such telephone requests
cannot be accepted with respect to shares then represented by
stock certificates. Shares acquired pursuant to a telephone
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 Manager, 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
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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.
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
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<PAGE>
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.
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
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<PAGE>
initial investment should complete the appropriate section of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus. Current
shareholders should contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to
establish a dividend direction plan.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
General. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000
(for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly
payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a
systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will
periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less
than $50 on a selected date. Systematic withdrawal plan
participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions
from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund.
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
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<PAGE>
the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this
Statement of Additional Information.
CDSC Waiver for Class B and Class C Shares. Under a
systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2% bi-monthly or 3%
quarterly of the value at the time of redemption of the Class B
or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may be redeemed free
of any contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995. Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest
will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing
limitations. Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
Statements and Reports
Each shareholder of the Fund receives semi-annual and
annual reports which include a portfolio of investments,
financial statements and, in the case of the annual report, the
report of the Fund's independent accountants,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as well as a confirmation of each
purchase and redemption. By contacting his or her broker or
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a shareholder can arrange for
copies of his or her account statements to be sent to another
person.
_______________________________________________________________
NET ASSET VALUE
_______________________________________________________________
The per share net asset value is computed in accordance
with the 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
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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 Manager certain of
the Board's duties with respect to the following procedures.
Readily marketable securities listed on the Exchange or on a
foreign securities exchange (other than foreign securities
exchanges whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market) are valued, except as indicted
below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape
at the close of the Exchange or, in the case of a foreign
securities exchange, at the last quoted sale price, in each case
on the business day as of which such value is being determined.
If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued
at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If
no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, then the security
is valued in good faith at fair value by, or in accordance with
procedures established by, the Board of Directors. Readily
marketable securities not listed on the Exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange but listed on other United States national
securities exchanges or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
are valued in like manner. Portfolio securities traded on the
Exchange and on one or more foreign or other national securities
exchanges, and portfolio securities not traded on the Exchange
but traded on one or more foreign or other national securities
exchanges are valued in accordance with these procedures by
reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are
traded.
Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-
counter market, securities listed on a foreign securities
exchange whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market, and securities listed on a U.S.
national securities exchange whose primary market is believed to
be over-the-counter (but excluding securities traded on The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.), are valued at the mean of the current
bid and asked prices as reported by Nasdaq or, in the case of
securities not quoted by Nasdaq, the National Quotation Bureau or
another comparable sources.
Listed put or call options purchased by the Fund are
valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that
day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on
that day.
Open futures contracts and options thereon will be
valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of
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<PAGE>
such a price, the most recent quoted bid price, If there are no
quotations available for the day of valuations, the last
available closing settlement price will be used.
U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments
having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at
amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or
by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to
maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days
(unless in either case the Board of Directors determines that
this method does not represent fair value).
Fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of
prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are
believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities.
The prices provided by pricing service take into account many
factors, including institutional size trading in similar groups
of securities and any developments related to specific
securities.
All other assets of the Fund are valued in good faith at
fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by,
the Board of Directors.
Trading in securities on Far Eastern and European
securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally
completed well before the close of business of each Fund business
day. In addition, trading in foreign markets may not take place
on all Fund business days. Furthermore, trading may take place
in various foreign markets on days that are not Fund business
days. The Fund's calculation of the net asset value per share,
therefore, does not always take place contemporaneously with the
most recent determination of the prices of portfolio securities
in these markets. Events affecting the values of these portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are
determined in accordance with the above procedures and the close
of the Exchange will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation
of net asset value unless it is believed that these prices do not
reflect current market value, in which case the securities will
be valued in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures
established by, the Board of Directors at fair value.
The Board of Directors may suspend the determination of
the Fund's, net asset value (and the offering and sale of
shares), subject to the rules of the Commission and other
governmental rules and regulations, at a time when: (1) the
Exchange is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday
closings, (2) an emergency exists as a result of which it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities
owned by it or to determine fairly the value of its net assets,
or (3) for the protection of shareholders, the Commission by
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order permits a suspension of the right of redemption or a
postponement of the date of payment on redemption.
For purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value
per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in a
foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars at the mean
of the current bid and asked prices of such currency against the
U.S. dollar last quoted by a major bank that is a regular
participant in the relevant foreign exchange market or on the
basis of a pricing service that takes into account the quotes
provided by a number of such major banks. If such quotations are
not available as of the close of the Exchange, the rate of
exchange will be determined in good faith by, or under the
direction of, the Board of Directors.
The assets attributable to the Class A shares, Class B
shares, 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.
The Prospectus describes generally the tax treatment of
dividends and distributions by the Fund. This section of the
Statement of Additional Information includes additional
information concerning Federal taxes.
The Fund intends for each taxable year to qualify to be
taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the Code.
Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code
requires, among other things, that (a) at least 90% of the Fund's
annual gross income, without offset for losses from the sale or
other disposition of securities, be derived from interest,
payments with respect to securities loans, dividends and gains
from the sale or other disposition of securities or options
thereon and certain other qualifying income; and (b) the Fund
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diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the
taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's
assets is represented by cash, government securities and other
securities 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 (ii) not more than 25% of
the value of its assets is invested in the securities of any one
issuer (other than government securities). In addition, in order
to qualify to be taxed as a regulated investment company, the
Fund must distribute to its shareholders as ordinary dividends at
least 90% of its net investment income other than net capital
gain earned in each year.
The Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends in
the amounts and at the times necessary to meet this requirement.
The Fund also intends to declare and distribute dividends in the
amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of
the 4% Federal excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income
of regulated investment companies. For Federal income and excise
tax purposes, dividends declared and payable to shareholders of
record as of a date in October, November or December but actually
paid during the following January will be treated as having been
distributed by the Fund, and will be taxable to these
shareholders, for the year declared, and not in the subsequent
calendar year in which the shareholders actually receive the
dividend.
In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the
Fund's dividends may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction. The amount eligible for the deduction is limited to
the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund. A
corporation's dividends-received deduction generally will be
disallowed unless the corporation holds shares in the Fund at
least 46 days during the 90-day period beginning 45 days before
the date on which the corporation becomes entitled to receive the
dividend. Furthermore, the dividends-received deduction will be
disallowed to the extent a corporation's investment in shares of
the Fund is financed with indebtedness.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to
shares of the Fund held by a tax-deferred or qualified plan, such
as an individual retirement account, 403(b)(7) retirement plan or
corporate pension or profit-sharing plan, generally will not be
taxable to the plan. Distributions from such plans will be
taxable to individual participants under applicable tax rules
without regard to the character of the income earned by the
qualified plan.
It is the present policy of the Fund to distribute to
shareholders all net investment income semi-annually and to
distribute net realized capital gains, if any, annually. The
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<PAGE>
amount of any such distributions must necessarily depend upon the
realization by the Fund of income and capital gains from
investments.
The Fund may be required to withhold United States
federal income tax at the rate of 31% of all distributions
payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their
correct taxpayer identifications 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 types of 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 United States federal income
tax liability or refunded.
Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will
be long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have been
held by it for more than one year, except in certain cases where
the Fund has written a call option thereon. Other gains or
losses on the sale of securities will be short-term capital gains
or losses. If an option written by the Fund lapses or is
terminated through a closing transaction, such as a repurchase by
the Fund of the option from its holder, the Fund may realize a
short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the premium
income is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund in the
closing transaction. If securities are sold by the Fund pursuant
to the exercise of a call option written by it, the Fund will add
the premium received to the sale price of the securities
delivered in determining the amount of gain or loss on the sale.
Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-
term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are taxable
as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder
has held shares in the Fund.
________________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
________________________________________________________________
It is the policy of the Fund to place portfolio
transactions where the Manager believes it can obtain the most
favorable price and execution and to deal directly with a
principal market maker in connection with over-the-counter
transactions. To obtain best execution means primarily to obtain
the most favorable net price but also includes such factors as
confidential treatment, good clearance facilities, promptness,
reliability, knowledge of a particular market, appropriate
capitalization and proven ability to handle the particular type
of transaction involved. When this primary consideration is met,
the Manager may place the Fund's brokerage business with brokers
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<PAGE>
partly on the basis of other factors such as the furnishing of
supplemental research and other services deemed to be of value in
managing the Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently
from those of other investment companies which are also managed
by the Manager, and those of private accounts advised by the
Manager. When these entities and accounts are simultaneously
engaged in the purchase or sale of the same securities, the
transactions are averaged as to price and allocated as to amount
in accordance with a formula deemed equitable to each. 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.
Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and subject to seeking
the most favorable price and execution available and such other
policies as the Directors may determine, the Manager may consider
sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of
broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.
The Management Agreement authorizes the Manager, subject
to review by the Board of Directors, to place orders with brokers
in return for supplemental research and other services and for
special execution services of benefit to the Fund, even though
the rates at which such orders may be executed are higher than
those charged for execution only. These various services may also
be useful to the Manager in connection with its services to other
clients and not all such services may be used in connection with
the Fund.
The Fund may from time to time place orders for the
purchase or sale of securities with Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette
Securities Corporation, an affiliate of the Manager ("DLJ"), 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 Manager.
During the fiscal years ended November 30, 1998, 1997
and 1996, the Fund incurred brokerage commissions amounting in
the aggregate to $3,941,458, $3,707,259 and $1,682,047. During
the fiscal years ended November 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
brokerage commissions amounting in the aggregate to $55,430,
$26,805 and $0, respectively, were paid to DLJ and brokerage
commissions amounting in the aggregate to $55,430, $2,500 and $0,
respectively, were paid to brokers utilizing the Pershing
Division of DLJ. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1998,
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the brokerage commissions paid to DLJ constituted 0% of the
fund's aggregate brokerage commissions and the brokerage
commissions paid to brokers utilizing the Pershing Division of
DLJ constituted .01% of the Fund's aggregate brokerage
commissions. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1998, of
the Fund's aggregate dollar amount of brokerage transactions
involving the payment of commissions 0% were effected through DLJ
and 0% were effected through brokers utilizing the Pershing
Division of DLJ. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1998,
transactions in the portfolio securities of the Fund aggregating
$2,755,138,275 with associated brokerage commissions of
approximately $1,192,307 were allocated to persons or firms
supplying research services to the Fund or the Manager.
_______________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
________________________________________________________________
Capitalization
The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation in 1979
under the name "Chemical Fund, Inc." and is the successor to a
Delaware corporation of the same name organized in 1938. The
name of the Fund became "The Alliance Fund, Inc." on March 13,
1987.
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 $.01 per
share.
The Board of Directors is authorized to reclassify and
issue any unissued shares to any number of additional series and
classes without shareholder approval. Accordingly, the Board in
the future, for reasons such as the desire to establish one or
more additional portfolios of the Fund with different investment
objectives, policies or restrictions, may create additional
series of shares. Any issuance of shares of another 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 for the election of Directors and on any other matter that
affected both portfolios in substantially the same manner. As to
matters affecting each portfolio differently, such as approval of
the Management Agreement and changes in investment policy, shares
of each portfolio would vote as separate series.
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Procedures for calling a shareholder's meeting for the
removal of Directors of the Fund, similar to those set forth in
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, are available to shareholders of
the Fund. Meetings of shareholders may be called by 10% of the
Fund's outstanding shareholders. 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
Directors and, in liquidation of the Fund, are entitled to
receive the net assets of the Fund.
On January 8, 1999 there were 187,226,762 shares of
common stock of the Fund outstanding including 164,074,022
Class A shares, 16,058,134 Class B shares, 5,163,312 Class C
shares and 1,931,294 Advisor Class shares. To the knowledge of
the Fund, the following persons owned of record or beneficially,
5% or more of a class of the outstanding shares of the Fund as of
January 8, 1999:
54
<PAGE>
No. of % of
Shares % of % of % of Advisor
Name and Address of Class Class A Class B Class C Class
Merrill Lynch
4800 Deer Lake Dr. 1,458,157 9.09%
Jacksonville, FL 32246 620,168 12.00%
Bank of New York
Equity League Pension Trust
1 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005-2502 332,377 17.22%
Trust for Profit Sharing
For Alliance Capital
Employees
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105 1,288,811 63.65%
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, 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, State Street Bank and
Trust Company may enter into sub-custodial agreements for the
holding of the Fund's foreign securities.
Principal Underwriter
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., an indirect wholly-
owned subsidiary of the Adviser, located at 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, is the principal underwriter
of shares of the Fund. Under the Distribution Services Agreement
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
shares of Common Stock offered hereby are passed upon by Seward &
Kissel, New York, New York. Seward & Kissel has relied upon the
opinion of Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP, Baltimore, Maryland
for matters relating to Maryland law.
55
<PAGE>
Independent Accountants
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, New York, New York has been
appointed as the independent accountants for the Fund.
Performance Information
From time to time, the Fund advertises its "total
return," which is computed separately for Class A, Class B, Class
C and Advisor Class shares. Such advertisements disclose the
Fund's average annual compounded total return for the periods
prescribed by the Commission. The Fund's total return for each
such period is computed by 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 the investment at the end of the
period. For purposes of computing total return, income dividends
and capital gains distributions paid on shares of the Fund are
assumed to have been reinvested when paid and the maximum sales
charges applicable to purchases and redemptions of the Fund's
shares are assumed to have been paid.
The Fund's average total return is computed separately
for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. The
average annual total return based on net asset value for each
class of shares for the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended
November 30, 1998 (or since inception through that date, as
noted) was as follows:
12 Months
Ended 5 Years Ended 10 Years Ended
11/30/98 11/30/98 11/30/98
_________ _____________ ______________
Class A (8.48)% 13.86% 15.09%
Class B (9.27)% 12.86% 13.27%*
Class C (9.58)% 12.81% 13.63%*
Advisor Class (8.19)% 14.31%* N/A
*Inception Dates: Class B - March 4, 1991
Class C - April 30, 1993
Advisor Class - October 1, 1996
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 the Fund's
56
<PAGE>
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 return 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 independent
organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services, 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 magazines such as
Barron's, Business Week, Changing Times, Fortune, Forbes and
Money Magazine, newspapers such as The New York Times or 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 other financial adviser 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. 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.
57
<PAGE>
______________________________________________________________
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
______________________________________________________________
58
<PAGE>
THE ALLIANCE FUND
ANNUAL REPORT
NOVEMBER 30, 1998
ALLIANCE CAPITAL
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
NOVEMBER 30, 1998 THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS-97.3%
CONSUMER SERVICES-20.3%
AIRLINES-8.8%
Alaska Air Group, Inc. (a) 250,300 $ 9,370,606
America West Holdings Corp. Cl.B (a) 300,000 4,237,500
Continental Airlines, Inc. Cl.B (a) 1,520,000 53,675,000
Northwest Airlines Corp. Cl.A (a) 1,058,300 26,523,644
------------
93,806,750
APPAREL-0.4%
Nautica Enterprises, Inc. (a) 130,400 2,567,250
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. 104,700 1,426,537
------------
3,993,787
BROADCASTING & CABLE-1.3%
CBS Corp. 400,000 11,925,000
Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. (a) 70,700 1,670,287
TCI Group Series A (a) 2,959 125,018
------------
13,720,305
ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE-7.9%
Carnival Corp. Cl.A 1,375,000 47,437,500
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. 1,240,000 37,665,000
------------
85,102,500
RESTAURANTS & LODGING-1.2%
Extended Stay America, Inc. (a) 1,200,000 12,000,000
Suburban Lodges of America, Inc. (a) 98,000 784,000
------------
12,784,000
RETAIL-GENERAL MERCHANDISE-0.0%
Dickson Concepts International, Ltd. (b) 357,500 385,526
MISCELLANEOUS-0.7%
Newell Co. 175,000 7,743,750
------------
217,536,618
FINANCE-19.5%
BROKERAGE & MONEY MANAGEMENT-4.8%
Edwards (A.G.), Inc. 520,000 19,175,000
Legg Mason, Inc. 1,072,700 31,979,869
------------
51,154,869
INSURANCE-7.3%
CNA Financial Corp. (a) 1,275,000 54,506,250
IPC Holdings, Ltd. 112,100 2,732,437
NAC Re Corp. 100,000 4,775,000
PMI Group, Inc. 250,000 13,671,875
Travelers Property Casualty Corp. Cl.A 75,000 2,582,813
------------
78,268,375
MORTGAGE BANKING-0.2%
Washington Mutual, Inc. 57,120 2,213,400
REAL ESTATE-1.6%
Excel Legacy Corp. (a) 158,000 533,250
New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc. (a) 189,600 4,147,500
Prime Retail, Inc. 1,200,000 12,675,000
------------
17,355,750
MISCELLANEOUS-5.6%
MBNA Corp. 2,500,000 56,718,750
Newcourt Credit Group, Inc. (c) 80,000 2,830,000
------------
59,548,750
------------
208,541,144
6
THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
TECHNOLOGY-18.2%
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT-5.7%
Embratel Participacoes, SA (ADR) (a)(d) 80,000 $ 1,280,000
Global Telesystems Group, Inc. (a) 1,000,000 43,406,250
NTL, Inc. (a) 24,900 1,386,619
PairGain Technologies, Inc. (a) 884,400 8,954,550
Tele Celular Sul Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 8,000 182,000
Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 26,640 126,540
Tele Centro Sul Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 16,000 913,000
Tele Leste Celular Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 1,600 66,900
Tele Nordeste Celular Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 4,000 104,750
Tele Norte Celular Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 1,600 65,500
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 80,000 1,360,000
Tele Sudeste Celular Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 16,000 432,000
Telemig Celular Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 4,000 123,500
Telesp Celular Participacoes,
SA (ADR) (a)(d) 32,000 840,000
Telesp Participacoes, SA (ADR) (a)(d) 80,000 2,140,000
------------
61,381,609
COMPUTER SERVICES-1.2%
DBT Online, Inc. (a) 114,000 1,945,125
First Data Corp. 420,000 11,208,750
------------
13,153,875
COMPUTER SOFTWARE-6.3%
HBO & Co. 1,417,800 35,356,387
Network Associates, Inc. (a) 500,000 25,437,500
Novell, Inc. (a) 400,000 6,625,000
------------
67,418,887
NETWORKING SOFTWARE-0.2%
Fore Systems, Inc. (a) 120,000 1,815,000
SEMI-CONDUCTOR COMPONENTS-4.0%
Altera Corp. (a) 350,000 17,171,875
Micron Technology, Inc. (a) 250,000 10,328,125
Xilinx, Inc. (a) 291,100 14,773,325
------------
42,273,325
MISCELLANEOUS-0.8%
Sanmina Holdings Corp. (a) 169,000 8,418,313
------------
194,461,009
CONSUMER MANUFACTURING-10.0%
AUTO & RELATED-5.7%
Budget Group, Inc. Cl.A (a) 250,000 3,125,000
7
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (a) 746,700 $ 9,333,750
Republic Industries, Inc. (a) 2,865,000 48,705,000
------------
61,163,750
TEXTILE PRODUCTS-3.9%
Tommy Hilfiger Corp. (a) 620,000 37,510,000
Unifi, Inc. 200,200 3,853,850
------------
41,363,850
MISCELLANEOUS-0.4%
Industrie Natuzzi SpA (ADR) (e) 209,800 4,641,825
------------
107,169,425
UTILITIES-8.9%
TELEPHONE UTILITY-8.9%
Hyperion Telecommunications, Inc. Cl.A (a) 105,000 1,141,875
Millicom International Cellular, SA (a)(f) 500,000 16,687,500
Telecomunicacoes Brasilieras, SA (ADR) (d) 80,000 13,750
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. 1,120,000 47,880,000
United States Cellular Corp. (a) 780,000 29,396,250
------------
95,119,375
HEALTH CARE-8.5%
BIOTECHNOLOGY-6.3%
Centocor, Inc. (a) 546,900 22,149,450
GelTex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a) 500,000 11,937,500
Genzyme Corp. (a) 150,000 6,309,375
Genzyme Molecular Oncology (a) 16,207 56,724
MedImmune, Inc. (a) 400,000 26,750,000
------------
67,203,049
MEDICAL SERVICES-2.2%
Healthsouth Corp. (a) 1,800,000 24,187,500
------------
91,390,549
ENERGY-5.3%
DOMESTIC INTEGRATED-1.3%
Kerr-McGee Corp. 60,000 2,370,000
USX-Marathon Group 407,000 11,548,625
------------
13,918,625
OIL SERVICE-3.3%
IRI International Corp. (a) 200,000 875,000
Noble Drilling Corp. (a) 2,150,000 24,859,375
Santa Fe International Corp. 800,000 9,950,000
------------
35,684,375
MISCELLANEOUS-0.7%
AES Corp. (a) 50,000 2,287,500
Stolt Comex Seaway, SA 20,700 174,656
(ADR) (a)(h) 620,000 4,417,500
------------
6,879,656
------------
56,482,656
CAPITAL GOODS-4.6%
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT-2.3%
Philips Electronics NV (ADR) (g) 350,000 22,159,375
Western Wireless Corp. Cl.A (a) 120,000 2,175,000
------------
24,334,375
POLLUTION CONTROL-2.3%
United States Filter Corp. (a) 1,105,000 24,448,125
------------
48,782,500
CONSUMER STAPLES-0.8%
FOOD-0.6%
Tyson Foods, Inc. Cl.A 320,000 6,620,000
8
THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHARES OR
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
COMPANY (000) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS-0.2%
Viad Corp. 105,000 $ 2,447,813
---------------
9,067,813
TRANSPORTATION-0.5%
SHIPPING-0.2%
OMI Corp. (a) 600,000 1,875,000
MISCELLANEOUS-0.3%
Knightsbridge Tankers, Ltd. 175,000 3,718,750
Marine Transport Corp. 60,000 123,750
---------------
3,842,500
---------------
5,717,500
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE-0.4%
DEFENSE ELECTRONICS-0.4%
Loral Space & Communications, Ltd. (a) 250,000 4,593,750
BASIC INDUSTRY-0.3%
CHEMICALS-0.3%
Crompton & Knowles Corp. 146,700 2,842,313
Total Common Stocks
(cost $990,329,984) 1,041,704,652
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT-2.0%
COMMERCIAL PAPER-2.0%
Prudential Funding Corp.
5.25%, 12/01/98
(amortized cost $21,450,000) $ 21,450 21,450,000
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-99.3%
(cost $1,011,779,984) 1,063,154,652
Other assets less liabilities-0.7% 8,019,081
NET ASSETS-100% $1,071,173,733
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Country of origin--Hong Kong.
(c) Country of origin--Canada.
(d) Country of origin--Brazil.
(e) Country of origin--Italy.
(f) Country of origin--Luxembourg.
(g) Country of origin--Netherlands.
(h) Country of origin--Norway.
Glossary:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt.
See notes to financial statements.
9
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
NOVEMBER 30, 1998 THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value (cost $1,011,779,984) $1,063,154,652
Cash 3,788
Receivable for investment securities sold 36,273,777
Dividends receivable 439,303
Receivable for capital stock sold 376,521
Total assets 1,100,248,041
LIABILITIES
Payable for investment securities purchased 17,377,026
Payable for capital stock redeemed 9,385,467
Unclaimed dividends 1,005,679
Management fee payable 616,968
Distribution fee payable 261,201
Accrued expenses 427,967
Total liabilities 29,074,308
NET ASSETS $1,071,173,733
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock, at par $ 1,808,379
Additional paid-in capital 952,548,405
Accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign
currency transactions 65,442,232
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign
currency denominated assets and liabilities 51,374,717
$1,071,173,733
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value and redemption price per share ($953,181,401/
159,591,089 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $5.97
Sales charge-4.25% of public offering price .26
Maximum offering price $6.23
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share ($85,456,190/
15,499,133 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $5.51
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share ($21,230,850/
3,857,465 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $5.50
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share
($11,305,292/1,890,240 shares of capital stock issued
and outstanding) $5.98
See notes to financial statements.
10
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1998 THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld
of $150,176) $7,830,475
Interest 433,100 $ 8,263,575
EXPENSES
Management fee 8,274,404
Distribution fee-Class A 2,217,958
Distribution fee-Class B 879,957
Distribution fee-Class C 248,458
Transfer agency 1,130,195
Custodian 238,036
Printing 162,479
Administrative 124,000
Registration 109,571
Taxes 100,800
Audit and legal 74,105
Directors' fees 30,000
Miscellaneous 19,540
Total expenses 13,609,503
Net investment loss (5,345,928)
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Net realized gain on investment transactions 83,664,602
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions (29,583)
Net change in unrealized appreciation of:
Investments (180,389,597)
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities 49
Net loss on investments and foreign currency transactions (96,754,529)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS $(102,100,457)
See notes to financial statements.
11
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30,
1998 1997
--------------- ---------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS
Net investment loss $ (5,345,928) $ (3,938,274)
Net realized gain on investments and
foreign currency transactions 83,635,019 312,544,907
Net change in unrealized appreciation
of investments and foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities (180,389,548) 4,067,927
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
from operations (102,100,457) 312,674,560
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO
SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income
Class A -0- (2,584,179)
Advisor Class -0- (4,914)
Net realized gain on investments
Class A (297,697,708) (136,315,610)
Class B (19,042,143) (6,355,169)
Class C (5,056,456) (1,970,589)
Advisor Class (2,587,444) (148,119)
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
Net increase 196,615,939 77,246,571
Total increase (decrease) (229,868,269) 242,542,551
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year 1,301,042,002 1,058,499,451
End of year $1,071,173,733 $1,301,042,002
See notes to financial statements.
12
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOVEMBER 30, 1998 THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Alliance Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund
offers Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. Class A shares are
sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.25% for purchases not exceeding
$1,000,000. 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 of 1%. Class B shares are currently sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge which declines from 4% to zero depending on the period of
time the shares are held. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Class
Cshares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions
made within the first year after purchase. Advisor Class shares are sold
without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to
ongoing distribution expenses. Advisor Class shares are offered to investors
participating in fee-based programs and to certain retirement plan accounts.
All four classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and
other rights, except that each class bears different distribution expenses and
has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. The
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles which require management to make certain estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the
financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a
summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
1. SECURITY VALUATION
Portfolio securities traded on a national securities 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
generally valued at the last reported sales price or if no sale occurred, at
the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on that day. Readily marketable
securities traded in the over-the-counter market, securities listed on a
foreign securities exchange whose operations are similar to the U.S.
over-the-counter market, and securities listed on a national securities
exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean of the current bid and asked price. U.S. government and fixed income
securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless
this method does not represent fair value. Securities for which current market
quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures adopted by, the
Board of Directors. Fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of
prices obtained from a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect
the fair market value of such securities.
2. CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under
forward exchange currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the
mean of the quoted bid and asked prices of such currencies against the U.S.
dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S.
dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired
or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of
exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized foreign currency gains and losses represent foreign exchange gains
and losses from sales and maturities of debt securities and foreign exchange
currency contracts, currency gains and losses realized between the trade and
settlement dates on security transactions and the difference between the
amounts of dividends and interest recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S.
dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The Fund does not isolate
the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates when determining
the gain or loss upon the sale of equity securities. Net currency gains and
losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at
period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized
appreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and
liabilities.
3. TAXES
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its
investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are
required.
13
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. INVESTMENT INCOME AND INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued
daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are
purchased or sold. The Fund accretes discounts as adjustments to interest
income. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis.
5. INCOME AND EXPENSES
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata
basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest
in the Fund represented by the net assets of such class, except that the Fund's
Class B and Class C shares bear higher distribution and transfer agent fees
than Class A shares and the Advisor Class shares have no distribution fees.
6. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date.
Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance
with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences
are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based
on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences, do not require
such reclassification. During the current fiscal year, permanent differences,
primarily due to net operating losses resulted in a net increase in
undistributed net investment income and accumulated net realized gain on
investments and foreign currency transactions and a corresponding decrease in
additional paid-in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.
NOTE B: MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of the management agreement, the Fund pays Alliance Capital
Management L.P. (the "Manager"), a fee at an annual rate of .75% on the first
$500 million of average daily net assets, .65% on the next $500 million of
average daily net assets and .55% on average daily net assets in excess of $1
billion. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
Pursuant to the management agreement, the Fund paid $124,000 to the Manager
representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the
Fund by the Manager for the year ended November 30, 1998.
The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Manager, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. Such compensation
amounted to $900,389 for the year ended November 30, 1998.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., (the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Manager, serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The
Distributor received front-end sales charges of $95,833 from the sale of Class
A shares and $6,052, $128,714 and $9,172 in contingent deferred sales charges
imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class C
shares, respectively, for the year ended November 30, 1998.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended
November 30, 1998 amounted to $3,941,458, of which $55,430 was paid to
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp., an affiliate of the Manager.
NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
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 net 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 Agreement provides that the
Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for distribution
assistance and promotional activities. The Distributor has incurred expenses in
excess of the distribution costs
14
THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
reimbursed by the Fund in the amount of $5,530,463 and $1,205,589, for Class B
and Class C shares, respectively; such costs may be recovered from the Fund in
future periods so long as the Agreement is in effect. In accordance with the
Agreement, there is no provision for recovery of unreimbursed distribution
costs incurred by the Distributor beyond the current fiscal year for Class A
shares. The Agreement also provides that the Manager may use its own resources
to finance the distribution of the Fund's shares.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments
and U.S. government securities) aggregated $1,296,496,226 and $1,458,642,049,
respectively, for the year ended November 30, 1998. There were no purchases or
sales of U.S. government or government agency obligations for the year ended
November 30, 1998. At November 30, 1998, the cost of investments for federal
income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial
reporting purposes. Gross unrealized appreciation of investments was
$137,207,509 and gross unrealized depreciation of investments was $85,832,841,
resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $51,374,668.
NOTE E: CAPITAL STOCK
There are 12,000,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value capital stock authorized,
divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor
Class shares. Each class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares.
Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES AMOUNT
---------------------------- ----------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CLASS A
Shares sold 19,105,150 6,987,684 $127,532,913 $ 57,214,484
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends and distributions 36,393,823 16,635,560 236,559,827 106,301,324
Shares converted from Class B 195,410 212,659 1,290,096 1,657,992
Shares redeemed (34,273,913) (15,229,370) (226,164,435) (116,622,533)
Net increase 21,420,470 8,606,533 $139,218,401 $ 48,551,267
CLASS B
Shares sold 8,241,290 4,424,115 $ 52,183,984 $ 33,748,548
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions 2,936,987 865,292 17,768,641 5,287,064
Shares converted to Class A (210,591) (223,476) (1,290,096) (1,657,992)
Shares redeemed (4,012,134) (2,525,999) (23,782,439) (18,835,577)
Net increase 6,955,552 2,539,932 $ 44,880,090 $ 18,542,043
CLASS C
Shares sold 40,005,443 2,634,424 $228,800,301 $ 20,389,284
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions 783,141 248,536 4,745,791 1,518,562
Shares redeemed (39,217,160) (2,472,942) (225,320,097) (19,320,033)
Net increase 1,571,424 410,018 $ 8,225,995 $ 2,587,813
</TABLE>
15
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES AMOUNT
---------------------------- ----------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ADVISOR CLASS
Shares sold 1,262,591 2,621,487 $ 8,223,010 $ 21,634,966
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends and distributions 394,506 22,857 2,560,344 145,601
Shares redeemed (948,689) (1,602,903) (6,491,901) (14,215,119)
Net increase 708,408 1,041,441 $ 4,291,453 $ 7,565,448
</TABLE>
16
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN. 1, 1994
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, TO YEAR ENDED
------------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1993
------------ -------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $8.70 $7.71 $7.72 $6.63 $6.85 $6.68
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.02)(b) (.02)(b) .02 .02(b) .01 .02
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
transactions (.54) 2.09 1.06 2.08 (.23) .93
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations (.56) 2.07 1.08 2.10 (.22) .95
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income -0- (.02) (.02) (.01) -0- (.02)
Distributions from net realized gains (2.17) (1.06) (1.07) (1.00) -0- (.76)
Total dividends and distributions (2.17) (1.08) (1.09) (1.01) -0- (.78)
Net asset value, end of period $5.97 $8.70 $7.71 $7.72 $6.63 $6.85
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (c) (8.48)% 31.82% 16.49% 37.87% (3.21)% 14.26%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $953,181 $1,201,435 $999,067 $945,309 $760,679 $831,814
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.03% 1.03% 1.04% 1.08% 1.05%(d) 1.01%
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets (.36)% (.29)% .30% .31% .21%(d) .27%
Portfolio turnover rate 106% 158% 80% 81% 63% 66%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 20.
17
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAN. 1, 1994
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, TO YEAR ENDED
------------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1993
------------ -------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $8.25 $7.40 $7.49 $6.50 $6.76 $6.64
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment loss (.07)(b) (.08)(b) (.01) (.03)(b) (.03) (.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
transactions (.50) 1.99 .99 2.02 (.23) .91
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations (.57) 1.91 .98 1.99 (.26) .88
LESS: DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (2.17) (1.06) (1.07) (1.00) -0- (.76)
Net asset value, end of period $5.51 $8.25 $7.40 $7.49 $6.50 $6.76
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (c) (9.27)% 30.74% 15.47% 36.61% (3.85)% 13.28%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $85,456 $70,461 $44,450 $31,738 $18,138 $12,402
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.84% 1.85% 1.87% 1.90% 1.89%(d) 1.90%
Ratio of net investment loss
to average net assets (1.17)% (1.12)% (.53)% (.53)% (.60)%(d) (.64)%
Portfolio turnover rate 106% 158% 80% 81% 63% 66%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 20.
18
THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS C
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JANUARY 1, MAY 3,
1994 1993(E)
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, TO TO
--------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1993
------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $8.26 $7.41 $7.50 $6.50 $6.77 $6.67
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment loss (.07)(b) (.08)(b) (.02) (.03)(b) (.03) (.02)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
transactions (.52) 1.99 1.00 2.03 (.24) .88
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations (.59) 1.91 .98 2.00 (.27) .86
LESS: DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (2.17) (1.06) (1.07) (1.00) -0- (.76)
Net asset value, end of period $5.50 $8.26 $7.41 $7.50 $6.50 $6.77
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (c) (9.58)% 30.72% 15.48% 36.79% (3.99)% 13.95%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $21,231 $18,871 $13,899 $10,078 $6,230 $4,006
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.84% 1.83% 1.86% 1.89% 1.87%(d) 1.94%(d)
Ratio of net investment loss
to average net assets (1.18)% (1.10)% (.51)% (.51)% (.59)%(d) (.74)%(d)
Portfolio turnover rate 106% 158% 80% 81% 63% 66%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 20.
19
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
ADVISOR CLASS
-----------------------------------
OCT. 2,
1996(E)
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, TO
------------------------ NOV. 30,
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------
Net asset value, beginning of period $8.69 $7.71 $6.99
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.01)(b) (.02)(b) -0-
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
transactions (.53) 2.10 .72
Net increase in net asset
value from operations (.54) 2.08 .72
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income -0- (.04) -0-
Distributions from net realized gains (2.17) (1.06) -0-
Total dividends and distributions (2.17) (1.10) -0-
Net asset value, end of period $5.98 $8.69 $7.71
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (c) (8.19)% 32.00% 10.30%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $11,305 $10,275 $1,083
Ratio of expenses to average net assets .83% .83% .89%(d)
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets (.16)% (.21)% .38%(d)
Portfolio turnover rate 106% 158% 80%
(a) The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to November 30.
(b) Based on average shares outstanding.
(c) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or contingent
deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of total investment
return. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year
is not annualized.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Commencement of distribution.
20
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS THE ALLIANCE FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE ALLIANCE FUND, INC.
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of The Alliance Fund, Inc. (the
"Fund") at November30, 1998, the results of its operations for the year then
ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial
statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits 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 audits, which included confirmation of
securities at November 30, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
January 8, 1999
TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
_______________________________________________________________________________
In order to meet certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code we are
advising you that $182,453,983 and $26,919,440 of the capital gain
distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal year November 30, 1998 are
subject to the maximum tax rates of 28% and 20% respectively. Shareholders
should not use the above information to prepare their tax returns. The
information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with
your Form 1099 DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 1999.
21
<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
00250430.AS1
